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WHY STEEL?
Background on Steel
Steel has been a part of our lives for more than 150 years. Yet today we
describe it as "new," with good reason. The steel industry has invested over
$50 billion in the latest technologies to make steel more innovative, lower
in cost to you and stronger than ever.
Labor productivity has more than doubled since 1982, going from 10.1
man-hours per finished ton (MHFT) to 3.8 MHFT in 1997. Many individual North
American facilities are producing a ton of finished steel in less than 2
man-hours.
While prices for other materials have increased, the price for U.S.-produced
steel, adjusted for inflation, is 30 percent lower today than in 1984,
greatly increasing its competitiveness.
The industry has committed itself to reaching the highest levels of
productivity and quality in the world - all while greatly improving its
environmental performance.
The Industry Has Met Its Challenge:
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It has created new products. Half of all the types of steel made today did
not exist 15 years ago.
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It has harnessed the potential of new technology to upgrade and streamline
the steel-making process from start to finish.
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It has reinvented itself, taking back market share from overseas
competitors and producing and exporting steel at record rates.
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It has made sure that steel is the ideal environmental material. All steel
is recyclable. And steel mills have drastically reduced emissions.
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It has ensured that steel is an economical choice for consumers. It has,
in short, transformed itself into the "new steel" industry.
Why use steel on your roof?
Thanks to the latest steelmaking technologies, steel roofing offers an array
of advantages for you, today’s homeowners. For starters, metal roofs are
strong durable, and long lasting which leads to savings and increased value
to your home. It provides your family with excellent protection against
fire, wind, water, snow and ice and is even hail-resistant. And as a result,
the popularity of steel roofing has grown dramatically.
Speaking of durability, did you know that steel roofs typically last longer
than 50 years, while asphalt roofs last only 17 years? That makes steel easy
on your wallet in the long run. Non-metal roofing materials begin to
deteriorate as soon as it’s exposed to the elements like the suns heat and
UV rays, temperature changes, severe storms and high winds. A steel roof
will never deteriorate and can withstand most everything Mother Nature
throws at it.
Installation is proficient and clean with no dust from cutting, excessive
waste or breakage, and granules in your gutters. You won’t have truckloads
of new material surrounding your house as your project gets under way. Your
project will realize a minimal amount of waste from the fabrication of your
roof unlike some conventional materials that have waste factor as high as a
20%-30% in its installation process. In most cases we can go right over most
asphalt/composite roofs eliminating tear-off and waste disposal.
Are looks everything? Fortunately, metal roofs come in a variety of colors
and designs to enhance the style and beauty of any home. They are even made
now to look like popular traditional roofing materials like cedar shake,
clay tile and slate. And thanks to new steel coatings technology like Kynar
they are now more than ever resistant to fading, peeling and chalking and
will look as good in thirty years as the day it was installed. Can you say
that about your conventional materials after as little as 5 years?
With all this going for metal roofs, it's no wonder they give homes a much
higher resale value than traditional roofs do. And that makes them a good
investment for homeowners. Listen to what the experts say:
There is no material more capable of protecting a structure from wind, rain,
hail, fire, or rot than a durable and energy-efficient metal roof. The
initial cost to install may seem high, but a metal roof is the least costly
roof option over the life of the roof because it is virtually
maintenance-free and can last 50 years or more.” Bob Villa
A metal roof is durable, like an iron sentry standing guard over the top of
the house. William Hippard, president of the Metal Roofing Alliance, in
Seattle, Washington, “says the building trades have taken a shine to metal
roofing because of its attributes. Without a doubt, metal roofs are cheaper
in the long run, Hippard says. Many metal roofs will easily outlast any
warranties that the company provides. Warranties up to 50 years are not
uncommon, but it’s not unusual to find metal roofing that has been in use
successfully for 100 years.”
From an appraisal standpoint, Hippard says metal roofs are so durable and
desirable that they add approximately $1.45 per square foot to a home’s
overall value. Insurance companies give discounts of up to 35 percent to
homes with metal roofs because when properly installed they are virtually
impervious to wind, hail, and fire.
Please view our photo galleries to see what our profiles look like on actual
homes. Read our FAQS and
Comparison pages to fully appreciate the unique
features of how our steel profiles will benefit you and your roof. Don’t
hesitate to call us today at 888-812-2161 for a free estimate.
FAQ's
(frequently asked questions...)
How much noisier is a Rare
Steel Roof?
Our installed roof is comprised of metal panels that have a large air space
underneath to alleviate the reverberation of rain. It is also over lapped and
fastened down to either a solid wooden deck, partially filled in skip sheathing
or 2x2 battens, all of which also include a layer of underlayment, making our
roof no noisier than any other roof during inclement weather. If your roof or
attic is insulated or we go over your existing composite roof, our steel roof
may even be quieter.
How affordable is Rare Steel Roofing?
Currently our steel products because of steel availability and our manufacturing
process allows us to make our products available cost wise to the consumer at
about the same as conventional roofing products except low end composite. If you
are a homeowner who values permanence, performance and endurance in the
construction, renovation and upkeep of your home, than it’s safe to say steel is
actually the lower cost option. While the initial cash outlay may be more, it
certainly is worth it in the years ahead.
How heavy is a Rare Steel Roof?
Rare roofing panels are exceptionally lightweight so there is no need for costly
structural/truss reinforcement or extra bracing. Our products average weight is
approx 1.1 lb per sq. ft. making it one of the lighter, but stronger more
durable roofing products available today. See comparison page
Does a Rare Steel Roof attract
lightning?
A steel roof will not increase the likelihood of
lightening striking your home. Since steel is not combustible or flammable it’s
a low risk preferable option in severe lightening or fire situations. Any
fireman will tell you lightening is attracted to the highest physical point, not
the material itself.
Isn’t a Rare Steel Roof hot in
summer?
No! A steel roof will reflect the suns energy and
minimize heat transmission to the building structure itself reducing heat
buildup in the living spaces. Depending on the coating color steel will heat up
quickly in full sun, but will readily dissipate heat and cool off with a breeze
or shade, while other conventional materials will take all night to cool down
.Air readily moves between the underlying deck and steel panels moving heated
surface air to the ridgeline. See comparison page and
conventional products page
How fire resistant is a Rare Steel Roof?
Steel is non combustible and non flammable so
homeowners are protected from external hazards such as windblown sparks or
lightning. Rare roofing panels have been tested in accordance with the following
test standards: ASTM E 108-95, UBC Standard 15-2(1997), UL 790(1997), CAN S107
and received an overall non-combustible rating. Carries a Class “A fire code
rating. See Comparison page.
Will hail damage my Rare Steel Roof?
Steel roofing is widely regarded for its hail
resistance. Rare roofing panels have been tested to, passed and met the UL 2218
testing protocol, the highest rating, which means that the roof function was not
compromised and the paint finish was not cracked when 2" steel balls were
dropped from a height of 20 feet several times over. Will the aesthetic
appearance be affected? Unlike large smooth panels or sheets our panels are
texturized, minimizing any damage and it is unlikely the overall appearance
would suffer even as it ages. If the hailstones were the size of baseballs not
unusual in Texas, the appearance would be affected but other products would be
virtually destroyed.
Won't a Rare Steel Roof rust and corrode?
Today’s steel is resistant to decay, discoloration, mold and mildew.
Importantly, the coated steel panels do not absorb water or moisture whatsoever.
Water can damage most other roofing materials by rotting, cracking, blistering,
or in the freeze-thaw cycle with snow and ice. Rare roofing panels are made from
.020 & .016 gauge galvalume metal that has been specially treated with a high
quality protective coating of zinc aluminum which is applied during the roll
forming process to prevent deterioration whether cut, nailed or both. Than our
products have a Kynar 500 Fluropolymer Coating which is unsurpassed in
performance against fading, peeling, ultra violet rays to provide the long
lasting color homeowners desire.
See conventional
products overview page.
Can my Rare Steel Roof be walked on?
Yes, we have to that’s how we install it! Our
roofing panels can be walked on with care and attention to safety at all times.
And of course, appropriate foot-wear should be worn during such endeavors.
See Comparison page.
Do I need to clean off moss, lichens, and algae on a Rare Steel Roof?
No, the smooth surface of our roofing panels prevents the accumulation of
dust/dirt thus inhibiting moss, lichens, and algae, but with occasional rain it
is virtually self-cleaning. Impervious to insects and rodents that may try to
gain a foot holds on your roof. Products with granules, pores, and fibers will
accumulate air borne dust, dirt allowing moss and algae to gain a foothold to
darken and discolor conventional roof products thereby increasing cooling costs
in summer.
How long will a Rare Steel Roof last?
Metal roofing has been known to perform and some
can still be found today which are older than 100 years. In those days the
galvanizing was at a G40 level, consisting of a zinc coating only. These roofs
did not have the benefit of today’s manufacturing technologies or coatings.
Today we’re at az-50/az150 which comprises a steel metal with a zinc aluminum
coating. The metal produced today, galvalume has been engineered to prevent rust
from forming and is warranted by the manufacturer for 50 years. This combination
could well meet or exceed 75-100 years. See comparison page and conventional
products page
Will there be problems with expansion/contraction
Absolutely not! Rare Steel Roof tiles consist of
small tiles which move freely and individually. This is significant, because
other metal roofing styles and products are made up of large sheets or panels,
and as the weather changes these sheets tug and pull on their fasteners. Over
time, the fastener holes become larger than the products screw heads. The large
panels loosen and in time will come off if not blown off.
How wind resistant is a Rare Steel Roof?
Depending on the product, they meet the minimum
severe weather requirements of Florida State 110 mph –120 mph respectively. But
can withstand higher wind forces. The interlocking shingles prevent wind and
from getting underneath the panels. In one of our ICBO controlled tests we took
our panel to failure at 250 mph!
See comparison page.
What kind of testing do Rare Steel Roof products undergo?
The testing architectural steel roofing tiles go
thru are much more rigorous and extreme than conventional roofing products. They
are tested for penetration, extreme heat and fire, impact resistance, uplift
bend resistance, and wind driven rain to the degree that exceed conventional
roofing products performance. Our products have met and exceeded the severe
weather requirements of Florida State.
Are there any insurance/energy benefits with a Rare Steel Roof?
Yes, many utility companies provide rebates for
energy efficient-cool roofs. Please check our references for the latest updates
from your local providers. Some insurance companies now offer discounts up to
30% off premiums especially in high wind and fire areas. Steel is considered a
cool roof because it reflects and emits the sun's heat back to the sky, instead
of transferring it to the building below. "Coolness" is measured by two
properties; solar reflectance and thermal emittance. In warm climates steel
provides a savings in cooling costs.
How is a Rare Steel Roof
environmentally friendly?
The high tech process of steel making and coatings are environmentally friendly.
Using recycled material has very low energy consumption in comparison to
producing metal from original ore. Steel is 95% recyclable, as high as aluminum
so yesterday’s car becomes today’s metal roof which could one day become a
toaster. Rare profiles can be installed over most existing roofs, avoiding
costly tear offs and dumping into landfill sites like asphalt/composite
shingles. Roof tear-offs represent more than 5% of what is being dumped in
landfills today.
Are there any insurance/energy
benefits with a Rare Steel Roof?
Absolutely yes!! Metal roofing can save you up to 40% on your annual energy
cost. This means you may recoup most, if not all, of your roof investment cost
over the lifetime of the roof. Please check our references for the latest
updates from your local providers. Some insurance companies now offer discounts
up to 30% off premiums especially in high wind and fire areas. Steel is
considered a cool roof because it reflects and emits the sun's heat back to the
sky, instead of transferring it to the building below. "Coolness" is measured by
two properties; solar reflectance and thermal emittance. In warm climates steel
provides a savings in cooling costs.
References
Rare Manufacturer-
US Distributor-
Canadian Distributor-
Metal Roofing Alliance-
Investment Grade Roofing-
Asphalt, The Life Cycle of Your Roof-
Roof Damage
Issues-
pages 2-4
Tile Roof Hail
Damage-
pages 1-7
Wood Shake Roofing-is it worth the fire danger?
Buyer Beware-
ripoffreport.com
starbulletin.com
The
Life Cycle of Your Roof
Roof Damage Issues
Hail damage to tile roofing
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