In Colorado, metal roofs are becoming increasingly popular among both residential and commercial property owners alike. The reasons are numerous: metal roofs provide outstanding protection from the Colorado climate, they’re very cost-effective, and they even have great energy efficiency properties.
A-to-Z Roofing & Exteriors specializes in repairing, restoring, and replacing commercial metal roofs on all types of buildings, from small, standalone retail locations to large, spanning industrial complexes.
In this article, we’ll be exploring the various commercial metal roof types that are most commonly found in Colorado, and we’ll quickly run through the pros and cons of each.
Why Opt for Metal in the First Place?
First, let’s tackle the question of why you would want to choose a metal roof for your commercial building above, say, a traditional asphalt shingle roof or other kind of roof. It’s important to note that any style metal roof you choose is going to be more expensive than an asphalt shingle roof, as the costs to manufacture sheet metal is much higher than the cost to manufacture tar-and-gravel shingles.
So, is the extra cost worth it? In a word: yes.
Metal roofs stand the test of time much better compared with asphalt shingles. In fact, a professionally installed metal roof can be expected to hold up for 40 to 70 years before needing replacement. And, most metal roof types are fairly easy to repair.
Conversely, asphalt shingle roofs often require maintenance and repair every 8-10 years, and they don’t do as good of a job reflecting solar radiation, which often translates into higher cooling costs in the summer.
Different Commercial Metal Roof Types
In the commercial roofing world, there are two main types of metal materials that are used on flat-roof or low-slope roofs in Colorado. These are R-Panels and Standing Seam.
R-Panels
When a metal roof is constructed using R-Panels, the main materials are 36-inch-wide, interconnected 24- or 26-gauge metal sheeting. The pros of this kind of roof are enhanced water protection and easier installation, as the panels are engineered to overlap each other.
The biggest downside of an R-Panel commercial metal roof are the exposed fasteners. These can rust and corrode over time, or come loose from the purlins resulting in intrusion points for water to get into the building and potentially cause damage.
Standing Seam
Standing Seam metal roofs represent the majority of commercial metal roofs in Colorado. They are incredibly popular, mostly because they do a great job of providing long-lasting protection while also providing outstanding energy efficiency ratings.
In fact, many commercial roofers bill standing seam metal roofs as ‘cool roofs’ on account of their high Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) rating. Standing seam roofs are available in a vast array of colors to work with your exterior design elements.
Standing seam roofs are very labor and time intensive to replace and install, a process that can be very expensive when the time comes.
Why Restoration Is Superior to Replacement for Metal Roofs
Some roofing companies might tell you that your metal roof is in need of replacement, which could wind up being a $20,000+ job. In reality, it’s quite possible that your metal roof could be restored, instead.
Metal roof restorations are almost always a better option compared with replacements, as the costs are much lower and the protection provided by a restored metal roof is nearly identical to replacement of the roof outright.
When a metal roof is restored, the three most common problems are addressed:
- Leaky seams
- Inadequate drainage (especially important in Colorado!)
- Corroded or rusted fasteners
In some cases, heavy hail can cause pitting in metal roofs. To resolve pitting, a common metal roof restoration technique involves cutting out damaged sections of the metal roof and then permanently adhering metal ‘patches’ that are then waterproofed.
Choosing a Metal Roof Contractor for Your Commercial Building
At A-to-Z Roofing & Exteriors, we have been proudly repairing, restoring, and replacing commercial metal roofs since our founding in 1993. We have seen the worst damage that Colorado weather can cause to metal roofs in our state, and we have the expertise and trained technicians necessary to remediate virtually any damaged metal roof.
If you’re in the market for a new metal roof, or if you simply want an objective, professional opinion on how to fix a problematic commercial roof, contact our team today. We look forward to earning your business and becoming your roofing contractor of choice!