The roof of a home is a key element of any building design and one of its most significant structural aspects. Value-conscious house owners seeking long-term roofing solutions that combine aesthetics and performance are increasingly turning toward metal panel roofing. According to much research, metal panel roofing has surged in popularity over the past decade.

Metal roof panels have shown an ability to stand up to the elements, and provide low life-cycle costs and longevity with the least amount of maintenance. Additionally, manufacturers are expanding their metal roofing options in a wide variety of finishes, profiles and colors which enhance building aesthetics. Advances in coatings and finishes have facilitated the formulation of cool metal roofing that adds to the roof's energy-saving properties and can reduce the costs associated with heating and cooling the building.

Metal roofing panels are not limited to industrial or commercial looking colors and styles.Custom metal roofing panel can be pre-painted with enamel paint that is baked on and will not only save time, it will preserve the metal roofing system for a much longer time.

When one talks about metal residential roofing, various questions come up throughout the construction planning phase, given the wide variety of products one has to choose from today. It is crucial to comprehend the differences between the various roofing systems. Unless one selects the proper roofing system, under layering, substrate and finish, the roof will not function up to its intended potential.

The two basic types of metal panel roofing are differentiated by their method of water resistance. The pitch of the roof is the most important factor. Structural roofing is useful on roofs with a lower pitch as the panels themselves are water resistant. Non structural roofing, which is also called architectural roofing, can only be used on steeper slopes. On these slopes, water will shed quickly.

Thermal enlarging and shrinking of structural panels will occur to some extent, which means that the panels and the flashing must be designed to encompass that. In general with a roof, structural panels are capable of fitting between the supports, and are connected by clips to the building structure. A hanging clip arrangement that attaches the panels to the roof allows for the enlarging and shrinking that can occur.

Structural metal framing and purlins are usually included in the roof assembly to which structural metal panel roof systems are typically fitted over. If your area has a lot of snow or high winds or even when the owner requires it, panels can be installed over solid substances such as metal decking, plywood, and oriented-strand board that combines with ISO board insulation to get the correct panel system structural load.

And metal panel roofing is a green building option. Millions of barrels of crude oil are utilized in the production asphalt roof shingles. Over 30 billion pounds of old worn asphalt shingles are disposed of in landfills each year. In contrast, the steel used to make metal panels is composed of as much as 50% recycled material, and is itself 100% recyclable. Metal is the most highly recycled material with 64% of all scrap metal in North America being recycled.