Metal roofs and walls come in a variety of colors, but it’s the “green” makeup of metal that is prompting many building owners and architects to give metal more consideration.

For building owners and architects committed to preserving natural resources, the Building Owners and Managers Association says metal roof and wall panels offer a unique, environmentally friendly solution to their building’s requirements.

Metal roofs and walls can contribute considerably to the “green” building movement because of their high recycled content, recyclability, sustainability and energy efficiency. Recycled metals protect the environment by reducing the need for raw materials. The recycled content for steel used in metal roofs and walls, for example, is at least 25 percent. This level of recycled content reduces both the cost and environmental impact of making new steel, as it conserves energy and other natural raw materials.

In addition to their recycled content, metal roof panels offer the added benefit of being recyclable at the end of their “useful” life. For example, while other old roofing materials are dumped by the ton in landfills, the steel, aluminum, copper and zinc used in metal roof panels is 100 percent recyclable, contributing to future products’ recycled content.

BOMA says that building owners and architects have long recognized metal roofs and walls for their strength and functionality. Metal roofs and walls are extremely durable, thereby lowering the demand for raw materials needed to produce replacement systems. Metal roofing, for example, is unaffected by the hot-cold/wet-dry weather cycles and weather extremes that can break down other roofing materials. Metal roof and wall panels are also low in weight. This means there is less of a structural load on a building, helping extend the life of the facility.

In addition to their other environmentally friendly attributes, metal roofs and walls can also help reduce energy consumption. Currently, buildings consume one-third of all energy and two-thirds of all electricity generated in the U.S.

Metal roofs, for example, can be finished with heat-deflecting coatings to lower energy usage by reducing cooling loads.

Available with baked-on finishes or granular-coated surfaces, “cool metal roofs” can reflect up to 70 percent of the sun’s rays, in the process saving building owners up to 40 percent in heating and cooling energy costs.

Increasing Your Savings with Metal

Increasingly, building owners and architects are now also recognizing another of metals attributes…a long, sustainable service life. Metal roofs have a significantly longer expected service life than either asphalt or single-ply roofs. The expected roof life of a metal roof is 40 years, considerably longer than the 23 year expectancy of asphalt and 20 years of a single-ply roof. This means that there is greater savings over the long term as a result of less maintenance and a longer life cycle.

The expected life cycle cost of metal roofs is 30 cents per square foot per year, versus 37 cents per square foot for asphalt and 57 cents per square foot for single-ply per year. This allows greater savings over the long term.

Additionally, owners and property managers report performing little or no regular maintenance on their metal roofs. A comparison of maintenance costs over the life of the roof for metal versus asphalt and single-ply shows that owners of metal roofs spent approximately 3.5 percent of total installed costs on maintenance, versus 28.5 percent for asphalt roofs and 19 percent for single-ply roofs.

Design Flexibility

BOMA says, no other product has done more to change the profile of architecture than steep slope metal roofing. Metal roofs and walls have now added a new design element to a building that separates them from non-descript flat terrain.

Unlimited color, a wide range of standing seam profiles, 40 years of useful life, and a design that actually sheds water; makes metal roofs and walls the best choice for your projects.

Designing with metal offers perhaps the widest array of choices within the construction industry. Coated with some of the most advanced technology in the world, a virtually unlimited palette of long lasting colors is available.

Bold design that inspires and creates a lasting impression is made possible with metal. From flowing curves to precision flatness, metal is easy and economical to install. This freedom of design provides the architect and owner the opportunity to build within a wide range of styles and create an image that will endure. ❑