Why steel?
Steel has been successfully used for roofing on commercial and institutional buildings for over 50 years. This long track record has shown steel roofing to be an attractive, versatile, and durable product, with a lifespan 2 to 3 times longer than conventional roofing products. In addition, over the product life cycle, steel roofing is extremely cost effective. Residential construction is just beginning to realize the numerous benefits of steel roofing. A steel roof will add a distinctive elegance to your home while providing this host of additional benefits.
Are steel roofs environmentally friendly?
Since it is 100% recyclable, steel is an inherently environmentally friendly material. Recycled steel is used extensively in the production of new steel. Therefore, not only does each steel roof contain a portion of recycled material, but it can also be completely recycled at the end of its useful life. Steel roofs help keep hundreds of tons of used roofing material out of our landfills each year.
Will a steel roof attract more lightning?
No. Lightning is no more of a concern for a steel-roofed house than for a house with any other type of roof. Read our fact sheet to learn more.
Does the installer have to remove the existing roof?
In some cases, strapping can be installed directly over top of the existing roof. Not only does this save the time and labour involved in stripping the old roof, but it also eliminates disposal costs and keeps hundred of pounds of roofing materials out of landfills. Your individual contractor will have to evaluate whether this is a suitable option for your house.
How long will a steel roof last?
While the life span of any building product will depend on the aggressiveness of the local environment, studies show that you can expect a steel roof to last at least 2 to 3 times longer than a regular asphalt shingle roof. In general terms, count on a metal roof lasting 40 to 60 years and beyond, where the average life span of an asphalt roof would be 12 to 20 years. Made of oil impregnated paper or fiberglass, asphalt begins to deteriorate as soon as you expose it to normal weather. Asphalt shingles are also subject to biological attack from mold and other destructive organisms. A metal roof, on the other hand, is inorganic and will never decompose. A steel roof will last even longer with minimal maintenance (e.g. periodic washing). Post painting when necessary will also extend the product life.
How much does a steel roof cost?
The cost will depend on a number of factors such as:
- Style / Profile type (vertical rib, tile, standing seam)
- Colour and paint system
- Complexity of roof area (i.e. number of hips, valleys or transitions, dormers, etc.)
Because metal roofing is a premium, longer life home product, you can expect the initial cost to be more than an asphalt shingle roof would cost. However, no matter what kind of metal roofing style you choose, its life cycle cost will be less. A metal roof is less expensive than tile, cedar shake and slate roofing.
How well do steel roofs stand up to severe weather?
Steel roofs are designed to meet or exceed the strict wind and water penetration standards set out by the local building codes. Extensive testing is done to ensure they comply with these requirements. In addition, steel roofs have some special characteristics that make them exceptionally resistant to severe weather, including:
- Hail: Steel is very resistant to structural impact damage from hail, and will not chip or crack like tile and slate roofs.
- Heavy ice & snow: Steel roofs shed snow and ice better than typical roofing materials, preventing excessive snow build-up and ice dams.
- Wildfires: Steel is a non-combustible material and will not spread fire. Consequently, it will resist the heat from windblown sparks that are commonly associated with wildfires, keeping your home safer.
How will a steel roof affect the resale value of my home?
Steel roofing makes economic sense and adds to the value of your home. Your roof’s long life, durability, low maintenance requirements, and lasting aesthetic appeal will all be strong selling points. Prospective buyers will take notice of this feature when the time comes for you to sell.
Is it noisy when it rains?
Residential steel roofing is available in many shapes and forms. The forming process provides not only strength, but when coupled with high build finishes, absorbs and deadens much of the noise. With the home insulation standards of today, you should not notice any difference in noise levels between roofing materials.
What sort of maintenance is required on a steel roof?
Very little maintenance is needed for steel roofs. The roofs can be periodically washed to remove any debris. In the long term, occasionally repainting your roof will extend its life by decades. Your contractor or manufacturer can give you further instruction on roof care.
Do you have a product catalogue or samples available?
As an industry association, the Canadian Sheet Steel Building Institute (CSSBI) does not sell products nor do we produce a catalogue. View the wide range of steel roof styles available in our Gallery section. If you wish to contact a manufacturer regarding product availability, pricing and/or colours, please click here to see a list of our members.