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Pros & Cons Of Different Metal Roofing Types

There are tons of metal roofing choices available on the market, but it can be challenging to know which one is right for your home or business. The key to knowing which one is best is knowing the advantages and disadvantages and looking at your budget to determine what metal roof is ideal for your building.

Metal roofs are known as the “Cadillac of Roofing” – a comparison that many people don’t like to make. Metal roofs consist of more than one kind of product, so it’s a term that doesn’t explain what kind of roof you have. Due to a large number of requirements and design options available, one could consider it the “SUV of Roofing.”

5 Kinds Of Metal Roofs You Can Choose From For Your Building 

When people hear “metal roof”, most people automatically think of steel roof, but metal roof involves materials more than just steel. The kind of material your metal roof is made of will be dependent on your environment and location. What are the five kinds of metal roofing materials you can choose from?

Aluminum Roofs 

It’s advised for those people who want a metal roof and live in a coastal region to get an aluminum roof. This type of roof has a high resistance to corrosion caused by salt. It may seem like corrosion doesn’t affect it, but aluminum is a highly active metal that reacts nearly immediately to its environment.

The immediate reaction gives it the protection it needs. The aluminum roof’s outer later reacts with oxygen to produce aluminum oxide. This ends up sealing off the metal’s inner layers from possible corrosion. It’s a process that resembles the A606 Weathering Steel process but is far quicker and lasts longer. A painted coating is often seen with aluminum roofs, but this natural coating doesn’t usually look visually appealing.

The drawback of aluminum roofs is the cost. It does protect from corrosion better than other materials. Still, its expense can cause some to hesitate, especially as it’s more than those options that use aluminum as their coating.

Aluminum roofing prices are tied to the market, so it’s always in flux. Since it can be so expensive, aluminum roods are usually thinner than other metal roofs such as steel.

The strength-to-weight ratio is higher for aluminum than steel, but its cost makes it too thin. If you live in an area prone to storms, it can lead to roofing damage. It’s imperative to know your area before choosing an aluminum roof for your building.

Copper Roofs

Cooper roofing is regarded as the grandfather of metal roofs, as it’s been used for centuries. Due to its high durability and permanency, it has the ability to last more than 200 years. For those looking for an eco-friendly material, copper is entirely recyclable.

Due to its extreme softness, it’s one of the quietest metals. Today’s installation includes adding the proper substrates and insulation to ensure the same noise level for hail or rain. Hail can cause severe damage and dents to copper roofs. It will lower its visual appearance but holds up well even if the hail is quarter size or golf ball size, causing dents, not punctures.

There are several drawbacks to copper roofs:

• They can be costly to buy and have installed; they may be more than you actually need
• Temperatures can cause it to expand and contract; although the right shingle or panel can help control this

Steel Roofs

Steel comprises of various elements such as iron and is typically the most common kind of roofing installed for both residential and commercial buildings. A lot of energy goes into producing steel; the metal is readily available and 100% recyclable. Much of the steel used today comes from recycled steel instead of new. It’s another eco-friendly option for those looking for this material.

Steel is one of the cheaper options compared to other metal types – aluminum and copper, for example. Due to being a commodity and reasonable cost, it’s one of the more sought-after metals than the other types. Now, there are three primary kinds of steel roofs:

• Galvanized – Zinc is used in the protection of steel’s interior layer so it doesn’t rust. This helps lengthen its lifespan and decrease the speed of the corrosion process. It is the most common kind of steel roofing material on the market.
• Galvalume – This form of steel doesn’t just use zinc as a coating but a mixture of zinc and aluminum. Aluminum offers better protection from corrosion in some environments than galvanized steel does, and it creates a more uniform appearance due to its spangled nature. The aluminum provides better surface protection but is susceptible to cut edges and scratches.
• Weathering Steel – This steel type was initially created for heavy steel sectors such as bridge construction. Its outer layer is designed to rust while the inside won’t. It acts nearly identical to aluminum during the staining process but goes through it longer. Since it does rust intentionally, it should not be considered a structural steel roofing solution. Those who use it understand that it needs regular maintenance, and it will rust.

There have been some significant improvements in steel roofing the last 50 years, and it works similar to the most expensive metal materials, thanks to the paint solutions that mimic them. With an extended warranty attached to them, many people are choosing steel for their new builds, restorations and remodels.

The most prominent advantages steel has over the other metals listed are its cost and flexibility of use. Other metals cost more, but steel is cheaper, and construction companies use it for residential and commercial projects.

It’s also another eco-friendly option because it can be easily recycled and found. Best of all, it can withstand many atmospheric conditions and hold up well against high winds and hail. Many homes in the colder regions have steel roofs because they can handle the high snow volumes the areas receive.

Tin Roofs

Many people in the U.S. and Canada request tin as their go-to choice for roofing options. However, it’s an interchangeable word for steel, metal or galvanized steel and isn’t really a used option for roofing.

Tin is an element similar to copper and was first used as canning material. DIY enthusiasts flattened the tin out to make it a shingle when they could not find other materials to fix a problem. Tin roof sheets were eventually replaced with the introduction of aluminum. Today, when people hear “tin roofs,” it’s usually talking about aluminum or galvanized steel material.

Zinc Roofs

This metal type is outstanding, and its coating helps in healing scratches it endures and is very robust, lasting for more than 100 years. Zinc has natural properties that make it a sought-after material for commercial projects. It can be shaped and molded into anything you’d want. Zinc roofing tends to chalk, which can distract from a building’s visual appearance. However, with regular cleaning, the chalking is controllable.

Zinc is also a green metal, as it’s got a lower melting point than other metals. It takes a quarter of the energy to create the building material than what is used with copper or steel. On top of that, it’s completely recyclable and can be found in the majority of markets.

Several drawbacks to zinc:

• Chalking caused to water exposure
• Price (this is not a cheap material and requires a professional to install it)
• Unpainted zinc creates a blue/grey appearance
• Damages easily due to high winds or hail

What To Keep In Mind When Choosing Your Metal Roofing Material 

Every one of the metal roofs available has its pros and cons, but it’ll be the cost that ultimately affects one’s decision on what type is best. Copper is the most visually appealing but costly. Zinc is the most eco-friendly but also expensive. Aluminum provides the best support in coastal areas and is cheaper than zinc or copper.

Steel is the most used metal material, so it costs less than other options. Many homeowners and commercial builders choose it as their roofing choice. Though once considered the best metal option, Tin is now a reference to galvanized steel.

The suitable roofing metal will depend on several factors:

• Professional installer
• Geographical location
• Stresses and strains

When you need a new roof and are contemplating get a metal roof installed, consider what kind of material is ideal for your area and find an installer who has experience with it. From there, then consider the cost.