AboutDan Merrill Expertise We are a "green" roofing company. We offer information and advice on metal and synthetic cedar, tile, and slate roofing products.
We also address good, sound installation practices for lifetime and slate roof installations.
Generally speaking, we are experienced with any materials that have 50 year or longer, lifespans, such as copper, terne coated steels, Kynar painted Steel or Aluminum, etc.
We offer no advice on asphalt or fiberglass roofing products.
Experience Was a hobbiest/home remodeler for over 30 years. Restored over 30 homes.
After retiring from engineering (27 years), I studied materials and installation practices of high-end roofing materials. This information was tempered by my engineering experience.
We have developed and sell roofing "kits" to roofing contractors who do not have the time to research rarely used roofing products. We ensure that they have all the required materials, tools and information to offer their customers a solid 50 year installation.
Organizations National Association of Home Builders
Fox Valley Builders Assoc.
Illinois Association of Home Builders
Remodelers Council of NAHB
Metal Roofing Alliance
EnergyStar provider
Publications Our website www.ecowiseinc.com,
Fox Tails, publication of the Fox Valley Builders Association
Education/Credentials Tech certificate in Mechanical Drafting, 1978.
Self-taught Engineer.
Many certificates held.
Have achieved NAHB "Certified Graduate Remodeler" designation.
Licensed, insured & Bonded Roofer in Illinois.
Awards and Honors Holder of many Patents,
Member of Mensa
Expert: Dan Merrill Date: 6/30/2008 Subject: metal roofs: aluminum or steel?
Question Dan,
I currently have a shake roof and plan to tear off and put a roof, that truly can "last" 50 years. Metal appears promising though am I overly concerned that it would seem installing needs more expertise compared to just nailing some basic cedar. For example, adequate ventilation is needed to avoid condensation. Exposed fasteners are problematic. Aluminum don't rust, though it can corrode. Steel can rust quickly if the protective coatings are eroded away. And do metal roofs still have that "tinning" sound with rain? Thanks in advance for your input. Wesley
Answer If a metal roof is installed against a wood deck, like plywood or OSB, it isn't really any louder than other roofs.
People usually think of an old barn or pole barn roof, where the metal roof is installed on spaced purlins (no plywood) and no insulation. On these installations, the metal can ring like a drum because there is nothing to dampen the noise.
With modern construction, these issues do not exist.
We still get people who have to go outside during their first heavy rain (after a metal roof is installed) to see what is the problem because they can't hear the rain from inside.
If you live close to salt water, an Aluminum roof will out perform a steel roof, due to the salt air.
Other than that, Aluminum and Steel roofing both perform well.
We have never had a problem with condensation, that is usually due to pole-barn type construction.
Any minute condensation on the backside of a metal roof is prevented from harming the roof deck by the underlayment. Air circulates behind the roofing to dry this area.
You will want an Aluminum or Steel (G90 galvanized) roof product with a 70% concentration Kynar paint that also includes the "cool roof" pigments that have an EnergyStar and LEED rating. These will reflect away much of the sun's heat and reduce your air conditioning costs.
We use Classic Metal Products, KasselWood and Berridge regularly and have had no issues, they are all very good products.
Try going to metalroofing.com and do more research, the MRA has lots of good info on metal roofing.
