The Trifecta of Benefits: Beauty, Durability and Sustainability

By Dani Sheehan. 

Steep-slope metal roofs are quickly gaining popularity in the industry. See how they can benefit your company, your customers and the environment. 

When deciding on a roof, several factors need to be considered. What material will be used? Will it be steep slope or low slope? Does it need to be more durable or visually pleasing, or both? Budget also plays into this decision, and now more than ever, people are looking at environmentally friendly choices. Because of this, there’s been an increase in the popularity of steep-slope metal roofs. This option provides it all: not only is it an affordable and green choice, but it’s aesthetically pleasing and built to last. 

A steep-slope roof is defined as having a pitch of 3:12 or greater, and while they are generally used on residential homes and smaller commercial buildings, many businesses are turning to steep-slope roof options for a variety of benefits. In areas where weather is a concern, steep-slope roofs provide added help from gravity. Rainwater, snow and debris have no place to collect on the roof’s surface, which in turn reduces the likelihood of mold buildup or stress from additional weight. Steep-slope metal systems have the added benefit of lasting 20 to 40 years with little to no maintenance and are less likely to experience UV degradation than non-metal systems. They weigh less than other roofing systems and are excellent options in areas with high wind thanks to their active fastening systems. 

The environmental aspects of metal have gained popularity in the roofing industry as well. Not only is the material 100% recyclable when it comes off the roof, but it’s made of 25% or more recycled material at the beginning of its life cycle. Cool metal roofs further contribute to the environment by reducing a building’s energy use with the use of heat deflecting metal coatings. In one Seattle project, a steep-slope metal roof allowed this homeowner to breathe easy, using material that was free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which she was highly allergic to. 

Steep-slope metal roofs are also incredibly versatile, having the capability to be used for both structural and architectural purposes. Both options come in a variety of styles, such as seam, corrugated, tile profiles and more. Architectural steep-slope metal roofs require a solid substrate underneath, but still provide durability and high-performance. As one architect noted in a Virginia bank project, this type of roof was “a roof residential in character but commercial in scale.” No matter the reason for choosing a steep-slope metal roof, you can rest assured it won’t be lacking in beauty, longevity or sustainability.