At Perfect Steel Solutions, we pride ourselves on being industry leaders and developing strong, loyal relationships with our customers. Everything we do is backed by our core values of quality, integrity, loyalty, and family.
Knowledge of the industry and the options available to you help our customers to make the best decisions for their families. We understand that you have a lot of different options when it comes to choosing a metal roofing contractor, but we want to be the first call you make – and for most residents of Fort Wayne, IN – we already are.
Why? Because we take the time to educate and care about our customers. As Fort Wayne’s best metal roofing contractor, we have gathered everything there is you need to know about metal roofing and stuck it all right here for you.
Whether you’re building a new home, researching a new roof for your business or just checking out the new technology in roofing materials, we’ve got you covered. When it comes time to choose a metal roofing contractor, we are the one clear choice in Fort Wayne, IN. For personal advice and a loyal roofing partner, give us a call today.
Cost vs. Benefits of Metal Roofing:
Metal roofing is slightly more expensive than other options, but it’s in an investment that can actually change your life. There are multiple ways your home, your family, and your wallet can benefit when you make the decision to switch to metal.
Cost: The national average cost of installation per square foot is anywhere between $6.00 – $12.00. The national average cost of a new metal roof is $11,000.
Benefits: However, as your local Fort Wayne, IN metal roofing contractor, investing in metal might be the best option for your home, your family, and your wallet. There are many reasons to invest in a metal roof, and some of the biggest benefits of metal roofing are listed below:
- Cost: While the initial cost is more, metal roofs can save you big bucks in several areas including resale, decreased utility bills, lower homeowner’s insurance, and longevity.
- Lifespan: A metal roof will last easily over 50 years, making it a great choice whether you’re planning to stay in your home forever or sell soon.
- Green Materials: Although roofing comes in several colors, we’re talking about the eco-friendly nature of metal. They are manufactured with 25-95% recycled content and are 100% recyclable at the end of their life.
- Energy Efficiency: Metal roofs reflect solar radiant heat, so your AC doesn’t have to work as hard to keep the inside cool, which also means lower utility bills for you.
- Resale Value: Homeowners in the Fort Wayne, IN area can often recoup up to 95% of the costs of their roof in resale value.
- Maintenance: Metal roofs require little maintenance.
- Safety: Metal roofs are virtually indestructible and will not spark and ignite into flames during a wildfire or lightning strike. They are also incredibly wind resistant, even in some of the strongest winds.
- Weight: Metal is one of the most lightweight materials you can put on a roof, which protects the structural integrity of the building.
- Installation: Perfect Steel Solutions in Fort Wayne, IN can install a metal roof quickly and efficiently which can add up to significant labor savings as well.
Understanding the Industry Lingo:
As a professional metal roofing contractor, we often use industry lingo that can be confusing. To keep things simple here at Perfect Steel Solutions, we’ve broken down the technical terms to explain the different parts of your roofing system.
Parts of a Metal Roof:
- FASCIA – The trim right below the roof around the perimeter of a building. The fascia helps keep water from running into the structure.
- DRIP EDGE – A long piece of metal that is installed so water runs into the gutter.
- EAVE – A portion of any roof that extends past a supporting wall.
- VALLEY – The internal angle at which two sloping roof planes meet.
- HIP – The external or jutting angle at which two sloping roof panels meet.
- RIDGE – The highest portion of a roof where at least two roof panels come to a point (commonly a horizontal line).
- GABLE – The triangular section of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof.
- CRICKET – A peaked saddle construction installed between a chimney and the roof surface to prevent the accumulation of snow and water.
- FLASHING – Sheet metal that is used to seal different portions of the roof and provide extra weather-tightness.
- CURB – An accessory used to mount AC units, fans, signs to provide a level resting structure on a sloped roof.
- ROOF DECKING – The base or foundation that the underlayment and roofing material are attached to. Common roof deck materials are metal, plywood, and oriented strand board (OSB).
- PITCH – The slope of a roof, which is measured using the roof’s rise divided by its run.
Metal Roof Installation and Materials:
- UNDERLAYMENT –The layer of material that goes underneath the metal panels and provides protection.
- CLIPS – Clips are used to attach the metal roof panels to the roof deck.
- FASTENERS – Fasteners are the screws used to attach the metal roof to the roof deck during installation.
- RIVETS – Rivets are similar to fasteners but require a special rivet gun to install.
- SEALANT – Sealants are used during installation to seal out water, dirt, wind, and other substances, making the roof as weather-tight as possible.
- BUTYL TAPE – Butyl tape is used in a similar fashion as sealant by sealing cracks and seams on metal roofing. It’s also commonly used for trimming purposes.
- CLAMPS – Clamps are small metal parts that are tightened and attached to the top of the metal roof at its standing seam. They often have screws at the top used to attach extra roofing items such as solar panels, satellite dishes, signs, AC units, etc.
- PIPE BOOT – A pipe boot is installed around an exhaust pipe that exits through the roof.
Find Your Perfect Fit: Explore Metal Roofing Systems & Styles
Metal roofs are far from a one-size-fits-all approach. There are several designs and styles to fit your personal preference and functionality needs. As a local, professional metal roofing contractor, we’re here to help explain the different options and help you find the best for your home.
Architectural vs. Structural Systems:
There are two ways to install a metal roof. The primary difference is how the structural roof deck will be used.
- Architectural Metal Roof System: This system is installed over a separate structural roof deck. These systems can be found on most residential applications and some commercial buildings. The most important part of this system is that there is a separate deck that supports the metal roof panels.
- Structural Metal Roof System: This design uses the metal roof panels as both the structural deck for the roof as well as the waterproofing system for the building. This is most common on pre-engineered metal buildings.
Hydrostatic vs. Hydrokinetic Designs
The slope of your roof plays a big part in what type of installation system you will use. Metal roofs can be installed on any slope, from the very steep to completely flat. However, there are two different types of designs used for metals roofs, based on the slop.
- Hydrostatic: Are designed to hold water until it can drain. These roof systems are flat, and completely capable of holding water securely without the roof system leaking.
- Hydrokinetic: Are designed to shed water. These systems are designed for steep slope applications.
Types of Metal Roofing: Installation Options
Metal roofing is available in three basic system types, based on construction and attachment method. Each style of metal roofing system gives a different look, style, and function to your home or commercial building.
- Vertical Seam: When most people think about metal roofing, this is what they picture. This is the classic farmhouse look with long-length panels that have long ribs running from the eaves to the ridge. Vertical seam roofs are often fastened with screws or clips to secure the panels to the decking.
- Pre-Formed Panels: Pre-formed panels look very similar to a shake or tile roof but are made of metal. They are formed with interlocking panels and can be painted to accommodate or mimic a variety of styles. The panels are attached directly to the roof deck giving a very clean and beautiful look to your new roof.
- Granular Coated Panels: Granular coated panels appear to be very similar to asphalt shingles used across Fort Wayne, IN neighborhoods, however they hold all the benefit of a metal roof. They have an acrylic coating with embedded stone granules that are either installed over the wood grid system or directly to the roof deck.
Metal Roofing Materials: Explanations from the Contractor
When it comes to choosing a local metal roofing contractor, you want to be sure to partner with someone who fully explains and addresses all your potential options. Choosing a metal roof is just the beginning.
There are a wide range of metal materials available for use when it comes to installing your roof. Here, we’ve taken the time to explain some of the most common metal roof materials used in Fort Wayne, IN so you can understand the pros and cons of each one.
- Steel: Stainless steel is one of the most commonly used materials for large structures because of its strength. This same quality makes it a popular choice for roofing. Stainless Steel roofing is a high-end choice because it’s of the most durable and powerful options. This is our most commonly used material here at Perfect Steel Solutions.
- Aluminum: As the third most abundant metal on Earth, aluminum makes a great material for the metal roofing industry. Not only does aluminum stand up to harsh weather conditions, but it’s one of the most sustainable metals in the world.
- Copper: Copper roofing is one of the oldest options; it actually was used to cover the roof of the Pantheon over 2050 years ago. It is one of the most expensive elements, but still many large architectural structures, commercial buildings, and even some residential homes use copper or copper accents for its durability and beauty.
- Stone Coated Steel: Contrary to bare metal, stone coated steel roofing has the appearance of traditional shingles with the durability and strength of metal. It typically uses stainless steel sheets that are then coated with a thick layer of stone that permanently adheres to the surface and provides a decorative look. Here at Perfect Steel, we also utilize this option frequently.
- Zinc: Zinc has been gaining popularity in metal roofing projects because of its ease of use, immunity to corrosion, and other sustainable features. Zinc paneling and coils are easy to come by in the metal roofing industry as natural zinc production within the Earth is actually increasing every day.
- Galvalume: Galvalume is a brand name for a coating created by Bethlehem Steel in the early 1970s. Galvalume roofing material combines steel, aluminum, and zinc to provide one material with the best characteristics of each included metal. This is making it one of the fastest growing materials in today’s metal roofing market.
To find the material right for your Fort Wayne, IN home, just give us a call today for more information and personalized recommendations for your home!
Common Metal Roofing Problems Seen by Homeowners
The benefits of metal roofing far outweigh the problems we see in Fort Wayne, IN. It’s clear why it is the superior option for many homeowners. However, no roofing material is perfect, and we know that homeowners still see issues with their metal roofs. Today, we’re addressing some of the most common problems homeowners face with their metal roof.
- Oil Canning: This is when you have visible waviness in flat areas of your roof. Technically, this is termed as elastic buckling or stress wrinkling. The truth is, this is an inherent characteristic of nearly all metal roofs and there’s several root causes. The best way to avoid oil canning is to use a skilled and experienced installer, like the team at Perfect Steel Solutions in Fort Wayne, IN who knows how to identify and prohibit any wrinkling from occurring.
- Leaks: Leaks can occur in any roof. Although they are rare, they can occur due to either uncontrollable weather events or poor installation. Generally, leaks will occur at the flashing, sealing, seams, or fasteners. The best way to avoid leaks is by using a reputable contractor with a good track record.
- Scuffing & Scratching: Because metal roofs are often painted, they are susceptible to scuffing and scratching. Most scratches can easily be fixed with a little touch up but using an experienced contractor will avoid them from happening in the first place.
- Dissimilar Metals and Materials: Metals are reactive materials, which means if they are mixed incorrectly, it can lead to corrosion of the active material. It’s important that the roofing contractor understand all of the materials used for the roofing project to ensure there aren’t any combinations between the panels, gutters, fasteners, rivets, trim, chimneys, fascia and roof-mounted units that could lead to poor interactions.
- Corrosion: This is one of the many reasons why people choose metal roofing, because it is specifically engineered to resist corrosion. However, under certain circumstances this is still possible, especially due to saltwater, mixed metals, or open cut edges due to poor installation.
- Chalking and Fading: This is when the color of painted metal begins to fade or turn white with age. This is one of those results that will happen no matter where you live but can be easily remedied.
- Installation Errors: Most problems with metal roofing will come down to a problem at the installation level. This is why it’s critical to do your research and pick a reputable Fort Wayne, IN metal roofing contractor.
- Oxidation: Even with the protective coating of a metal roof, nothing lasts forever. Surface oxidation can, and likely will occur over several decades. These problems impede repairs and can include structural failure which deems it necessary for a new roof installation. This should not happen until the end of the roof’s lifetime, which is often more than 50 years after installation.
Fort Wayne, IN’s Local Metal Roofing Contractor
Here at Perfect Steel Solutions, we pride ourselves in the sense of community that we’ve established within our company. We are proud to work for homeowners and business owners here in Fort Wayne, IN and nearby areas.
If you’re looking for a local, trusted, metal roofing contractor, you’re in the right place. To get started with a free estimate for your home, or to learn more about metal roofing, give us a call today.
The post The Ultimate Guide to Metal Roofing: Insights From Your Local, Trusted Metal Roofing Contractor appeared first on Perfectsteelsolutions.com
Perfect Steel Solutions5800 Fairfield Ave, Suite 115
Fort Wayne, IN 46807
260-456-0040
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