Union Metal Roofing document discusses the advantages of metal roofing over traditional asphalt shingles. Metal roofing offers superior weather resistance through high wind ratings and resistance to penetration. It also has lower lifecycle costs due to a longer lifespan of 45+ years compared to 15 years for shingles. Metal roofs can reduce energy costs through higher solar reflectivity of 25-70% compared to soaking heat of asphalt shingles. They are also more environmentally friendly as metal is 100% recyclable with high recycled content and can be installed over existing shingles.
4. Metal roofing offers homeowners
numerous advantages in almost
every performance category, these
advantages have helped make metal
the fastest growing segment of the
residential roofing market.
Over the last 12 years, metal’s
share of the residential remodel
market has tripled, from an
estimated 4% in 1998 to over
12% in 2010.
Weather
Resistance
Lifecycle
Costs
Energy
Efficiency
Green
Product
Curb
Appeal
5. Weather Resistance
Metal roofing is in a class by itself when it comes to protection
from severe weather. Unlike asphalt shingles, which are only
secured by one row of nails and an asphalt adhesive at the laps, metal roofing is
secured by screws and is applied in one continuous piece from the eave to the
ridge. This design significantly increases wind uplift resistance and minimizes the
areas where wind or rain can penetrate the roof surface. Union’s metal roofing
carries the highest wind, impact, and fire ratings, so no matter where you live,
metal provides the best protection for your home.
6. • Florida Building Code High Velocity Hurricane Zone
• Miami-Dade County Florida Wind Uplift Approval
• UL Rated for Wind Uplift, Fire, and Impact Resistance
• Texas Dept. of Insurance Approved
Some of Union’s testing and certifications include:
Weather Resistance
7. Lifecycle Costs
On average, you can expect
to pay 5 times more for
shingles over the life of your
metal roof. In other words,
if your metal roof costs
$6,000, the shingle
equivalent will cost you
roughly $30,000 at the end
of 45 years. This estimate
assumes a working life of
45 years for a metal roof
and 15 years for shingles.
Additionally, metal saves you from having to do periodic repairs
due to isolated shingle blow-offs – a common occurrence during
thunderstorms and other high wind events.
Additional savings can come in the form of reduced homeowner insurance
premiums. Many insurance companies offer reduced rates for homes with
metal roofs because of its outstanding durability. These types of discounts
are most common in states with frequent hail storms. Be sure to tell the
homeowner to check with their insurance company for discount eligibility.
Metal roofs are a premium roofing option and usually cost more than
asphalt shingles. However, this premium is now smaller than it has
ever been due to an improved metal roofing installer base and the
continued escalation of asphalt shingle prices. Homeowners can
quickly recoup the upfront investment through significantly lower
lifecycle costs.
8. Energy Efficiency
Another way metal roofs can save you money is by
reducing energy costs. Studies conducted by the Cool
Metal Roofing Coalition and Oak Ridge National
Laboratory have shown that metal roofs with Energy Star certified high
reflectance coatings can reduce cooling costs up to 40% compared to
asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles absorb and retain heat which translates
to elevated attic temperatures both day and night. This increases the
cooling load on your air conditioning unit.
Unlike shingles, metal roofs reflect up
to 70% of the sun’s energy, reducing
attic temperatures.
In contrast, metal roofs reflect a large percentage of the sun’s energy
back into the atmosphere and cool rapidly once the sun goes down.
This results in lower attic temperatures and greatly reduced energy
consumption for cooling. In order to be Energy Star certified, a roof has to reflect a minimum
of 25%. The best performing colors reflect as much as 70% of the sun’s energy. As a result
of the better energy efficiency of metal roofing, homeowners are eligible for a tax credit of
10% of the material costs, capped at $500, for installing an Energy Star certified metal roof.
9. Metal roofs are one of the greenest roofing advantages is their
recyclability. Asphalt shingles generate an astounding amount of landfill
waste each year, estimated at over 6.8 million tons, or 3% of all municipal
solid waste. Their production also requires oil refining by-products such as
asphalt which have continued to escalate in price. Conversely, metal roofs are 100% recyclable
and are typically produced with a minimum of 20% recycled content. This allows metal roofs
to meet industry recognized green building definitions.
Green Product
Additionally, metal roofs can be installed directly over asphalt shingles in
most applications, eliminating the need for landfill disposal. Numerous
other factors contribute to metal’s performance as a green product,
including its energy efficiency, long life, and its ability to reduce the
phenomenon known as the urban heat-island effect. The heat-island effect is caused when
construction materials such as concrete and asphalt shingles absorb and retain heat, causing
ambient temperatures to rise. This can cause urban temperatures to be 3 to 5 degrees higher
than surrounding areas, decreasing air quality and increasing heat loads. The high reflectivity of
metal roofing helps reduce the amount of heat build-up by reflecting a high percentage of the
sun’s energy back into the atmosphere.
10. The paint and coating systems on Union’s metal roofing retain their
original finish for decades, resisting the stains, buckling, fading, and
granule loss that affects other roof types.This results in a better return
on investment and home value increase compared to an asphalt shingle
roof. The residential cost handbook reported that the appraised value of a home increased
by $1.35 per square foot when a metal roof was installed.
Curb Appeal
12. 12
Paint Technology
Union uses the industry’s best Siliconized Modified Polyester paint system which provides
outstanding color stability and abrasion resistance for the life of the roof. Several elements
make Union’s paint system superior to other manufacturers, and these are fade resistance,
chalk resistance, gloss retention, stain resistance, and scratch resistance. These
attributes ensure that the roof stays looking new, longer, and that the colors stay accurate for
the life of the roof.
13. • All Union paint systems are
real-world tested in south FL
• This paint system was
tested for over 10 years prior
to launch
• This testing accelerates
chalk and fade 2 times faster
than applications north of
Jacksonville, FL
• Most competitive paint
systems use accelerated
testing which doesn’t mimic
real-world conditions
Real-World Testing
Paint Technology
14. Substrate Technology
Union’s high-tech paint system goes over a corrosion resistant steel substrate known as
Galvalume. Union’s Galvalume coated steel carries a 30 year corrosion warranty which is
the best in the industry. Most competitive metal roofing manufacturers use a Galvanized
substrate which carries no warranty against corrosion. Galvanized steel uses a zinc coating
for its corrosion protection whereas Galvalume uses a combination of aluminum, zinc, and
silicon. Studies have shown that Galvalume steel has 4 times the corrosion protection of
galvanized steel.
Scratch on Galvalume Metal Roof
Scratch on Galvanized Metal Roof
15. • Metal roofing comes with two warranties, one for the
paint system and one for the substrate.
• Union’s standard paint warranty is 40 years.
• Union’s standard Galvalume warranty is 30 years.
• A Lifetime system warranty is also available that covers
both the paint and substrate.
• The technology is the same – the customer is paying for
the extended warranty provided by Union.
Warranty Overview
17. Q: Are metal roofs noisy?
A: Not when installed on a solid roof deck.
The only time metal roofs make that
distinctive pinging sound is when they’re
installed on open purlins, as is often the
case in a barn or post-frame building.
However, in the overwhelming majority
of residential applications, the metal roof
will be going on a plywood deck or over
the existing shingles. In these cases the
homeowner will likely experience no
difference in sound.
18. Q: Will a metal roof rust?
A: Rust will not be a concern with a metal
roof from Union. Our products use Metal
Construction Association certified steel
that’s protected by a Galvalume coating
and carries a 30 year warranty against
rust and corrosion. Galvalume coated
roofs have been in service for decades in
some of the most severe environments
in the world and the results have been
outstanding. Galvalume has become the
standard for premium roofing worldwide
and is widely used in residential, com-
mercial, and industrial applications.
19. Q: Does a metal roof
attract lightning?
A: A metal roof has no greater chance of being
struck by lightning than any other roof type.
In the unlikely event that your house is
struck by lightning, metal roofing can be
beneficial in two ways:
1) It will help dissipate the electrical charge
2) Since it’s non-combustible it won’t be
ignited by the lightning or burning
debris.
20. Q: What does the “gauge”
of the metal mean?
A: Gauge is a measure of the metal’s
thickness. The smaller the number,
the thicker the metal. 29 gauge is the
minimum recommended thickness for
residential applications and is the
most popular gauge for panels like
MasterRib. 26 gauge is used more
often in severe weather areas and is
the minimum gauge for higher-end
standing seam panels like Union’s
Advantage Lok. Gauges of 24 and
thicker are mainly used on commercial
and industrial applications.