Early European settlers in central Texas used stones excavated from the site and wood cut from local trees. Homes and barns were covered with long lasting sheet metal, a material that could be re-used for something else 50 years later. Metal roofs then, and today, are durable, lightweight and reflective of the hot Texas sun.
Metal roofs are a good green choice: They are made with a high percentage of recycled material. Over the house, the metal is laid on OSB decking with a foil radiant barrier to keep the structure as cool as possible. In addition, the metal itself reflects heat. It does not absorb heat and hold it during the evening hours. Metal roofs are very long lasting, delaying the need for re-roofing and disposal of old shingles. And they are perfect for rainwater collection, free of the chemicals that leach from fiberglass/asphalt shingles.
To help defray the extra cost of a metal roof, we eliminated the use of soffits on all roof overhangs and porches. Soffits are the flat plywood pieces that cover the underside of roof overhangs and porches. Our metal roof is exposed on the underside. It is a great look, and fits with the ethic of practical, efficient use of materials.
We used the standing seam type of metal roof. This means that the metal panels are joined together by crimping the seams. Without the soffits to hide the underside, we needed an attractive surface, free of screws. The metal is galvalume – sheet metal coated with an alloy of aluminum and zinc for more corrosion resistance. It is a soft light grey color.
The galvalume, standing seam metal roof is a roof that works for a lot of reasons!
Austin Texas Real Estate Guide
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