Situated where it is on the Atlantic coast, Charleston roofing has its own special set of challenges. Subjected regularly to hurricanes, thunderstorms and the occasional freak hail or snow storm, it’s fair to say that local roofs take a constant beating.
When the time comes to replace a roof, more and more homeowners are looking toward metal as a robust, long-lasting roofing material. The metal roofing industry has undergone something of a renaissance. Today’s metal roofs can be designed to mimic the style of shingle, tile, shake or slate in a range of colors to make them resemble clay, wood or stone.
Slightly pricey up front, a metal roof can outlast its more conventional predecessor. A conventional asphalt shingle roof may need to be replaced as frequently as every 10 years, and metal roofs can last twice as long.
Apart from the obvious benefit of longevity, metal roofs are also lightweight, fire resistant and energy-efficient. Their light weight allows them to be installed directly on top of previous roofing, eliminating the extra work of tearing off the old roof and finding somewhere to dispose or recycle it.
Because of their effectiveness in halting the spread of fires, some insurance companies are offering discounts to property owners who install metal roofs. When coated with specially formulated “cool pigments,” a metal roof will reflect solar heat rather than absorb it into the attic.