If you have searched for roofing options for your home recently, metal roofing must have met your eye. Metal has stood the test of time for commercial buildings, warehouses, offices, and factories. It has emerged as a reliable roofing system for residential roofing.
The most prominent drawback of a metal roof is the upfront cost. Other than that, a metal roof can prove to be a sturdy yet aesthetically appealing choice. If you live in a geographical region with extreme weather conditions, a roofing contractor might suggest some other roofing material. For most of the houses, it works well.
Most of the homeowners take a metal roof as a single product. In reality, it refers to a diverse range of products. This post is a brief discussion of metal roofing types and their prominent features such as weight, thicknesses, and recyclability.
Let us look at the common metal roofing types.
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1. Aluminium Roofs
The most common metal roof material is aluminium. It is a great option for almost any residential building owing to its durability and aesthetic appeal. It is lightweight and durable as well.
You don’t need to worry about pest infestation and corrosion when you have aluminium roofs. If you live in coastal areas, this material is the most suitable.
It costs around $325-$574 per hundred square feet. The weight is as low as 45 lbs per square. An aluminium roof is manufactured by using around 95% of post-consumer recycled content.
The minimum thickness for aluminium tile, shingle and shake is 0.019″. Standing seam is no less thick than 0.032″.
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2. Copper Roofs
When you want your house roof to outlive your expectations, consider installing copper roofs. They are available in various designs such as shingles, tiles and standing seams. Choose any of these styles depending on your style preferences.
A notable feature of a copper roof is its price. It is one of the most expensive roofing materials. Owing to heavy costs, it is rarely used for an entire roof. When you are mixing different metal types in a roofing system, beware of the corrosion hazards.
A common term generally used with copper roofs is “verdigris patina” or patination. It is the formation of an attractive blue-green colored barrier on the metal roof after 8-15 years of installation.
If you are living in coastal areas, the process is dramatically hastened. This formation protects the roof against corrosion for long periods.
It is easily malleable and the aesthetic appeal is greatly popular. It is a heavy roofing material as it weighs around 100-150 lbs per square foot. The recycled content is about 35% but can vary greatly. Preformed shingles and vertical seam are available in different thicknesses.
3. Galvalume Steel
You must have heard the term corrugated metal roof. It is a general term used for coated metals. Steel is a popular metal alloy that is used for residential roofs. The metal is mostly used after coating it with protective materials.
Steel coated with an alloy of aluminum and zinc is called galvalume steel. It is extremely corrosion-resistant. Galvalume steel is scratch resistant and self-healing due to the mixing of zinc.
Most of the roofing contractors suggest using this material for rather simple roof designs as it is susceptible to tension bend staining. The deep folds or bends can cause microscopic cracks.
When moisture penetrates these microscopic cracks, rusting stains start to appear. The deterioration spreads like a spider and affects the curb appeal of the steel. Thus it has limited profile availability.
It weighs between 100 and 150 lbs per square foot. The standing seam systems have a general thickness of 0.024″.
4. Galvanized Steel
A steel sheet is called “galvanized steel” when it is coated with zinc or another alloy on both sides. It is the most popular corrugated metal roofing material.
The method of preparing the metal is also called the hot-dip method which is a cheaper and more efficient alternative than electroplating.
Conclusion
It is essential to know all of your options before you hire a metal roofing contractor. Although the expenses of metal roofing installation are higher you can avoid metal roof leak repair in the longer run. The choice depends on the design preferences, geographical region, and durability.
