Whether you’re a homeowner, a developer or an architect looking to build and design a new home, you’re bound to be looking at sturdy, contemporary options for your roof.
And if you’ve done your research into eye-catching and long-lasting roofs, you’ve likely come across metal roofing options.
With plenty of choices to choose from, the most common tend to be zinc, aluminium and steel, as certain materials like copper can often be too expensive to purchase and install.
So which one should you go for? Let’s dive into the pros and cons.
Which one is the most versatile?
One definite characteristic that all three of these materials share is their versatility.
Metal standing seam roofing is adaptable and can be used on residential and commercial buildings and allow for various roof shapes and designs, which can be achieved quite easily.
Roof design options from simple to complex:
- Mono-pitch
- Saltbox style
- Butterfly roofs
- Clerestory roofs
- Doubled-pitched ‘M’ shaped roofs
As each of these metal roofs can provide great versatility, we would have to say that zinc does offer a slight advantage due to its malleability and design options.
Award-winning designs and architectural shapes
More than this, the coating used on modern steel and zinc roofs are available in a wide range of colours, which can be used across various applications.
The malleability of aluminium and zinc means that both can be easily formed into more complex shapes (offering more flexibility and choice compared to other roofing systems).
If you are interested in creating more diverse shapes with other metal materials, it is not to say that it’s not possible but will require specialist knowledge and techniques.
Sometimes this can prove costly for homeowners as the size of the project and the complexity increases.
What metal roof lasts the longest?
The grandfather of metal roofing, copper, has been used for centuries all over the world. It is a highly durable metal that can last more than 200+ years – and its price tag often reflects this.
However, most metal roofs have long-lasting durability.
Zinc can last up to 100 years (with some roofs still standing for longer), and aluminium comes in third place, lasting an average of 50 years.
How does the cost compare?
Compared to copper, zinc, aluminium, and steel are more cost-effective. However, there is a price difference.
Zinc comes in at second for being the most expensive when it comes to installation and material. The more you use, the more you spend.
However, the price of zinc is subject to change due to its demand.
Aluminium is less expensive, but if you are looking for the cheapest metal options, steel is the most cost-effective. This is because costs for the material are kept low.
What’s the installation process like?
The installation for zinc roofs is more complex than alternative metal roofing options; it will require a specialist roofing contractor to fabricate and install the system.
Your everyday roofing contractor can install aluminium and steel roofs; however, again, we would recommend choosing an expert with plenty of experience (especially if you want the most longevity out of your roof).
Corrugated metal roofing vs standing seam
*Aluminium, zinc and copper are all viable options for standing seam profiles.
Standing seam roofs are all the rage – and if you’re unfamiliar with the name, you won’t be unfamiliar with its look.
This type of metal roofing has panels, which vertically runs up the roof’s length, and the seams connect one board to another.
Differing from other metal roofing applications, other corrugated metal roofs tend to consist of metal sheets with alternating curved ribs.
A standing seam roof will feature panels consisting of the formed metal sheets with vertical ribs at the edge of the panels. Standing seam roofs are then installed by lapping and interlocking the advantages of these adjacent panels.
Metal roofers
We are VM Zinc certified roofers as well as steel, aluminium and copper experts.
There’s nothing we cannot do – no roofing job is too big or too small.
Here at ELC Zinc Roofing, we genuinely believe that zinc roofs are the future – not only do they add value to your home, but they have excellent durability, flexibility and design value too.
To talk to us about estimating the cost of your zinc or metal roofing project, get in touch with us here.
