When you’re looking to replace your roof, the first decision to make is what kind of material you want to use, which usually comes down to a choice between Slate or Tile, Metal or the classic Shingle roof.
Metal roofs are popular in Saratoga because:
- Proven to last 40-50 years. Twice as long or more as the average shingle roof.
- Energy Efficient options save on heating / cooling costs.
- Panels interlock, making them highly resistant to damage from wind storms common to the Northeast.
- Low weight, reducing load on your home (especially important in winter when snow builds up on the roof).
- Beautiful aesthetic, making your home stand out and increasing it’s value.
Saratoga Springs Overview
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Saratoga Roof Replacement Guidelines
Guidelines, Permitting and Design submission requirements for Saratoga.
Saratoga Roofing Services
Overview of our Saratoga Roofing Services: including Commercial, Residental, Shingle Roofs, Flat Roofs and Metal Roofs
Saratoga Siding Saratoga
Siding Services from James Hardie Fiber Cement to Certainteed Vinyl Siding and more, plus side by side comparison.
Metal Roofs vs. Asphalt Shingle Roofs
The most common question we get during an estimate for a new roof replacement is about the decision to go with a metal roof versus a shingle roof. Most homeowners are at first attracted to putting in metal because they love the idea of how long it will last and the total strength to resist storm damage.
That’s no small benefit because around the Capitol Region, we get exposed to the elements a lot: heavy wind storms in the spring and fall, consistent rains and hail throughout the year and Nor’easters hitting in the winter time.
In fact, storm damage is the leading cause behind most roofs around Saratoga needing premature repair or replacement altogether. Even when properly installed, with good quality materials that are built to last, sometimes mother nature just happens. Asphalt shingles have come a long way in the past few decades: many are designed to last for 20, even 30 years before needing replacement and thick “architectural shingles” are quite tough. But they’re still not as strong, proven over half a century or as long lasting as metal.
The drawback, of course, comes down to price. Metal roofs are just more expensive to install. They’re not as expensive as “lifetime roofing” options like Tile or Slate (usually averaging about half as much), but they still can often run up to 2-3x more than your average shingle roof (actual cost comparison will vary - on simpler roofs the cost may well be within a few hundred dollars of a shingle roof), and sometimes that’s just too much upfront material cost. If price is the top concern for you, and you don’t plan on either selling the home in the near future (to reap the profits of the increase home value) or don’t plan on living in the home for the next 50 years, then we’d recommend either going with a partial metal roof installation or a high quality shingle roof.
To be sure, we recommend that you have a professional roofing contractor give you a side-by-side estimate comparing the differences between the two so you can make a proper decision based on your home.
Out of all the metal roofing contractors, how do I select the best one?
Metal roofing requires a more sophisticated skill set than the average shingle roof, which often means that just because a roofing company or contractor is skilled at installing shingles, doesn’t mean they’re also equally skilled at installing metal roofs.
Also, where as shingle manufacturers have extensive installation and certification courses and methods, the same simply doesn’t yet exist in the metal roofing side of the coin. There are best practices and single day demonstrations or workshops at major manufacturers like ABC (American Building Components), but no industry-wide set of standards. Unfortunately, this can complicate the process for the customer to figure out whether someone is qualified or not to properly install a metal roof (where as at least with shingle roofs you can see their list and copy of manufacturer certifications to get an idea of their skill level).
Plus, the manufacturers of metal roofing materials aren’t as well known as their shingle counterparts, so picking the right manufacturer can be a challenge to be able to gauge whether or not you’re getting your money’s worth in material or being able to properly compare bids and estimates.
Generally, in the Saratoga and Capital Region at large, ABC (American Building Components) and Erie are among the most popular manufacturers chosen for standing seam metal roof materials.
So when you’re going through the options of roofing contractors who offer metal roofing, the best bet is to thoroughly check up on their history: check out online reviews and pay attention at their overall track record for success. Then compare bids between the estimates you’ve received - if one in particular is overly cheap compared to the rest, then usually that means that it’s going to be a ‘learning’ project. Materials and labor cost are all going to be roughly in the same ballpark for each major roofing company, so significant deviations between them means either a difference in material use or inexperience in properly bidding the project.
What types of Metal Roofing Services do you offer in Saratoga?
Currently in the Saratoga region we offer our 20 years of roofing expertise towards the following white glove services:
- Installation of Standing Seam Metal Roofing
- Replacement of Standing Seam Metal Roofing
- Installation of Screw-down Metal Roofing
- Replacement of Screw-down Metal Roofing
- Installation of Aluminum Roofing
- Replacement of Aluminum Roofing
- Installation of Galvanized Metal Roofing
- Replacement of Galvanized Metal Roofing
- Commercial Metal Roofing Service
- Residential Metal Roofing Service
All of our roofing work comes with an Infinite Roofing and Construction 10 year in house labor warranty, plus options for applicable manufacturer warranty on the materials as described below:
ABC (American Building Components) Metal Roofing Warranties Available:
- 40 Year limited paint system warranty (covers the film integrity of the paint system used on roof panels in the event of cracking, checking and peeling for 40 years.
- 20 Year limited material warranty on Galvalume
What kind of maintenance can I expect living in Saratoga for my new metal roof?
Because the Saratoga region is subject to regular storms, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out on your roof to guarantee it’s longevity and protect your investment for the long term.
This means that the best maintenance schedule usually involves, as with any roofing system, a regular eye inspection (you can spot check this yourself), usually twice a year (once in the Fall and once in the Spring after the snow has left). Look for any obvious weaknesses or separation between seams. If you spot a seam separation, call a professional and ask for a repair service to tighten the bolts in the area and re align any separating seams.
If you notice any dirt stains after a series of rain storms, or after snowmelt, it’s a good idea to gently wash the top of the roof with a cloth (make sure it’s soaked!), sponge or soft brush. Use a combination of one cup detergent (with less than 0.5% phosphate) per five gallons of water. Alternatively you can use a few select cleaners (we recommend Formula 409). If you notice any mildew growth, mix one cup bleach and one cup dish soap per five gallons of water for a solution to take care of the problem.
When you’re washing panels, always start from the top and work your way to the bottom. Make sure you rinse areas that you clean with regular water to remove any residue from the cleaners.
Does this mean I will have to constantly clean my metal roof?
Generally speaking no. However, we gave you the punch list above in case you find yourself in a situation where a quick cleaning can help maintain the roof’s aesthetic and long-term value.
Remove any random elements (like metal chips or shavings or sticks / twigs) that you find embedded in the coating. The quickest way for a metal roof to go bad is if steel is exposed, which leads to oxidizing (rust).
Cut back any trees over the property so that there is at least six feet of clearance between the metal roof and branches, to avoid any accidental scratches or debris.
Make sure you clean your gutters twice a year or more depending on how many trees you have surrounding the building / your home.
DON’T walk around too much on the panels, even though you can walk on the panels without damage happening, it isn’t something you should regularly be doing. We’re sorry to say you shouldn’t be having multiple afternoon strolls on the roof.
DON’T have your home painted using a sprayer. This often leads to splash onto your metal roof, which is difficult, if not impossible to remove.
DON’T use industrial cleaners, this can damage the protective film over panels.
SUMMARY: Inspect your roof twice a year in the spring and fall for any seasonal damage from storms, and after major storm events to spot any potential damage early on and take the appropriate actions listed above.
Are metal shingles an option?
Absolutely! Metal shingles are a fantastic way of having both the aesthetic of a classic shingle roof (important if you’re living in a historic or architectural district where all your neighbors also have shingles, and you’re required to meet certain parameters that may not be available for standing seam metal).
How does a metal roof save on energy cost?
Metal is one of the most energy efficient roofing materials available on the market. During the summer months, because the coatings are typically made to be more reflective, you can save upwards of 40% on your cooling costs, while providing insulation in the winter time to keep heating costs down.
Additionally, because metal roofs are highly recyclable, they’re much more sustainable as a product vs. traditional asphalt shingles which take a very long time to decompose and need to be replaced more frequently (causing more dump fill ups).
In fact, if your goal is to achieve the “Passive House Institutes Certification,” (in other words a net-zero energy home) metal roofing is one of the few materials that qualifies because:
- Metal roofs protect insulation better, giving strong long-term thermal resistance.
- PHC (Passive House Certification) requires very deliberate, airtight construction. Metal panels have this as an advantage by creating an air barrier.
- Metal roofing is an ideal candidate for high efficiency windows and skylight installation to maintain the certification.
- Solar energy panels can often be installed directly onto the metal roof without the need of a costly penetration into the roofing system, as they can often be directly attached.
Infinite Roofing & Construction
25 Walker Way, Ste 2A
Colonie, NY 12205
(office) 518-444-ROOF
(mobile) 518-221-1003
(email) info@infiniteroofingny.com
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