Metal Roofing Information For Homeowners

Chase Construction NW Inc Roofing has continued to see in increased demand for metal roofing. The fact that weather in Tacoma and Puyallup can be very hard on roof systems has a lot to do with that. As a roofing company we believe that homeowners are really beginning to see the value of a metal roof. The upfront cost of metal roofing can be 1.5-2 times more than most roofing shingles, but if you think about replacing that composition roof 2-3 times in the next 60 years it changes the equation.

As a local roofing company we believe its worth the investment to utilize a metal roofing system. Metal roofing rates better with insurance companies than many other types of roofing shingles. In fact in some states you can save substantially off of your home insurance using a metal roof.

Metal Roofing Price Per Square

If you are considering re-roofing with a metal roof you should expect to pay anywhere from $500.00-$750.00 per square or $5.00-$7.50 per sq foot. You will want to be sure that the roofing company installing your steel or metal roofing is a licensed, bonded and insured roofing contractor. Please read our blog “How to safely hire a roofing contractor”. You will also want to make sure that the contractor is certified with the roofing material they are installing.

Metal Roofing Panels Are Water Shedding

An interesting fact I learned about metal or steel roofing is that the system is water shedding, not water proof. Don’t get me wrong please, they are designed to keep water out of your house and do that effectively. Manufacturers however warranty their panels, the paint and material. If you want a guarantee for the “water tight metal roof system” you have to install the roof with special specifications determined by the manufacturer. Depending on the manufacturer this upgraded warranty can cost extra money.  Metal roofs are absolutely safe, as long as they are installed correctly, so choose your contractor wisely. Like wood shake and concrete tile, a lot of importance is placed on underlayment when installing a metal roof.

Metal Roofing And Underlayment

One more pointer for installing a metal roof is making sure you use a good underlayment. A standard 15 # felt underlayment should not be used. If you are going to use a felt underlayment you should use 30#. Chase Construction NW Inc suggests using one of the following two products for metal roof underlayment:

Leak Barrier: SBS Modified Peel And Stick Membrane

Leak barrier also known as ice and water shield is used to protect a roofs most critical leak areas. Please see “Why leak barrier is critical to your roofing system”, to learn more.  On a metal roof it is a best practice to use leak barrier on valleys, step walls, penetrations, ridges and around the entire perimeter edge on both eaves and rakes.  To further protect your roof and home we suggest using leak barrier as the underlayment on the entire roof. It is applied the same way as any other underlayment, but offers significantly more protection. This product is more expensive and labor intensive in comparison to standard felt underlayment’s, but well worth the extra expense for the level of security and peace of mind it brings to your home.

 Titanium UDL Synthetic Underlayment

Titanium UDL is the most common upgrade choice for underlayment’s under metal roofing. Its most common use is on commercial buildings, but it is used frequently on residential roofing applications as well. Titanium UDL is 8 times lighter and stronger than 30 # felt. It carries a class A fire rating, the highest fire rating. It is impervious to mold growth. Its most treasured feature is the temperature performance. It a can handle extreme temperatures between -40 F to 240 F. Like leak barrier it is more expensive than felt underlayment’s, but well worth the price.

For more information on metal roofing please feel free to  give us a call at (253) 445-8950.

WE ARE READY TO GIVE YOU FREE QUOTE!

Estimates are always free at Chase Construction NW Inc. Roofing. Fill out our quick estimate form and we will contact you in a timely manner. We will do a fantastic job on your re-roof as one of the North West’s best roofing contractors. We have installed metal roofs in Tacoma, Puyallup, Bellevue and many other Puget Sound cities.