Metal Roofing Materials

Take a trip down any country road and you’re sure to see older buildings with rustic and beautiful tin roofing. Tin roofs were commonly used at the turn of the twentieth century because they were inexpensive and incredibly durable. Today anyone can see that this is true - tin roofing installed almost a hundred years ago is still there today, leak proof and functional. Many tin roofs have come to achieve a rusted look over time, but this isn’t an inevitability. There are several advantages to installing tin roofing, many of which may not be obvious at first glance.

Tin Roofing
Before taking an account of how tin roofing exhibits advantages over conventional roofing materials, it’s worth taking a moment to discuss what this material is in the first place. Contrary to popular belief, tin roofs are typically not made entirely of tin. It’s far more common for a ‘tin roof’ to use steel which has simply been coated with tin. This is similar to galvanizing the steel with zinc or other metal alloys. Tin has the advantage of being plentiful, inexpensive, and resistant to corrosion. Tin can be better than zinc for coatings since it’s easier for the tin to bond to the steel. This creates a stronger coating which is less liable to wear over time.

Engineering Away the Downsides of Tin Roofing

Many of the benefits of tin roofing come from significant engineering efforts which have been undertaken over the past century. Tin has several natural detriments which can be overcome by professionals with the right know-how. The biggest problems that classic tin roofing encounters include rust and noise.

Preventing the build up of rust on a tin roof isn’t too complicated, but it does require some effort. Rust generally starts when the coating begins to wear. By repainting the roof on a regular basis to keep the coating strong, you never have to worry about significant rusting.

Noise is a problem that plagues many kinds of metal roofing materials, not simply tin roofing material. This is easily taken care of by installing a sheathing layer underneath the tin roofing. This acts to absorb most of the noise that would be heard on a rainy night. The pitter patter of thousands of raindrops won’t bother you at all so long as the installation process was done properly. This is why getting in touch with metal roofing professionals is so important.

Strengthening Tin Roofing
While tin roofing is naturally light, strong, and durable, treating the metal before installation can provide additional benefits. One of the most popular ways to do this is to corrugate the material. Corrugated tin roofing has a ripple look to it that is both attractive and practical. The periodic bending of the tin roof material works to toughen the metal, making it more resilient against physical damage. If you live in an area that’s often beset by heavy storms, consider getting a corrugated tin roof.

The Benefits of Tin Roofs
The benefits of tin roofs are numerous indeed. Because tin isn’t as expensive as aluminum or copper, tin roofing generally costs far less than these alternatives. Since metal roofing prices tend to be somewhat high, this can help to make a metal roofing job more affordable. Tin roofs are light in weight, meaning that they put less stress on the foundation of the home. Because they’re based on a steel interior, they’re also strong and tough. Tin roofing can withstand the elements for years without any maintenance at all. So long as you reapply the coating periodically, there’s no reason why a tin roof won’t become something that you, your children, and your children’s children all come to enjoy.

Corrugated metal roofing has been used for centuries to provide safety and security to homes and businesses. Modern engineering has transformed this time honored tradition and brought in into the twenty first century with new materials and manufacturing innovations. While old corrugated metal roofs can seem rustic or unattractive, their modern counterparts gleam with functional strength and aesthetic beauty. There are many different kinds of metal roofing material which can be used for this classic and functional style.

What Distinguishes Corrugated Metal Roofing

A corrugated metal roof is most easily distinguished by the way that the material looks and the way that it is made. Traditionally, the material is cold rolled after casting to form periodic folds in the metal. This isn’t done for looks - the cold rolling strengthens the material significantly, enhancing its physical endurance and mechanical durability. The material is only strengthened in the direction which is parallel to the corrugations. Corrugated metal roofs have been in use since 1840 when this process was first developed.

Corrugated Metal Roofing Materials

While the first corrugated metal roofs used wrought iron, those that are installed today use one of a variety of materials. Some have been highly engineered to provide enhanced mechanical properties or a better aesthetic. Others are more simple, having the benefit of lower costs.

One of the most common materials seen is galvanized steel. Galvanized corrugated metal roofing is typically rolled steel which has been cold pressed to provide mechanical strengthening. Before it’s been pressed, the metal is coated with zinc in order to stop the sheets from rusting. The downside to galvanized steel is that the finish will oxidize, changing the external color and appearance over time. While this coating acts as a passivation layer to keep the rest of the material safe, it may not be the most attractive choice.

Stainless steel is another excellent choice, especially if you don’t expect the roofing to endure especially harsh conditions. While it may not be as strong as other steel alloys, stainless steel roofing is famous for its excellent natural corrosion resistance. This means that it retains its initial look for far longer than almost any other metal roofing material.

Engineered Corrugated Metal Roofing Materials

There are certain engineered corrugated metal roofing materials which provide superior corrosion resistance, mechanical performance, and aesthetic look. While these may be more expensive, they can ultimately be worth the cost if you have the need.

If you like the advantages of galvanized steel but desire something with greater corrosion resistance, you may want to look into Galvalume(R). This material uses a modified coating to provide better resistance to rusting and the elements. Instead of pure zinc, an alloy of 55% aluminum and 45% zinc with trace amounts of silicon is used. The silicon is added to ensure that the coating forms a sturdy bond to the underlying steel. By providing better corrosion resistance, there is less of a chance of the stress points on the roof weakening due to interactions with the environment. This ensures a longer lifespan for the roof.

While previous materials tend to have metallic looks to them, it is possible to have a corrugated metal roof that does not exhibit this kind of finish. Manufacturers offer Kynar painted corrugated metal roofing for those that enjoy the benefits of this style of roofing but want something that’s a bit flashier. Kynar is one of the primary components of high quality paints. It is famous for its excellent gloss, its color retention over time, and its resistance against corrosive elements. Using a Kynar finish on corrugated metal roofing ensures bright and bold colors that will last for decades, which is why it has been used on many prominent new buildings such as the Petronas Towers in Malaysia.

Most people talk about metal roofing like the entire category can be summed up at once. They speak about metal roofing compared to conventional roofing as one category versus another. Speaking of anything in such general terms does an injustice to the many nuances prevalent in the field. In terms of metal roofing materials, many distinct choices exists, each with their strengths and weaknesses. Learning about each will help you choose which metal roofing material is the best choice for your house.

Copper Roofing

Copper is one material which has been used for roofing for centuries. This classic choice is easily tooled into whatever form you want because the copper is naturally soft. Over time, the copper will naturally adopt a verdigris coating. This means that it doesn’t require any kind of finish, removing any maintenance required to combat scratches or peeling. Copper roofing is an exquisite choice who’s only drawback is price.

Steel Roofing

Steel is a great choice for a metal roof because of its characteristic high strength and durability. It’s cheaper than copper, which helps reduce sticker shock. Generally, steel roofing is coated to increase its corrosion resistance and desirability. The coating is typically zinc based, but often a zinc-aluminum blend. Because of steel’s strength, it has a huge range of potential applications. It shines where many lesser materials fail. The steel can be finished in any style you desire, as well.

Aluminum Roofing

Aluminum is another excellent choice for metal roofing materials. While it definitely needs a shiny finish in order to look acceptable, it’s rust resistance is top notch. This is because aluminum naturally forms a rust-resistant layer on its surface. To enhance this, the aluminum is coated similarly to steel roofing. Aluminum roofing is exceptionally lightweight and sturdy, meaning it typically doesn’t require the reinforcement that other heavier materials need. This material shines in salty coastal areas with its high corrosion resistance in extreme conditions. Aluminum’s malleability means that it can be bent into all sorts of elaborate shapes to help your aesthetic tastes. And if you’re still unconvinced, consider that aluminum shingles are 100% recyclable. This means less of an impact on the earth, and a boon to future generations. For beauty, strength, and longevity, aluminum is truly a remarkable material.

Metal Roof Materials

There’s a whole lot of variety out there, so take the time to really consider your individual needs before making a final decision. The values of metal roofing materials are out there for you to grab hold of!