There are several key reasons why a metal roof is the right choice. According to the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA), among these reasons include energy savings, aesthetic appeal, performance in weather-related events, longevity and environmentally sustainability. In this era of increased focus on sustainability, copper is “king.” According to Copper.org (Copper Development Association, Inc.), it’s durable, reliable and often outlives its aluminum, plastic and other metal counterparts. Copper adorns one of the world’s most stunning homes in the United States — The Hope Residence, located in Palm Springs, California.
Photo Credit: Metal Roofing Alliance 
According to Metal Roofing Alliance, “For a home that is nearly as famous and unique as the American entertainer who inspired it, the Hope Residence has been compared to a spaceship, a mushroom and a volcano. Whatever shape you imagine it resembles, there is no doubt there is nothing like this nearly 24,000 square foot home set at the highest point overlooking the star-studded city. The most striking element of the curvaceous, expansive home is the roof itself. Made from copper that slopes upward from three points to meet at an enormous open oculus, the roof seems to rise from the mountains, its dark aged patina softly glowing in ever-shifting desert light.”
According to Copper.org, “Copper roofing systems prove cool, energy-efficient and sustainable. Building designers today are striving to incorporate longer-lasting materials, more energy-efficient assemblies and environmentally-conscious technologies in order to reduce environmental footprints and improve overall building sustainability. The roof assembly has come under particular scrutiny as it is the first line of defense against the elements and, often times, the building envelope’s largest exterior surface area. Copper, arguably the most sustainable metal known to man because of its long-life cycle, low life-cycle costs and recyclability, is not only proving to be a valuable roofing material for its durability and ease of maintenance, but energy-efficiency and cost-effectiveness as well.”
Providing Shelter for the Future
MRA provides the following reasons why metal is considered the most environmentally friendly and sustainable roofing material available:
- Metal roofs are 100% recyclable and are made with a minimum of 25% recycled material, depending on the type of metal.
- Metal roofs can often be installed over an existing roof, eliminating the environmental impact of disposal.
- Metal roofing weighs half as much as asphalt, allowing newly constructed homes to be designed with a lighter structure. In contrast, a typical asphalt roof contains hundreds of gallons of crude oil and needs to be replaced every 12-20 years depending on the pitch of the roof. Approximately 20 billion pounds of asphalt shingles are dumped into U.S. landfills every year.
Metal Architecture at METALCON Presents – Metal’s Role in Sustainability – Learn from the Experts THIS WEDNESDAY AT 1:00 PM
This webinar qualifies for 1 AIA LU and it’s FREE! – REGISTER TODAY!
Learn more about metal’s role in sustainability THIS Wednesday during our next Metal Architecture at METALCONLive!, sponsored by S-5!. A panel of three industry experts will discuss how metal building products support the increasing demand for sustainable building practices. Often viewed as a glamour product because of its versatility, metal components can also bring high performance to any projects. This is the second session in the new Metal Architecture at METALCON series, brought to you in partnership with Metal Architecture. If you missed the first one, Civitas & the Role of Metal in Meeting a Zero Carbon World, watch it ON DEMAND.