Metal Roofing Materials: The Pros And Cons Of Each Type
Metal roofing has been the traditional choice for homes and buildings. It has been with us and is still seen in future structures. Metal roof materials come in a number of varieties. Galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and alloys are the more common options that homebuilders choose. Each metal roofing material has its own distinct quality and people choose them for a number of reasons. These qualities and the reasons for people's preferences are briefly discussed below.
1. Steel. Plain steel as a roofing material has been the most conventional choice in roofing. It is usually coated and/or painted for protection against corrosion. Steel is also a very sturdy metal.
The most commonly used compounds to protect steel are zinc, epoxy primer, and acrylic. These are also what make steel metal roofing system colorful and attractive. But aside from its looks, the durability that steels possess is enough reason to make it applicable not only to regular homes but for commercial establishments as well.
A variation of the steel metal roofing would be the stainless type. This type is a rather expensive roofing material. But then again, it doesn't rust nor corrode at all. So in essence, it provides the utmost longevity in all of the metal roofing line.
2. Aluminum. Popular metal roofing choices also include aluminum. It is more lightweight than steel. It is more popularly used for residential roofing though, than commercial establishments. Although it is slowly gaining popularity in commercial and industrial sites, there are still those who are convinced that aluminum is inferior when it comes to the protection that it can provide.
Being lightweight does not necessarily make the aluminum as unpopular. In fact, architects prefer to use this material as it makes intricate roofing designs easier to do. It comes in a regular silver finish. But whether you are satisfied with silver or want another color, aluminum requires a finish/coating. When painting aluminum, the same coating materials for steel are used.
3. Copper. The best metal roofing for a lot of people is copper. It has been the favorite because of its inherent qualities that provides long-lasting roofing for structures. Experts in construction even agree that copper has a life expectancy that can be measured in centuries. Copper does not peel nor rust over time, even without a finish. Its natural red hue makes it inherently attractive.
The only downside of using copper as a metal roofing material would be its price. Copper can be very expensive. Even so, this material is somewhat soft, which makes it very easy to install. It also weathers naturally. Given that, it has the ability transform its appearance into something similar to a verdigris patina over time.
4. Alloys. Alloys are a combination of one or two metals. This type of material is especially formulated to attain the desired strength, durability, and toughness of a metal to be used as a roofing system. And more often than not, its ability to weather all types of conditions is added into the equation. Alloys can be considered a customized type of metal roofing material. Being so, its cost depends entirely on the material being used. Generally though, this type of roofing material can also be pricey.
This variety of roofing materials give homebuilders and establishment-owners options that they can choose from. Each structure has its own requirement. Each metal roofing material has its own feature to answer that requirement. Just find the right match and your roofing will be there for you through any weather.
