Corrugated Metal Roofing - Benefits & Drawbacks of Corrugated Metal Roofing (without the Usual Biased Marketing Hype)

Before you decide on a roofing type for your new home or addition you need to know the facts. Corrugated metal roofing refers to roofing systems made of copper, aluminum, stainless steel, steel, and zinc alloys. Their properties vary largely in terms of appearance, price, and durability.

Metal Roofing Materials

• Steel is the most common metal roofing material. In comparison to aluminum, they are heavier and sturdier. Because of their durable coating and finish, they do not rust or corrode.

• There is no fear of rust or corrosion in stainless steel. These metal roofing systems are usually available in Terne coating that gives them a natural matte-gray finish. However, it is a very expensive roofing solution.

• Aluminum is most commonly used in residential metal roofs. Even if they are not coated, they do not rust, but for better appearance, they are generally coated or painted. They are extremely lightweight. These are inexpensive as well. However, since aluminum is a precious resource, it is usually not recommended to use it for roofing purpose.

• Copper metal roofs can be very expensive, but they offer a wide array of features. For example, they do not easily rust or corrode. They are also very easy to install.

• Alloys are also a pricey solution. They are better known for their durability, and strength.

Benefits Of Metal Roofing

Following are some of the factors that give corrugated metal roofing systems an edge over conventional roof materials.

• They are highly durable and easily last 20 to 50 years.

• Metal roofing has high resistance to rot, insects, mildew, and fire.

• They can easily shed snow and withstand high winds and heavy rains.

• Compared to tile roofing, metal roofs are lightweight – usually 50 to 150 pounds per square.

• The installation is easy and fast. In particular, the single metal shingles are relatively much easier to install, but it is a time-consuming process.

• Since these roofing materials are non-combustible, they are highly resistant to fire. They carry a Class A fire rating, which is the highest category of resistance.

• Metals are low in insulation R-value and thus they are more energy efficient. You can further increase the energy efficiency by creating a dead-air space between the metal and roof deck.

• The minimal roof pitch makes these roofing systems less prone to leaking damages.

Drawbacks Of Metal Roofing

However, despite so many plus points, there is a flipside as well. Following are some of the common concerns about metal roofing systems

• The initial cost of installing metal roofs is very high. It may cost you somewhere around $150 to $600 per square. However, the high cost might be worth it because it minimizes the requirement for maintenance or repair work. They last much longer than other roofing materials. Probably, you won’t even need to replace your roof again in your lifetime – so, it is basically a one-time investment.

• You may not like the noise of rain falling on the roof. However, with a little modification in roof construction, you can substantially reduce and even completely eliminate the noise. For example, a common way is to use materials that have structural barriers.

• Some metal roofing materials are quite prone to denting. Denting may appear when large hailstones fall on it. However, some roofing versions guarantee no denting.

• Walking on these roof types may also cause wear and tear. With time, its finishes can chalk, scratch, fade, chip, or peel. An easy solution is to eliminate the need of walking by installing the roofs from the top down.

Lately, manufacturers are coming up with much-advanced metal roofs, solving most of the concerns cited above.

So as you can see, corrugated metal roofing is a good choice of roofing material when used for the right application. It is cost effective, looks good and has an acceptable lifespan when used in most environments. When compared with all the different types of roofing systems discussed on http://topcontractorsonline.com/roofing/roofing.php it is easy to see why it is such a poplular choice of roofing material among home buyers today.