What to Do About an Aging Metal Roof

It is a fact of life


Everything ages and metal commercial roofs are no exception to this fact. One reason why these roofs age out is that it can be expensive to maintain and repair them.


But eventually, you have to address the situation and find the right methods to either bring them back to life or replace those old metal roofs. If you do not want to make this decision alone, keep reading as our article has the information you want to know about.


Take a few minutes to see how this information will help you decide which option is best for you. Then after you made your decision, call Motor City Roofers to help you repair, coat or replace that aging metal roof.


Solutions for your aging roof problem


The good news is that there are some good solutions for when you want to upgrade your current roof. The bad news is that these solutions may not all be economically priced or some can take a long time to complete.


But the following solutions all have their good and bad points and one roofing style may not work for every commercial building. You just need to investigate the style that will work best for your building and budget.


#1. Repair the roof


This can be done in several ways. If you have used roofing panels for your current roof, all you need to do is replace the damaged panels and your roof should be fine, for now.


If the roof is on the young side, then repairing may be your best and most economical option. But if it is aging out it is best not to take any chances and simply replace the entire roof.


Let our roofing experts help you make that call as they can see damage where you may not notice it.


#3. Replace the roof


This is an option that can take a long time to do and interrupt your business operation when it is not done correctly. The process includes tearing off the old roof and inspecting the joists.


If the problem is that the metal is just old, then the joists should be in good condition and will not need to be replaced. This is the best-case scenario. The worst-case scenario is that you may have to replace some if not all of those joists.


The cost of this solution will depend on the condition of those joists and other roofing materials. But the positive side of this solution is that the new roof will last for a very long time.


#3. Apply a coating


Ever since roof coatings were invented, it has been a popular solution to extending the life of your aging roof. This option is best when you are trying to mend minor problems and leaks, plus,m it may help with your energy issues.


Once the older roof is coated, the coating should help prevent rust and corrosion and extend the life of the metal sheets. However, some owners who have used this option have had warranty problems due to repairs of leaks, etc.


Another negative issue you need to know about is that the coating does not repair big leaks and it may break down sooner than expected. There is also a low adhesion factor that may not allow the coating to work as well as it could.


The good news is that this is usually the most economical solution you can choose to use.


#4. Metal panel overlay


No matter what you call this solution, it can be called a retrofit, it is a good solution to consider. The process is where you do not tear out the old roof but add a new metal roof over the top of the existing metal panels.


The pros of this solution are many. You get the extended life of a new metal roof, address major roofing issues, your building will look better, cut roofing costs, and keep your building’s interior protected from the elements.


The negatives for this type of roofing option are that it can be very expensive, the installation is said to be complicated, there may be some warranty issues, and it does not help with your energy concerns that much.


#5. A single-ply membrane retrofit


There are a lot of advantages to using this roofing option. One is that you get some extra roofing insulation that will help with your energy needs. The insulation is placed on the roof and smooths out the existing roofing material.


Over the insulation, a TPO or PVC membrane is placed to provide even more protection to your building. The high-performing membrane should prevent and guard against leaks, as well as your building experiencing other benefits.


While this solution can be a bit more expensive than applying a roofing coating, the bigger drawback is that it may alter the overall look of your building. You need to analyze the look of this roof before giving the go-ahead to install it.


These two negatives are overshadowed by the improved insulation, the increased reflectivity as well as better warranty coverage.


Which roofing option is best for you


This is hard to say as the best option will depend a lot on your roof’s design and other factors. If the joists are damaged, then replacing the joists is mandatory and some of these roofing options may not work as well as a new metal roof.


The key to replacing your aging metal roof will depend on how much it impacts your current day-to-day business operations. The tear-down and rebuild option will have the highest impact while the roof coating system has the lowest.


To help you find the best roofing solution for your current metal roof, call our office. Our roofing experts will gladly help you investigate all the options and help you find the best one for your roof situation.


Call now so you can get that aging roof repaired or replaced as quickly as possible. It pays to go with the best roofers, Motor City Roofers.