Are Metal Roofs Green?

More than ever, today’s homeowners and buyers have become increasingly environmentally aware. That awareness has shifted over to the use of smart and sustainable construction materials. While there are a number of green solutions in the field of home improvement, one of the most popular approaches is the use of metal roofs.

Metal roofs are usually constructed from galvanized steel, copper, tin, and aluminum

There are a number of reasons for their rise in popularity, including:

• Metal roofing has been shown to be not only highly fire resistant, but nearly impervious to heavy snow, hail storms, or violent rain. According to FEMA some metal roofs can withstand wind speeds up to or greater than 140 mph while also keeping moisture at bay! Plus, metal roofs are great at resisting problematic pests.
• Metal roofs are considered to be “cool roofs,” and they can save homeowners up to 40% in their energy bills. While asphalt roofs will absorb heat and cause the interior of homes to become warmer, a metal roof does an excellent job of reflecting the rays of the sun. Asphalt generally reflects anywhere from 5%-25%, while an unpainted metal roof can reflect nearly 95%.
• Typically, a metal roof will last 2 to 3 times longer than a roof constructed out of asphalt shingles. Consider that asphalt shingles are designed to last anywhere from 15-23 years, but the service life of a metal roof exceeds 60 years.
• Many metal roofs contain up to 40% recycled steel, and the content of metal roofs in itself is 100% recyclable. As a result, they seldom become waste in a landfill.