1. Is That Mold On My Roof? Limestone filler in asphalt shingles is hospitable to gloeocapsa magma, an unsightly black mold that, once it gets hold, will continue to grow and stain your roof. The mold, more prominent on the North side of the roof, feeds on moisture trapped in the filler, causing premature aging, rotting and granule loss. Cleaning products can be used, but care should be taken to control the runoff, as it can be damaging to grass and plants. Check with your shingle manufacturer before using any cleaning product, as they may void your warranty. 2. I Want An Eco-Friendly Roof. What’s My Best Choice? According to Tom Black, executive director of the Metal Roofing Alliance, “Durability should blend with sustainability for the perfect roofing product. Eco-friendly products, including metal roofs, are rapidly replacing petroleum-based asphalt shingles,” A recent McGraw-Hill Construction and Analytics survey showed metal roofing has doubled its market share in 10 years to more than 11% of residential re-roofing projects. Unlike asphalt shingles, which are manufactured using petroleum, a fossil-fuel product, all steel roofs contain a minimum 25% recycled content and are in turn 100% recyclable, according to the Metal Roofing Alliance. EPA data shows that 11 million tons of asphalt shingle waste makes its way to landfills each year.
3. Is a Metal Roof Loud When It Rains? Interested in the idea of metal roofing but worried that it will be noisy during a downpour? Most homeowners notice little difference. Attic insulation absorbs most of the sound, as with other types of roofing. Plus the texture of the panel keeps it from reverberating. Our American Metal Roofs customers actually say they wish they could hear the rain more! 4. How Long Will My Roof Last? Asphalt roof manufacturers are now adopting a “lifetime warranty” for their shingles, but don’t be fooled. The useful lifespan of your roof depends on choice of materials. In the early 1990s, asphalt manufacturers dramatically reduced the percentage of asphalt in their shingle products in an attempt to keep costs down. As a result, product performance took a big hit and now asphalt roofs need to be replaced after just eight or 10 years. Our customers tell us how disappointed they are when they are forced to reroof decades before they expected to. My advice? Do your research before buying your next roof. For a non-rusting aluminum roof from American Metal Roofs, “Lifetime” could mean 125 years or more.
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