The weather has been exceedingly unpredictable all over the country. Unusually hot summers and excessively cold winters take a toll on people, but they also affect the roof of your home. While you can’t really do anything about the weather, you can change your roofing. But how does climate change affect your choice of roofing materials?
Plan for Humidity
Folks in the Southern part of the United States aren’t usually as concerned about cold weather as they are about humidity in the air. Florida is especially humid, but Georgia isn’t far behind. Unfortunately, high levels of humidity encourage the growth of plants on your roof, such as algae and tropical weather weeds. Of course, this doesn’t look pretty, but it also adds additional wear for your roof.
Asphalt roofing must be treated to protect against algae. But metal roofing naturally resists plant growth because it doesn’t soak up the humidity in the air. This makes metal roofs ideally suited for humid climates.
Plan for Cold Weather
Georgia is normally a temperate state, but it’s not exempt from cold-weather days. Your roof must be able to withstand freezing temperatures occasionally, even though you probably won’t have to worry about excessive snowfall at this point. Cold temperatures put additional wear and tear on your roof, too, even if it’s not cold for long.
Surprisingly, metal roofing is the preferred choice for colder climates, too. That’s because metal roofs are built to be resistant to rust, and they’re also waterproof. Whether it’s hot or cold outside doesn’t affect your metal roof, either. With climate change affecting all areas of the country, it won’t take long to see homeowners choosing metal roofs over other options.
Look for Longevity
The best roof is the one that lasts the longest, so that you don’t have to worry about replacements or repairs. Metal roofs have a life expectancy of 45 to 70 years, whereas traditional asphalt roofing only lasts about 12 to 20 years. When you’re looking for roofing in Alpharetta, it might be a good idea to take a closer look at metal roofs because they will stand the test of time and climate change.
Metal roofs may cost more than asphalt shingles, but they offer a variety of benefits in addition to their longevity. For example, metal roofs are easier to repair than other materials. They are great for rain collection, and they are well known for energy efficiency and their cooling ability. In some cases, it’s even possible to install a metal roof over existing asphalt shingles because metal roofs are light weight.