Metal roofing materials have been in use for many centuries, and all over the world. That’s because metal roofing is sturdy, dependable and long lasting. Metal roofing materials are tough enough to withstand the harshest weather conditions and even the relentless march of time. With innovations in metallurgy, technology and chemistry, an already strong and reliable roofing material became all the more effective.
The upfront cost of installing a metal roof is undoubtedly higher than any other comparable roof material. But when you contrast this against the numerous aesthetic and functional advantages that metal roofing materials have over other options, you begin to understand how the overall cost of installing a metal roof is lesser in the long term. That’s the reason why there is a growing trend towards the use of metal roofing materials for residential buildings and small business offices.
Metal roofing materials are of different types. Each kind of metal roof has unique distinguishing features. By treating the metal surface differently, it is possible to create a dazzling array of colors, textures and appearance, not to mention significantly altering the mechanical properties of the roof material itself to make it more resilient, corrosion-resistant and fire or water proof.
Speaking from an aesthetic standpoint, there is a range and diversity in metal roofs that gives a building its own stylistic distinction coupled with practical benefits. Metal roofing materials are priced according to the geographic locale and specific kind of roof being installed, and costs vary widely from place to place, or based on the style of roofing desired. No two roofs are identical. So to make a fair comparison and choose the right option for your own roof, it is necessary that you invest some time and effort into understanding metal roofing materials better.
Roof Types & Metal Roofing Materials Used For Each
Metal roofing can be of galvanized steel and aluminum shingles on the moderately expensive side, and of copper on the high end. Typically lasting 30 to 100 years, metal roofing is fire resistant, beautiful in appearance, and allows a range of styles and finishes to match any building or decor. The design of metal roofing materials like shingles, such as 4-way interlocking mechanisms, makes them more resistant to wind and weather damage.
Standing seam metal roofs are made of aluminum sheet metal panels. Usually designed with a snow guard system in cold climates to prevent ice slipping off the roof, these roofs are coated with special material that helps keep the roof from accumulating snow drifts and prevent ice dams. They however are quite expensive.
A less costly option is a corrugated roof. These roofs have been used for industrial buildings and storage spaces, as well as farm houses. Corrugated metal roofing material is made of steel of a thin gauge shaped like the letter ‘U’. Modern corrugated steel metal roofing materials are sturdy and stylish enough to be used even in residential buildings.
How To Compare Metal Roofing Materials
Cost is a term that in a roofing context is used exclusively to refer to the cost of roofing materials alone. Labor expenses are typically excluded, essentially because they vary so widely depending upon many variables. Yet it is wise to keep in mind that the installation costs are higher for natural roofing materials like slate and tiles, as well as for metal roofs, than for asphalt shingles or rolled asphalt roofs.
Metal roofing materials range in price from the low end aluminum and galvanized steel to the luxury roofs made of copper on the premium price scale. When you throw in labor costs, a metal roof can be really expensive to install. But when you factor in the practically maintenance-free nature of the roof over a lifetime that spans not decades, but even centuries, the option seems like a financial exercise in prudence and planning!
