Two Reasons to Use Metal Roofing Materials When Building a House
If you intend to build a house and want to ensure that it will remain in excellent condition for several decades, you should consider using metal roofing materials to construct the property's roof. Read on to find out why.
It will place less pressure on the building's framework
The framework of a house is arguably its most important feature. It serves as the building's 'skeleton'. If the framework sustains damage, the entire property's lifespan will be shortened. A weakened framework can lead to serious structural problems, such as wall cracks, distortion of doorframes and windows, and shifting of load-bearing walls.
Unfortunately, even if your contractor constructs the house's framework with extreme care, it could still end up damaged if you use a heavy roofing material, as being subjected to the constant pressure of a heavy roof can eventually lead to sections of the framework cracking and crumbling.
In comparison to slate, tile or asphalt, metal roofing materials such as zinc and aluminium are extremely lightweight. The lightness of a metal roof means that it could significantly extend the lifespan of your new house's framework, as it will place less pressure on the components (like the braces, studs, joists and bridging) that make up this crucial part of the building.
It will help to prevent moisture-induced damage
The presence of moisture in your house could cause serious problems. Dampness, for example, can create cosmetic problems (such as blistering paint, peeling wallpaper and dark patches on the walls) and lead to the growth of mould.
Moisture can also harm your timber framework by encouraging the growth of fungus, which erodes and weakens wood.
Using low-quality roofing materials could increase the chances of your newly-built property sustaining water damage. This is because cheap roofing materials tend to become less watertight over time. For instance, if you use asphalt roof shingles, their protective granular layer will usually begin to fall off a year or two after installation. This, in turn, will increase their permeability and allow rainwater to seep into the house.
If you want to protect your new house from moisture-induced damage, it would be wise to use metal roofing materials, as in addition to being resistant to rust, fire and rot, metal roofs are also completely watertight.
As such, whilst metal roofs do tend to be quite expensive, they are worth the investment, if you want to spare yourself the hassle and expense of dealing with water damage in the future.