When choosing what kind of roof your home will have, you’ll be faced with a wide variety of options. Metal roofing, in particular, has risen in popularity for the excellent protection it provides, the minimal maintenance it requires, and its long-lasting qualities. Among metal roofs, there are four primary types of metals used as roofing materials: Copper, Aluminum, Steel, and Zinc. Each type of metal has its own pros and cons and, depending on your location and environment, can change which metal would work best for your roof. Let’s dive deeper into each of these different types of metal roofs.
Copper
Copper is one of the best materials to use for roofing and has been for centuries. It is an extremely long-lasting metal lasting over 200+ years in ideal environments. Copper also works well as a green roof option, as the roofs are 100% recyclable. One of its major cons, though, is the cost. It is the most expensive of the roofing materials, rivaling only Zinc which carries a similar price point. But even with its high price tag, you will still get what you paid for.
Copper roofs are extremely durable. It is one of the softest metals but performs better than a harder metal that might break under large enough hailstones. Copper won’t break, but the hailstones may dent it, affecting the aesthetic value. Copper is resistant to fire, mildew, pets, hail damage, and many other common forms of damage. Copper is also fairly lightweight, so it won’t put a lot of stress on the structure of your home. It does tend to expand and contract with swings in temperatures, though this can be controlled with the proper panel or shingle.
At a Glance Pros and Cons
Pros
- extremely long-lasting
- 100% recyclable
- durable
- lightweight
Cons
- most expensive roofing option
- can expand/contract with swings in temperatures
- a soft metal that can be dented by hailstones which affect the aesthetic value
Aluminum
Aluminum is a highly reactive metal that almost instantly reacts to atmospheric conditions. But it’s this reaction that actually protects the metal so well. It is also the lightest roofing material, as its malleable form can be easily configured into different profiles for use in different home designs.
Aluminum sits between Copper and steel when it comes to material cost. As a commodity, its price range fluctuates depending on the market. And because of that cost, Aluminum panels are often much thinner than Steel panels, which can result in the panels being too thin for their surroundings. This can damage the roofing material in regions with hail, high winds, or strong environmental stresses.
At a Glance Pros and Cons
Pros
- Highly recommended for use in coastal climates
- Long-lasting
- The lightest roofing material, malleable, easily configured into different profiles for use in different designs
- It has a higher resistance to salt corrosion when compared to other types of metal roofing materials
Cons
- A highly active metal, almost instantly reacting to atmospheric conditions
- While it can offer better protection against corrosion, it’s almost more expensive than comparable solutions that use Aluminum as a coating
Steel
Steel’s primary advantage over the other roofing materials is its flexibility of use and cost. Steel has become the primary solution for residential and commercial projects because it is much more inexpensive than other metals. Steel is also an incredibly green building material, as it is the most recycled material on the planet. Another advantage of steel is that it is among the hardest metal options, so it can be used in most weather environments, working well in hail and high winds. It is a preferred roofing solution in hail-prone and mountain regions with high snow volumes.
On its own, it has less corrosion resistance than other metals and weighs more than Aluminum or copper roofing. This would create more of a load on your house that can cause stress to the structure. And while it does have a lengthy lifetime, it won’t last as long as Copper, Zinc, or Aluminum.
Three primary ‘Steel Roof’ types are Galvanized, Galvalume, and Weathering Steel.
- Galvanized Steel
- To extend the life of a steel panel, Galvanized Steel is created by using a layer of Zinc. This extra layer protects the inner layer of steel from corrosion and slows the corrosion process. This is the most common form of Steel roofing materials.
- Galvalume Steel
- Similar to Galvanized, Galvalume uses Zinc, but instead of a primarily Zinc coating, it uses a combination of Zinc and Aluminum. The Aluminum is better at protecting against corrosion than Galvanized Steel and creates a more uniform appearance with its smaller, smoother spangles. And thanks to the inclusion of Aluminum, Galvalume offers better surface protection but can be vulnerable to cut edges or scratches.
- Weathering Steel
- Weathering Steel is a form of steel originally designed for use in bridge construction and other heavy steel industries. It has an outer layer of steel that was designed to rust intentionally, protecting the inner steel layer. It works similarly to Aluminum’s patina process, but the process takes far longer with Weathering Steel. Due to it rusting intentionally, it was not designed to be used as a structural solution. It is often used in accent roofs, with the understanding of the need for regular maintenance.
At a Glance Pros and Cons
Pros
- Least expensive metal
- 100% recyclable
- Durability
Cons
- Less Corrosion Resistance
- Greater Weight
- Lifespan
Zinc
Zinc is an amazing material, as it can stay strong for over 100 years and use its patina to heal scratches over time. It is also malleable and can be easily formed or manipulated into amazing shapes. However, as it is a soft metal, it can be easily damaged by high winds or hail, depending on the shingle or panel size.
There are two main downsides to using Zinc. One is its cost. Similar to Copper, Zinc is not cheap, being one of the most expensive roofing materials. It also requires expert installation to properly use its advantages as a building material. The other downside is the chalking effect that Zinc has, so the downside is purely from an aesthetic point of you. A chalk residue is often left in areas where water flows, and most people find that unappealing.
At a Glance Pros and Cons
Pros
- long-lasting
- The ability of its patina to heal scratches over time
- malleable
Cons
- The chalking effect of Zinc
- Zinc is not cheap–often comparable to Copper
- Requires expert installation to properly use its advantages as a building material
Between the four types of metals, there is a roofing style that will complement your style and provide the curb appeal that you are looking for. There is almost no limit to what can be designed for your roof, so your home can be uniquely yours. No matter which type of metal you choose, your roof will be in good hands with Elite Services and Roofing. We are the Utah metal roofing experts – our roofs will keep you and your family safe and happy for years to come.
