If you are picking out a new roof for your building, then you know that there are a lot of different options out there. To help you narrow down your choices and make a more informed decision, here is an overview of metal roofing, one of the most popular roofing types today:
What kinds of metals are used in metal roofing?
- Galvanized Steel - This is one of the cheapest and most common metal roofing materials. In general, galvanized steel roofs are covered in a layer of zinc, which helps the steel resist rust and corrosion. This layer of zinc is especially important if you live in an area that gets a lot of rain or snow.
- Aluminum - One of the lightest metal roofs, aluminum roofs are also a little on the weaker side. If you live in an area that gets incredibly strong winds or tornadoes, then you might want to think about getting a sturdier, heavier roof. However, aluminum roofs do reduce the stress on the supports of the house quite a bit. If your ceiling does collapse, then an aluminum roof will do quite a bit less damage than a tile or steel roof.
- Copper - If you want a beautiful metal roof and are willing to shell out some extra cash, then a copper roof might be right up your alley. Copper is quite malleable, which means that a professional craftsman can shape your roof to fit your tastes. On top of that, it doesn't require any extra coating to prevent rust.
- Stainless Steel - Similarly expensive is stainless steel, which also has the benefit of being immune to rust and corrosion. If you like the look of steel, but are interested in vigilant maintenance, then stainless steel could be your best bet.
What makes metal roofs unique?
There are a couple of things that separate metal roofs from other materials.
- First of all, metal roofs have a tendency to expand and contract during big temperature fluctuations. Normally, this isn't a problem, but if your house has improper insulation and sealing, then this could end up undoing a lot of the work that your HVAC systems do.
- Second, metal roofs are installed in large sheets. This makes it quite a bit harder to modify a small section of a metal roof than it might be to change a couple shingles or tiles on another roof. If you do want to make a change to your metal roof, you will either need to call a pro or replace a huge section of your roof.
- Finally, metal roofs are much more malleable than other roofs. This means that large objects can leave large deformations and dents in your metal roof if they hit it hard enough. While dents might be preferable to shingles shattering, it can take a decent amount of time and money to correct such dents.