FAQ

The popularity of metal roofing has been constantly accelerating in recent years, growing from a 3.7% residential market share in 1998 to an 11% share in 2015. Accompanied by a decrease in the popularity of asphalt shingles, this increase is attributed to eco-friendliness, expanding innovations in metal aesthetics and long-term financial savings of metal roofing options.

Metal roofs are chosen by those who want to invest in the longevity of their home. While the initial costs of metal roofs are higher than traditional roofs, they save homeowners money over the course of their lifetime. Traditional roofs can require frequent repair work and commonly must be replaced every 10-15 years. Alternatively, metal roofs are extremely durable and are accompanied by extensive warranties.

During the lifetime of a metal roof, homeowners experience savings in other ways. Metal bolsters the energy efficiency of a home, saving up to 40% in energy bills in some cases. Additionally, insurance companies offer incentives and discounts to those who want to opt for a more sturdy, eco-friendly roof.

A metal roof is one of the best ecological choices available to homeowners. Roofing metal is produced from 30%-60% recycled material. The copper used by Principio Metal Systems for their copper shingle is 99.7% recycled. Upon installation, the inherent qualities of metal cause sunlight to be reflected away from the home. This provides an increase in energy efficiency over asphalt shingles, which absorb the sunlight and can cause an increase in the temperature in areas of your home.

Because roofs must be replaced regularly, it is estimated that asphalt teardowns contribute nearly 20 billion pounds of waste to landfills in the United States annually. When a metal roof is replaced, which is very uncommon, the materials can be easily recycled.

There is no special certification required to install our shingles. However, Principio Metal Systems fully realizes the importance of proper installation on the performance of the shingle. Thus, we work directly with homeowners and contractors to ensure that our system is placed with the necessary knowledge to assure our system’s longevity.

A Principio Metal Systems roof is one of the most fire-resistant options available. Particularly in mountainous areas, the risk of airborne firebrands are present throughout most of the year. A metal roof is almost completely non-combustible and provides exceptional protection to the structure below. Compared to many roofing options, the Vail Metal Shingle™ is also one of the lightest roofing options. This quality reduces the potential of a cave-in if an internal fire occurs in a home.

Hail damage is an incredibly common occurrence in many areas of the United States. Principio Metal Systems received the highest classification for hail resistance, and unlike many roofing products, the ability of metal to protect a house from hail does not deteriorate as it ages. When extreme hailstorms occur, many metal roofs receive noticeable denting that can be seen from onlookers. Most, if any, denting in the Vail Metal Shingle™ does not compromise the protection of the roof and is largely hidden due to the folded and dimensional qualities of the shingle.

The Vail Metal Shingle™ was originally engineered to withstand the extreme and wildly fluctuating climate of the Rocky Mountains. Similar metal shingles create the appearance of seams by simply stamping sheet metal. This action thins the metal in areas responsible for weather resistance. Alternatively, the patented Vail Metal Shingle features a series of complex folds in sheet metal created by a custom-engineered manufacturing process. This process results in an incredibly durable shingle while maintaining a dimensional and traditional form that is coveted by homeowners, contractors and architects all over North America.

We are the exclusive manufacturer and supplier of the Vail Metal Shingle. As a smaller company, we provide undistracted support to customers. From the planning and selection process, throughout installation, and even through the lifetime of the roof, Principio Metal Systems has worked with customers to create a wide variety of systems.

The advantages of a Principio Metal Systems roof over traditional asphalt shingles are numerous. Per 100 square feet, the Vail Metal Shingle™ is only a fraction of the weight of an asphalt shingle. Despite the lower weight, our shingle is more resistant to fire and hail damage, can withstand higher sustained winds and can double or triple the lifespan of most asphalt roofs.

In addition to their shorter lifespan, asphalt roofs have an unintended effect on the energy efficiency of the home. Unlike the reflective nature of metal, asphalt material absorbs sunlight and allows heat to be transferred into a home. This causes the HVAC system to work harder to cool the home and leads to increases in utility costs.

Slate roofing is another viable option for many people. It shares certain characteristics with metal roofing, such as its longevity and ability to withstand fire and wind. Nevertheless, metal roofing does hold some advantages. Specialized contractors often must be used due to complicated installation process for slate roofing. Because each lot of slate taken from the earth can be different from the previous one, repairing and replacing tiles is a difficult task. Additionally, slate roofs are up to ten times heavier than a metal roof and can place an incredible load on a house’s structural support. Due to the weight, a loose or broken tile can become dangerous to anything below the roof.

Like metal and slate roofing, concrete tiles present a low risk of fire, wind and impact damage. But concrete or clay tile roofing can present risks in other aspects. Most tiles are quite porous, allowing them to absorb water. This makes them susceptible to cracking, breaking and eventually deteriorating. Clay or cement tiles originated in hot, dry climates, but their inherent qualities make them a risky investment in environments that experience wet or freezing conditions.

Wood shakes and wood tiles have been used throughout history and provide an aesthetic quality to a roof. However, these roofs offer many disadvantages. As with any wood, shakes and shingles absorb water and experience substantial deterioration after they dry out. Their initial beauty can quickly transform into an unsightly curb appeal when the roof dries, cracks and curls.

Additionally, a wood roof places a homeowner at risk of one of the most notoriously damaging elements – fire. The risk of a fire is so great, many municipalities in mountainous states are beginning to ban the application and repair of wood roofs.

Polymer and composite shingles are new to the market and provide numerous advantages over the natural roofs they are trying to emulate. These shingles are significantly heavier than metal systems, but are similar in their ability to tolerate wind, fire and hail impact. One of the biggest concerns regarding these roofs is their durability. They are so new to the market that many are questioning their true longevity in a real-life application. Another concern comes with the nature of the composite plastic construction. Plastic waste is an ongoing problem throughout the United States despite the access to recycling centers.

The best roof, for any structure, depends on many factors. After deciding to opt for metal roofing, one must often have to choose between standing seam applications and metal shingles.

It is a common misconception that metal shingles will cost more than a standing seam application. Total roof cost can vary from project to project, but people find that metal shingles are priced very near and often less than standing seam options.

Another common reason metal shingles are chosen over standing seam is due to the inherent aesthetic qualities of metal shingles. While many homeowners conclude that a standing seam application looks too agricultural or industrial for their neighborhood, metal shingles are designed to emulate the look of traditional shingles. Thus, metal shingles have offered the ability to combine the benefits of metal roofing with traditional appearances.