METAL ROOFING CONTRACTOR IN PITTSBURGH, PA

S&L Remodeling uses high-quality heavy weight metal with the industry leading coating technology to produce the longest lasting, highest quality metal roofs

METAL ROOFING

Panel profile, standing seam, corrugated, gauge, galvalume substrate... Amish?? All words you have likely become familiar with if you've been shopping for a metal roof. We can help...

In Pittsburgh where seasonal weather varies from ice and snow in the winter to high temperature and humidity in the summer… and some wind storms in between, metal roofing is becoming a popular choice for home owners in the area. Metal roofs are known for their exceptional resistance to extreme weather and superior durability. Moreover, metal roofs require minimal upkeep. Investing in a metal roof in Pittsburgh offers a roof lifespan that far exceeds traditional shingle roofing and requires minimal maintenance over its longer life. Some Pittsburgh homeowners are shopping for metal roofs over traditional shingle roofs simply because they prefer the look. Metal roof options are endless and can really stand out in a neighborhood of shingles. Whatever reason you’re considering metal for your next roof material, S&L Remodeling is here to make your dreams a reality. And if you’re looking for a metal roof contractor in Pittsburgh, you’ve come to the right place.

WHAT MAKES ONE METAL ROOF DIFFERENT FROM ANOTHER

Metal roofs have 3 key components for comparison...

METAL TYPE: The primary metal materials used are steel, aluminum, zinc or copper. Each material offers unique advantages. Aluminum is known for its lightweight properties, while copper stands out for its resistance to rust. In Pittsburgh, steel is generally considered the best blend of strength, weight and rust resistance. It’s also the most popular metal roofing material over-all. Most of the regular metal roof shopping you’ll be doing in Pittsburgh will be variations of steel, unless of course you have a specialty roof.

METAL GAUGE: Guage is simply the thickness of the metal. And, just to confuse regular people not familiar with metal working, the gauge thickness rates backwards. So, a 29-gauge roof is thinner than a 22-gauge roof. The reason is because “gauge” is a term borrowed from drawing metal wire, and basically the more you stretch and “draw” the wire, the more you decrease the physical size. Hence, smaller numbers have been “worked” less, offering a thicker piece of metal. “Gauge” is a pretty important component of the metal roof you choose. Generally, the thinnest available gauge is 29 and the thickest is 22. The most popular gauges are 22, 24, 26, and 29. If you’re a Pittsburgher, you’ve heard about Amish contractors being able to install metal roofs for less than other contractors in the area. The main reason for this is that the Amish generally use the thinnest metal roof tiles, and for some applications, 29-gauge is enough. For other applications, it’s not. Thinner metal is cheaper but leaves that material more susceptible to things like damage or “oil canning” which is when screwing fasteners into thin metal cause a bubbling effect. It gives the roof a “wavy” appearance and leave pits where water can gather around the weakest points of the roof… the fasteners.

PROTECTIVE COATING: Metal is metal. What most don’t realize when shopping for a metal roof is that thickness matters, but one metal that is 22-gauge is the same as any other metal that’s 22-gauge. The same can’t be said for coatings and paint. In fact, when you get a warranty on a metal roof, the manufacturer isn’t warranting the metal… They’re warranting the coating on the metal. Metal roofing is coated and painted to prevent rust. The coatings are chemically engineered with top modern elements and compounds to ensure durability and extended lifespan. Without high-grade coating and paint, the metal will do what metal does… rust.

PAINT AND FINISH: Beyond protective coatings, your metal roof will have a layer of specialized UV reflective paint that reduces heating and cooling costs. And again, it tells you how important the coatings are when you read your metal roof product warranty… in most cases, the company is only guaranteeing the coatings. Because metal doesn’t fail unless the coating fails. The Amish metal roofing panels while thinner, also generally have lower quality and less modern coatings.

METAL ROOF PANEL PROFILES

If you're shopping for a metal roof, you'll need to decide on a panel profile. There's corrugated and standing seam. There's also a bunch of other decorative profiles but for the most part you'll be choosing between those two.

CORRUGATED: Corrugated is the most cost-effective way to get a metal roof on your home. You'll gain all the benefits of a metal roof, without the additional cost of standing seam but there is some compromise on style and upkeep. All metal roofs require fastening... but with corrugated metal roofs, the fasteners are exposed. Washers and fasteners must be inspected every so often to ensure they are still intact, and the exposed fastener method allows breaks in the metal that can threaten water penetration. Corrugated metal also comes in less colors and styles than standing seam. So, if your budget is limited, a corrugated metal roof is still in fact, a metal roof. And there are many treatments available to protect and preserve the fasteners, making it an excellent option for homeowners looking to get metal protection and durability on a budget.

STANDING SEAM: Standing seam is a metal roof that conceals fasteners. The system uses flat metal panels with vertical ribs that are fastened together with the fasteners hidden under the ribs. Eliminating the exposed fasteners eliminates any threat of water penetration at the fasteners, eliminates the need for upkeep on the fasteners and offers the aesthetic appeal of hiding the fasteners.

WHAT MAKES METAL ROOFING IN PITTSBURGH SO POPULAR?

Roofing materials each have their own unique set of characteristics that make them attractive to each individual homeowner. Some homeowners are trying to achieve a certain “look”. Some are looking strictly to protect their home from water. Some just don’t want to ever think about their roof again and are looking for longevity in materials. Some just want to spend the least amount of money possible. Metal roofs are beautiful. And the price difference between shingle and metal roofs gets smaller and smaller the more popular they get. Most have realized that with a little bit extra up front, they can get a much more durable and longer lasting product. The MRA (Metal Roofing Alliance) released market research showing that residential metal roofs are now 18% of the market, up from 14% in 2017. You might be seeing more metal roofs in your neighborhood.

BENEFITS TO METAL ROOFING SYSTEMS

LIFESPAN: While shingles continue to improve and are seeing longer and longer estimated lifetimes and warranties, metal still outlasts almost all shingle roof materials. Metal roofs can last 40-70 years and longer without needing replacement. Yes, corrugated roofs require some interim maintenance, but the material itself is meant to last a long time.

DURABILTY: Metal is the undisputed winner in withstanding elements. They can survive winds of over 100 miles per hour. They are completely resistant to bitter cold and high heat that could crack or melt other roofing materials. They’re even fire resistant! Head-to-head, metal is the most durable roofing material.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Metal roof panels don’t just prevent summer and winter air front entering your home, they also reflect the sun’s rays, keeping your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

WEIGHT: Metal roofs are surprisingly lightweight. They reduce structural load on your home and simplify the installation process.

SUSTAINABILITY: Not only are metal roofing materials made from recycled material, but they are also 100% recyclable themselves, having less of a negative impact on the environment that other building materials.

PITTSBURGH'S TRUSTED METAL ROOFERS

Although there are many special advantages to metal roofing, its effectiveness depends on the professionals who install it. Our team at S&L Remodeling has the expertise and products to make this your last roof installation. Metal roofing is becoming more popular in the Greater Pittsburgh area, and we proudly offer metal roof repair and metal roof replacement services for residential and commercial properties. As with all our projects, estimates are completely free. Give us a call at 412-628-9717 or fill out our simple online form by clicking "Get A Free Quote" and someone will get back to you before you know it.