Lifetime warranty on metal roofs, never to roof again is the claim made by many companies. While it is never a long time, it would be more accurate to say never roof again while you are in your current home or if you are not doing any renovations. Who knows what the state of the roof of your next house will be.
When metal roofing entered the scene in a serious way some twenty years ago, the products being sold were not, as one would say, “up to par.” Companies trying to take advantage of the angst of asphalt roofing manufacturers were quick to bring substandard products to market to make a quick buck. Many of them made it. Most are no longer in business.
The market recognized the need for an alternative roofing product and quickly jumped on board. The market is demanding and quickly eliminates scammers. The steel and aluminum roofs received something of a black eye for the behavior of these people. They overpriced an already expensive product and literally kicked out consumers willing to bite. These people created the circumstances for a much slower increase in acceptance of steel and aluminum roofs by the general public.
The metal roofing companies that survived were mostly the good guys. These companies were willing to spend money on research and development. Materials on both the steel and aluminum roofs improved dramatically. Paint and coatings became the main focus, while fasteners and bonding followed closely behind.
One of the consumer’s first questions when considering a permanent roof was the fading factor. The earliest metal roofs were suspect at best. The technology did not exist at the time for coatings and paint to last the life of roofs. Today, with the help of Nassau, there is the paint needed to make fifty-year warranty claims.
The next problem was how the roof was attached and how you could walk on it. Progressive companies developed interlocking shingle and strapping systems that, when installed correctly, made the roof 100% waterproof. Design came into play and the metal tiles that used to rise and take over the house now hugged the roof enhancing its lines. With the roof-hugging design, the problem of noise during rain and hail was also eliminated.
Metal roofs could now honestly claim everything their predecessors couldn’t. The paint would last the life of the roof. Invisible virtual repairs can be made if required. The ceiling would look as good thirty years from installation as if it were brand new. The energy saving claims were legitimate. Unlike asphalt roofs that absorb heat and retain cold, metal roofs actually reflect heat in the summer and insulate in the winter.
People who make the decision to spend more today and put in a metal roof literally changed the spending dynamics of the house. When their roof was paid for, which could be financed, they now had decades of worry-free time to experience their decision, as neighbors struggled to pay thousands of dollars for a new roof every few years.
