5 Types of Metal Roofing in Winston
Metal roofing is a broad phrase encompassing a wide range of color, size, style, and material options. However, there are more varieties of metal roofing materials than you may realize if you’re interested in getting a metal roof.
A metal roof is a durable and low-maintenance option. A metal roof offers a variety of benefits to homeowners, including inexpensive maintenance and a long lifespan. While each material is technically a variety of metal, the roofs we’ll explore in this post are all various types of materials for metal roofing.
Different Types Of Metal Roofing
- Copper Roofing
- Aluminum Roofing
- Zinc Roofing
- Stainless Steel Roofing
- Lead Roofing
Copper Roofing
Copper is a type of metal that is recognized for its durability all over the world. Only a f ew other type of metals can compete with the amount of time it can last in Winston-Salem, NC. The roofing industry generally agrees on a lifespan of 60 to 100 years, and this is without significant levels of maintenance and repairs to extend its lifespan.
Copper roofing is noted for its eye-catching, one-of-a-kind appearance. Over time, the copper will change color, shifting from new penny-like copper to a blue-green or brown patina. The patina will change with the climate in which it is exposed.
Benefits:
Attractive – Copper is popular for various reasons, one of which is its stunning and varied look. When copper patinas change color over time, the natural color variation resulting from this process gives each copper roof its distinct character.
Resistant to Corrosion – Copper is resistant to corrosion due to the natural process that changes it from a gleaming penny to a blue color. The protective layer that forms when copper is exposed to moisture and patinas prevents it from rusting.
Long Lifespan – Almost any other type of roofing will outlast copper roofing. Copper roofs are known to survive hundreds of years, so that you can expect yours to last at least 60 to 100 years. In reality, there are prominent historical structures worldwide with copper roofing that demonstrate copper can stand the test of time.
Aesthetics – copper creates a unique aspect at the top of your home and is always fashionable.
Low maintenance – it’s a long-lasting substance that doesn’t require special care.
Disadvantages:
Less Availability – Copper roofing is more difficult to come by than metal roofing. This is due to the fact that it is an expensive material to stock. In many cases, it will have to be ordered mainly for your project, which will cause your project to be delayed.
Denting – Because copper is a lighter metal, it can be dented by hail or other debris, reducing its aesthetic value. The most typical copper thicknesses are 16 ounces and 20 ounces.
If you’re going to spend this much money on a copper roof, we recommend opting for a 20-ounce copper. It will cost you roughly 25% extra to upgrade from 16-ounce copper to 20-ounce copper. It is, however, a superior product that will be less prone to oil canning and will be more resistant to hail and denting.
Expensive – When you’re on a budget, copper isn’t the best roofing material to use. This type of metal roofing is one of the more expensive options available.
Aluminum Roofing
Don’t be fooled by the fact that aluminum is the lightest roofing material available. Aluminum roofing is still a durable option. Aluminum has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than the other metals commonly used for roofing. This means you can have the same level of strength or more without using a hefty material that is more difficult to work with during installation.
Benefits:
Energy-efficient – During the winter, they keep the heat in and reflect the heat during the summer.
Malleable – Aluminum is a flexible metal that can be easily shaped into various shapes. This allows you to choose from a variety of designs.
Corrosion-resistant – Aluminum roofing will provide you with decades of high-quality service. This sort of roofing will not be damaged by powerful hailstorms or rain.
Lightweight – The lightest roofing material is aluminum. A lightweight roof is useful since it puts less stress on your home’s structure compared to heavy metals.
Disadvantages:
Less Availability and Color Options – Aluminum roofing is more difficult to purchase. Aluminum roofing prices will be affected by a shortage of supply. This sort of metal is available from a smaller number of suppliers and distributors. Though it isn’t impossible to buy, but you will have fewer possibilities.
Because aluminum is less popular than metal, there will be fewer color options. It will be accessible if you desire a very simple shade. For example, you may have a challenge if you like a specific shade of blue. Only one or two blue colors may be available in aluminum metal.
Zinc Roofing
Zinc is around the same price as copper, but it will be much more expensive if the project is tiny. Due to a limitation of supply, shipping expenses on a small project may be higher than the roofing materials. Steel roofing is at least three times more expensive than zinc roofing.
Zinc shingles are similar to copper shingles in appearance. It has a lovely look that will eventually tarnish and alter the color. The majority of today’s zinc roofing panels are pre-patinated or have yet to develop their protective layer, which alters the zinc’s appearance.
Benefits:
Long Lifespan – A zinc roof can last for 80 to 100 years or more, just like copper. You won’t have to worry about putting on another roof after finishing this one.
Corrosion Resistant – Its patina also protects the zinc from corrosion. The zinc roof is kept from corroding by the surface coatings that forms.
Disadvantages:
Chalking – When zinc patinas and transforms to its blue/gray tint, a powdery deposit can form in spots where water flows off the roof. These white streaks are often thought to be unappealing.
Limited Availability – Zinc roofing panels are the most hardest to obtain. In the Winton-Salem, NC, there are only a few manufacturers.
Stainless Steel Roofing
Steel is a composite material made up of iron and other elements. Metal roofing has long been used on commercial structures, but it is increasingly gaining appeal in residential homes due to its affordability, durability, and ease of maintenance.
Stainless steel roofing is unrivaled when it comes to standing the test of time and defending against the otherwise unavoidable wear and tear. It’s a super-light structure that’s also low-maintenance, and you can even match the stainless-steel cladding and guttering!
Benefits:
Low Maintenance – A steel roof requires such little care once it is done, especially when compared to other types of roofing. steel roofing operates best when leaves, branches, and debris are removed from the roof. All you have to do is wash the roof once a year and examine it once a year or after significant weather occurrences. Compared to other types of roofing, this one requires very little maintenance.
Self-repairing – steel roofing prevents itself from decaying or developing mildew problems. It is also resistant to termite and rodent infestation. The strength of a steel roof makes it resistant to cracking, chipping, and warping. It can endure gale force winds of up to 140 mph and collisions from falling items.
Cost Effectiveness – The least expensive among the five types of metal roofing materials is steel roofing. It will be 35% cheaper than aluminum and 13% cheaper than copper or zinc.
Disadvantages:
Style – Steel panels have a minimal number of design alternatives. Most steel roofs are constructed from 2 or 3-foot broad steel panels that are either smooth with vertical seams or ribbed with little ridges. Metal shingles are available from some suppliers, but they are extremely costly.
Expensive – The purchase price of steel roofing is perhaps its most significant downside. This first investment can be harder to quantify. Metal roofing panels are difficult to disprove due to their extended lifespan; they will cost less in the long run.
Lead Roofing
Lead roofing is a classic roofing solution that has been established to be incredibly reliable in the business for hundreds of years. Due to its durability and resilience to different degrees of weather conditions, it is reasonable to conclude that lead has proven to be the most suitable material for roofing. It can also be easily molded.
Sand cast lead roofing, in particular, is appropriate for older structures such as churches or historical renovations, whereas milled lead roofing is a mass-produced alternative that is employed for precision and accuracy in both residential and commercial buildings.
Benefits:
Low Maintenance – A metal roof requires such little care once it is done, especially when compared to other types of roofing. Metal roofing operates best when leaves, branches, and debris are removed from the roof. All you have to do is wash the roof once a year and examine it once a year or after significant weather occurrences. Compared to other types of roofing, this one requires very little maintenance.
Self-repairing – Metal roofing prevents itself from decaying or developing mildew problems. It is also resistant to termite and rodent infestation. The strength of a metal roof makes it resistant to cracking, chipping, and warping. It can endure gale force winds of up to 140 mph and collisions from falling items.
Cost Effectiveness – The least expensive among the five types of metal roofing materials is metal steel roofing. It will be 35% cheaper than aluminum and 13% cheaper than copper or zinc.
Disadvantages:
Extremely toxic – highly poisonous and can contaminate a liquid, including water. It will degrade over time and has the potential to poison the water accumulated. After that, the water can be transferred to other natural areas that rely on it.
Infestation – Mold infestations are common on lead roofs. Algae can cause lead roofs to bend, break, or corrode.
Weight – Due to its density and weight, lead puts more stress on a house or building than any other roofing material. And this could have negative consequences for the structure, such as growing cracks in the foundation.
Each of the materials we discussed has its own distinct appearance and style. Your unique preference will determine which option is ideal for you. When it comes to durability, you can’t go wrong with any sort of metal roofing. To ensure that your installation is done correctly, we always recommend hiring a professional. Get a free estimate by contacting us today.