ST. LOUIS, June 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- As Independence Day approaches, Americans prepare to celebrate their freedoms that were hard-won by our Founding Fathers. Although Americans still live by the ideals set forth by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, they may scoff at the idea that 18th century men could offer any advice about home improvement that's still relevant today. However, the homes of many of our Founding Fathers are still standing, offering clues to home design choices that can inform today's homeowners. After all, historical figures like Thomas Jefferson and George Washington were also homeowners who wanted to protect their home and families from the elements.
For example, the importance of a sound roof is not a modern concept. In 1784, George Washington complained of being "plagued with leaks," at his Mount Vernon estate, and frequently addressed problems with the wood-shingled roof that was a common material of the day. The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association has been caring for the home since 1860, and recently launched a fundraising campaign to "Save Mount Vernon's Roof", which is in need of another major overhaul.
In contrast, Thomas Jefferson approached the roofing question as an architect and engineer and reviewed some of the most progressive roof structures and coverings of his time. When planning the iconic Monticello, Jefferson considered a variety of roofing materials, and decided that the lightness and durability of metal/tin shingles made the best roof. He is quoted as saying: "I would advise you to cover with tin instead of shingles. It is the lightest, and most durable cover in the world."
Today, roughly 5 million U.S. owners replace their home's roof every year. It's a decision Mother Nature forces homeowners to make. Every roof has a finite life, but wind, rain, temperature extremes and weather events such as hurricanes and tornadoes can go a long way toward making that life shorter. Sometimes less than ten years. That means the homeowner forced to replace an asphalt shingle roof with the same material will almost immediately begin to figure out when he'll need to replace it again. The desire for a more durable, permanent roof is what's driving many homeowners to metal for their roofing material.
"If our ancestors were to stage a home makeover competition starring Washington and Jefferson, history suggests that Jefferson would be the winner, given his innovative architectural designs for home storage, cooling and heating, ventilation and of course, his choice of a metal roof for Monticello," states Bill Hippard, executive director of the Metal Roofing Alliance. "While Mt. Vernon's roof has been a source of concern almost since it was built, the metal roof on Monticello has provided many decades of reliable protection to the home. That's a strong endorsement for the durability of metal roofing."
Homeowners can learn more about the benefits of metal roofing by visiting the non-profit Metal Roofing Alliance website at www.metalroofing.com
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Marybeth Morsberger
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SOURCE Metal Roofing Alliance
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