What Are The Different Types of Metal Roofs?

When people think of a roof on a house, they are probably going to picture a typical roof with asphalt shingles on top. While it is true that the most common type of roofing material is the asphalt shingle, there are many types of metal materials that you can be used to build your roof as well. A metal roof has numerous advantages over traditional shingles, and home owners can select a material that best suits the design of their homes as well as any structural requirements their home may have. To give you a better idea of the types of metal roofs available today, and which one may be right for your home, check out the brief descriptions of each material below.

Copper

For hundreds of years, copper has been counted among the most durable and reliable metal roofing materials you can put on your house, or any building for that matter. This is mostly because a properly installed copper roof can actually last hundreds of years! Civilizations as far back in time as the Romans used copper for the roofs on their buildings, and copper has been continually used on houses, commercial buildings, churches, schools and more right up to present day. With a copper roof, homeowners should keep in mind that the material can become quite expensive, and from an aesthetic standpoint, it can quickly change colour as it is exposed to the elements.

Aluminium

Aluminium roofs have been growing steadily in popularity over the past few decades. This is largely due to the fact that an aluminium roof, while less durable than steel or copper, is far less difficult to install, and actually does a better job reflecting heat from the sun. This makes it so homeowners can actually save money on their energy bills each summer for an extended period, since an aluminium roof can last up to 35 years.

Steel

When properly installed, a steel roof can stand up to punishment from the elements for over 60 years. However, the durability of a steel roof has a lot to do with the kind of metal you choose to construct your steel roof from. Alloy steel roofs (made by fusing multiple types of metals together) that have been galvanized and coated with zinc are usually the best choice if you are looking for long-lasting and highly durable protection of your roof, since this type of material will be able to resist rust for an extended period of time.

Tin

Now days, tin roofs are not actually made from tin alone. Most roofs that are known as ‘tin roofs’ are similar to steel roofs, in that they are constructed by combining different metals together. The type of tin roof that would be installed today consists of numerous soft metals which is coated with tin and lead for extra durability. While it may not last as long as a steel or copper roof, a composite tin roof is less expensive and can still last nearly 50 years.

Related Articles:
http://www.motherearthnews.com/green-homes/metal-roofing-pros-and-cons-zmaz84mazgoe.aspx?PageId=1
http://www.hometips.com/buying-guides/metal-roofing-drawbacks.html