With so many options present today, it can be tricky to choose which metal roof is good for your home. Right from elegant copper to inventive steel, all metal roofing materials come with their own unique benefits. However, depending on your location and environment, you should select the material feasible for you. While aluminum roofs are great for resisting salty in beachy areas, steel looks amazing in city houses. Check out some of the options available along with their pros and cons:
Copper roofing- advantages and disadvantages
Regarded as the grandfather of metal roofing, copper roofs have been around for centuries. It is an extremely durable material and is recommended for all environments. It can last more than 200 years. It is fully recyclable and thus comes as a green roof option.
Being a soft metal, it is quiet and noise-proof. However, because of its soft nature, it is prone to dents during hail or rain. But it makes the metal perform better than the other hard metals.
It only has one flaw that is its tendency to expand and contract. While it can be controlled with proper installation and the right panel selection, it is important to be cautious when choosing this metal.
Aluminum roofing- advantages and disadvantages
Aluminum roofs are recommended for coastal climates. This is because of its resistance to salt corrosion in comparison to the other metal types. If you reside in a location with high winds, hail or other environmental stresses, it can withstand these conditions.
However, it has only one downside and that it is quite expensive, more than steel and less than copper.
Zinc roofing- advantages and disadvantages
Zinc is a great metal as it can last for over 100 years and use its coating to heal dents over time. It is one of the most preferred metal roofing materials for commercial projects. You can consider zinc as the greenest metal to be used in roofing. It is 100% recyclable and available in all local markets.
The only downside is that if you look from the aesthetic point of view, it can cause a chalking effect which a number of homeowners find unappealing.
Steel roofing- advantages and disadvantages
Steel roofing is one of the most common metal roofing materials. It is used for residential buildings as well as commercial sites. It is 100% recyclable and is the least expensive compared to the other metals. This makes it an affordable and available metal for roofing in comparison to the other. You can choose from the three types of steel roof options available, galvanized, galvalume and weathering steel.
Steel roofing has made great progress and can now mimic zinc, copper and other costly metal roofing materials. It comes with long warranties and isn’t prone to quick damages. One of the major benefits of steel over other materials is its price and flexibility of use. It is also the hardest metal option and can withstand the toughest weather conditions.
So, you can go through the advantages and disadvantages of all the materials and then make a selection for your metal roofing.
