Metal roofs are an extremely popular investment, which bring both the benefits of style and substance.
In addition to their elegant, modern aesthetic, metal roofs are extremely high performance. They
One of the most common questions that our customers ask is, ‘can bad weather damage a metal roof?’. So, to provide a comprehensive answer to this question, and help property owners understand the benefits of this investment, we’ve created a complete guide to the resilience of metal roofing.
HOW WEATHER-RESISTANT ARE METAL ROOFS?
Metal roofs are renowned for their exceptional strength, durability and weather-resistance.
They are well-equipped to withstand bad weather, strong winds, rain and cold temperatures.
The performance benefits of choosing metal roofs include:
- Durability – even in the face of harsh weather conditions, including heavy rain, high winds, snow and extreme cold or heat.
- Resistant to cracking, shrinking and erosion
- Long lifespan – commonly boasting lifespans of over 50 years
- Low maintenance requirements – particularly when compared to wooden roofs
- Fire-resistant
WHAT FACTORS NEED TO BE CONSIDERED?
Although metal roofing is renowned for weather-resistance, they are not completely immune to extreme conditions.
As with any area that is consistently exposed to rainfall, snow and wind, there are a few things to consider, when it comes to determining the weather-resistance of your new metal roof.
Location
Firstly, you will need to consider the location of your roof. Do you plan to construct it in a high-risk area? This includes being located abnormally high, in a notoriously windy location or by the coast. If any of these apply, roofs should be designed by an architect with knowledge of this in advance, so that they can take these environmental factors into account.
Building Materials
Next, you will need to remember that, if you do notice leaks, this may not always be caused by an issue with the installation of the roof. It could be caused by a number of other areas, such as walls having cracks, defective flashing joints, windows being poorly fitted or broken or unsealed windows. So, always look elsewhere thoroughly, before assuming that the source of the leak is directly above where the water can be observed.
Leaks may travel through structures until they find a weak point (like a downlighter or a knot in wood). What’s more, this may be metres away from the initial ingress. Alternatively, another possibility is that the moisture is being caused by condensation, which can often disguise itself as a leak.
Maintenance
Keeping a well-maintained roof is the same process as keeping a vehicle maintained. Firstly, you will need to consistently (and safely) remove debris from any roof area and gutters, as these can cause leaks. Over time, if an eaves gutter gets overwhelmed by weight, they can also escalate over time to cause major damage. Debris can also cause capillary action, which is when damp rises into joints through silting.
The unknown
However, it’s important to note that no building is ever completely safe from the unknown. For instance, last year in St Helier, Jersey, a whole row of terraced properties had their roof area literally peeled off due to a huge storm. But, this is a rare occurrence, and there are actions that you can take to minimise the risk of such an eventuality.
To mitigate the risks posed by hailstorms, high winds, heavy snow and extreme temperature fluctuations (the weather conditions which pose the greatest risks to metal roofs), it is imperative that your metal roof is properly installed, by experienced metal roofing professionals.