Metal Roofing has been used on commercial buildings for years, but it is becoming more popular with homeowners in Florida today. When you choose a metal roof, you stand to benefit more than a homeowner installing the regular asphalt shingles. The costs could be high, but the benefits are way more than you could imagine. They’re strong and can survive high winds, hail, hurricanes, and wildfires, are durable – enjoying a life span of over 50 years, are energy-efficient, and when properly installed, they need virtually no upkeep. Let’s explore types of metal roofs and why you should choose either of them to roof your property.
Different Types of Metal Roofing
The term “metal roof” doesn’t describe a specific product. It applies to a whole range of metal roofing options that you can choose from, and each of these, if installed by a professional roofer, like the experts at AWS Roofing, come with benefits you wouldn’t get from any other roofing option. Here are some of the most common materials used in metal roofing.
1. Steel Metal Roofing
This is the strongest, most popular, and typically the least expensive roofing option. It’s durable(average lifespan of 40 years), easily accessible, highly recyclable, works well in hail and high winds, and is an extremely flexible roofing option for commercial and residential properties. Steel is made from iron and other elements that rust when exposed to moisture; that’s why it’s typically covered with a coat of another metal to help manage the corrosion. You have three options to choose from when considering steel metal roofing:
- Galvanized steel: This is the most common form of Steel Roofing material. Galvanized steel is created using a zinc layer to protect an inner layer of steel from corrosion, extending the steel panel’s life. When galvanized metal roofing is installed properly, it has been known to last decades.
- Galvalume steel: Galvalume roofing material combines three of the most important metals used in roofing today— aluminum, zinc, and steel. It combines the rust resistance of aluminum and the toughness and strength of zinc, making it. It also comes in a wide array of different colors, allowing for more versatility when trying to match your roofing to your home or business. One of the significant benefits of choosing a Galvalume metal roof is that it can be retrofitted or re-roofed over your current roof, so no tear-off cost is needed.
- Weathering steel: It isn’t a common roofing product because it was initially intended for heavy steel industries. Instead of coating the outer layer with zinc or aluminum, it contains a steel outer layer intentionally put there to rust, protecting the inner layer of steel. Weathering steel is usually used in accent roofs and should be regularly maintained.
2. Aluminum Metal Roofing
Aluminum is one of the most popular types of metal roofing in residential and commercial properties across the United States. It’s one of the most lightweight roofing materials available, weighing as little as 5lbs per square foot. This is beneficial because it puts minimal stress on your home’s structure as opposed to heavier materials. Aluminum is also malleable and can easily be molded into different profiles, which gives you many designs to choose from.
Longevity is perhaps the most significant benefit of this roofing product. Aluminum roofing is durable, and you can enjoy 30-50 years out of a single installation. The strength to weight ratio is higher for aluminum than the other types of metals used for roofing, so you can be sure it can withstand Florida’s harsh weather conditions.
And because aluminum is corrosion-resistant, the sea salt spray from the water will not affect the aluminum substrate. This makes aluminum roofing the ideal metal roofing for your Florida home. Another plus is that aluminum is in the middle range for material cost, making it more affordable and realistic for many Florida home and business owners.
3. Copper Metal Roofing
Copper has been used as a roofing material for centuries and remains a top choice for most property owners primarily because of its durability. Copper roofing will outlast almost any other type of roofing. You can expect your copper roof to last for 200 years or even more with proper installation. You’ll literarily forget about replacing your metal roof if you choose copper roofing. The icing on the cake is that copper is also soft like aluminum, makes minimal noise, is strong, and can withstand strong winds, storms, and hail.
Copper roofing is known for its incredibly unique and striking appearance. Uncoated, its bright, gleaming shine acquires a protective soft blue-green or brown patina over time. The natural variations in color from this process make the look of each copper roof unique. A protective layer also develops as a by-product of this process, keeping your copper roof from rusting. It’s also worth noting that copper roofs are 100% recyclable, so your material won’t go to waste when you finally have to replace the roof.
Because copper expands and contracts with weather changes, you must hire an expert copper roofer like AWS Roofing to install your roof. If you are looking for affordable labor costs, contact us to get the best deals in the roofing world.
Call The Roofing Professionals
At AWS Roofing, we have more than 30 years of experience installing, repairing, and maintaining metal roofs. Our knowledgeable metal roofing specialists will help you select a metal roof type best suited for home or commercial property within your budget. Contact us today to get a free estimate!
