Portland Metal Roof Installation

Though Portland doesn't see quite as much rain as other areas of the Pacific Northwest, it still sees more than many areas of the country at large. This requires smart residential construction and conscientious remodeling of older homes to ensure long-term well-being. One of the most important areas in this respect is your roof, which is the front line of the basic structural integrity of your home. Though asphalt shingle roofing is substantially cheaper than metal roofing, Portland, Oregon is a fine location to opt for the latter. In and around Portland, metal roofing is a solid investment not just because of its low-maintenance requirements, but because of its longevity and value, too. When compared to modern metal roofing, Portland's asphalt shingled roofs just don't stand up. If you've been considering a new roof, here are a few reasons why in Portland, metal roofing is gaining such a good reputation.

Portland Metal Roofing Myths
Metal roofing primarily receives praise for its strength and ability to resist the heavy weight associated with snow. It's also lightweight, easy to install, energy-efficient, fireproof, and has some of the longest warranties in the roofing industry. Despite the incredible benefits of today's installations, myths and drawbacks of older products have made some homeowners unreasonably wary of metal roofing. Portland homeowners interested in this material should know, however, that few (if any) of the drawbacks associated with metal roofing installed a century ago have been left unfixed in newer products.

The noisy, rusty, poor-insulating metal roofs of yesteryear are a far cry from today's metal roofs. Portland homeowners worried about the deafening sound of rain or the high level of heat transfer older metal roofs were known for should be aware that today's insulation techniques can nip these issues in the bud. As for rust, modern metal roofs are extremely resistant for a very long time; they are so resistant, in fact, that new metal roofing products are actually available with a "rust" finish to satisfy those who long for the look (but not performance) of old metal roofs.

Hail that would dent an old metal roof will simply bounce off most new metal roofing products, and the heat generated by old metal roofs in the summer time can easily be thwarted by new sun-reflecting finishes (that actually make your home cooler in the summer than many other roofing products). As for lightning, far from attracting it, Portland metal roofing is actually going to ground electricity more efficiently if your house happened to be struck!

Cost of Portland Metal Roofing
Of course, the real drawback against metal roofing is cost, and this drawback can't be explained away. It can be justified, however. You can choose thick, coated, metal roofing with a 50-year, transferable warranty for, say, three to four times the amount of asphalt shingles or a more moderately designed metal roofing system for one to three times the cost. Overall, the cost of metal roof installations tend to be skewed lower than the materials and labor suggests because of house design and homeowner preference. Many homeowners think that taller, narrower house frames tend to work better aesthetically with metal roofs than sprawling ranch style homes. The total square footage of a metal roof also tends to be smaller and the strength of metal roofing allows for a flatter roof pitch. In other words, Portland metal roofing is more expensive than asphalt, but it's difficult to predict how much more expensive until you talk to individual contractors. The benefits of this material are too significant to dismiss it without soliciting estimates from local contractors.

Portland Metal Roofing Installation
Metal roofing can be installed more rapidly than many other forms of roofing, especially if you choose a metal roofing line that is installed in panels rather than individual shingles. There are solid advantages to choosing individual shingles, however. They are easier to repair if anything does go wrong with your roof, and some homeowners think they look better. Another way to go is with sheet metal roofing that is fabricated to the exact specifications of your roofing system.

Since Portland metal roofing is becoming more popular, as it is all over the country, there's a good chance that more contractors will learn the ins and outs of its installation as the years go on. In the future, it might not only be easier to find metal roofing contractors, but the installations themselves may cost less due to the increased competition!