MYTHS ABOUT METAL ROOFING:
If you’re thinking that Hy-Grade has all the myths about permanent metal roofing; you’d be right. After over 30 years in business, we have.
A few of the more common myths we hear include:
- It will rust
- You can’t walk on it
- It attracts lightening
- It’s too noisy when it rains
- It’s vulnerable to high winds
- It will make my house hotter
By far though, the one we hear almost every day is:
- I can’t afford it!
The source of most of these myths is likely outdated information. Unfortunately, when many people think about steel roofing they recall standing seam metal – also known as “barn steel”. These roofs were very popular in the 1960s and 70s; however, as many of you may remember, they came with their flaws.
Hy-Grade’s unique shake design, made exclusively for Ontario’s temperature extremes, doesn’t resemble or perform like this “barn steel”. Curious about the design of our shakes? Learn more about it HERE.
Now, let’s talk about some facts in regards to these myths.
#1 TOO NOISY WHEN IT RAINS
With Hy-Grade’s steel roofing system and its wood strapping that’s attached to your roof deck, there’s a 2-3 inch gap between the deck and the steel shakes. Along with providing self-ventilation, this gap affords sound attenuation.
“…It was one of my concerns with this type of roof, whether it would make more noise during rainfall… but in actual fact, I would say it makes less noise”.
-Father Martin Vallely (formerly of) Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Kitchener, ON.
#2 IT ATTRACTS LIGHTNING
We often remove lightning rods from roofs, and have no need to re-install them. This is because the Hy-Grade steel roof is not “grounded,” nor is it combustible. Moreover, lightning is attracted to the highest point around which is more likely than not going to be your roof. Even if there is the small chance your roof is the highest point, Hy-Grade’s metal roof dissipates any electrical charge if struck by lightning, which you wouldn’t even know is happening (except maybe due to the thunderclap!).
#3 YOU CAN’T WALK ON IT
It’s true that you probably can’t walk on some metal roofs like aluminum – they’re just too thin! Hy-Grade’s metal roof shake is designed with ribs at the end; of which are the unique fastening sockets. These ribs, which you should NOT walk on, provide strength for the flat areas in between them which you definitely CAN walk on. Extreme care should always be taken when walking on a Hy-Grade roof. If the roof is too steep, OR it’s wet, it is best to stay off.
#4 IT’S VULNERABLE TO HIGH WINDS
Hy-Grade’s warranty covers sustained winds that approach hurricane strength. The way Hy-Grade’s shakes are attached to the wood strapping system creates downward forces that resist lifting. The large upper center window on the yellow house was blown out by extreme winds caused by wind shear directly off of Lake Huron. Despite these winds, not a single Hy-Grade steel shake was lifted! Even more, Hy-Grade warrants its roofs to 120 km/h sustained winds; which are just under Category 1 hurricane force sustained winds.
#5 IT WILL MAKE MY HOUSE HOTTER
According to a study by the U.S. Department of Energy: Buildings Technology Program, conducted at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee; Hy-Grade’s use of double wood strapping system creates “Above Sheathing Ventilation” (ASV), and it can save up to 30% on your annual energy bills! Even Hy-Grade’s black coloured shakes afford as much seasonal cooling load as so called “cool colour” metal attached directly to the roof deck even through a membrane. Moreover, any company that claims their roof is Energy Star rated in Canada is mistaken at best, and completely deceptive at worst as no roofs in Canada are eligible for Energy Star.
AND LASTLY…
#6 I CAN’T AFFORD IT
This couldn’t be further from the truth. For those of you who have purchased asphalt roofs before, you know how their useful lives have grown shorter: Your first asphalt roof might have lasted 40+ years. We strap over shingled roofs as few as 5 years old on a routine basis, much to the dismay of the owners who thought they bought a “30-year” shingle. Click here to learn more about this.
With the average life now of around 12 years, you’ll buy four asphalt roofs before your Hy-Grade warranty even expires, and that’s about half of what we believe its effective life will be. Multiply the cost of asphalt by four, or more, and you’ll quickly determine a steel roofing system from Hy-Grade makes the most affordable choice as your 1st choice for your last roof.
