Washington DC Metal Roofing

In Washington DC, metal roofing is an excellent option for anyone who wants their home to be topped with a material that will perform well in every season. Though less popular than asphalt, metal roofs are finding themselves on more and more properties as homeowners are becoming more aware of their benefits. When it comes to seeing the advantages of metal roofing, Washington DC is a great area to start for several reasons. DC area homeowners in the market for a roof installation will find that their climate and weather patterns are a perfect setting for this unique and versatile building material.

A Better Roof for Washington DC: Metal Roofing Benefits
In DC and across the country, the most popular roofing material, by far, is asphalt shingle. Because it is such an affordable material and it is easy to find contractors that are experienced installing it, asphalt is found on a huge majority of homes nationwide. Just because a material is popular, however, doesn't mean that it is always the best choice. Asphalt is inexpensive and insulate, but when it comes to longevity and performance metal is a far better option in many cases.

Metal roofing in Washington DC will have many advantages over its asphalt counterparts. Not only do metal roofs last longer than asphalt roofs (40 plus years compared to 20 or 25), they generally require less maintenance over their lifetimes. They are fireproof, insect proof, and are light enough that they can often be installed directly on top of existing roofing. During the cold, wet winters in Washington DC, metal roofing's surface is less likely to hold onto snow and ice, which means that less weight is put on your roof and its supports. Though asphalt might have been preferable to older metal roofs (which were prone to rust and making a lot of noise during rain storms), metal roofing of today has the more popular material beat on many levels.

Options for Washington DC Metal Roofing
Older tin roofs are a thing of the past. Today, metal roofing comes in both shingles and panels and can come painted or sealed with a clear coat to let the metal show through. You will also have a few different kinds of metal to choose from when you purchase your new roof. Copper roofing performs very well in all respects, but its hefty price tag puts it out of the range of most budgets. For most people, metal roofing made of zinc coated steel or aluminum is a good balance of performance and price. If you choose aluminum, it is often a good idea to opt for a thicker product, as thin aluminum roofing is more likely to be dented under impact. No matter what kind of metal roofing you choose, it will be important to make sure you also purchase sufficient insulation (while metal isn't a good insulator on its own, if it is installed directly over an existing roof, this shouldn't be an issue).

Prices of Metal Roofing in Washington DC
Probably the biggest reason why more properties don't have metal roofing is that the price can be double or more the cost of asphalt (which can run anywhere from $2,000 to $11,000 in Washington DC). Metal roofing is not as expensive as tile or slate, but the difference between installing a metal roof and an asphalt roof of similar dimensions is significant enough to make many homeowners opt for the latter. However, when you consider the many advantages of installing a metal roof and you take into account the fact that it is likely to last far longer and require much less maintenance than an asphalt roof, a good case can be made for making the larger initial investment.

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