5 reasons why metal is the future of the industry

By Emma Peterson. 

Metal roofing and siding are quickly outpacing traditional materials. Learn why metal is such a popular option! 

In this MetalTalk RLW, Heidi J. Ellsworth visits with Geoff Bernstein of Vicwest to discuss the role of metal, both in siding and roofing, and how it's changing the future of the industry. Geoff has been the director of marketing for Vicwest for over four years. When it comes to the role of metal in the industry, he has seen the market explode in interest in the last few years and had five reasons why metal is such a big deal. 

1 - Durability  

Metal is a much more durable material compared to vinyl, fiber cement, extruded aluminum, natural wood and more. So durable that Sherwin-Williams provides a 40-year warranty on Vicwest products. Part of this durability comes from the fact that common issues with traditional materials are non-issues with metal. Geoff explained, “Insects and mold are simply non-issues. We do have fire testing for the product, but the steel itself does not combust, does not promote combustibility.” 

2 - Home value  

The durability of the material increases the value of the building. With a 40-year warranty, any cracking, peeling and fading will be corrected. These metal products truly stand the test of time. Geoff described, “I think that's really the value proposition that we're trying to get across here with Bellara and with our metal siding product, that it's ideally the last siding product you're going to need for your project and look beautiful, as good as it does day one as it will in year forty.” 

3 - Aesthetics  

There are many misnomers surrounding metal, including that it creates an industrial and harsh aesthetic. However, this is not the case! Geoff described just a few of the options, sharing, “In our Bellara siding line you really have an architectural profile with a nice C channel that's built into it. The plank itself, we actually got some new sizes coming out, so we have a 90 millimeter, a 135 millimeter and a 200 millimeter. So really some interesting design components.” This adaptability and diverse aesthetic options means that metal is a great option for both commercial and residential projects. 

4 - Easy maintenance  

Going hand-in-hand with metal’s durability is the ease of maintaining metal. Geoff elaborated, “Compared to products like wood and fiber cement, which require repainting over and over and over again, they’re just not on the same level as metal.” By minimizing the initial issues, such as mold and insects, it makes it far easier to keep metal clean and functioning optimally.  

5 - Sustainability  

Metal is also a much more sustainable option as it is 100% recyclable. When the long lifespan of metal siding or roofing is finally reached, instead of going to the landfill the materials can be made into new steel. For Vicwest almost every ton of steel they produce is 35% recycled content. Geoff described it as a type of circularity, saying, “It's great to know that when the end of life of that building happens in a generation, yes, of course it's going to be great for all that material to be recycled, but in the moment it's just a beautiful product that's going to be better for the environment.” 

Read the transcript, Listen to the podcast episode or Watch the webinar to learn more about the metal siding and roofing options available in the industry.