Final Thoughts On Metal Roofing Material Types
Galvalume, aluminum, zinc, copper, and stainless steel are all great solutions for metal roofing needs. Knowing the common and unique aspects of a structure, residential or commercial, is the best place to start when choosing the best metal roofing material. Then, determine what factors are important to you, including:
- Cost
- Material strength
- Weight your structure can withstand
- Sustainability
Disadvantages Of Metal Roofing
There are a few disadvantages to keep in mind when deciding what roofing material is best for your home. First, metal roofing materials have a higher upfront cost than shingles. Not only are metal materials a higher price, but they often come with higher installation costs as well. Also, if you live in an area with a homeowners association, they may not allow metal roofing in your community.
Best Types Of Metal Roofs For Your Home Or Business
So, which are the types of metal roofing and how to be sure that youre choosing the best one for your residence, commercial or industrial building? In order to have a better understanding of this subject, lets make an analysis of the available metal roofing products, at the same time highlighting the pros and cons of each one.
1. Tin Many years ago, a lot of industrial buildings were covered with tin roofs. Affordable, easy to install and suitable for storage purposes, tin was still susceptible to rust, corrosion, dents and increased noise, being totally inappropriate for residential construction.
2. Iron Affordable as well, roofs made from iron are still being used in some industrial facilities. These are two main types of iron metal roofs:
Inverted Box Rib This type of metal roofing is inexpensive, it comes in corrugated squares and has a low quality. Its mostly used on small storage structures that do not need special insulation.
Corrugated galvanized iron The iron panels are coated with steel, for increased durability. Its appropriate for barns and sheds as well, being cheap and durable. The main drawback of these roofs is their vulnerability to rust, especially under exposure to acidic rains.
4. Zinc Also used in metal roofing because of its resistance to corrosion, malleability and stylish look. However, it is mostly employed as a component in various alloys such as zincalume a combination of steel, aluminum and zinc.
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Granular Or Stone Coatings
While Classic Metal Roofing Systems has never had great confidence in the granular or stone coatings that are sometimes used on steel roofs, we do respect the beauty of these coatings and the fact that they come at a lower price point compared to PVDF finishes. We do not offer these finishes because, performance-wise, we have seen the granules wear away over time and also be prone to mildew and biological growth similar to asphalt shingles. We discourage their use particularly in areas subject to high UV or a great deal of airborne fungus.
Zinc Roofing Pros & Cons
Who remembers the original Humvee? An extremely durable and dependable machine that could take you anywhere you needed to go, yet at a pretty price. This is Zinc in a nutshell.
Zinc is an amazing metal, able to use its patina to heal scratches over time, plus stay strong for over 100 years. The natural properties of Zinc make it a favorite for commercial projects due to its ability to be easily formed and manipulated into amazing shapes. While the chalking of Zinc over time is not considered an appealing aspect of the metal, it can be cleaned and controlled to an extent.
While the Humvee was not exactly a green vehicle, Zinc could be considered one of the greenest metals available for roofing. Zinc has a lower melting point than other roofing metals. This lower melting point means that processing the Zinc for use as a building material requires up to a ¼ of the energy that it takes to process steel or copper. Zinc is also 100% recyclable and available in most local markets, making it an extremely green material, even compared to Copper or Steel.
The main downside to Zinc is the chalking effect from an aesthetic point of view, and the price. Zinc is not cheap. In fact, Zinc often is comparable to Copper. Like Copper, Zinc also requires expert installation to properly make use of its advantages as a building material.
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Post Oak Roofing In Northeast Dfw And East Texas Offers The Best Metal Roof Solutions
Metal roofing materials, styles, and colors are only half the battle the other half is finding the right local professional team who can deliver your best metal roofing solution.
Post Oak Roofing has installed custom-made metal roofs in TX, and no other metal roofing company comes more highly recommended than Post Oak Roofing.
We serve TX Northeast DFW and East Texas. Do not just take our word for it see what our customers are saying on Google, Guild Quality, and Facebook. As you can see, our average customer rating is 4.9 out of 5 stars!
Do you have a question? Are you ready to start a conversation? Our metal roofing experts can be reached by simply dialing in Tyler and Allen, TX. Our team will be happy to answer all your questions, as well as schedule your FREE inspection and personal consultation. We cant wait to show you what makes Post Oak Roofing different.
Types Of Metal Roofing Materials
1. Copper Extremely long-lasting, very soft with low melting temperature
2. Aluminum Long-lasting, resistant to salt water corrosion
3. Zinc Extremely long-lasting, resistant to corrosion and lowest melting point
4. Steel Three variations: galvanized, galvalume, and weathering steel
5. Tin Often referring to steel, used prior to World War II. No longer commonly applied.
Metal roofing has often been called the Cadillac of Roofing. Depending on your opinion of that particular manufacturer, this comparison could be less than flattering. In reality, a metal roof doesnt describe a specific product, rather an entire range of different products. The term itself does not even explain whether you are speaking about a steel roof, aluminum roof, zinc roof, or copper roof. Given metal roofings reputation for being able to handle a huge range of requirements and design options, a better comparison might be that metal roofing is the Sport Utility Vehicle of Roofing.
In this article, we will break down the differences in metal roofing material options, and the pros and cons of each material, profile, and source.
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Steel And Aluminum Strengths
If you are a designer or builder considering a standing seam metal roof system you may be asking the question what is the difference between aluminum and steel as a choice for the metal roof.
Commercial and residential metal roofing is primarily made of steel or aluminum. Both products are initially produced in giant rolls at a mill. All steel roofing has a protective barrier on both sides of the sheet called a metallic coating which protects against rusting. This is underneath and separate from any paint which imparts color to the product. There are two types of metallic coatings used: galvanized, which uses 100% Zinc in various thicknesses depending upon the product usage, and Galvalume, a mixture of aluminum and zinc. These metallic coatings sacrifice themselves to protect the iron in steel from oxidation when exposed to air and moisture. Zinc is a more active metal than iron so it oxidizes first and forms a protective barrier zinc oxide, before the iron in the steel can become Ferric Oxide . When zinc is combined with aluminum to form Galvalume there is even more protection in most circumstances.
Steel residential roofing is made in thicknesses designated by gauge and is generally 24 to 26 gauge, with the higher gauge being thinner than the lower. These gauges are appropriate since most residential metal roofing applications are over a solid substrate. Aluminum residential metal roofing is designated by decimal thickness and ranges from .023 to .040 thickness.
About Corrugated Metal Panel Roofing
Corrugated metal roofing is sold in sheets like standing-seam roofing but it performs very differently because of how the panels are connected together. Corrugated panels are typically just overlapped and screwed down to the structure. This may work for sheds, barns, porches, and the like, but is not good enough for shedding rain as roofing on a house.
Cost for materials and labor starts at about $350 per square .
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Disadvantages Of Metal Roofing Panels
- Less Corrosion Resistance
- Lifespan
Less Corrosion Resistance
Metal roofing panels are long lasting and corrosion resistant. However, aluminum, copper, and zinc will not corrode. Steel is an excellent choice as long as you dont live near the coast or in an environment with excessive moisture.
The Weight Of Metal Roofing
Metal roofing will weigh more than aluminum or copper roofing. This will create more of a load on your house that causes stress on the structure. Even with the additional weight metal is still lighter than most non- metal building materials.
How Long Does A Metal Roof Last?
Metal roofing lasts a long time and its considered a lifetime roof. Its designed to last 40 to 60 plus years, which is longer than most non-metal materials. The lifespan of your metal roof will be determined by a number of factors including the style of the panel profile, gauge of the steel, and the finish.
Even though metal is an excellent choice and its long lasting, it still has a shorter lifespan than aluminum, copper, or zinc.
Choosing A Metal Roof Is A Great Decision
Choosing The Right Color for Your Metal Roof. As a residential roofing solution, metal continues to grow in popularity across the country, and for good reason. Many people still choose shingles for their roofing, but metal roofing provides many advantages over shingles. In addition to being more durable, metal needs less maintenance.
It is more resistant to fire, wind, lightning, and pests, and it sheds both precipitation & debris better. Once you have decided metal is the way you want to go, it is time to decide which color will look best and how you want to customize the look.
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Common Metal Roofing Materials
Metal roofing is typically made from recycled and recyclable materials. This makes metal roofing a sustainable option in addition to being extremely durable and long-lasting. You can feel good about choosing a metal roof, knowing youve made an environmentally-friendly choice thats worth the cost.
Here are a few of the most common types of metal roofing materials and their pros and cons.
Whats The Total Price Of Copper Roofing
Copper roofing prices tend to vary more than aluminum or metal. Its a premium product at a high price point so its not uncommon for the installer to charge a premium when bidding a copper roof. Copper roofing prices will vary depending upon the difficulty of the installation, location of the job, and the accessories that are required.
Heres a ballpark cost including materials and labor:
- Price Of Corrugated Copper Roofing – Materials and Installation
$19 to $28 Per Sq. Ft.
- Price Of Standing Seam Copper Roofing – Materials and Installation
$23 to $35 Per Sq. Ft.
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What Are The Advantages Of Metal Vs Typical Roofing
One of the biggest reasons we see people installing metal roofing is to boost curb appeal. Thats a big deal in todays market updating your home to a more modern look. Which, as you can see, the metal shingles can give whatever look the homeowner wants with the added bonus of metal roofings longevity.
Other benefits include:
- Can withstand the harsh elements of severe weather
Types Of Roof Tiles 2021
Have you settled on a tile roof? We know the dilemma can be overwhelming with so many varying styles and designs on the market. That is why we compiled this comprehensive list on your behalf. By the end of the article, you should be familiar with the different tiles available to make an informed choice.
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S Of A Metal Roof Structure
FASCIA The trim right below the roof that runs the perimeter of a structure to help keep water from running into the structure.
DRIP EDGE A long piece of metal that is installed so water runs into the gutter and away from the fascia.
EAVE A portion of the roof that extends past the supporting wall.
VALLEY The internal angle at which two sloping roof planes meet.
HIP The external or jutting angle at which two sloping roof panels meet.
RIDGE The highest portion of a roof where at least two roof panels come to a point .
GABLE The triangular section of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof. The trim occupying this article is typically called gable or rake trim.
CRICKET A peaked saddle construction installed between a chimney and the roof surface to prevent against the accumulation of snow and water.
FLASHING Sheet metal that is used to seal different portions of the roof, i.e. chimneys, valleys, etc., and provide extra weather-tightness.
CURB An accessory used to mount additions and provide a level resting structure on a sloped roof.
ROOF DECKING The base or foundation that the underlayment and roofing material are attached to. Common roof deck materials are metal, plywood, and oriented strand board .
PITCH The slope of a roof, which is measured using the roofs rise divided by its run.
Why Choose Metal Roofing
One of the biggest reasons homeowners are choosing metal roofs is because of the extended lifespan that they have. Almost all types of metal roofing can last from 50 to 100 years, and in some cases, theyll be good for what seems like an infinite amount of time.
Metal roofs last longer than most other materials because they are weather, insect, and fire-resistant. They also require minimal maintenance, meaning that you might never have to work with it again after its installed. Those are some amazing benefits. Best yet, metal roofs are almost always made from sustainable, recyclable materials that help ensure youre doing your part to take care of our planet. And although the cost upfront is more than an asphalt roof, the return on investment makes it worth it. Once you install a metal roof on your home, youll likely never need to replace your roof again as long as you own your home.
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Cons Of Aluminum Roofing
Natural Color Using aluminum roofing in its natural color isnt recommended by too many architects and installers. As the metal ages and undergoes weathering, it doesnt hold its original color and often becomes washed out and spotty. The best way to overcome this issue is to buy resin coated roofing coils or panels, which will age much cleaner over time.
Denting Since aluminum roofing is frequently a thinner, more lightweight material, it has been known to dent easier than other metals. If a structure is underneath trees or any other object with something that could fall on the roof, another type of metal material may be a better option.
Thermal Movement Aluminum expands and contracts roughly twice as much as a steel roof. This generally means you do not want to double pin the panels if they are in lengths greater than 20. This expanding and contracting can also cause oil canning, increased noise, and more required maintenance on exposed fasteners.
Types Of Metal Roofing + Pros And Cons Of Each
There are a number of different materials used for metal roofing, and three basic ways that its installed. These three different ways are referred to as the types of metal roofing.
- Hidden fastener metal roofing
- Exposed fastener metal roofing
- Stamped metal roofing
Each of these types comes with its own benefits and disadvantages. But despite those different benefits, homeowners most often choose their roofing type based on the look that they want.
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When Was Tin Roofing Invented
Metal began being used for roofing in the 1700s, although tin roofs were not really used in the United States until the late 1800s. Tin became a very popular roofing material because its a lightweight material, which made it easy to maneuver and install. However, its popularity in roofing began to rapidly decline over a century ago. Aluminum began being used instead of tin which has ultimately led to tin becoming obsolete. Its rare to find a tin roof today.
If youre looking to install tin for roofing, then its nearly certain youre referring to metal roofing or aluminum roofing in today’s terminology.
- Easy To Install
Lightweight
Tin is often compared to aluminum because they share similar qualities like being a lightweight material.
Easy To Install
When tin roofing was used, it was popular for its ease of installation.
What Is Metal Roofing
Metal roofing, as the name suggests are made up of metals like, aluminum, copper, steel, tin, and zinc. They come in the form of corrugated metals, slate roofs, or tile roofs.
Having a metal sheet up on the roof can prove advantageous if you are looking for a long term investment because of its longer life span, sturdiness, low maintenance, and great return on investment. It is a one time investment which can last up to 50-80 years depending upon the metal type.
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