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Living Less Unsustainably: Metal Roofs

John Fischer

You can help cool the planet- especially the cities most of us live in, end a major source of garbage for the landfill, stop oil extraction, and improve the value of your home in one easy step.

A metal roof. Next time your roof needs replacing- or better yet, just before it does, look into the advantages of metal.
 
Most metal roofing is made of recycled material, and when your new metal roof wears out- in 50 plus years- it can be easily recycled again. Asphalt shingles are extracted from oil, and head to the landfill at the end of their much shorter life.
 
Metal roofs absorb far less heat than asphalt, and reflect more incoming sunlight too- even in the darker colors.  But don't choose a dark color. The universal adoption of light colored metal roofs could cool urban areas by 3 or 4 degrees. Your home and attic will stay cooler too.
 
Yes, a metal roof is more expensive, but when the cost is averaged over the life of the roof, a metal roof costs about forty percent less than composition shingles.
 
I have put on several metal roofs, and a skilled do-it-yourselfer can do the job in less time than an asphalt roof, but because the roof will last a lifetime, it may not be a skill you want to master. 
 
The old corrugated metal roof is long gone. The modern standing seam version has only a few exposed fasteners, and is stronger and lighter than composition.There are two local metal roof manufacturers, so even the shipping costs are reduced. 
 
A federal tax credit will reduce the cost of your new metal roof, and the Oregon legislature may explore policy to encourage the triple win of metal roofing in the future.
 
Save energy. Reduce landfill and oil extraction.  Cool the planet. reduce home maintenance costs. I guess that was five wins. The rain will return. Will you be ready?
 
Local Standing seam manufacturers:
 
Legacy Metal works Harrisburg   https://legacymetalworks.com/
 
The Steel House Cottage Grove   http://www.steelhouseinc.com/

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