Metal roofing provides an amazingly durable, low-maintenance weather protection with a very long lifespan. With the ever-increasing color and style options, metal roofing is finding acceptance not only in commercial, but architectural and residential applications.  Advanced coatings like PVDF have been proven to resist fading and chalking for over 40 years, making appearance issues a thing of the past. While initial installation costs may be higher than a composition roof,  it will last more than three times longer, and therefore making a low-maintenance metal roof a much greater value.  A metal roof is lightweight, allowing more options such as reroof over an old roof without tear-off.

While initial costs may be higher, the true life-cycle costs are substantially lower than conventional roofing.  When compared to similar long-lifespan roofing materials such as tile, metal is clearly one of the least expensive roofing materials available today. Short-lifespan products, such as composite shingles or shakes may cost less initially, but will need to be replaced several times before an equivalent metal roof even needs finish maintenance.  A metal roof can last a lifetime.

Lightning will strike the highest object in the area, regardless of the material from which it is made. Metal roofing does not attract lightning and poses no additional lightning risk to the applied structure. In fact, a metal roof is safer, because it acts as a Faraday cage to disperse the charge to ground.  Since metal roofing is both non-combustible and conductive, there is less risk of lightning damage or fire than with traditional roofing materials.

In residential applications, metal roofing is usually installed over solid decking or with an insulating barrier over an existing roof. Metal roofing over solid decking will generate no more noise than any other roofing material.  Industrial applications of metal panels over open purlins may be noisier, but with proper insulation, these roofs can be dampened as well.

If your residential roof is installed over a solid substrate, you should be able to walk on your roof without damage; just avoid stepping on the ribs or the ridgecap.  However, it is much easier to lose your footing on a metal roof due to moisture or loose debris. If your roof is commercial/industrial and installed over open purlins, walking on your roof is not recommended, so consult your roofing installer before you do. Since a metal roof requires virtually no maintenance, there should be no reason to be on your roof.

Metal is one of the longest-lasting roofing materials you can buy.  Advanced galvanic treatments to the base metal prevent rust for decades.  New multilayer paint technologies allow finish warranties upwards to 40 years.  With proper maintenance and eventual surface refinishing, there’s no reason why a metal roof can’t last a lifetime… or even longer!

Today’s metal roofing is a far cry from the old barns you might see off the side of a road.  Now, the metal preparation and finishing is more like that of the automotive industry! Advanced galvanic treatments to the base metal prevent rust for decades. MPI’s metal panels are pre-painted with baked-on primers and a heat-cured factory finish.  New multilayer paint technologies allow for finish warranties upwards to 40 years.

Our metal roofing has been tested to withstand winds up to 120 mph.  The key is the proper installation of the roof.  If proper installation procedures are followed, a metal roof can easily withstand harsh storms that would tear off traditional roofing.

Several factors come into play in order to answer this question fairly.  Yes, denting is possible, but in most cases, preventable.  First, consider the gauge of the metal roofing you’re planning to use.  A thin, economy panel will of course be more prone to damage than a stronger, premium panel.  If you live in a high-hail zone, make sure you select a heavier gauge panel, 26 ga or more.  Second, the panel profile you select will have a great affect on the overall strength of the panel to resist deformation.  A panel with many ribs and veriegation will be inherently stronger than a flat panel.  Third, panels are far more durable if they are installed flat against a solid deck.  And finally, don’t forget about the trim.  Trim is the most prone to damage during a storm (gutters, rakes, ridgecap) so make sure to use a heavier gauge metal for these as well.   If dents do occur and they’re only slight, a good hot summer may cause them to lessen or nearly disappear.  Unlike composite or shake roofs, hail damage on a metal roof is merely cosmetic, and does not affect the water-tight integrity of the roof.

Metal roofing only weighs a third of traditional roofing, so in most cases you can install a metal roof directly over your old roof.   A proper underlayment or structure should be used to isolate the panels from the asphalt shingle surface. Roofing over your old roof can save a great deal on labor by not having to strip your old roof, and save landfill dump fees by eliminating these wastes.  There are a number of ways to roof over your old shingles, so it’s recommended to consult with a reputable roofer.  If the roof structure is questionable, or there are three layers of shingles, stripping and repairing the structure will be required.

Metal reflects about 70% of the sun’s energy. With today’s finishes, the Florida Solar Energy Center documented that metal demonstrates 34% less heat gain than asphalt shingles. With a cool roof finish, metal roofs will be significantly cooler than asphalt, and prevent more heat transfer to attic space than asphalt.

Absolutely.  Traditional roofing materials like asphalt or composite absorb heat energy from the sun, while metal roofing reflects most of the radiant energy.  A properly installed cool roof can both reflect away heat, and dissipate residual heat quickly. Attic air spaces remain cooler, and indoor temperatures may demand less HVAC energy than traditional roofing materials.

SRI is a measurement of the constructed surface’s ability to reflect solar heat. SRI combines reflectance and emittance into one number.

SR is the measurement of deflection of solar energy from a surface. Generally, steep roofs perform better than low slope roofs. The greater amount of solar energy reflected from a surface, the less energy will be required to keep it cool.

An Emissivity rating is determined by the amount of heat that is radiated from a surface. The greater the emissivity, the greater the ability of a surface to cool itself through radiant heat loss.

Lower air pollutants, lower maintenance costs, lower energy costs, plus possible tax credits and insurance discounts. Metal roofing in general is durable, lightweight, easy to install, easy to maintain, weather-tight and reliable.

A metal roof is great for the environment. Most metal coil used for roofing panels contains nearly 30% recycled steel, and the panels themselves are 100% recyclable, which will keep metal roofing from every going to a landfill. In contrast, the National Association of Homebuilders Research Center estimates that 20 billion pounds of asphalt shingles are dumped into US landfills every single year.

No. Generally, the color will be white, but can vary in color shade and is not warranted.  If consistent back-side color is important to you (i.e., it will be seen) insist that your panels are all produced from the same coil.

In most cases, no. The rust you may see will probably be concentrated around screw holes and has come from tiny metal shavings being left on the panels when they were drilled. This is an installation issue, so consult with your installer.  MPI recommends a thorough sweeping of the panels after the installation to prevent this.

You must run our portable roll-formers off of the recommended power source, or risk damage.  Consult with MPI in advance of a job site roll-form for an approved method to power the roll-former.

MPI uses the industry’s most widely utilized paint system: Sherwin-Williams Weather-XL, which carries a 40-year finish warranty.  MPI and Berridge offer products finished in a durable PVDF coating.

Absolutely. MPI offers both concealed and exposed fastener metal panels, and 16 different panel profiles in a wide range of colors.  From insulation and fasteners to a wide array of accessories, we can provide everything you need from the slab up.

In most cases, if an order for panels, trim and accessories is received by 10:00am (stock colors, subject to availability), it will be available the following day.

No, that responsibility is your own.  MPI will be happy to provide assistance and expertise when possible, but will only produce material based upon architectural drawings or from a customer-provided take-offs or materials list.

There are many different panel profiles available, and many to choose from just to achieve a certain look or color. Your insurance company will more than likely approve more choices than they have listed, provided they have the specifications and the UL information for the specific panel. I would encourage you to explore our galleries, our panel pages or our catalog. If you find a panel you would like to use, please call one of our project managers for the specific engineering information that your insurance company would need for approval.

Yes, it is possible to qualify for insurance discounts for a metal roof, but there are many variables to be considered.  First, let’s look at the possible discounts.

  1. The most common discount from insurers is the hail/impact-resistant roof discount. Your insurer may restrict this discount to certain roof panel profiles, but more likely will judge by the UL impact rating.  Some insurers may require you to sign a waiver releasing them from aesthetic claims.
  2. Some insurers, especially in wildfire-prone regions, may offer a discount for fire-resistant roofs. If this is offered, it will be based on the roof’s UL rating and the risk assessment of your property location.  Metal roofs nearly always have a class “A” rating, because they’re non-combustible.
  3. Certain insurers may give an overall “metal roof” discount. State Farm historically has been one of the insurers to offer such a discount.
  4. The EnergyStar program for roofs, while not an insurance discount, was a tax rebate incentive. Unfortunately, this program was sunsetted in 2016 for metal roofs.
  5. A “new roof” discount is often offered by many insurers for roofs of several types. Even if you’re already insured, call your agent if you get a new roof – you may get a significant discount due to your roofing investment.

The bottom line is, while there are many possibilities for insurance discounts, there are many variables that can affect that outcome, such as property location, your insurer’s programs, or your roof type and condition.  Your first and best course of action?  Call your insurance agent!

Metal Panels Inc.

Metal Panels Inc.