New regional guide highlights key roofing considerations

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Why your region matters when choosing a metal roof — and how to make the best choice. 

In this episode of MetalCast™, host Karen Edwards sat down with Renee Ramey, executive director of the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA), to explore the importance of regional considerations when selecting a metal roof. The MRA’s newly released Regional Considerations Guide helps homeowners and contractors make informed choices by addressing climate-specific factors that impact roofing performance, cost-efficiency and aesthetics. 

“Where you live really does impact your roof,” Renee states during the conversation. “If we think about it from just a logical perspective, the roof is what protects your home. It's what protects inside your home. It's what protects you when you're in your home and it's the one thing, the most square footage that is taking the beating in weather events or during weather events.” 

The guide covers how factors like extreme heat, heavy snow, hurricanes and wildfires can influence the performance of a roof, with metal roofing often excelling under such conditions. Renee explains, “It touches on weather events and the different testing that quality metal roofing systems have gone through, some questions to ask related to that testing.”  

Beyond durability, the guide also notes the energy efficiency benefits. Stating how roofing decisions can affect long-term utility bills, Renee says, “If you live somewhere where it’s hot and you’re constantly running your AC, what type of roof you put on a home is very important, too. It can have an impact on your cooling costs for your home.”  

The Regional Considerations Guide doesn’t stop at practical concerns — it also addresses aesthetics. “It’s one of the largest surfaces that it reflects your home’s personality and your aesthetic,” Renee says. “And metal roofing really has a benefit, I believe, above other roofing materials because of the colors and the different style options and whatnot. It can literally look like any roofing material out there, but with more color options and more depth and more pop.” 

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to learn more about how regional factors can influence your roofing choices!