Thinking about upgrading to a metal roof? If you live around Moses Lake, WA, you have probably noticed more of them popping up from Larson to the North End. People want something that lasts. But switching from standard shingles brings up plenty of valid questions. Moses Lake Roofing Company talks to homeowners every week who want the unvarnished truth without the sales pitch.
Will a metal roof sound like a tin drum when it hails or rains?
The sound of rain is the number one worry we hear about Metal Roofing, and it makes complete sense. Nobody wants to live inside a drum set during a heavy downpour or a sudden Columbia Basin thunderstorm. The reality is that a modern metal roof is installed over solid decking and quality underlayment, usually with rigid insulation boards underneath. When it rains, it does not sound much different than an asphalt shingle roof. You might hear a faint patter, but it is rarely loud enough to bother anyone in Moses Lake.
How do metal roofs handle our intense summer heat and high winds?
Summer temperatures around Moses Lake get brutal, baking traditional shingles until they curl and crack. Metal Roofing actually reflects solar radiant heat instead of absorbing it, which can noticeably drop your cooling bills during July and August. As for wind, that is where Metal Roofing truly shines. Those wide-open desert winds can catch standard shingles and rip them right off the deck. Interlocking metal panels lock together tightly and stand up to heavy gusts far better than loose individual shingles.
What is the real cost difference compared to asphalt?
Putting on a metal roof costs more upfront than standard asphalt shingles. You are paying for better materials and labor that requires specialized skill. But you have to look at the timeline. An asphalt roof in our dry, fluctuating climate usually lasts about twenty years if you are lucky. A properly installed metal roof can easily go fifty years or more with very minimal upkeep. When you stop replacing your roof every two decades, the math starts working in your favor for your Moses Lake home.
Does metal roofing attract lightning during storms?
It is an old myth, but people still ask about Metal Roofing all the time. Metal roofing does not attract lightning. Lightning strikes the highest point in an area regardless of what material is on the roof. Even if lightning were to strike a metal-roofed home in Moses Lake, the metal disperses the electrical charge safely across the structure instead of igniting combustible framing materials. Plus, metal is non-combustible, which gives you great protection against stray sparks from nearby brush or field fires.
Can you install metal right over my old shingles?
Sometimes you can, but that does not mean you always should. While laying a metal roof over a single layer of old asphalt can save a bit on tear-off labor costs, it hides the condition of your roof deck. If you have trapped moisture or rotted plywood from past leaks, covering it up just lets the rot spread. Moses Lake Roofing Company always recommends a complete tear-off so we can inspect the wood, fix any soft spots, and install proper underlayment designed for the Moses Lake climate.
For homes and businesses in Moses Lake, Moses Lake Roofing Company provides Metal Roofing services.