Metal Roofs
Why Choose Metal Roofing
More residential homeowners are turning to metal for their long-term roofing solutions. No longer just for commercial projects, metal roofing provides better durability and energy efficiency than shingles or tile over the lifetime of a roof.
A metal roof is a long-lasting, low maintenance alternative to traditional asphalt shingles. While asphalt shingles may have lower upfront costs, they are vulnerable to shrinking, eroding, and cracking, especially in regions of the country where they’re exposed to extreme weather conditions. Even when properly maintained and repaired, the life expectancy of asphalt shingles is significantly less than metal.
Residential metal roofing is becoming increasingly popular with homeowners. Its reputation as a durable, environmentally friendly, and energy-efficient option has made it the preferred choice for consumers wanting to escape the cost and inconvenience of frequent shingle replacement.
Metal roofing can last 50 or more years with minimal maintenance or repairs. When designed accordingly, they can withstand wind gusts of up to 140 miles per hour and will not corrode or crack due to seasonal weather conditions. A metal roof is also fire resistant and energy efficient, reducing your cooling costs by 10-25%. A metal roof isn’t even any noisier than a conventional roof when it rains.
Because your metal roof is built to last several decades, deciding which is best for your home can be challenging.
Today, there are many different metal roofing materials, styles, and colors to choose from, and it can feel overwhelming to know where to start. The metal roofing information below gives you an overview of metal roofing so you can better understand your options.
Metal Roofing Materials
Metal roofs come in different materials and styles. Your choice will affect your roof’s longevity, appearance, and cost. The type of metal a metal roof is made of can affect its appearance, longevity, installation, and maintenance requirements. In today’s market, you have four basic choices (see below).
Steel Roofing
One of the most commonly used materials for metal roofing today, steel is both durable and affordable. It’s sold in various gauges, and while thinner gauges are less expensive, they may not last as long as thicker options.
Thinner gauges also come in corrugated and ribbed metal roofing panels to increase strength.
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Galvanized steel has a zinc coating to help extend durability and protect the steel from corrosion.
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Galvalume steel is made of a combination of zinc, steel, and aluminum.It resists corrosion more effectively than galvanized steel, and it’s also one of the least expensive metal roof options
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Stainless steel is the sturdiest type of steel used for metal roofs, which works well in extreme weather conditions. It is the most expensive type of steel metal roof.
Aluminum Roofing
Aluminum is lightweight and malleable, making it easy to work with and install. It won’t rust or corrode and is often used in coastal areas, as it’s better at resisting corrosion from the sea salt spray. When it does corrode, it doesn’t rust but rather forms a hard oxide film that actually provides additional protection.
Aluminum is highly recyclable but is in the mid to high price point for material costs. It is more prone to denting when compared to steel, and usually has fewer color options. It also expands and contracts about twice as much as a steel roof, which means installers need to give it more room.
Lastly, it’s typically painted to help cover the metal color changes that occur over time.
Zinc Roofing
Zinc roofing is popular in Europe, but it’s only recently gaining ground in the U.S. As one of the most environmentally friendly options—it requires relatively little energy to process and is 100 percent recyclable—it’s also very long-lasting, from 60 to 100 years or more.
Zinc is highly corrosion-resistant. As it ages, it develops a surface patina that helps seal in areas of damage, extending the life of the roof. It is also a soft metal and can be easily shaped into different profiles.
However, zinc is expensive, and needs an underside coating to prevent corrosion underneath the panels. It also requires adequate ventilation and room to expand and contract during heating and cooling cycles.
Copper Roofing
Copper, the longest-lasting metal material, can create a striking appearance. It begins with a reddish bronze hue and then, as it ages, develops a green patina. It works well in various climates and is lightweight and malleable. Though not as recyclable as zinc, it can be recycled and reused as long as it’s still in good condition.
However, copper is often the most expensive option, as the metal is less abundant than the other options. It needs room to expand and contract and doesn’t interact well with other metal products, which can limit the engineering options for installation.
Metal Roofing Styles & Designs
Metal roofing comes in a variety of styles and designs that contribute to the stability and durability of the roof, as well as the aesthetics of a home. Below are the types of metal roofing we install..
Standing Seam Metal Roofing (Also Called Vertical Seam)
Standing seam roofs are made of flat and vertical sheets that interlock to achieve a sleek and streamlined appearance, with no exposed fasteners. The sheets are typically made of steel but may also be made of aluminum or copper that requires little maintenance and is very long-lasting
Stone-Coated Metal Roofing
This is also a steel metal roof, but the panels are coated with stone granules so they look the same as conventional roofing materials like asphalt shingles, clay tile, and wood shake. They provide all the benefits of a metal roof without compromising traditional style.
The stone coating can also increase the ability of the roof to reflect the sun, boosting energy efficiency. And unlike other metal roofs that can be noisy when it rains, stone-coated roofs have a sound-absorbing cushion.
Metal Shingles, Shakes, Tiles, and Slate
If you’re looking for a more traditional look, you may also want to consider these options:
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Metal Shingle: The metal is pre-formed into shingles that look like asphalt shingles but last longer.
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Metal Shake: A premium alternative to wood shake, these mimic the look of wood but are more durable and longer lasting.
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Metal Tile: Standard tile roofs can be costly and heavy. Metal tile creates the look of stone tile with the lightness and longevity of steel.
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Metal Slate: If you like the look of slate but don’t like the cost, you can choose metal slate, which is made to mimic the real thing but costs and weighs less.