Four Things to Consider About Metal Roofs If You Live in an Area With a Lot of Precipitation

If you're thinking about installing a metal roof but you live in a place with a lot of precipitation, you may want to ensure that metal is the right choice. There are several things you should consider. Here is what you need to know:

1. Rain does not have to be noisier with a metal roof.

A common misconception of metal roofs is that they amplify the sound of raindrops. When rain hits metal, it is louder than when it hits asphalt shingles, but as long as your installer uses solid sheathing beneath the roof, the rain will be muffled.

Keep in mind that in areas like your garage where you don't use as much sheathing, you will be able to hear the delightful sound of raindrops pelting the metal.

2. Textured metal roofs can hide hail damage.

If your area has hail in addition to rain, you should keep that in mind when choosing your metal roof. These roofs are made to withstand breaking from hail, but they can get little dents. If you don't want dents visible on your roof, you may want to buy a textured roof to hide them.

3. Narrow profile rain gutters work best in snowy areas.

If you have snow as well as rain and hail, you need to think carefully about the profile of your gutters. Rain gutters are essential for moving water away from your home, but on a metal roof, they can get damaged by snow.

Snow tends to melt very quickly on metal roofs, and as it falls off, it sometimes has the force to rip down gutters. To prevent this, you want to opt for gutters with a relatively narrow profile. That way, the melting snow will arch over them as it falls to the ground, but when it rains, the gutters are still there to catch the water.

4. Different type of metal roofs offer different levels of corrosion resistance.

In addition to thinking about the different types of precipitation in your area, you also need to think about the potential for corrosion. Metal roofs are all designed to protect your home, and as a result, they have features that help them resist the elements.

However, if you live near the coast, the air in your area is likely to have a lot of salt in it, and the rain water may have some salt as well. You need a roof that can resist the corrosive elements of salt. For example, galvanised stainless steel works great. 

For more information, talk to a metal roofing contractor in your area.