Metal Roofing Materials: The Pros And Cons Of Each Type - By: Ernest Jarquio, Posted on: 2007-08-28

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. Among all others, steel is the most common metal used for roofs. Steel is a heavy and sturdy type of metal, which also works well with a number of pre-formulated coatings that would protect it from rusts and corrosions. This must be the reason why a lot of manufacturers opt to use steel for roofs. It is a given fact that roofs are subject to different weather conditions such as rains and storms. If the material to be used for roofing is not tolerant of water, then it is not going to last as long as it should.

The most commonly used compounds to protect steel are zinc, epoxy primer, and acrylic. These are also what make steel metal roofing system colorful and attractive. But aside from its looks, the durability that steels possess is enough reason to make it applicable not only to regular homes but for commercial establishments as well.

Durability, more than beauty, makes steel more appealing to homebuilders and building owners. Stainless steel has made plain steel even more appealing. Although this is more expensive, it has a higher capacity to withstand weathering. It lasts longer than the plain counterpart. Because of these, stainless steel has been the metal roofing material of choice for the majority of homeowners.

2. Aluminum. Popular metal roofing choices also include aluminum. It is more lightweight than steel. It is more popularly used for residential roofing though, than commercial establishments. Although it is slowly gaining popularity in commercial and industrial sites, there are still those who are convinced that aluminum is inferior when it comes to the protection that it can provide.

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. More people are convinced though, that copper is the best choice when it comes to metal roofing. Architects and construction experts favor using copper because of it does not rust nor peel. It does not need any type of coating to protect it from corrosion. It also has that natural red hue that makes it ready for installation even without a paint job. Copper, for a lot of people, is the superior material for any metal roofing requirement.

The only downside of using copper as a metal roofing material would be its price. Copper can be very expensive. Even so, this material is somewhat soft, which makes it very easy to install. It also weathers naturally. Given that, it has the ability transform its appearance into something similar to a verdigris patina over time.

4. Alloys. Alloys are a combination of one or two metals. This type of material is especially formulated to attain the desired strength, durability, and toughness of a metal to be used as a roofing system. And more often than not, its ability to weather all types of conditions is added into the equation. Alloys can be considered a customized type of metal roofing material. Being so, its cost depends entirely on the material being used. Generally though, this type of roofing material can also be pricey.

These are the different metal roofing materials available in the market today. Which one of them to pick will depend upon your individual needs as a homebuilder. Just remember to choose according to your budget, your preference, and all the resources you have. If you do so, you'll never go wrong.

Article Source: http://www.southerncaliforniarealestateagent.com/submit-real-estate-articles

The author: Ernest Jarquio's site features informative resources on metal roofing materials and Florida roofing contractors.

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