Metal Roofing – Material Types

Have you considered buying metal roofing for your house? The benefits of metal roofing are numerous; they are lightweight, fire resistant, easy to install and excellent at shedding snow. However, the term “metal roofing” covers many materials: steel, aluminum, copper, stainless steel and zinc alloys. To help you choose the right material for your metal roofing, we are going to briefly introduce you to each of them.

Steel – Sturdier and heavier than aluminum, this material has been used for most metal roofing. There are durable coatings and finishes applied to protect steel from corrosion and rust. Steel is commonly zinc-coated and sealed afterwards. Sheet systems designed for commercial use are usually given highly durable paint finishes.

Aluminum – This metal is extremely lightweight and even though it won’t rust, aluminum has to be coated or painted for better appearance. When it comes to coatings, they are similar to those used on steel metal roofing. Aluminum dents and mars easily because of its softness.

Copper – This is very expensive material, rooted in centuries of use. Copper metal roofing won’t rust, hasn’t got a finish to be scratched or peeled.

Alloy – In general, alloy roofing products are pricey, but their cost depends on the specific material. These metal roofing products are formulated for durability, strength and graceful weathering.

Stainless-steel – Although quite pricey, this roofing material won’t corrode or rust. With the right coating it can also get a natural matte-gray finish.

In general, the biggest drawback of metal roofing is its initial cost. However, if you are about to stay in the house for a long time, it is a good value for money. It’s long-term durability and low-maintenance are worth it. Nevertheless, if you plan to move in a few years, you should look for less-pricey and more common roofing solutions. Anyway, we hope we’ve helped your with your decision!