Metal Roofing Materials: Getting To Know Them
by Ernest Jarquio
Metals come in different compositions and forms. They serve different purposes that fit their qualities, including metal roofing. The more popular metals for roofing include steel, aluminum, copper and alloys. Their characteristics and usefulness will be discussed in this article.
1. Steel. Plain steel as a roofing material has been the most conventional choice in roofing. It is usually coated and/or painted for protection against corrosion. Steel is also a very sturdy metal.
Roofing must be sturdy for it to withstand the elements. It should withstand water during rains and storms. Steel, with the proper protection, can last long without corrosion. Paint and coatings like zinc, epoxy primer, acrylic, among others can protect steel from rust an make it more appealing.
A variation of the steel metal roofing would be the stainless type. This type is a rather expensive roofing material. But then again, it doesn't rust nor corrode at all. So in essence, it provides the utmost longevity in all of the metal roofing line.
2. Aluminum. A popular alternative to steel is aluminum. It can also withstand corrosion but it also needs to be coated and/or painted. Aluminum is fairly affordable making it a well-liked choice for roofing. Because it is extremely lightweight, people tend to think that it is unable to give the protection that their structures need.
But even if it's lightweight, aluminum doesn't easily rust. To achieve this though, it has to be painted or coated so that it sports an additional layer of protection. Aluminum also comes in the regular silver finish. So if you want your aluminum roof to look better or at least match the shade of your home, you have to get them painted after installing them. The materials used for coating aluminum are basically the same as the ones used for steel.
3. Copper. Of all the materials used for metal roofing, copper must be the best choice around. Copper have been used for many centuries when it comes to roofing. This material easily becomes a favorite because it doesn't rust or peel. Unlike steel and aluminum that needs coatings, which incidentally peel over time, copper has that natural red hue. It can go even without a paint job.
The only disadvantage of using copper for your roofing requirement is its hefty cost. Although some would justify that this disadvantage will even out over the years if you take into account maintenance, repairs, and repainting. Copper is also soft that it is easy to install. Also because of this, it is able to transform itself into a verdigris patina through time. This makes it even more attractive when its other metal counterparts are already worn out.
4. Alloys. When metals are mixed to come up with a specific raw material, their outstanding features are also combined. This is the advantage of alloys among other metal roofing materials. The alloy has been gaining popularity as the favorite among structure-builders and designers. Alloys are custom built to address the specific requirements of each structure. When it comes to the cost, it can be very expensive considering the manufacturing and customization that has to be done to produce it. However, even with the high cost of this material, establishments with specific requirements still opt to use it.
This variety of roofing materials give homebuilders and establishment-owners options that they can choose from. Each structure has its own requirement. Each metal roofing material has its own feature to answer that requirement. Just find the right match and your roofing will be there for you through any weather.
Author bio: Ernest Jarquio's site publishes well-researched articles on metal roofing materials and Florida roofing contractors. Don't reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.
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