What are the benefits of steel & metal roofing?
Steel and metal roofing is one of the fastest-growing segments of the home improvement industry, with a market share that has more than quadrupled in the last decade. The advantages of today’s metal roofs allow homeowners to upgrade their homes with long-lasting steel and metal materials.
Metal roofs have the following long-term benefits that other roofs:
- Fire resistance
- Low weight helps to maintain structural integrity and durability
- Interlocking panels for maximum wind resistance
- Stunning designs to complement any home or neighbourhood
- Energy efficiency by keeping homes cooler
- Proven performance expectation of 50+ years
5 Types of Metal Roofing Materials
- Copper — Long-lasting, extremely fragile, and with a low melting temperature
- Aluminum — Long-lasting and corrosion-resistant in saltwater
- Zinc — Long-lasting, corrosion-resistant, and has the lowest melting point of any metal.
- Steel — Three variations: galvanized, galvalume, and weathering steel
- Tin — Steel was commonly used before World War II.
The “Cadillac of Roofing” is a term that has been used to describe metal roofing. This analogy may or may not be flattering, depending on how you feel about that particular manufacturer. A metal roof refers to a group of items rather than a single thing. The word doesn’t say if the roof is made of steel, aluminum, zinc, or copper.
There are three primary Steel Roof types: Galvanized, Galvalume, and Weathering Steel
Galvanized Steel – is created by using a Zinc layer to protect an inner layer of steel from corrosion. This coating aids in extending a steel panel’s life and slowing the corrosion process. The most common steel roofing material is galvanized steel.
Galvalume Steel – is similar to Galvanized, but rather than using a primarily Zinc coating, Galvalume uses Aluminum and Zinc. As compared to galvanized steel, aluminum offers more excellent corrosion resistance in some conditions, as well as a smaller, smoother spangle for a more uniform look. Galvalume has more excellent surface protection than galvanized steel, but it is susceptible to cracks and cut edges due to its aluminum properties.
Weathering Steel – is a form of steel that was initially designed for use in heavy steel industries like bridge construction. An exterior layer of steel is purposefully rusted to secure the inner layer. In terms of the patina process, weathering steel roofing is similar to aluminum, but it takes longer. It’s essential to keep in mind that Weathering Steel is built to rust and isn’t intended to be a structural solution for steel roofing. It’s often used in accent roofs or with a good understanding of the rusting process and the need for ongoing maintenance.
Steel is a robust material used for industrial and residential metal roofing because of its wide variety of applications, low cost and availability, and long-term durability.
Merlin’s Roofing has extensive professional expertise in repairing and installing top-quality steel & metal roofs. Learn more about our steel & metal roofing restoration services. For expert installation and professional quality of your steel and metal roofs, Contact us today!