FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy Ideal Roofing products?
Please contact your local retailer, or if you need any assistance or support, email us at info@idealroofing.ca.
Can I inspect my roof without a ladder?
As a general rule, several indicators can suggest that a roof might fail. Here are a few ways to check without using a ladder.
- Use binoculars to check around the chimney, mouldings, and other flashings for signs of cracks, shingles coming off the roof, and general wear and tear.
- For homes with asphalt shingles, look for dark spots indicating cracked shingles.
- If you have a home with asphalt or wood shingles, look for curled, split, broken, or missing pieces.
- Look for cracked or missing shingles if your home has a slate roof.
- Check for heavy wear around the valleys, where water runs off the roof into the gutters.
- Examine the materials around the chimney and vent pipes for cracks, gaps and missing or fractured caulking.
- Check eaves overhang to avoid any risk of water leakage
- Perform an interior inspection for stained or discoloured ceilings, which may indicate roofing problems
- Check the attic for moisture infiltration or mould, which may indicate water damage caused by a leaking roof.
- Look at the roof from near and far. You may see something from across the street that isn’t visible from close-up.
If, upon inspection, you feel that your roof needs repair or replacement, hire a licensed and insured contractor to do the work. Contact us for more information.
Does a metal roof cost more than a traditional roof?
Since metal roofing is a high-end product for homes, a new roof will likely cost more than asphalt shingles—in some instances, up to two or three times more, depending on the type of product you use. Nevertheless, the price of a metal roof is equivalent to that of a tile or cedar roof. Good news if your current roof is slate: a metal roof tends to be less expensive.
Keep in mind that whatever type of metal roofing you choose, you’ll never have to worry about it again. Most come with a 30- to 50-year warranty. What’s more, a brand-new metal roof will add to the resale value of your home, save you money on energy bills, and give you the peace of mind of never having to re-roof.
I'm concerned that a metal roof might not blend well with my house and the other roofs in my neighbourhood.
Today’s residential metal roofs are designed to look a lot like common roofing materials, like asphalt shingles, cedar shakes, clay tiles, or slate roofs. The difference is that metal roofing is stronger and more durable. Head here to see the wide variety of metal roofing styles, colors and patterns available. There’s sure to be a style and finish to suit your home and neighbourhood.
What is the lifespan of a metal roof compared to other commonly used roofing materials such as asphalt or wood shingles?
A metal roof can last up to two to three times longer than a traditional roof. Generally speaking, a metal roof is built to last 30 to 50+ years. This is because metal roofs can often be repainted rather than replaced.
To put this into context, the average lifespan of an asphalt roof is 12 to 20 years. This lifespan may be shorter, depending on the slope of your roof and your region’s climate. Made of oil-impregnated paper or fibreglass, asphalt begins to deteriorate as soon as you expose it to normal weather conditions. A metal roof, however, will never degrade or decompose.
Other roofing materials, namely wood shingles, cedar shingles and tiles, present varying degrees of weather-related problems that can lead to failure. Moreover, wood and cedar shingle roofs often need to be replaced every twenty years or so. Concrete tile roofs can crack and warp in during the freeze/thaw experienced in more northerly climates.
Ultimately, metal roofing outperforms all the above-mentioned roofing materials. Unlike the other types of roofs, metal roofing retains its appearance and durability decade after decade.
Is metal roofing noisier in bad weather than asphalt, cedar shingles, tile, or slate roofing?
There’s little difference between metal and other materials when it comes to the sound of rain or hail. Normal attic insulation also absorbs most of the sound.
How resistant will a metal roof be to extreme weather conditions?
A metal roof can withstand decades of abuse from extreme weather conditions such as high winds, heavy snowfall, hailstorms and even forest fires. Metal roofs have a wind resistance of 140 km/h, which means they can withstand wind gusts of up to 140 miles per hour (225 km/h). Architect Rich Carroll says that, in high-wind conditions, “metal roofing systems have a wind and pull-out resistance that exceeds the requirements of new building codes.” This assurance means we can confidently use the best materials to meet these criteria.
Where snow is heavy, metal roofing has been the choice of homeowners for years. It evacuates snow quickly, protecting the roof’s structural integrity.
If you live in an area of the country where forest fires are common, a metal roof can protect your home from flames. In regions with heavy snow, metal roofing has long been the leading choice among homeowners. It gets rid of snow quickly to preserve the integrity of the roof. If you live in an area of the country where forest fires are common, a metal roof can protect your home from flames.
Is metal roofing sustainable?
Not only is metal roofing great for homes, it’s also good for the environment. The recycled content of steel in a metal roof is around 28%, and it is fully recyclable at the end of its service life. This makes metal roofing an environmentally friendly building material.
According to the National Association of Homebuilders Research Center, 20 billion pounds of asphalt shingles are dumped into U.S. landfills every year. If you loaded those shingles into semi-trucks, then lined them up end to end, they’d make a link from New York to Los Angeles, back to New York, then to Chicago.
That’s a lot of wasted asphalt. But since a metal roof can often be installed over your existing roof, without tearing off what’s already there, metal roofing helps reduce this excessive waste of shingles.
Would a metal roof be too heavy for certain types of houses or for smaller structures such as a detached garage or porch?
You’d be surprised to learn that a metal roof is, on average, 50% lighter than an asphalt shingle roof, and 75% lighter than concrete tiles, fibre cement shingles or slate. Structural weight is never an issue with metal roofing.
Do you have a product catalogue or samples available?
The Metal Roofing Alliance is a consortium of manufacturers, suppliers, and contractors that does not sell products or produce catalogues. But you can discover our wide range of metal roofing styles, types, and materials available under the Products tab. You can also contact a local MRA member contractor to discuss the best options for your home or view a list of our member manufacturers.
Can you provide me a quote?
Your local MRA contractor can gladly help you with this! Before providing an accurate estimate, the contractor will first need to know two things:
- The style of metal roofing you want for your home
- The shape and pitch of your home’s roof.
A contractor will need to inspect your roof first-hand before he can accurately provide an estimate. In fact, the shape and slope of your roof will influence the estimated installation cost more than the style of metal roofing you choose. Other elements your contractor will look at that will have a direct impact on his estimate are property qualities such as staging area, material storage, ridges and valleys, etc.
For an actual estimate, click here to find a contractor in your area.
Myths Facts about summer weather and storms
The type of roof on your home influences its susceptibility to lightning strikes.
Myth. Lightning typically strikes the highest point, regardless of the material. According to the National Weather Service, height, sharp shapes, and insulation are the dominant factors that determine where lightning will strike. The presence of metal has no impact.
This is why trees and mountains (which are not made of metal) are frequently affected.
The bottom line is, metal roofing is no more likely to attract lightning than any other type of roof. In fact, metal is most frequently used in lightning-prone areas because it’s resistant to high winds, hail, and heavy rains that usually come with thunderstorms.
It's rare for a house to be struck by lightning, but if it does happen, the greatest danger is that it can catch fire.
Myth. The National Lightning Safety Institute estimates that one in every 200 homes will be struck by lightning yearly. And according to the CDC, a home is a safe place to shelter from lightning, as long as you avoid water, electronic equipment (including corded telephones), TV cables, concrete, doors, and windows.
Most often, lightning causes a power surge that damages electrical systems and appliances. That said, fire is a definite potential hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration estimates that 17,400 fires are attributed to lightning every year. A properly grounded metal roof can help conduct the energy of a lightning strike over a larger area of the roof, reducing the amount of heat transferred to the building and reducing potential fire damage. However, most fires are caused by lightning outside the home when nearby trees, brush, or other organic materials catch fire. Quality metal roofs also protect against sparks and offer Class 4 ignition protection—this is the highest level of protection available against wildfire.
Damage to the roof caused by large hailstones is always visible, making it easy to spot where repairs are needed.
Myth. Hail can cause hairline cracks and dislodge shingles on typical asphalt roofs. This type of damage can be difficult to spot. A homeowner may only realize their roof has been compromised once it’s too late and a leak is found, which can also lead to costly damage inside a home.
In terms of performance, the underlayment you choose is just as important as the roofing material.
Fact. Whatever the type of roof you choose, a quality underlayment is essential. Underlayment ensures a roof’s watertightness and protects it from ignition in wildfire-prone areas. Even more important is having a high-quality roofing installation that ensures the roofing system withstands damage from severe storms, hail and, in the event of fire, glowing embers.
A roof with a Class 4 hail impact rating is the best a homeowner can get.
Fact. Class 4 hail refers to a roofing material test that measures a roofing product’s ability to resist damage from hail. More specifically, the UL2218 impact rating test conducted by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a non-profit organization that independently tests and certifies roofing products
The UL2218 impact rating test is the national standard for measuring a roof’s ability to resist hail damage. During the test, steel balls of various sizes are dropped on the roofing product from various heights. Based on the results, roofing products are certified as Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 or Class 4.
A Class 4 rating is the highest possible rating and indicates that the roof can withstand the impact of hail. Many quality metal roofing systems achieve Class 4 hail ratings, making them a superior choice for areas that frequently experience lightning, hail, and high winds.
For more information on top-performing roofs that can add lasting resilience and help protect a home in extreme weather conditions, get your free copy of the MRA Roofing Buyer’s Guide.
