How Long Does a Metal Roof Last in Colorado
Steel or aluminum roofs have a lifespan of fifty years or more. Zinc and copper can last a century or more. Colorado is a unique place to live with extreme weather in just about every season. Summer can be extremely hot and dry, winter can bring blizzards and ice storms, and in between, we’ll have hail storms, wind storms, and heavy rains.
These are all factors in how long your metal roof will along with the quality of materials and installation expertise.
You can have the look of shingles, slate, tile, shakes, and vertical panels with many metal roofing style choices. No matter what you choose, make sure your metal roofing product is tested, labeled, and listed with a testing organization such as UL, FM Approvals or Intertek to ensure it meets the requirements for wind, fire, and impact resistance ratings. Not having these designations will cause you a headache down the road in more maintenance costs, repairs, and some tend to not last as long.
Metal Roof and Weather Considerations
The lifespan of Colorado roofs is shortened by a number of factors including weather. These estimates are dependent on temperature extremes, weather conditions, upkeep, installation quality, and maintenance.
Colorado is known for its weather extremes, above 100 degrees in the summer and in the negatives in the winter. The air can be extremely dry in the summer, blizzards in the winter, and rainstorms in between.
Snow
Colorado averages 17 inches of snow statewide but that is a misleading number. Recently, in Denver, we had a snowstorm drop more than 17 inches in a couple of days rather than throughout the year.
If you think about it, during a large snowstorm that drops 17 inches at one time that will be a lot of weight your roof has to handle on its own.
And even when you consider just the weight of the snow on top of your roof there’s enough weight for your roof and all of the snow on your roof to not only cause issues with how it’s supported but also damage the roof structure. So you can see what the roof structure can do to withstand a snowstorm.
Hail
Colorado can have 10 – 20 major hailstorms per year. These storms are similar to rocks falling on your home’s roof and can cause serious damage over time.
Wind
Colorado has had hurricane-force wind storms, these can blow off entire sections of your roof and potentially damage the underlying structure.
If that were to happen it would be extremely costly and if not fixed would lead to further storm damage. One thing I would mention is that when you do get a leak check it should be done when the water level in your house is at or below 5%.
Rain
Rainstorms can cause major damage to your roof, including rust and damaging the underlying structure of your home.
Sun
While sunshine is appealing to people in Colorado it is not good for the longevity of your roof. The intense sun paired with Colorado’s high altitude makes it that more intense. This can cause roof materials to crack, melt, and fade.
The best solution is to protect your shingle roof from the Colorado sun by applying a sealant that has UV inhibitors to help prevent fading, cracking, or melting.
Longevity and Types of Materials
The type of material used to build the roofing system is important. Slate is the most durable of all roof types according to experienced roofing companies in Denver. It can last for a long time. asphalt and clay can last up to 20 years, while metal can last 40 years or more.
Proper Maintenance
To ensure the continued performance of your metal roof, perform the following surface-level maintenance tasks on your roof.
Surface maintenance can generally be completed without a thorough inspection of the roofing structure. Many home or building owners like to do their own maintenance, but keep in mind there are also maintenance services available from professionals that are well trained in roof maintenance and safety.
Metal Roof Maintenance
If you plan to use any kind of liquid to clean your metal roof, be aware that it will be very slippery when wet. Depending on the environment the roof is in, there are differing opinions on the amount of maintenance that should be performed. To ensure the continued performance of your metal roof, perform the following surface-level maintenance tasks. It is important to consider your safety if you decide to do the maintenance yourself, especially on roofs with a steep slope.
Generally, maintenance should be done once every 18 months if not more. Depending on the severity of the conditions, a building that is in the shade underneath trees might need maintenance more than once a year. Required maintenance is listed in some warranties in order to keep the warranty valid.
Check for Holes, Rust, or Anything Abnormal
Metal Roof Repairs are not often required but if they go untreated for extended periods of time structural damage can take place on the home. When doing surface maintenance inspect the roof for anything abnormal such as holes, chips, rusting, loose nails, or loose panels. While these things may seem minor they could be symptoms of larger issues with the roof. Ideally, you would take a picture with your phone to consult with a roofing company or schedule a roof inspection for them to give you an expert opinion.
Why Choose Roofing Pros
Roofing Pros is a full-service metal roofing company locally operating in the Denver Metro area. We have helped numerous home and business owners with their roofing needs including metal roof repair, installations, inspections, and replacements. We have great reviews from our customers and we pride ourselves on being a completely transparent company walking you through the entire process. If you’re looking for a roofing contractor you can trust to finish the job correctly the first time, give us a call today.
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