It may be the last roof you will ever need to buy.

Homes often need their roofs replaced or repaired. If you are in need of a new roof, you may consider investing a little more money in a metal roof for a lifetime reward. Metal roofs are eco-friendly, help you save on the energy bill, and last for many decades. It may be the last roof you will ever need to buy. When you choose a metal roof, though, it can be tempting to cut costs by using poor quality metal roofing materials. Should you?

Why Are Quality Metal Roofing Materials Important?

Metal roofs are quite different from most roofs. They rely on the quality of their materials more than asphalt or wood shingles do. There are four main reasons why metal roofing especially requires quality materials for the job.

1. Metal Roofs Rely on the Strength of the Metal

Many metal roofs, especially panel metal roofs, use only a single layer of material. Unlike asphalt, slate, wood, or other shingle type roofs that use a couple of layers under the shingles and then several layers of shingles, metal uses one layer to protect your home from weather, corrosion, fire, and more. This means the quality of the metal needs to be really high to give your home the best protection you can.
 
While there are many metal options, each with its own benefits, the important thing is to choose well-refined and properly treated metal. Some metals, such as steel, may rust or corrode if not properly treated through chemicals or dipping the metal in a non-corrosive metal. A weak metal can corrode, rust, bend, scratch, or worse, puncture. Your home could become damaged from the poor metal quality which will not likely be covered by any warranties.

2. Quality Materials Protect Your Home

Like we said above, with poor quality materials, your home could get damaged. Strong weather from high winds to large hail can damage poor quality materials, thus damaging your home. With high-quality materials, you can protect your home and roof from weather, fire, mold, or tree damage. Metal can be hard to patch or remove if it gets twisted or bent, so starting out with quality materials that won't need to be fixed is the best way to go.

3. The Better the Materials, the Better Your Benefits

Metal roofs have many benefits. They are environmentally-friendly. They are recyclable. They keep your home cooler in the summer, saving you money on your power bill. They can even save you money on your home insurance. However, many of these benefits you will only see if you use high-quality roofing materials. With better materials, you can reap better benefits.
 
Poor roofing materials may result in mistreated metals and poorly recycled roofs. This could simply mean your roof is unrecyclable, or at worst, your roof gives off dangerous chemicals from not being properly treated. A poor quality metal roof will not likely be covered with a good warranty. You will also not save on your home insurance, as your insurance agent will be able to spot the poor quality of your roofing materials.

4. A Quality Metal Roof Looks Better

It's important to choose quality metal roofing materials because, in the end, it looks so much better aesthetically. Cracks, scratches, dents, and other signs of poor roofing materials will show up like a sore thumb. Your brand new roof will look decades old with bad quality materials, and that will make the rest of your home look bad, too. A quality metal roof will stand out and even becoming a selling point for buyers.

What Makes Metal Roofing Materials Good Quality?

When measuring the quality of a metal material, you want to look at four main factors: type of metal, the manufacturer, the treatment process, and the delivery method.

Metal

The main types of metal for a metal roof are zinc, aluminum, copper, and steel. “Tin” roofs are a well-known misnomer since no roofs are made from tin anymore. Each of the four metals has different strengths and weaknesses. Copper is a malleable metal, making it outlast centuries. However, it's malleability can also allow it to become dented by hail or falling tree limbs.
 
Aluminum is strong, lightweight, and resistant to corrosion, but it is more prone to dents and scratches. Sometimes the best quality metal roofs use a combination of these metals to create even better material. Steel is an alloy that is often coated in another alloy to protect it.
 
Steel roofing is one of the more common materials. While it is heavier, it is strong and very durable. Make sure your steel is high-quality by seeing what metal it has been treated with. Aluminum or Aluminum-Zinc alloys are a high-quality treatment option.

Manufacturer

Another way to make sure your metal roof is high-quality is to buy your materials from a trusted manufacturer. A manufacturer should have plenty of good reviews as well as a site full of information on how they manufacture their metal materials.
 
Using someone who has been in business for many years is a safer bet to get quality materials. When researching a manufacturer, try to find someone local who will roll your panels on-site, to save money on shipping and lower risk of shipping damage.

Treatment Process

When choosing a manufacturer, research their treatment methods. Some treatments involve dipping the metal in a different metal or alloy. Some treatments use a coating, such as an elastomeric coat that bonds to the metal to add strength and protection. Some coatings can be painted in different colors.
 
Make sure you know how your materials are being treated. Look for red flags, such as chemicals or metals you can't find any information about or vague information about how the metal is treated.

Delivery Method

Another important measure when ranking the quality of a metal roofing material is the way the materials are delivered. Rough delivery can cause even strong metals to become damaged. One of the best delivery methods for panel roofing is to have your materials rolled on-site. Having your materials rolled on-site means your materials will come in a large roll, where they will be shaped and cut at the site of your new roof.
 
This cuts down on shipping costs, eliminates the need for heavy equipment, produces less waste, and allows for minor last-minute changes for your roof. It also keeps your materials safer and better protected until they can be formed into the high-quality panels that you need for your roof.

Key Considerations When Choosing a Metal Roof

When deciding on a metal roof, there are other things to consider than just the quality of your materials. These considerations can also impact the quality of your roof, so deciding on these things should be a careful decision. Key factors that affect your metal roof are color, price, supplier, and installation.

Color

As mentioned before, different treatments of your paneling can be painted on with different colors. This means you have hundreds of different color options for a metal roof. Coloring can impact your roof, as you may need it repainted every 10 years or so depending on the paint. Paint can also chip or peel. Color can also benefit the energy-saving effects of your roof. For example, a white roof will help reflect heat away from your roof.

Price

Your budget will also be a factor when deciding your metal roofing materials. The metal you choose along with your manufacturer, delivery method, and installation, will all affect the price. A key thing to remember is that more expensive doesn't always mean better quality.
 

Supplier

A supplier can be different from your manufacturer. While a few people may buy their roofing materials directly from the manufacturer, many people use a supplier to cut down on shipping costs. A supplier can also help you choose the best manufacturer with the highest-quality metal materials (though bad suppliers may try to sell you poor quality stock to get rid of it, so be sure to check them out).

Installation

Installation will depend on your materials. With high-quality materials, installation is so much easier. However, poor installation can ruin high-quality materials. The best way to avoid a poor installation is to have your metal roof professionally installed. Professional installation can make sure your roof is properly attached and sealed. You should always do a final check after any installation to look for bulges, dents, bends, or any other signs of poor installation.
 
When deciding on a metal roof, it is important to choose quality metal materials so that your roof will be strong and protect your home. Treatments, manufacturers, types of metal, and even delivery methods can affect the quality of your materials. You should also consider other factors that may indirectly affect the quality of your roof, such as color, price, supplier, and installation. Once you know what metal roof is right for you, order your roofing materials through Hill Country Metal Roofing Supply. We can guarantee quality materials with great warranties at a great price.