Aluminum Roofing Shingles
Aluminum roofing has been a common roofing material for industrial and agricultural buildings for some time. However, until recently, aluminum was not considered an alternative roofing material for residential areas.
Aluminum shingles are light-weight, durable and highly energy efficient. These shingles are now being made to resemble cedar shakes, slate and clay tiles. Aluminum roofs can be installed directly over asphalt or shake roofs. Aluminum roofs are long lasting, and energy efficient. According to surveys conducted by aluminum roofing manufacturers, home owners can expect their heating and cooling costs to decrease by about 20 percent each year.
Aluminum shingles are recyclable and are often made of recycled aluminum products. Aluminum shingles will not rust, rot, tear, or become infested by bugs or mold.
How are Aluminum Shingles made?
Aluminum is such a lightweight, malleable metal it can easily be shaped into a variety of forms. Aluminum shingles are simply made by taking a sheet of aluminum and stamping the desired pattern (shake, tile, slate) onto the metal. A Kynar finish is applied to each shingle and the finish is baked to ensure color retention and shingle protection. There are a variety of patterns and colors available.
How long do Aluminum shingles last?
Aluminum shingles should last the lifetime of the home. Most aluminum shingle manufactures are warranting the roof for the limited lifetime of the first owner and a fifty year warranty for any additional home owners.
Common problems with Aluminum Shingles
Aluminum roofs are long-lasting, fire resistant and great for insulating. They are however much more expensive than standard asphalt shingles. Aluminum roofing materials will be at least twice as expensive as asphalt shingles, maybe even more. On the plus side, they can be applied directly over old shingles, which lowers the cost of re-roofing.
Aluminum roofs are so lightweight they could become damaged if someone walks on the roof. Most of the damage can be avoided if the person walks carefully, but can make cleaning the roof or gutters more of a challenge. Aluminum shingles must be applied carefully, if not screwed or fastened correctly, water can leak or the shingles could become unfastened in high winds.
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Aluminum Shingle Ratings
Aluminum shingles carry a Class A fire rating, which indicates how well the shingles will resist an external fire. (Class A provides the greatest fire resistance.)
Aluminum shingles are favored by the insurance industry.
Aluminum shingles are rated to withstand a 110 mile-per-hour wind-driven rain without leaking.
Aluminum shingles will withstand hail without cracking, (although the hail ratings that are often quoted for metal shingles do not test for permanent denting.)