The “Green” Benefits of a Metal Roof

Durability
Metal roofing is known for its resistance to weather, including wind, hail, ice, and snow. It is less affected by hot-cold and wet-dry cycles that destroy other materials. Commercial metal roofs have been in service 30 years or more. Painted roofs are credibly warranted up to 30 years.

Sustainability
In addition to being energy efficient, metal roofing is recognized as a sustainable building material for several other environmental reasons. And, as a “green” building product, metal roofing is rightfully becoming more popular in the architectural community.

Recycled Content
Metal roofs typically have a minimum of 25% recycled content. This level of recycled content allows metal roofing to be routinely included on listings for “green” and recycled content products. This is especially important since the U.S. Green Building Council program for certification of green buildings, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®), awards either one or two points for the weighted total recycled content of all materials in a project. Metal roofing is a solid contributor toward one LEED® point and may help gain a second one.

Recyclability
Metal roofing is also 100% recyclable when ultimately removed as part of building renovation or demolition. Other roofing materials are routinely removed and disposed of by the ton in landfill, but metal roofing can be recycled in its entirety. Metals are exceptional building materials that can credibly claim both recycled content and recyclability by recognized definitions.

Low Weight
Depending on the specific product chosen, the weight of metal roofing is one-third to as little as one-eighth that of conventional roofing shingles. This lower weight produces less static and dynamic loading on the structure and thus can allow for metal roofing to be installed over old roofing material without requiring demolition removal.

Energy Star
Americans spend about $40 billion annually to air condition buildings – sixth of all electricity generated in this country.

• ENERGY STAR qualified roof products reflect more of the sun’s rays. This can lower roof surface temperature by up to 100 degrees F, decreasing the amount of heat transferred into a building.
• ENERGY STAR qualified roof products can help reduce the amount of air conditioning needed in buildings, and can reduce peak cooling demand by 10-15 percent.
• Although there are inherent benefits in the use of reflective roofing, before selecting a roofing product based on expected energy savings consumers should explore the expected calculated results that can be found on the Department of Energy’s “Roof Savings Calculator” website at www.roofcalc.com. Please remember the Energy Savings that can be achieved with reflective roofing is highly dependent on facility design, insulation used, climatic conditions, building location, and building envelope efficiency.