Metal Roofing FAQ

Eventhough the sound of rain can be both relaxing and comforting, you do not need to worry about any excess noise occurring due to a metal roof. Your metal roof will make no more sound than will an asphalt, wood shake or clay tile roof.

Metal roofing, when used in conjunction with proper installation and trim packages, can very effectively handle the Southern Idaho winds. Unlike asphalt shingles, that lose tabs in nearly every windstorm, a metal roof will stand the tests of time. Products, such as Met-Tile, have been known to withstand the 230 mph hurricane force winds of Florida. However, Mother Nature is not one to be trifled with, so please be sure to carry the proper insurance on your structure.

Metal roofing is extremely impact resistant and will repel hailstorms just as effectively as your old asphalt shingles.

When applied over the proper substrate, your non-combustible metal roof can achieve a Class “A” rating. Thereby making it the most fire resistant roof available.

No. Lightning will strike whatever is in its path. Typically, lightning will strike the highest object to where it can travel to the ground the quickest. Lightning is no more attracted to your roof than it will be to a tree, power pole, etc. Many reports can be found where lightning has struck the ground right next to a radio antenna or other tall object. Simply put, lightning travels wherever lightning wants to travel. If this does not make you feel warm and fuzzy…install lightning rod 🙂

No. In fact, due to the new technology used in the paint that is being used on the newer metal roofing materials, your new metal roof will reflect or dissipate heat faster than asphalt shingles. (See the question below about “Cool Roof Technology”).

29g metal roofing weighs in at approximately 0.70 lbs per square foot.
26g metal roofing weighs in at approximately 0.95 lbs per square foot.
The above weights make your new metal roof a great deal lighter than most conventional roofing materials such as asphalt shingles, clay tile, etc.

Current worldwide economics have a great deal to play in the pricing gap between metal roofing and asphalt shingles. The gap narrows or widens based upon many variables in the world’s trade of commodities. Higher oil pricing will tend to increase the cost of asphalt shingles, while China’s infrastructure boom may cause a worldwide shortage in steel, thereby making metal roofing more expensive than asphalt. Typically a metal roof will cost more than an asphalt roof. However, metal roofing will last longer than asphalt shingles. Therefore, during a structures lifetime, more asphalt shingles will need to be applied vs. a metal roof. In short, you can spend a little more now or a lot more later.

Absolutely, that’s our job and it is what we do best. Remember, however, that garbage in equals garbage out. We can easily provide you with accurate bids, but we will need you to provide us with accurate measurements first. Years of experience, both in the field and behind a computer CAD program have given us the ability to take the measurements off of your 2×4 sketch (contractors can relate to this) or dinner napkin and turn it into a working plan for your project. Newer technologies, like the ones we are now implementing into our bidding process, allow us to use the latest in CAD software combined with satellite imagery to give you quick and accurate bids. Please note, however, that all final drawings and cut lists are the responsibility of the contractor or do-it-yourselfer. I will provide you with my best professional “guess”, based upon what you have given me to work with. Due to insurance, we do not provide on-site measuring.

This is an extremely loaded question. If you are the type of person who calls a repairman whenever anything breaks around the house, then, no. If you are the type of person who fixes everything around the house, then, yes. Installing a metal roof is not rocket science…it does, however, take patience and craftsmanship to do it right. Contractors are metal specialists for a reason, they know what it takes to get the job done right and they possess the skills and tools that are required to complete the job properly. However, do not be scared away by a little manual labor if you possess the tools and ability to do the job properly, while also saving money. Guys…this is also a great opportunity to convince the wife that you need more tools. Win – Win!

This will primarily depend on your local building codes, if you are in an area that requires permits for such repairs. Typically, you are allowed 3 roofing surfaces (total… including the one that you are installing) before a strip-off is needed. However, to ensure a good quality job, you need to “read” your roof. Are your shingles curling? Do you have sags in the surface of your roof that may require some attention? The metal that you install will be dimpled by the curled shingles or may follow the sags that are present. Stripping the roof or laying down a 1 x 4 or 1 x 6 wood grid work may be required to ensure a proper install with the most aesthetically pleasing outcome.

Underneath the paint of your new metal roof is what’s called the substrate of the panel, or the actual steel. That steel is coated with layers of a galvalume (a coating normally mixed with 55% Aluminum, 43.40% Zinc and 1.60% Silicon) normally referred to as AZ50 or AZ55 coatings. Some can contain an all Galvanized coating which refers to G60 or G90 (which is .6 ounces or .9 ounces of zinc per square foot). These coatings ensure that your panel has the best defense against rust. Combining that with a top coat of “Cool Roof Technology” paint helps to add more protection against nature’s elements. The paint does fade some over time, but normally what you are seeing is dust and other contaminants that have settled on your roof. Washing the roof (from the ground) or waiting for a good hard rain will help to remove the dust and ensure the roof continues looking great for many years.

Galvalume and Galvanized metal refers to what is underneath the paint. This type of material is what gives your panel the majority of its weather and rust protection. It is perfectly capable of lasting decades as a stand alone product (without paint). The paint that goes on top of this coating adds to the protection of the panel and provides its colorful beauty. The paint itself will normally carry a 40 yr limited warranty.

“Cool Roof” metal panels are panels that have been painted with a paint whose pigment contains reflectant materials. This type of paint will aid in the reflecting of the sun’s harmful UV rays away from your structure. A “Cool Roof” will reflect nearly 70% of these rays versus the old technology paints that would only reflect 20%. What this means is cooler temperatures in your house during the summer months. This translates into energy cost savings for you.

Our current vendors are offering a 40 yr. non-transferable warranty on their painted material. This warranty ensures that if your paint blisters, peels, cracks or comes detached from your panels, then they will warranty your panels on a pro-rated basis. Paint is always susceptible to fade, however, current technolgy has helped to minimize this problem. Remember, like your cars’ paint, your roofing panels are also prone to some “limited” fade due to the Sun’s harmful rays.

We currently stock 18 colors in 29g Residential Ppanel and 5 colors in Commercial PBR. As well as Bare Galvalume. We also have many other vendors who supply us with a variety of panel styles in a multitude of colors. Please feel free to browse our color charts.
Please be aware that Color Charts and computer generated images are no substitute for actual color samples. Use our charts for reference or general color ideas when choosing your roofing color. Snake River Metal will not be responsible for colors that are chosen over the Internet or from Color Charts.

Your new metal roof will have a life expectancy of 50+ years (see warranty for paint).
An asphalt roof will need to be changed 2-4 times in that timeframe. When you combine the longevity of the metal with the energy saving features that come along with a metal roof, you can see that the higher initial cost of a metal roof will more than pay for itself in the long run. Why settle for anything less?

90% of our orders are done within 1-2 days from the time you pick your color and order the materials. A large percentage can be done same day. We produce your panels and trim in house, so that you receive factory direct service and pricing. This saves you both time and money. The great thing about having our factory in your back yard is that, if you make a wrong cut or measurement, we can try to get you a new panel or trim piece produced within minutes or hours. Compare that to the 7-14 days lead time it takes a lumber yard to re-order a panel and you can see the time and money savings that Snake River Metal provides to you. If you are a contractor, imagine the savings to your company when you can fix a screw up but still stay on time and budget. There is no need to move a crew to another jobsite while you wait for an out of state panel to arrive. No angry homeowners and no wasted money. That’s the kind of service that Snake River Metal can provide to your company.

This is another one of those loaded questions. Contractors are a Hatfield and McCoy type of bunch. One half believes that screws should be secured in the flat of the panel, while the other half believes that they should only be placed in the rib of the panel. Both will throw rocks at the other until one side buckles (which never happens). This decision will be yours to make, as you are the one installing the panels. Snake River Metal stocks all lengths of screws (in hopes to please everyone involved). As far as patterns are concerned, residential screws going into wood should be one screw alongside (or into) each rib. This will be repeated every 2′ on center as you head up the panel. A stitch screw should be placed in the lap rib, in line with the field screws. The same pattern applies for screws going into steel purlins and girters, only they will be every 4′-5′ on center (consistent with purlin spacing).

As a rule of thumb, please observe the following for the Southern Idaho region:

29g Ppanel will support our area’s Snow Loads for spans ranging from solid sheeting to 2′ on center.
26g PBR will support our area’s Snow Loads for spans ranging from solid sheeting to 5′ on center.

Check your local codes for your area’s loadings.

Trim is an integral part of a metal roofs defenses against the wind and weather. Without the proper use of Ridge, Gable or other trim your roof will be prone to leaks and tear-off during severe storms. Please click on the link below to jump to our Trim Details page.

1″ minimum and 3″ maximum. You need to overhang the panels far enough over the edge to allow the runoff to leave the panel without “wicking” back underneath. Also, too much overhang will cover up your gutter, causing the runoff to splash out or overshoot the gutter. If you do not have a gutter on your eaves, too much overhang will be prone to bending and buckling due to ice buildup or pressure from such things as ladders.

Use a vented ridge system such as the Marco Industries LP2 or Atlas’ Versa-Vent system. They should be used in conjunction with vented soffits or gable vents. A power fan is also a good way to get rid of unwanted attic heat. 12″ x 12″ square roof vents (called turtlebacks) are commonly used with asphalt shingle roofs, but are not recommended for metal roofing materials due to the difficulty in sealing around the vents.

The following are commonly used for this purpose:

LP2, Versa-Vent, Solid formed closure strips, collapsible universal rolled foam and Xseal.

Absolutely. However, the following precautions should be taken into consideration:

Wear tennis shoes or soft soled boots.
Never use hard soled shoes or boots and avoid walking on the edges of your feet.
Avoid walking on the ribs, so as not to crush them.
Keep to the screw lines, that is where you will find the most support.

NEVER GET ONTO A ROOF THAT IS FROSTY OR WET. YOU WILL SLIP AND FALL!

Absolutely. In fact, metal roofing is made from 30% recycled material and is, itself, 100% recyclable.

No more filling up the landfill.