The Log Cabin

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Metal Roof on a Log Cabin

I’ve got to admit that I hadn’t seen (or didn’t know that I had seen) a metal roof on a house until I visited the land development where my wife and I bought our retirement property. A couple of the homes already built there were log cabins, both with green vertical panel metal roofs. I have to admit as well that the roofs aroused my curiosity since it was my intention to build a log cabin. They were definitely eye catching. My home ownership experience had included only asphalt shingles so it was time to do a little research.

I learned that, as usual, there was a price/benefit trade off between composition shingles made of fiberglass, asphalt and crushed rock and metal shingles. In addition to the cost of the metal, a breathable underlayment should be applied to the roofing deck to prevent moisture from accumulating under the metal. Metal roofs are definitely more expensive but provide the following benefits.

Longevity – Metal resists cracking, shrinking, erosion and exposure to weather extremes. Primer and finish paint are baked onto metal. While the composition shingle roof may last 15-30 years, metal roof warranties will cover up to 50 years with a longer true expected life. My experience (in the Northeast) with asphalt shingles has been 20 years at best.

Fireproof – Metal roofing is non combustable. \
Energy Efficient – Metal reflects sunlight rejecting 80-90 percent of the heat.
Sheds Snow and Ice

Metal options include steel, stainless steel, copper, zinc titanium. High performance coating options are polyesters, silicone modified polyesters and Kynar, a polyvinylidene floride.

Metal roofs also are manufactured in a number of different styles. While I saw only the vertical panel style, metal is available in the following forms.

Shingle slate – Resembles asphalt roofing
Tile – Resembles clay, ceramic or concrete tile
Shake – resembles wood shakes
Vertical panel - easy to fabricate on the job site, have interlocking seams

Don’t forget that the quality of your roof depends on the quality of instalation. Make sure you're installer has done plenty of metal roofs. Check for satisfied customers. Don't choose the right roof but the wrong contractor.

Having seen only one metal roof style, I will be searching for homes with the other styles before choosing one for pricing. Then I will be doing a cost/benefit analysis before deciding between metal and asphalt for my log cabin. My wife and I both have life expectancies that are definitely much shorter than that of a new metal roof. Will my children want to keep the cabin after we’re gone? Our research will continue.

7 comments:

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  3. Indeed, metal roof and shingles provide lots of advantages over other roofing materials. And one the best qualities of metal roofs is the low-maintenance and upkeep. Since this roofing material is durable and weather resistant, it can last long with minimal maintenance. [Lino Kosters]

    ReplyDelete
  4. Metal roofing is known for its durability! It can withstand and and every weather condition and can provide long years of service even with low maintenance. Anyway, aside from choosing the right roof, make sure to also find a reliable roofer to install the roof for you.

    -Lenore Lung

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a very useful and impressive blog you have here. Indeed, metal roofs are long lasting type of roof since it can endure heavy winds and rain. However, it still needs to be inspected regularly in order to be sure of its condition. Many thrifty people find metal roofs to be pricey. If you'll actually do the math, it will save you a lot of cash in terms of repair, maintenance, and replacement.

    Danielle Bailey

    ReplyDelete
  6. Excellent Job! Thanks for creating a sensible topic that suits the taste of your readers. Keep up the good Work.

    Jones Roofing Company

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  7. Metal roof is the best choice for houses that are situated in places which experience heavy snowfall. The metal roof does not allow the snow to settle down on it and it slides down easily. Thus it prevents roof damage or collapse due to the weight of snow.

    Iko shingles

    ReplyDelete