Are you
interested in making your house more energy efficient, adding a beautiful and
striking major design element, and never having to replace your roof again?
Consider a metal roof. While the cost of a metal roof is significantly higher
than a shingled roof, it will likely last a lifetime and it is practically
maintenance-free. The practical advantages of a metal roof are that it makes
your home safer in harsh weather and can significantly cut down on your energy
bills. Aesthetically, a metal roof is versatile in design to complement many
architectural styles, from a century old farmhouse to a contemporary home.
Why did person choose
metal? "They look great! Very crisp and architectural and much easier to
get excited about than asphalt shingles. Other than copper and slate, both very
expensive, enameled standing seam roofs have the best longevity. From a
long-term maintenance standpoint this is a plus. Additionally, standing seam
can be used on low-pitched roofs, where shingles would not be appropriate. We
use this material very frequently on porches and dormers, which tend to have
lower pitches. Finally, there are some nice color options."
However, there is a big drawback to using
standing seam roofing for areas with harsh winter weather. "It sheds snow,
leading to big piles of snow along eave sides and at valleys," Smith
warns. "This needs to be taken into consideration when locating entries,
walks, and plantings. When we do use standing seam for an entire house, such as
this lake house in Vermont, we design to accommodate the snow issues and warn
our clients!"
Architect Kenny
Craft, who specializes in sustainable design, says "I am a
big advocate for metal roofing. Because of the light color and reflectance, it
helps to reduce heat build up in attics and finished rooms tucked into the
roof. Metal roofing is also generally made from recycled content, and then,
after its life, is itself recyclable."
Craft chose a corrugated metal roof here, because it has a long history of
being used in Colorado and adds to the vernacular-inspired style of this new
home.
Another attribute of metal roofing Craft
appreciates is that, "it lends itself well to rain water harvesting. With
its smooth clean surface, less filtering is required of water from a metal
roof, compared to asphalt shingles which shed small particles, and possibly
other chemicals."
Craft is also a big fan of indigenous
architecture. Regarding the aesthetics of a metal roof he says, "the metal
roof has a distinctive and authentic look; it's a material that is what it is —
a rarity in today's world of composite look-a-likes — including asphalt
shingles. The silvery galvanized color adds a fresh, timeless yet contemporary
character to a dominate element of the composition."
