Aluminum is one of the most common metal roofing across the United States. You’ll see it on both residential and commercial property. Those who have installed it agree that it’s a reliable option and it’s in a variety of designs that make each home unique. Longevity is perhaps the biggest benefit of this roofing product. You can enjoy more than three decades out of a single installation. If you live in the coastal regions along the Atlantic like most Florida homes, then aluminum is the ideal choice. Even in such corrosive environments, this metal roof still doesn’t rust easily.

On the other hand, the prices can be prohibitive for most people. Their installation costs can range anywhere from $15,500 to 28,000, which makes aluminum one of the most costly options you’ll find on the market. If you are looking for minimal labor costs, contact us at Tornado Roofing to get the best deals in the roofing world.

Copper has been used as a roofing material for centuries and remains to be a top choice for most property owners. Unlike aluminum that lasts for three decades, copper can hit 200+ years in the right environment. You’ll literarily forget about replacing your metal roof if you choose a copper metal roofing material. The icing on the cake is that they are 100% recyclable so your material won’t go to waste when your generations need to replace the roof.

While metal roofs are known for their noise, copper sings a different tune. Because of its soft nature, its noise is very minimal. With modern insulated roofing, you’ll barely hear any noise from this roofing product. Plus, it cannot be punctured like other metal roofs when strong hail hits.

Ironically, the downfall of copper lies in its softness. If your area is prone to hailstones, your roof will easily get dents whenever it rains. And this will lower the beauty of your home. Also, you must get an expert copper roofer to install your roof because this roofing material expands and contracts with weather changes. This requires proper paneling to get this tendency under control. Another disadvantage is their extremely costly installation. A full installation can cost between $23,000 and $48,000, which is way above other roofing options.

Steel Metal Roofing

Steel comes in three options; galvanized steel, galvalume steel, and weathering steel. This is so because steel is an alloy of iron and other elements that rust when exposed to moisture. The steel metal is covered with a coat of another metal to help manage the corrosion.

• Galvanized steel is the most common residential metal roofing steel you’ll see around. It has a zinc coating that helps to slow down corrosion and extend the life of your roof.
• Galvalume steel has no big difference from the galvanized steel. Instead of a zinc coating, it has a combination of zinc and aluminum as the coating. With aluminum as part of the sheeting, you get a more uniform looking product with reduced sparkle. The aluminum also protects the surface better against corrosion but it’ll be easier to scratch and cut.
• Weathering steel is not a common roofing product because its original intent was for heavy steel construction. Instead of zinc or aluminum as the outer coating, it uses steel which is intentionally put there to rust and protect the inner layer of steel. So if you are going to use weathering steel as a roofing product, you should be prepared to regularly maintain it. You can use it as an accent roofing solution.

Advancements in roofing technology make roofing with steel a great option. You can use a special type of paint to mimic other roofing products. Steel is a flexible roofing product, allowing you to use it as you deem right. Like copper, steel is also recyclable, making it an ideal choice for those who are eco-conscious. And because they are readily available, the installation costs are also lower compared to other metal roofing materials.

Steel roofs are very durable and can withstand hail and harsh weather conditions, including heavy winds. That’s why they are common in mountain areas with high snowing. When it comes to buying costs, you can get steel at $3 per square foot. With proper installation, you can reduce your cooling costs by up to 25%.

You probably know tin as a canning material if you have been around long enough. You might never see tin as a roofing product in the US cities but roofers in rural America have attempted to roof with it. They take the cans and flatten them into sheets that they then use as a roofing product. But since aluminum has replaced tin in the canning world, it’s becoming rare and roofers can only imagine its possible application in the future.

Unlike tin, zinc is a common metal roofing product. The reason zinc is loved so much is its ability to be shaped and designed as the installer wishes. Besides, it possesses unique self-healing properties that allow it to get back to shape after scratches and damage. That is a save on repair costs in the long run if you install zinc. In addition, this metal roof is resistant to corrosion and so won’t rust over time. As if that’s not enough, zinc is also highly recyclable, making it an eco-friendly roofing option.

How long can a zinc roof last? 100 years or more. All this time yet low maintenance needs, zinc roofing material is a win for any property owner. So why is it not on most homes when it has all these benefits? The cost could be the reason. It’s the second most expensive metal roofing material on our list after copper. You’ll have to spend at least $1000 per square foot of roofing with zinc.

Zinc is readily available because the production process is less hectic compared to copper and aluminum. It’s also soft. This feature also contributes to its disadvantage because it damages easily during hailstones. If you are considering installing a zinc metal roof, it’d be better if you consult with a roofing expert to inform you how well zinc roofs perform

If you are choosing from a metal roof or shingle roof for your property, you want it properly installed to enjoy all the benefits metal roofing can offer. You’ll need to choose among the types of metal roofing. You also want to save a few dollars during your installation and you can only achieve this if you have an understanding contractor for your project. Tornado Roofing experts provide quality installations with your needs in check. You can count on us for excellence and cost-effectiveness. Reach out now to get a free quotation for our metal roof services.