Classic Metal Roofing Systems takes a leadership role in all industry associations. Our team is known for its experience, knowledge, and willingness to help homeowners no matter what type of roofing product they are considering. You’ve got questions, and we’ve got answers! Some of our most frequently asked questions follow…but there certainly are more to ask. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, contact us anytime for a prompt, courteous, and knowledgeable answer!
Q. Will a metal roof affect cell phone reception inside of my home?
A. Chances are that you currently use your cell phone in metal roofed buildings on a regular basis. Think of the restaurants where you eat, the stores in which you shop, your bank, your church, etc. Many of those buildings have metal roofs or metal decks beneath flat roofs. Over the years and tens of thousands of roofs, we have had no more than five people tell us that their metal roof did seem to affect their cell phone reception. If you currently have very, very weak or spotty cell phone reception inside of your home, a metal roof may be the “straw that breaks the camel’s back.” Adding a cell phone signal booster in your house would have been helpful before the metal roof and certainly would be helpful after your metal roof is installed. However, if you have fair to excellent cell phone reception now, the metal roof should not have any noticeable effect.
Q. What will happen to a Classic Metal Roof in a lightning storm?
A. Lightning occurs from the highest object in an area, regardless of the material from which it is made. Metal roofing does not create nor attract lightning and poses no additional lightning risk to the structures it protects.
Q. What about hail?
A. The heavily-textured beauty of our metal shingle roofing systems adds strength and prepares them to take whatever Mother Nature dishes out. Our warranty provides specific hail protection including protection against finish damage and leaking due to hail. Additionally, unlike most other roofing materials, metal does not lose impact resistance with age – this is a real bonus over other products which become more susceptible to damage with each passing year.
Q. When it rains, will it sound loud on the roof?
A. The deep-textured folds in our metal shingle products avoid the ‘pinging’ sound you might expect from rain hitting a flatter metal roof. As a result, for normal construction methods, metal roofing does not create any objectionable noise during rainstorms. Attic airspace and ventilation play a role in sound absorption as well. For the rare instance where a home’s construction may make noise a potential concern, we offer optional foam inserts for use behind our metal shingles for additional sound deadening.
Q. What about fire?
A. A Classic Metal Roof is completely non-combustible and provides great protection from external fires. Additionally, the extreme low weight of our products minimizes any cave-in threat which might occur with an interior house fire.
Q. Can we walk on it?
A. Our high-strength metals, combined with deep texturing, don’t lose their strength over time, making our roofs just as resistant to foot traffic and even hail when they are many years old as they are when they are new. Your product representative will be able to give you instructions on how to safely walk on your roof. Optional foam inserts are available for use with our shingle products in areas where protection against heavy foot traffic is desired. It is also important to note that the random texture of our metal shingles will mask any minor indentations which may occur.
Q. Can you install attic vents on a metal roof?
A. For most homes, attic ventilation is critical. It helps avoid unhealthy high moisture levels which can result in condensation and even mold. It helps reduce home heat gain and air conditioning costs in warm weather. And it also plays a huge role in avoiding winter rooftop ice dams in northern climates. So, yes, your Classic Metal Roof can, and usually should, be vented.
Q. Can skylights be installed with my Classic Metal Roof?
A. Yes. Normal types of protrusions through the roof do not pose a problem. They need to be flashed and detailed properly and we have instructions to help installers with that. Skylights must be curbed, not flush-mounted. If there are existing skylights that show deterioration or if the existing skylights 10 or more years old, we suggest new skylights be installed. Even the best skylights have 20 year warranties. It does not make sense to install a long term roof with a skylight that will soon need to be replaced.
Q. Is a Classic Metal Roof environmentally-friendly?
A. A Classic Metal Roofing System is a Green Roof – it is made from 95% recycled aluminum and its long life expectancy guarantees sustainability. Add in energy efficiency and the ability to be installed over most existing roofs (avoiding landfill disposal of old materials) and you have what is likely the most environmentally-friendly roof available to homeowners! In comparison, temporary roofing materials use up precious natural resources and pollute the earth by sitting in landfills.
