5 Best Metal Roofing Materials For Your Home

There are numerous Metal Roofing Products in the market, each claiming to be superior to the others. With so many different types of scalloped metal roofing products for homes, you would indeed be right in assuming that they are all similar, with comparable advantages and disadvantages. However, due to the need for a diverse range of roofing requirements, different types of Metal Roofing Products are available on the market.

But to the uninitiated, things might seem a bit daunting to explore all of the various types of Metal Roofing Products. Hence, in this particular article, we dissect the numerous advantages and disadvantages of the five most popular and feasible Metal Roofing Products in the market. So read on as we discuss the “5 Best Metal Roofing Materials For Your Home”.

Types of Metal Roofing Materials

1. Copper — Extremely durable, soft, and with a low melting point.

2. Aluminum — Long-lasting and resistant to salt water corrosion.

3. Zinc — Extremely long-lasting, corrosion-resistant, and has the lowest melting point.

4. Steel — comes in three varieties: galvanized, galvalume, and weathering steel (Corten)

5. Tin — Although it was commonly used to refer to steel prior to World War II, it is no longer in use in the roofing industry today.

Metal roofing is frequently referred to as the “Cadillac of Roofing.” This comparison may be unflattering depending on your opinion of that particular manufacturer. In reality, a metal roof refers to a category of eco-friendly products for roofing rather than a specific product. Also, there are metal roofing products from many manufacturers, the leading ones being ATAS metal roofing shingles and Decra roofing tiles. 

In this article, we shall see the best five metal roofing products on the market, along with the pros and cons of each material, profile, and source. Also, we’ll see how metal roofing, as a sustainable building material, qualifies for eco-friendly roofing. So let’s have a look.

#1. Copper roofing

Copper roofing has been extensively used in the roofing industry all over the world for centuries.

Copper, known for its beautiful appearance, gives your structure a fantastic, one-of-a-kind appearance. Copper can be formed into a variety of roofing materials such as tiles, shingles, panels, and sheets, so regardless of the size or style of the project you’re working on (or if it’s your beloved roof in the house), copper can always be used to form a Metallic Roof.

Copper comes in different styles for roofing, including:

• Copper Tiles

• Copper Shingles

• Copper Panels

• Copper Sheets

Advantages Of Copper Roofing Panels

• Attractive and aesthetic

• Durable and long-lasting

• Corrosion Resistant

• Lightweight

• Easy to install

• Traditional in appearance

• Longer lifespan than asphalt shingles

• Lighter than authentic slate

• Less expensive than authentic slate

• Lighter than clay tiles

• Less expensive than clay tiles

Disadvantages Of Copper Roofing Materials

• Expensive

• Denting

• Less Availability

#2. Aluminum roofing and its average cost

When installing a roof near the coast, aluminum roofing is an excellent choice. Aluminum roofing is an excellent choice for a variety of construction projects, including home and business installation. One example is aluminum.

One of the most abundant metals on the planet, which is why it is frequently used for a variety of applications.

Advantages of Aluminium Roofing:

• Extremely sensitive to climate, temperature, and environment.

• Corrosion and rust resistance.

• Aluminum being the extremely light metal that it is, makes its products much easier to handle and assemble. 

• Energy-efficient – an aluminum roof can absorb and retain heat, which helps to keep your home warm.

• Easily recyclable – ideal long-life material

• Malleable – can be easily formed into a variety of styles such as shingles, tile, stone, clay, or wood.

Cons of Aluminium Roofing:

• Aluminum is a soft material that dents easily due to its malleable benefits.

• Aluminum roofing can be more expensive than other metal roof tiles due to its corrosion resistance.

• If an aluminum roof is not treated or coated, it can fade and discolor.

• Aluminum roofing may necessitate more maintenance than steel roof sheets.

Aluminum is a mid-range roofing material in terms of cost, making it an affordable option for residential and commercial installations. The cost of aluminum roofing varies depending on its size, style, thickness, and length. However, the average price of aluminum per square meter can range between £40 and £75.

#3. Zinc roofing and its average cost

Zinc, like copper, can be used to make a variety of roofing panels, each of which could offer a unique aesthetic and bewitching designs.

Zinc can be formed in a variety of ways, including corrugated metal roofing that is designed to last. Zinc material has grown in popularity among builders and architects due to its appealing appearance and durability.

Copper and zinc roofing have similar advantages, such as reacting to the environment and changing colors and properties due to the patination process.

Advantages of Zinc Roofing:

• Because zinc is a widely available element, it can be used in a variety of roofing applications.

• Longevity – If properly installed and maintained, zinc can last between 60 and 100 years.

• Unlike tiles or shingles, a zinc metal roofing panel, like other types of metal, may help your home save energy by absorbing the heat of the sun.

• Zinc, like copper, reacts to moisture and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to form a protective layer of zinc carbonate, which helps to prevent corrosion of the roof.

Cons of Zinc Roofing:

• Zinc roofing is one of the priciest roofing materials to buy and install.

• Requires maintenance over time to keep it looking good.

• The underside of the panel should have an anti-corrosion coating.

• After the zinc has been patinated, chalking may occur in areas where water runs off the roof. The white lines that are left behind can be unsightly.

Cost of Zinc Roofing:

Zinc is considered a more expensive roofing material, with costs averaging around £100 per square meter currently.

#4. Stainless Steel Roofing

When it comes to metal roofing, stainless steel tends to rule the market. Iron is used to make steel.

And carbon, resulting in a strong metal alloy that can be rolled into a variety of lengths, widths, and profiles.

In fact, you can also repurpose stainless steel roofing shingles as SIP panel home kits for additional safety of your home. Also, they can make an ideal recycled material for roofing. 

Steel comes in three varieties that are used in various situations, including:

1. Galvanised Steel – Galvanised steel is made with a zinc layer. The zinc extends the life of the sheet by protecting the inner layers of the steel from corrosion. The most common steel metal roofing on the market is galvanized steel sheet metal and roofing panels.

2. Galvalume Steel — Similar to galvanized steel, but instead of just zinc, galvalume steel coats the steel with zinc metal and aluminum. 

Aluminum zinc safeguards steel against a variety of conditions, notably rust and corrosion.

Galvalume roofing can withstand the elements and provide superior protection due to its aluminum composition. Sheets must be installed with caution because the surface is easily scratched and marked.

3. Weathering Steel — Weathering steel is a metal that has been created and developed for the heavy steel industry and is widely used in construction projects such as bridges.

The outer layer of metal is crafted to corrode and rust, which, whilst seeming counterintuitive, will eventually protect the metal’s interior. Weathering steel is not suitable for structural buildings because it rusts and requires frequent maintenance.

The form of metal roofing you require will be determined by your project, the environment, and your budget. Each type of steel provides a unique set of advantages. However, most steels have the following characteristics:

Advantages of Steel Roofing:

• Resistant to rust and corrosion.

• Steel Roofs are lighter in weight than other Metal Roofing Products in the market and simpler to install.

• One of the most cost-effective metal roofing materials on the market.

• A wide range of colors is available.

• Steel roofing is available in a variety of profiles, including Corrugated Metal, Timeform, and Box Profile.

• It is recyclable.

• Steel materials, unlike other types of roofing panels, are easy to maintain once installed; other than keeping foliage, debris, and branches off, heavy maintenance is not required.

• Steel Roofs are durable and last for several years.

• Longevity – Not easily punctured by hail, people or animals trodding on it, or debris accumulating.

Cons of Steel Roofing:

• If the sheets are not regularly cleaned up of debris or bird droppings, they can become damaged.

• Steel roofing would not last as long as more expensive metal roofing panels if not properly installed.

#5. Tin Roofing and its average cost

When discussing metal roofing, the term “tin roofing” is frequently used. Sheets are made of steel that has been chemically bonded with tin, which helps to keep the roof from cracking and increases its durability. This type of roofing has gradually fallen out of favor.

This is in contrast to steel or aluminum roofs, which are made from the same metal throughout and are still widely used today. While tin is commonly combined with steel, it is frequently compared to aluminum due to its very similar properties.

Advantages of Tin Roofing:

• Lightweight – Tin will not place as much pressure or weight on your framework as a thicker type of metal roofing would.

• Simple to install – Because this metal is lightweight, sheets and panels can be easily installed.

• Corrosion resistance.

• Long-lasting tin sheets or panels can be as durable as steel or aluminum.

Cons of Tin Roofing:

• Tin sheets are rarely used nowadays, and there are few places to buy them.

Cost of Tin Roofing:

• Because a tin roofing panel is no longer a manufactured material, the cost per square meter can range from $4 per square meter to $16 per square meter.

The Final Word

Whilst each one of the five listed Metal Roofing Products has its own set of advantages, in the end, the cost is often the deciding factor. To sum up, copper boasts of the most intricate designs and offers a unique bewitching aesthetic, but it lies on the expensive side (of all other Metal Roofing Products.) Zinc is among the most eco-friendly building materials due to its low melting point, but it, too, like copper, is quite expensive. Aluminum roofs are a great option in coastal areas because they are less expensive than copper or zinc. Steel is the most commonly used material, cheaper and more cost-effective as a metal roofing alternative for property owners and commercial buildings alike; while speaking of tin – it has had its days of glory and fame, but when it comes to roofing in the 21st century, most people think of galvanized steel.

A great way of having the most out of your metal roofing is installing solar roofing shingles atop it, as that will take your home completely off the grid and save you big in terms of energy. 

That’s all for this article, folks! We do hope you liked our article titled “5 Best Metal Roofing Materials For Your Home,” and that it did clear up the various doubts that might have been lingering and overall provided a clearer picture of Metal Roofing Products and options available in the market.

For any questions or curiosities, do reach out to us; we’d be happy to help!