Quick Answer to "How Long Does Metal Roofing Last?":
Metal roofing has a long expected lifetime of 30 to 50 years.
Extended Answer to "How Long Does Metal Roofing Last?":
Metal Roofing - Long Lasting Roof
If metal roofing is installed properly, it can be expected to last 40 to 50 years. However, there are various factors that can shorten the life of a metal roof. Below is a list of the factors that can shorten the life of metal roofing.
Roof Lifetime Factor #1 - Workmanship
You can use the best materials, but if the metal roof is installed incorrectly, the lifetime of your metal roofing will be shortened. Some examples of improper installation that we have seen from other roofing companies include, but are not limited to, not enough roof ventilation, improper flashing, wrong skylights, along with basic improper installation methods. Outside factors such as building codes can lead to needing adjustments with the new roof installation.
Some metal roof replacements require changes depending on the type of roof of the old roof being replaced and the new metal roof replacing the old roof. It is important your roofer is aware of any necessary changes. Roofs are not a 1 size fits all.
At Three Tree Roofing, we keep up with alll the building codes and regulations to ensure your new metal roof is installed according to manufacturer specifications and current building codes.
Roof Lifetime Factor #2 - Materials Used
Make sure the metal roofing material you are using is the best you can afford. At Three Tree Roofing, we use Nu-Ray Metals Roofing. They have various metal roofing options, and with Nu-Ray Metals, you're getting a great product that will last for decades. Nu-Ray metal is made with their calibrated roll machines in the factory and comes standard 40 years or 50 warranties.
Nu-ray Metals Roofing Products
Nu-ray Metal Roofing is an industry leader in metal roof installation, with over 100 years of combined knowledge and 60 thousand square feet dedicated to manufacturing facilities located right here on American soil. The company produces some top quality products that can be found all around the Seattle area and the rest of the state of Washington!
Roof Lifetime Factor #3 - Roof Accessories
Another important factor that can shorten the lifetime of metal roofing is the quality of the metal roofing accessories used for the roof. These accessories include vents, pipe boots, perimeter metal, skylights, and more. You can use the best metal and install them properly, but if low quality accessories are used, problems can arise shortening the lifetime of your roof.
"Your roof is only as strong as its weakest link."
CJ McConaghy
Co-Owner and Co-Founder, Three Tree Roofing
Roof Lifetime Factor #4 - Ventilation
The attic space needs to be properly ventilated to control the temperature of the roof space. This will keep your metal roof from getting too hot or too moist. Improper venting can shorten the life of your metal roof. To allow venting a continuous 2-5 inch air space is cut in the sheeting at the top of the roof, the vent will be installed over this area and allow air to exit the highest point on the roof. Hot air and moisture can easily exit the attic space and allow the roof to last a longer time. Proper intake ventilation is important for a well-balanced roofing system.
Roof Lifetime Factor #5 - Proper Roof Maintenance
Keeping your roof clean is important to a full life for a metal roof. Debris, algae, moss, gutters, all need to be cleaned. Inspecting the roof for damage from animals, insects, or scratches in paint is also very important. All roofs require some level of maintenance, some more than others.
Composition roofing requires periodic inspections. Checking for debris, missing shingles, damaged flashings, moss or algae. As the compositions ages it requires moss and algae treatments. Preventing moss and algae from growing onto the roofing material will allow the roofing material to last much longer. Click here for a complete guide to composite shingle roofing maintenance.
Metal roofing requires periodic maintenance as well as other roofing types. It is important to check for scratches in the paint on metal roofing. If scratches are found the manufacturer sells paint pens and it’s important to use the paint pen and fix all scratches.
Roof Lifetime Factor #6 - Local Weather
The severity of the local weather plays a factor in the lifetime of your roof. In Seattle, an ample amount of rain dictates when the roof will be removed and installed. Roofs are not torn off in the rain but can be installed in the rain once the underlayment is installed.
A majority of the metal roofs we install daily are steel. The weather and the roof type will determine the proper installation methods.
Lower pitch and steeper pitch roofs use different types of metal and clips. Lower pitch metal get it’s seem rolled with a machine on the roof top to help make it extra water tight. A lower pitch leads to more of a chance of leaking.
Meanwhile, steeper pitch metal panels can clip together. This creates a sufficient seal for the steeper applications.
Three Tree Roofing Staff are Metal Roofing Experts
Three Tree Roofing includes a 25 year workmanship warranty on all metal roof installs. We have dedicated metal roofing crews that install metal roofs and no other types of roofing. This allows our metal roofing crews to focus on metal roofing and be the best metal roofers in Washington state.
We carry these great roofing products
We hope this series of article helps you better understand the ins and outs of metal roofing. Click here to see our next post "Is Metal Roofing Environmentally Friendly?" - Part 6 of our 9 Part series on "5 Different Types of Roofs: Metal Roofing".
