Imagine that you wake up in the morning and saunter to the kitchen for breakfast. You decide to make toast. You’ve had toast for breakfast your entire life, so today won’t be any different. You take out a skillet from the cupboard, spread butter on your whole-wheat bread, and let it cook for a couple of minutes on each side. You can’t walk away from the stove because your bread might burn, so you stand vigil until it is toasted to perfection.

What if there were an invention that could make toast in a more efficient way? What if you had the freedom to make your coffee, or grab the newspaper from the driveway while your bread turned golden brown under the direction of a timer? “But I’ve always made my toast on the stove!” you exclaim.

This scenario sounds silly to us because we’ve embraced the efficiency and ease of the toaster for decades. But there was a point in history where it was new and revolutionary. Individuals had to abandon the old way of doing things and take a chance on something different. We can apply the same process to the metal-roofing industry. Many informed consumers have abandoned traditional asphalt shingles and chosen metal roofing for their homes and businesses.

When trying to figure out if metal roofing is for you, these questions should be considered:

Can you make the initial financial investment?

Metal roofs cost more initially, but virtually never need to be replaced. When you consider the replacement costs of asphalt shingles, the financial gap closes significantly over time. 

Do you live in an area that is impacted by high winds or snow?

Metal roofing can withstand wind gusts near 140 mph. This makes it a popular choice in areas near water. Snow melts quickly off the surface of a metal roof and eliminates water collection under the roof in ice events.

Do you appreciate style options and a more esthetically pleasing look for your home?

There are many styles, colors and finishes to choose from. Metal roofing is a popular choice for home designs with multiple angles that are more difficult to cover with shingles. They increase home values and ensure curb appeal. 

Are you environmentally and fiscally conscious?

Many metal roofs are made from up to 50% recycled material and are 100% recyclable. They are energy efficient and can reduce heating and cooling costs. Tax incentives are expected to be renewed and retroactive for the 2014 tax year. Insurance rates are often lower as a result of metal roofing.

These are just a sampling of questions to consider when researching your roofing options. At Construction Specialty Anchors, we've seen the growing trend toward metal roofing in the commercial and residential markets. In anticipation of this surge in popularity, we have looked ahead at possible safety concerns, and we’ve designed the SeamSafe Roof Anchor to ensure the installation and maintenance of metal roofs. Click here to check out our fall-protection products!