There are many Metal Roof Choices such as copper, aluminum, zinc & more. However, conventional wisdom dictates that a traditional shingle roof is the go to type of roof when dressing up your home.

While asphalt shingles are cheap, there are some notable differences between metal roofing and asphalt shingles. While an asphalt shingle roof will last around 20 years, a metal roof lasts between 40 and 80 years. It also will prove to be a better return on your home investment. Additionally, it’s worth mentioning metal roofs can be environmentally-friendly. Another benefit is they have an increased performance, especially during extreme weather conditions.

Metal Roof Choices: Take Your Pick

Don’t Know Where to Begin? Here are Some Different Types from Which to Choose.

• Copper: Used for centuries around the world, copper is an extremely long-lasting metal. It can last around 200 years. It’s a very soft material making it a “quiet” roofing material. Extreme weather like rain or hail won’t thunder down on the property. While copper can expand and contract with changes in temperature, this can be controlled with the correct panel or shingle.
• Aluminum: If you live in a coastal area, aluminum is your best choice. Aluminum is highly resistant to salt corrosion in comparison to other metal roofs. Aluminum is a very active metal. It will change according to the atmospheric conditions. As a result, that makes it a very protective material. As the outer layer of aluminum reacts with oxygen, this creates aluminum oxide. Consequently, this can protect the inner layers from future corrosion.

• Zinc: If you’re looking for a green metal to go with your environmentally-friendly outlook, zinc is undoubtedly the best. It has a lower melting point than other roofing metals. This means that the processing of zinc as a building material requires a lot less energy in comparison to steel or copper. Zinc is 100% recyclable. If you ever decide to make a change, this won’t impact the planet. Zinc is easily manipulated; it can be transformed into any shape. Arguably, the main downside to zinc is the “chalking” effect which can be to the detriment of the aesthetics. However, this can be controlled by appropriate cleaning methods.
• Steel (One of the Old Favorites):  As steel is one of the most common building materials, this is part and parcel of the vast majority of residential buildings. Steel is comprised of three different types: galvanized, galvalume, and weathering. Overall, steel is very flexible in its uses and cost-effective. There’s a reason why steel is used on a vast scale. Steel is highly recyclable and can work well in all weathers.
  • Galvanized: This is the most common form of roofing material and is created by using a layer of zinc. This protects the inner layer of steel from corroding. As such, this will extend the life of any panel of steel and minimize the corrosion process over time.
  • Galvalume: Galvalume steel is similar to galvanized steel. It uses aluminum as well as zinc to help protect the roofing against corrosion in specific environments. This has an advantage over galvanized steel and makes for a better appearance by providing a smoother spangle. In terms of maintenance and surface protection, galvalume is better than galvanized. It can still suffer from scratches or cut edges.
  • Weathering (The Strongest of the Steels): Originally, it was used in industries like bridge construction. The inner layer of steel is protected. The outer layer is designed to rust on purpose which can affect your decision-making process. As such, it’s not always used as a structural solution in terms of steel roofing. If you have a house that demands an accent roof, this could be your best option. That being said, it’s a very different material than it was years ago. It can be used to mimic copper or zinc, as well as other expensive metal roofs. This is all down to the painting systems, and as such, it’s an ideal choice for restoring a property.
• Tin (Rarest Metal Roofing): Like copper or zinc, tin is an element. When aluminum became the standard for containers instead of tin, it was seldom used as a building material afterward. These days, tin is referred to by roofers as galvanized steel. While it’s not used these days, it’s a material that you can request for a roof but it’s a rare choice.

Each type of metal has its own advantage. It usually comes down to the cost but keep each factor in mind. Copper is generally the most appealing from an aesthetic perspective. Zinc is environmentally friendly, is the most used steel roof and is the least expensive material.

Each one has its use and it’s your choice as to the best one to fit your needs. If you have any questions about metal roof choices, give us a call, shoot us an email or fill out our contact form by visiting our contact page. We’ve been in the roofing business since 1996.