Putting a New Metal Roof on an Old House

August 31, 2018

New Roof Old House Lifetime Metal Roofing of ATL

Let’s look at some attributes of metal roofing that lend themselves to older homes:

Beauty. It’s interesting to see how a metal roof can add beauty to any older home, so we invite you to take a look at a just one old house, and the difference metal roofing options can make.

In the June 2018 issue of This Old House Magazine, our Classic Metal Roofing Systems were part of an architect’s solution to the challenges of updating a 1927 cottage in New England.

Low Weight.  Foundations can deteriorate and crumble, and structural lumber can lose strength and resiliency. Many times, older homes have been beleaguered by multiple layers of heavy roofing including possibly wood shingles, slate, or asbestos. Metal roofing is a great way to “take the weight off”. Whereas traditional roof shingles weigh from 2.75 – 4.25 pounds per square foot, a metal roof will weigh from a half pound to around a pound per square foot depending upon the product. This low weight helps to preserve the life of a home’s foundation and structural lumber. It also offers less cave-in threat in the event of seismic activity or an interior fire.

Sustainability. .Metal roofing is durable; it can protect and beautify for your home for many years to come, even a lifetime. durability. Additionally, most metal roofs have high recycled content:  – about 95% for aluminum and 35% for copper and steel. Plus, at the end of a metal roof’s useful life, it is 100% recyclable.  Our metal roofing is very much the “green” choice.

Energy Efficiency. A common struggle with older homes is trying to make them more energy efficient. It can be a challenge – old windows and doors can be drafty and the walls and ceilings can be difficult to insulate. An energy efficient metal roof, designed to reflect the sun’s radiant heat and keep the home naturally cooler in hot weather, can be a great way to reduce summer air conditioning costs or to simply make the home more comfortable in the summer if it is not air-conditioned. With the right metal roof, your roofing decision can be one of your most energy efficient decisions for an older home.

Ventilation. As an older home is remodeled, things are usually done to make it more airtight. Windows and doors are replaced. New sidewall coverings are installed, usually with air barriers. Additionally, many times the areas of the home where moisture is generated (laundry, kitchen, and baths) are not well exhausted. The end result is that the moisture we create while living inside our homes can no longer exit and it migrates into the attic. Once in the attic, moisture makes insulation less effective and it can also condense on cool surfaces such as nail tips and the underside of the roof deck. As an answer, metal roofs can often be easily vented, letting that moisture out before it condenses and causes problems. A well-vented attic is also often the best answer to problems like winter ice dams and summer heat gain.

Dependable Protection. Anyone who has an old house knows that a key is the preservation of the home. Sometimes even the slightest intrusion of water or wind or other things can set off a chain of events that results in significant damage to the home. The long-term dependability of metal roofing, complete with detailed flashings and other parts to ensure a watertight roof system, is a great way to preserve the rest of your home by protecting it from the weather.

Metal Roofing Has You Covered

Whether you have an old house or just love old houses … or even if you’re a “new house” person that would not even consider an older home, metal roofing has you covered. At Lifetime Metal Roofing, we are revolutionizing residential roofing for Atlanta… one beautiful old (or new) home at a time. Please contact us whenever we can help with your projects.

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QUESTIONS?
Ask the Expert: Todd Miller

Todd Miller, roofing expertTodd Miller is President of Isaiah Industries, an organization that is recognized as one of the world’s leading metal roofing manufacturers, and manufacturer of Classic Metal Roofing Systems.

Todd has over 30 years of experience in residential metal roofing and is internationally recognized as a roofing and ventilation expert. Passionate about using his experience to help homeowners make the best roofing decision for them, he can help you navigate the issues encountered in roofing or reroofing your home or commercial property. Use the form below and you'll receive a response directly from Todd or his team.