Metal Roofing and Rain Water Harvesting

Metal roofing for rainwater harvesting is considered one of the best options for maximum efficiency and potability of the harvested rainwater. In any building, a roof is the major catchment area of rainwater, making the quality of the roofing material highly important. According to scientific research, a metal roof has an estimated efficiency quotient of 0.9 on a scale of zero to one. This is ideal for maximum catchment of rainwater.

It is obvious that rainwater catchment would be higher with smoother surfaces. All types of metal roofing materials, such as galvanized iron, corrugated steel, aluminum, various alloys, etc. provide not only smooth surfaces, but they are also bacteria-resistant. Hence, the harvested rainwater is highly potable. Metal roofing easily meets major criteria required for roofing materials used in catchment of rainwater. These criteria and the effectiveness of metal roofing are listed below.

Metal roof installation:

Durability

The roofing system should withstand the weight of the water even during heavy rains. It should not be affected by the accumulation of water on its surface and last for a longer period. Metal roofing is able to meet these conditions perfectly.

Functional Design

The roof should be easy to fix and maintain. It should not leak during periods of heavy rain and remain strong. The roof should allow accumulated water to flow to the rain water harvesting tank smoothly and easily. The metal roofing is better in this aspect, compared to many other types of materials.

Purity of Water

Since metal roofing is resistant to bacteria, the water collected from rain is generally potable straightaway. Still, bugs, dust, dirt, and debris that accumulate on a metal roof are likely to contaminate the water to a certain extent. Hence, the rainwater harvesting system should have adequate filters and other water purifying techniques to remove these materials from the rain water. It is advisable to clean a metal roof before rains are expected to minimize these problems.

Aesthetics

Metal roofing can be made from various materials, such as galvanized iron, corrugated steel, aluminum, and alloys, and can also be manufactured in various designs, patterns, styles and colors. Consequently, the variations in aesthetics that could be achieved with metal roofing materials can never be obtained with concrete roofing, a major alternative to metal.

Cost Considerations

Metal roofing for rainwater harvesting is among the cheapest roofing materials. In particular, compared to solid concrete roofing, metal is the most cost-effective solution. Additionally, concrete roofing needs to be reinforced and strengthened with water-proofing chemicals and treatments. This increases the cost of concrete roofs even further. The sturdiness and durability of metal roofing materials result in the lowest maintenance cost over several years. Hence, metal roofs are highly cost effective.