FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Absolutely not. Compared to most other roofing materials, metal roofing is one of the most energy-efficient and coolest roofs on the market today. Large surface areas with thinner yet stronger material dissipated heat back into the atmosphere at a far superior rate.

At Roofing World®, we provide a lifetime warranty on our metal roof projects in Alabama. We also offer a lifetime warranty on our Poly Shingle™ projects. So it comes down to customer preference because our Lifetime Rib Panel Metal is approximately the same price as our Poly Shingle™.

That depends on the location of the structure being covered and the gauge (thickness) of the material. For example, in Colorado, hail can be more than 2 inches in diameter, whereas in the southeast U.S. It’s doubtful you’ll have hail that exceeds an inch in diameter. This is a general weather pattern known by geographical location. 
If you’re in an area with the possibility of 2+ inch hail, 22 or 24 gauge roofing would be suggested, both of which are known to meet the criteria necessary for optimum hail protection. In most cases in the southeast U.S., you would be safe with 26 gauge panels. However, if you live near the southeastern coastal areas, 24 gauge would also help with high wind situations like a hurricane making landfall in your area.

Like anything else in life, you have good, better, and best. The same applies to metal roofing. Let’s break it down. 
The thickness (gauge) of the metal plays a critical role in the quality of the roofing material, as does the quality of the metal alloys used. Paint or coloring is no different. Better alloys, increased thickness, and higher quality paint options will give you a far superior roof with protection that covers many potential issues down the road. These include: 
Increased Usable Lifespan. 
Less susceptible to damage from hail, wind, and falling objects, such as a fallen tree limb. 
Your budget 29 gauge metals are mostly for sheds and storage buildings. 29 gauge is the thinnest of all metal roofing panels. 29 gauge is more susceptible to oil canning (waviness and buckling of the metal) Make sure you keep trim, ridge, and flashing the same gauge when building with thicker material. The lessor metals used in these areas will leave you exposed to points of failure on the roof in extreme weather conditions. 
Never short cut to save a few dollars that could cause catastrophic failure in straight-line winds from thunderstorms and hurricanes. 
Make sure you use quality fasteners. Historically, fasteners are the first point of failure on metal roofing due to the 2nd law of thermodynamics, or entropy. Everything is in a state of degradation from the elements and time. Everything wears out. How long your roofing lasts is based on the decisions you make in your choice of materials used. 
There are far superior fasteners on the market that didn’t exist just 20 years ago. There are now lifetime fasteners that can most literally weather the storm. 
For example, we use a lifetime screw on our Rib Panel roofs because the screw is often one of the primary leak points for metal roofs. Our standing seam product line has hidden fasteners and a lifetime paint and is considered the top choice for the best-looking, longest-lasting metal roofing system in Huntsville, Alexander City, Bay Minette, Columbus and all around Alabama.

Make sure they have all of their bells and whistles. Are they insured with liability and workers comp insurance? Are they licensed in the state they are operating, if applicable? Do they have a physical office? Do you see their vehicles moving about the area? There are tell-tale signs that separate the wheat from the chaff. Call references and have a chat with them. Check their Google reviews.

Metal roofs are one of the most efficient roofing systems on the planet and work almost anywhere if you choose the material quality based on your location and needs. They are thin sheets of metal that dissipate heat quickly, shun and reject radiant cold, and help maintain stability against moisture penetration.

Let’s do the cons first because it’s the shorter answer. The cons are the cost. Metal roofing costs more than most other residential roofing systems. 
The pros? There are metal roofs still working that were applied over 100 years ago and remain functional and decent looking. Metal roofs are energy efficient while offering excellent performance during weather events. They are known for their longevity and durability. Metal roofs also maintain their aesthetic appeal for a very long time. Metal roofs can also help cool your home.

The answer to this depends on the location and gauge of the material. As covered above, look at the gauge of the material you intend to use, then consider the options for your location. Only 22 and 24 gauge metal roofing panels and trim are approved to handle larger hail storms with less damage. 26 gauge is fine for most residential applications.

You can install metal roofing over existing shingles, but it is not always recommended. It is possible if the shingle roof is in excellent condition and was installed correctly with the best materials, such as a high-grade synthetic underlayment. In this scenario, the metal is only being installed over the shingle because of style preference. In other cases where the asphalt shingle roof in Alabama is past its useful life and has experienced some level of leakage or failure, installing a metal roof over it is highly discouraged. In this scenario, one would be installing a new product on top of a bad foundation. The roof structure has already been damaged, and it could also be trapping moisture underneath the new metal roof.

The same applies to general roofing that applies to metal roofing contractors; in fact, many roofing companies install various types of roofing systems. Use the same criteria and processes as locating and choosing a roofing contractor for any roofing system. Licensed, insured, and active in the community they serve. Guarantees and warranties can be an important factor.

Yes, roofs can be installed year-round. There are many pics in Google Images of roofers shoveling show off of roofs to reroof them in the dead of winter. Asphalt roofs can become brittle and not recommended to be installed at temperatures below 40 degrees.

We use Poly Shingle™, the most durable shingle roofing material available today. The Poly Shingle™ can have a hail rating of up to a class 4, the highest rating offered, and the same hail rating as a 26 gauge metal roof. It can also withstand wind up to 130 MPH and is fire resistant. The Poly Shingle™ looks like asphalt but is constructed of a polymer-based material that resists tearing and hail and is far superior to an asphalt roof.

Metal roofing! This could be copper, alloy, steel, aluminum, etc.

The answer to this question varies considerably based on several factors. Was it installed correctly? What kind of asphalt material was used? What kind of underlayment was used? Was it vented properly? How often does the house that it was installed on experience severe storms with high winds and hail? What is the pitch of the roof?

Shingles are composed of 3 essential parts—a fiberglass mat, asphalt that encases the fiberglass mat, and the granules. The sun deteriorates asphalt, so the granules protect the asphalt from solar deterioration. It’s also a cool way to build out some nice colors and aesthetics.

Nationally, the basic shingle asphalt roof cost ranges between $6.00 and $8.00 per square foot, depending on the roofing material used. Other roofing materials will exceed the higher end of this range with specialty roofs such as rib panel, standing seam, copper, and aluminum. Commercial roofing can easily exceed these norms.

Many are, except for asphalt shingles. Metal, aluminum, and copper are not prone to helping fires rage. Other newer products are steadily increasing fire safety to new levels, making roofing safer with each passing year. Our Poly Shingle™ roof is fire resistant and it has the same look as an architectural asphalt shingle roof.

Architectural roofing shingles were the answer to the standard 3-tab shingles. They use the same basic products as the 3-tab roofing shingle, but they have a second layer of roofing designed to give depth and a more aesthetically pleasing look. Since it has a second layer, the bonus is that they usually outlast 3-tab roofing systems by several years.

Yes, although you may not need old-school, asphalt-saturated felt from days gone by, but you do need a quality underlayment. Felt acts as a moisture barrier and second layer of protection that supports your roofing material. Most manufacturers require some form of underlayment to 
keep their warranty valid. They list options that are acceptable for each roofing product. Roofing World® only uses a premium synthetic underlayment.

A square of roofing is 100 sq ft of coverage or a 10×10 area, hence the term “square”.

Absolutely! No matter your credit level, we have options that may fit your situation perfectly. Give us a call, and let us show you how quick and easy the process is to qualify for our easy financing options.

Yes and no. Roofs are covered by insurance like anything else on or in your home, but with some exceptions. If it’s affected by wind damage, hail damage, or that tree limb that fell on your roof in a recent thunderstorm, insurance will likely cover it. If it’s natural wear and tear, your possibilities are slim to any of getting insurance to cover the cost of replacement. It’s safe to bet if your roof is older than 20 years, insurance coverage won’t be available in many policies.

Most experts in the real estate industry suggest that curb appeal accounts for a lot of decision-making when purchasing a new home. The roof is an essential factor in curb appeal. When a house comes under contract, it gives the prospective buyer a chance to negotiate a far lower price because of an aged or damaged roof. It’s almost always beneficial to replace a worn roof before placing it on the market. Studies show that you will receive most, if not all of your investment, in a new roof within three years of installation.

That depends on the condition of the gutters and the surface it’s affixed to, such as facia boards. If they are rotted from poor roof maintenance, you’ll need to replace the facia and the gutters, as an example. 
You should have your gutters cleaned and inspected at least once a year, but preferably twice a year in the spring and fall.