More curves, material options top list of trends in metal roofing.

Many building owners seeking long-term roofing solutions are insisting on metal roofs that offer both curb appeal and exceptional performance.

The growing emphasis on style, for example, has ushered in a new category of roofs shaped to give them asymmetrical curves. It's an increasingly

popular option in many parts of the country, especially for retail stores, commercial buildings, schools, and public buildings, suggests Rob Haddock, director of the Metal Roof Advisory Group of Colorado Springs, CO. A leading technology for producing curved panels involves a process in which a computerized two-way press bends panels precisely into the desired radii and angles of curvature without damaging the panel's finish.

Haddock has also identified a trend toward steeper slopes, a development that originated in the 1980s and '90s. "Flat and very low-slope roofs were the rage in the '60s and '70s, but the desire for buildings with more curb appeal has led many building owners and architects to conclude that steeper is better," Haddock says. "And there's nothing to suggest that this trend won't continue to gain momentum." In addition, some building owners eager to be design trendsetters are now opting for roof fascias that are overstated, extended, or molded to increase their dramatic appeal.

Value-conscious end-users, according to Haddock, are also gravitating toward metal roofing products because they provide long years of reliable performance and ensure the best possible return on investment. They require little maintenance, provide long service life, have a low life-cycle cost structure, and offer ample design flexibility.

For more information on metal roofs, log onto The Metal Initiative website (www.themetalinitiative.com).