Metal roofing is a versatile solution for homes and businesses alike. It comes in various shapes, coating options, and colors to suit your needs, from reflective capacities to reduce energy consumption to sporadic maintenance that fits your busy schedule. However, since so many metal options are available, choosing the most durable and stylish metal roofing options for Greenville’s weather can become burdensome.
Cooper, steel, aluminum, zinc, and tin are multiple options when you’re looking for a new metal roof, but not all are suitable for your budget, needs, and climate requirements. Plain steel is prone to rust and corrosion, so it’s not ideal for properties in coastal areas where salty air can deteriorate it sooner. Hence, steel may be suitable for cities closer to the mainland, especially when galvanized or galvalume to resist water-bone rust from frequent rainfalls.
Researching the unique properties of each metal type will help you enjoy all the benefits of metal roofing in Greenville, NC, ensuring your new roof lasts and you don’t have to face unpleasant surprises down the road. Remember that it’s always a good idea to consult with expert roofing contractors if you’re unsure which metal roof is right for you. Their expertise will guide you in choosing the best one for your needs.
Aluminum is a popular choice for residential roofing due to its malleability. This allows it to suit almost all roofing system profiles, such as shingles, shakes, seams, and slate tiles. It’s also rust—and corrosion-resistant, making it an outstanding, durable option for places where it frequently rains, such as Greenville, NC. Though it’s pricier than steel, an aluminum roof can provide the benefits of metal roofing for 30-50 years.
Aluminum roofing is also remarkably sustainable as it often has between 90% and 95% recycled material. Hence, 1,000 sq f of aluminum roofing can contain metal from over 1,000 recycled drink cans. Aluminum also has excellent reflective properties, leading to the noticeable energy-saving benefits of metal roofs everybody talks about.
Still, aluminum is costlier than steel, and since it’s softer, it is more prone to denting from falling objects and heavy impacts. You can get aluminum with a lower gauge to increase its thickness, which can also increase the total cost. Aluminum also requires professional installation to ensure enough room between panels or shingles for thermal expansion. However, it guarantees one of the most durable and stylish metal roofing options.
Steel is typically the least expensive metal option on the market, and it’s one of the most popular due to its affordability and durability. This allows you to get the benefits of metal roofing at a fair price. However, manufacturers must coat this roofing material with zinc (galvanized) or a mix of aluminum, zinc, and silicon (galvalume) to prevent corrosion and rust.
Galvalume steel has proven to outperform its counterpart regarding rust and corrosion resistance, which helps it last about 40 – 60 years, ten years more than galvanized steel. This steel has self-healing properties, meaning that aluminum and zinc coating reacts to moisture, forming a protective barrier in edges and scratches to prevent deeper corrosion, making these roofs great metal roofing solutions for long-lasting protection.
However, galvalume steel is unsuitable for farm structures safeguarding livestock and other animals. Unlike galvanized steel, livestock urine corrodes the steel faster than in other conditions. If you live in the rural surrounding areas of Greenville, NC, it is better to seek other options to reap the benefits of metal roofing.
Likewise, galvalume steel can lead to galvanic corrosion when mixed with incompatible materials such as concrete, copper, iron, mortar, and brick, deteriorating the roof prematurely. Thus, when looking for durable and stylish metal roofing solutions, you should be careful when choosing flashings and other roof finishings for your Galvalume steel roof.
Copper is the first contender, and it’s been praised for centuries for the natural patina that forms over it with time. It looks great and is a natural barrier against corrosion, allowing copper to last long. In fact, copper is one of the most long-lived metal roofing solutions for long-lasting protection, lasting between 80 – 100 years or more, and with adequate maintenance.
Copper is a soft and highly malleable metal, making it easier to manage and install on your roof, which may reduce labor costs compared to other options like galvalume steel. However, copper has two downsides: its price and its tendency to stain with frequent rainfall. Copper is one of the priciest options. Hence, people often use copper for accents or finishes to get the benefits of metal roofing without breaking the bank.
Copper’s patina also tends to fall apart with water runoff over time, staining the metal, wood, and bricks on your property’s siding. Hence, maintenance is necessary to control the runoff patterns, prevent stains, and keep your copper roof one of the most durable and stylish roofing options.
We’re here to help you regardless of where you are in your new roof journey. Whether you’re still looking for options or have already decided on one type of metal roofing, our professional crew is here to guide you through the process and ensure you get the roof that suits your needs and wants. If you’re going to get the energy-saving benefits of metal roofs, we’ll help you; if you’re going to boost your curb appeal with clay tile, we’ll guarantee you get what you’re looking for.
Contact us today and schedule an appointment to get the roof of your dreams!
