HOW LONG DO STEEL ROOFS LAST?

One of the greatest selling points of steel buildings is their durability and resulting longevity. Metal roofing systems are one of the primary stars of the longevity show, and most high-quality metal roofing products have warranties of 40 years. Now, studies are showing that, when coated with the right products, a steel roof can last upwards of 60 years or more. How's that for durability and longevity?

STEEL ROOFS: THE ROOFS THAT KEEP ON GIVING
Your building's roofing system is an integral part of its systemic health. Sure, it provides shelter for building occupants, but it also provides protection to the rest of the building's components, which increases their life spans as well. A high-quality metal roofing system will be enhanced by coatings designed to meet the demands of your geographic location and will also include accessories - like gutters and downspouts - to ensure water is collected and moved down and away from the building and the foundation. Together, these roofing components will help to see your metal building well into the next century.

Consider that the average lifespan of a traditional asphalt shingle roofing system is about 17 years, and, according to Angie's List, the average cost of re-roofing a home is about $12,000. So, during the average metal roofing warranty span of 40 years, you will have saved almost $24,000 in roofing materials. And these figures are for smaller, residential buildings. You can imagine the increased savings for larger commercial, agricultural and industrial buildings that take advantage of metal roofing benefits.

When we write about the lifespan of a metal building product, we typically stick to the warranty term "just to be safe" even though we know, after decades in the industry, that well-maintained products typically outlive their warranties by a long shot. Now, after a recently released study by MCA, we can confidently state that, "a new or retrofit low-slope Galvalume roof, in a wide range of environments, does not require replacement during the building’s ENTIRE service life!" The USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design building rating program has set a building's service life at a minimum of 60 years. So that means your metal roof will last you at least 60 years.

And that's the minimum. The MCA's study showed that when a roof is covered by a coated metal roof, using 55% Aluminum-Zinc alloy coated sheet steel (which we call Galvalume), it will last 60 to 375 years, depending on the pH of the precipitation in your area. A roof that lasts 300+ years? Now, that's pretty impressive.

GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR METAL ROOFING PRODUCTS
Of course, not all metal roofing products are considered equal so there are some things to keep in mind if you want to expect that kind of longevity from your metal roof:

Consider your location/climate. Your roofing system should be designed for your climate. This includes factoring things like snow load, wind load and the pH of your location's precipitation, your location also makes a difference. For example, salt air is notoriously harder on metal building components, as are certain pollutants, so you want to consider all of these factors when choosing the type of coating that is applied to your roof.
Choose a reflective coating. The sun's UV rays are one of the most powerful offenders when it comes to compromising metal roofing products. Reflective coatings, also called cool metal roof coatings, are part of the solution. These cool metal roofs reflect the sun's rays, which simultaneously protects the metal roof while reducing the amount of solar heat gain that transfers into your building.
Seasonal maintenance. Metals react with various compounds and, over time, some of these reactions lead to corrosion. Thus, you want to protect your metal roof from extended contact with dirt, debris and decaying materials. Keep your roof and gutters free of leaves, twigs and branches during the fall and winter so rainwater can move efficiently down the roof, into the gutters and through the downspouts. Any blockages in the water shedding system can begin to deteriorate the roofing materials.
Applying a fresh coat. Most coated metal roofs do have warranties of 40 years or so, but towards the end of their life expectancy, you may begin to see signs of fading, rust or corrosion. Rather than tearing it off and replacing it, a metal roof can be repaired and re-coated, which will extend its lifetime even further. If you notice your metal roof is showing signs of wear prior to the end of its warranty, contact the manufacturer before taking any action. They will instruct you how to proceed to ensure you don't compromise the warranty and that you use the best product for the job.


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