Maybe you're looking for a new roof to replace your existing yet aging one. Otherwise, you might have plans to use metal roofing materials in your newly-constructed home. Whichever your need is, you'll have to know about the different types of metal roofing materials you can use for you home.

Denver, CO contractors and property owners alike praise metal roofs for their long-term durability. They may not be the most affordable roofing material, but they're definitely one of the best when it comes to hailstorm resistance, longevity, and exceptional performance.

However, there is more than just steel or tin roofs. Get to know each one of them here in BridgerSteel's post complete with the pros and cons of each one.

5 Types of Metal Roofing Materials - Pros & Cons

1. Copper - Extremely long-lasting, very soft with low melting temperature

2. Aluminum - Long-lasting, resistant to salt water corrosion

3. Zinc - Extremely long-lasting, resistant to corrosion and lowest melting point

4. Steel - Three variations: galvanized, galvalume, and weathering steel (corten)

5. Tin - Often referring to steel, used prior to World War II. No longer commonly applied.

Metal roofing has often been called the “Cadillac of Roofing”. Depending on your opinion of that particular manufacturer, this comparison could be less than flattering. In reality, a metal roof doesn’t describe a specific product, rather an entire range of products. The term itself does not even explain whether you are speaking about a steel, aluminum, zinc, or copper roof. Given metal roofing’s reputation for being able to handle a huge range of requirements and design options, a better comparison might be that metal roofing is the “Sport Utility Vehicle of Roofing”.

In this article, we will help break down the differences in metal roofing options, and the pros and cons of each material, profile, and source.

Types of Metal Roofing Materials

When you hear the phrase “Metal Roof” your thoughts likely go towards a steel roof, but the term encompasses a much larger variety of materials. Depending on your location, the type of material will be a crucial first step in deciding which direction to go. While an aluminum roof is an excellent option for resisting rust in salty regions, it’s durability factor can be much lower than other materials. Steel, Copper and Zinc also carry their pros and cons.

Copper Roofing – Pros & Cons

The grandfather of metal roofing, Copper roofing has been used for centuries around the world. Copper is an extremely long-lasting metal that in ideal environments, can last well over 200+ years. Copper roofs are 100% recyclable making them wonderful Green Roof options.

Copper is an extremely soft metal, which makes it amongst the quietest types of metal roofing. However, with modern installation practices, all metal roofing now recommends proper substrates that minimize noise from rain or hail at the same level. The softer nature of Copper Roofing also means that in hail prone regions it may be easily damaged. As a softer metal, hailstones will easily dent the Copper. While this lowers the aesthetic value, it also performs better than a harder metal that, with a large enough hailstone, will puncture rather than dent the roof.

If metal roofs are the SUVs of roofing, Copper roofs are the Range Rovers of their class. This brings up an apparent downside to Copper, like the Range Rover it is extremely expensive and depending on your needs, may be more than you need to get the job done. Another negative aspect of Copper is it’s tendency to expand and contract with swings in temperature. While this can be controlled with the proper panel or shingle, it does need to carefully be considered when choosing this metal.

Aluminum Roofing – Pros & Cons

In addition to metal roofing material variants, you can choose from different metal roofing styles too. Most of us think of metal roofs as corrugated roofs. These are the ones with ridges and exposed fasteners that often use acrylic or elastomeric coating for exceptional performance and added aesthetic appeal. Get to know more about them in RoofCostEstimator's informative article.

Corrugated Metal Roofing Installation Facts, Plus Pros and Cons in 2019

Corrugated metal roof and wall systems are an energy-efficient, low cost, and long-lasting roofing and wall cladding option for homes, log cabins, and commercial building envelope applications.

The main drivers that make corrugated metal a compelling alternative to asphalt shingles and traditional siding material are durability, longevity, energy efficiency and ROI.

The system is comprised of corrugated sheet metal panels held in place by exposed fasteners. Corrugated panels are often installed on various barns, as well as some residential, commercial, industrial, and factory roofs.

Cost

A typical residential roofing application for corrugated metal entails the usage of higher-end G-90 (galvanized) corrugated steel panels coated with a premium Kynar 500 paint finish. Expect to pay between $5.00 and 8.00 per sq. ft. for such a fully installed corrugated metal roof.

Corrugated metal roofs can typically last much longer than a traditional asphalt shingles roof. Corrugated and ribbed metal panels are made of metal sheets — normally G-60 or G-90 (better galvanized steel, but can also be aluminum and stainless steel sheets that are shaped into ridges or waves. Once shaped, the metal roof panels are then grooved, or corrugated, in order to create channels for water and snow to flow off the roof.

Corrugated metal panels are shipped to construction sites in full sheet form, then sized to the roof, and cut to fit. A corrugated metal roof is incredibly cost effective, durable and sturdy, and has long been the preferred material for roofing for agricultural and industrial buildings. In comparison to an ordinary roof covered with asphalt shingles, a corrugated metal roof can last up to three times as long as asphalt, or 25 to 60 years.

Longevity Factors (Read The Full Post)

Standing seam metal roof variants feel expensive yet premium. If you compare their performance to corrugated metal roofing, you might be surprised to find they can deliver ten times the durability and longevity corrugated metal roofs have. Learn more about them through SheffieldMetal's in-depth post here

What is Standing Seam Metal Roofing? Comparisons, Types, & Uses

Standing seam metal roofing is growing in popularity due to its superior weather-tight qualities, its sleek/modern look, and how long it's expected to last. Learn more about the benefits, drawbacks, and uses for this prominent metal roofing type.

“Metal roofing.” It’s a general term that covers a broad scope of roofing options, products, and choices.

When someone references “metal roofing,” he or she could be talking about shingles or tiles made of metal, an exposed fastener roofing system that is common for agriculture buildings, or maybe even a standing seam metal roofing system.

Out of all the metal roofing types, standing seam is becoming more and more popular as property owners look for products that last a long time, look modern, and protect their structure.

However, how much do you know about standing seam metal roofing? At Sheffield Metals, we pride ourselves in being a distribution leader of standing seam metal roofing and wall systems for architects, contractors, manufacturers, and home/building owners. In other words: We know standing seam metal roofing.

What is Standing Seam Metal Roofing?

Standing seam metal roofing is defined as a concealed fastener metal panel system that features vertical legs and a broad, flat area between the two legs. It’s also described as having raised seams, or vertical legs, that rise above the level of the panel’s flat area. Standing seam systems can be used for either metal roofing, which is the most common, or metal walls.

The main idea to remember for standing seam systems is that the fastener is hidden, whether the panel is attached to the roof deck using a clip or is directly fastened to the decking material under the vertical leg using a fastener flange.

Standing Seam Types and Uses (Read the full post)

With knowledge about different metal roofing materials, you definitely can make a wise decision on which metal roofing material is useful for your home. In addition, always work with a reliable and dependable Denver, CO roofing contractor with extended knowledge on installing, repairing, and replacing metal roofs. Roper Roofing is at your service if you have yet to find a reliable company. Contact us today!