Why Metal and Solar Work Well Together
Metal roofing and solar panels make a strong pairing, and a Windfall homeowner benefits from understanding why. Here are the reasons.
Matching Lifespans
A metal roof's long lifespan matches or exceeds solar panels', so the roof beneath the panels will last as long as the panels do, avoiding the problem of a roof wearing out under the array. This lifespan match is a key advantage. The roof keeps pace with the panels. They last together. It avoids mismatched lifespans. It is a sound foundation.
No-Penetration Mounting on Standing Seam
Standing seam roofs allow panels to be mounted with clamps that grip the seams, without drilling holes in the roof, which avoids the penetrations other mounting requires. This no-penetration option is a major plus. It keeps the roof intact. It avoids drilling. It is a clean mounting method. It suits standing seam.
A Durable Foundation
Metal provides a durable, sound foundation for solar, with its strength and longevity supporting the array well over the long term. A durable roof is a good base for solar. It supports the panels soundly. It is a strong foundation. It lasts under the array. It is reliable.
A Smart Combination
Together, the matching lifespans, the no-penetration mounting on standing seam, and metal's durability make metal and solar a smart combination for a homeowner going solar. The pairing makes good sense. It combines well. It is a smart choice. It suits going solar. It works together.
Why They Work, in Short
Metal and solar work well together because a metal roof's long lifespan matches or exceeds the panels', standing seam allows no-penetration clamp-on mounting, and metal provides a durable foundation, making metal and solar a smart combination for a homeowner going solar.
One point worth making clear for Windfall homeowners is that metal roofing and solar panels make a genuinely excellent pairing, so a homeowner who is considering going solar, either now or in the future, has good reason to view a metal roof as an ideal foundation for it. There are several reasons the two work so well together. The first is a matter of matching lifespans, because a quality metal roof can last as long as or longer than solar panels, which means the roof beneath the array will not wear out partway through the panels' service life. This matters more than it might first appear, because one of the real headaches of solar on a shorter-lived roof is that if the roof needs replacing while the panels are still going strong, the panels have to be removed and reinstalled to get at the roof, which is a costly and disruptive hassle. With a durable metal roof, that problem is largely avoided, because the roof and the panels can serve together for the long haul. The second major reason, which is specific to standing seam, is the way the panels can be mounted. On a standing seam roof, the panels can often be attached using clamps that grip the raised seams, without drilling any holes in the roof at all, because the seams themselves provide the attachment point. This is a significant advantage, because it means the roof stays completely intact, with no penetrations that need to be sealed and no potential leak points introduced by the mounting, which translates into fewer leak concerns and a clean, often reversible installation. Together, the matching lifespans, the no-penetration mounting on standing seam, and metal's overall durability make metal a smart, sensible foundation for solar.
It also helps Windfall homeowners to understand the practical side of putting solar on a metal roof, both how it is done and how to plan for it, so they can approach the project sensibly. On the how, the mounting method depends on the type of metal roof. Standing seam is the standout because of its clamp-on mounting, where clamps grip the raised seams to hold the panel mounting system without any drilling, but other metal roofs, such as exposed-fastener systems, can accommodate solar too, with the mounting attached appropriately and sealed to keep the roof watertight where needed. In all cases, the mounting system is designed to hold the panels securely on the roof and to withstand wind and weather, keeping the array sound over the long term, and the work is best handled by professionals who coordinate the roofing and solar trades so that both are done correctly and the roof's integrity is protected. On the planning side, there are a couple of sensible approaches. If a homeowner is already going to be re-roofing, it often makes good sense to install a metal roof, ideally standing seam, and plan for solar at the same time or to set the roof up to be solar-ready from the start, which gives a clean, well-coordinated result. And if a homeowner already has a metal roof, it provides a sound foundation onto which solar can be added, with the roofer and solar installer coordinating so the mounting suits the particular roof. Planned well, solar on a metal roof is a strong long-term setup, pairing a durable, long-lasting roof with a clean solar mounting system for many years of service, which is exactly what a homeowner investing in solar wants.
One point worth making clear for Windfall homeowners is that metal roofing and solar panels make a genuinely excellent pairing, so a homeowner who is considering going solar, either now or in the future, has good reason to view a metal roof as an ideal foundation for it. There are several reasons the two work so well together. The first is a matter of matching lifespans, because a quality metal roof can last as long as or longer than solar panels, which means the roof beneath the array will not wear out partway through the panels' service life. This matters more than it might first appear, because one of the real headaches of solar on a shorter-lived roof is that if the roof needs replacing while the panels are still going strong, the panels have to be removed and reinstalled to get at the roof, which is a costly and disruptive hassle. With a durable metal roof, that problem is largely avoided, because the roof and the panels can serve together for the long haul. The second major reason, which is specific to standing seam, is the way the panels can be mounted. On a standing seam roof, the panels can often be attached using clamps that grip the raised seams, without drilling any holes in the roof at all, because the seams themselves provide the attachment point. This is a significant advantage, because it means the roof stays completely intact, with no penetrations that need to be sealed and no potential leak points introduced by the mounting, which translates into fewer leak concerns and a clean, often reversible installation. Together, the matching lifespans, the no-penetration mounting on standing seam, and metal's overall durability make metal a smart, sensible foundation for solar.
Build a Solar-Ready Roof
Windfall Metal Roofing installs metal roofing that pairs well with solar across Windfall and Tipton County. Call (765) 676-3491 for a free consultation on a metal roof that makes an excellent foundation for solar panels.