What is the metal roof restoration process?

Which metal roofing is best? 

The wide range of Metal roofing materials can give a home different advantages and curb appeal. There are five primary types of metal roof materials: 

1. Aluminum Metal Roof Restoration: Lightweight, won’t corrode, and ideal for a coastal environment.
2. Copper Metal Roof Restoration: A long-lasting material that develops a protective layer and, with time, changes color.
3. Tin Metal Roof Restoration: Tin roofing isn’t used today; when people speak of tin now, it is steel metal roofing they are referring to.
4. Zinc Metal Roof Restoration: An expensive but very long-lasting choice that changes to a patina over time like copper. 
5. Steel Roof Restoration: A common metal roof material that comes in a variety of finishes. 

So, which of these metal roof restoration materials is better for your home? Let’s look at the pros and cons: 

Aluminum Roofing

This is the most lightweight roofing material but is also durable and strong. Easy to maintain, it has a long lifespan and comes in a variety of colors. It is also corrosion-resistant and malleable for easy configuration. The cons of aluminum roofing start with it being easy to dent and having limited colors compared to other metal roof restoration options, along with a higher cost.

Copper Roofing 

Copper gives any home a beautiful, striking, and unique look. Over time, the color patinas, which can give the home a new and attractive appearance. Corrosion-resistant and offering a long lifespan, this lightweight roofing material is easy to install but one of the more expensive choices in metal roofing, which is one of its biggest disadvantages. Other cons of this roofing material include that it dents easy, and availability is limited. 

Steel Roofing 

This is the roofing people often mean when they speak about metal roofing. It is an alloy that is made from assorted elements, including iron. Affordable, low maintenance is required and it offers a long lifespan. It is also available in different panel types that can affect the appearance, dost, and installation process. Fire and rot-resistant, this is a cost-effective and durable metal roof restoration material. The biggest disadvantage of this metal roof material is the weight. 

Zinc Roofing 

Zinc roofing offers a beautiful appearance, and like copper, it will patina with time. It is a low-maintenance roofing material with a long lifespan.

Will metal roofing rust?

There are several factors that will determine this, such as the type of metal, the quality of the metal, and how the metal roofing is installed. A metal roof installed by an inexperienced roofing contractor will likely rust and have other problems. If you’re going to go with any type of metal roofing, choose a contractor that has experience in that particular metal and request recent references to check. 

Can metal roofing be painted?

You’re likely choosing a metal roof restoration because of the color availability and the long lifespan they offer; some have lasted 50 years or longer. However, if you moved into a home with a metal roof, restoration may be needed to fit your choice of colors and designs. 

Before you start coating on the paint, you need to check the warranty status on the current metal roof. If there is a lifetime warranty, painting it could negate the warranty. After that, you need to prepare the surface, this being an important step if you want the paint to last. 

Start with a professional power wash. The recommended pressure is 2,500 pounds per square inch to remove any mildew, mold, and any old paint. Because metal roofing comes with a factory finish that is baked on, you’ll need to apply a primer first. The primer will ensure that rust doesn’t come through and the new paint sticks. 

Next, you’ll want to use acrylic latex paint or oil-based alkyd paint. You’ll need a roller that is designed for corrugated panels and an airless paint sprayer to get an even coating. 

After your metal roof restoration has been painted, you want to clean it with a gentle power washing using a mild solution – twice a year is recommended. Make sure to keep debris, leaves, and limbs cleared off year-round, and if any scratches form, immediately recoat the area to keep it from rusting.

What are the disadvantages of a metal roof?

While a metal roof restoration is ideal for any home with its many different benefits, there are some general disadvantages too. These include:

• The cost
• Finding qualified contractors
• Dents easily
• Chic but industrial-looking

Can you put a metal roof over shingles?

When considering going metal roofing vs shingles, is a tear-off of the old shingles required? In most metal roof restoration jobs, the answer is no. Installing metal on top of an existing shingled roof is possible.