Metal roofing has increased its popularity over the years because of its durable material. It’s also fire-resistant, which is ideal for residential properties. When choosing a metal roof, you must consider the appearance of your house for its aesthetic appeal.
There are two types of metal roofs based on appearance including shingles and sheet-like panels.
Shingles
Shingles imitate the features of wood shakes, slate, and Spanish tile. It usually has granulated-stone topcoats to complete the look.
Sheet-like panels
Sheet-like panels have a contemporary and clean appearance. The most common panel is the standing-seam roofing.
Metal roofs can be categorized by the material. Among the types include aluminum, galvalume steel, galvanized steel, and copper.
Aluminum
Aluminum is popular for its lightweight and durable feature. Because it doesn’t corrode, it’s perfect for residential properties near the coastal area. It has a decimal thickness of .023 to .040 thickness.
Galvalume steel
Galvalume steel is very corrosion resistant. However, it’s susceptible to tension bend staining. The staining happens when corrosive elements and moisture permeates the cracks. The result is a stain of rust that can be spread throughout the metallic coating that can lead to deterioration.
Galvanized steel
Galvanized steel has a lower cost than other metals. It can hold paint for a long period and its band-aid rust protective feature preserves the steel from rust. The lifespan of the material depends on the thickness of the metallic coating. The longest lifespan is the G-90 with 0.90 ounces of zinc. It’s important to take note that the amount of zinc refers to the coating and not to the thickness of the steel.
This type of steel is not ideal for coastal areas because it can corrode easily. Yet, it’s an ideal material for residential properties.
Copper
It is the most expensive roofing metal. It’s not ideal to cover the entire residential property because of its cost. Instead, the material is used for windows and dormers because of its elegant look.
The material is widely used for different structures including the following:
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Historic buildings
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Church steeples
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Cupolas
It’s also used as a flashing material but it must not have a contact with aluminum or steel because it can speed up its deterioration. There are other copper types used as an alternative to avoid the problem. Instead of a pure copper, a lead-coated copper is manufactured.
Copper is easy to work because of its soft and malleable material. It is durable and can last for years.
Energy efficient
Apart from considering the materials for the roof, you must also consider its energy-efficiency feature. You can find for roofing materials that use reflective pigment technology so the heat will be reflected away from the roof. The technology also provides insulation during winter.
Using an energy efficient roof helps you to cut down your monthly utility bill by 40%.
The roofing materials today are also eco-friendly because the materials are composed of 30 to 60 percent material. The materials are also 100 percent recyclable.