A&K Metal Roofing - Professional Steel Roofing Contractors in Peterborough, Ontario

ROOFING MATERIALS

Deciding to have a metal roof installed for your residential, commercial or agricultural building is only the beginning. When it comes to steel roofing, there are more choices for metal roofing materials and panel styles than most people probably realize.

Once you have decided on a style (corrugated metal, standing seam, metal shingles, flat metal roof or metal tiles), you next need to consider your roofing material. The most common metal roofing materials include aluminum, copper, steel (metal), zinc and tin. Each material has its own set of advantages and disadvantages which we will discuss below.

Metal Roofing Contractors Abbotsford BC
Metal Roofing Contractors Abbotsford BC

ALUMINUM ROOFING

Aluminum is the lightest weight metal roofing material on the market, but don’t let that fool you. Aluminum roofing is still very durable and lasts just as long as steel. It has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than the other materials used for roofing. This means you get the same or greater strength without having to use a heavy material. This makes installation easier and puts less weight on your house. Aluminum roofing panels are commonly used for architectural roofing rather than structural roofing.

ALUMINUM ROOFING COSTS

The cost of aluminum roofing will vary depending on the difficulty of the installation, the location of the job, and the accessories required. These prices include the costs of materials and installation.

  • Corrugated Aluminum Roofing: $9 to $13 Per Sq. Ft.
  • Standing Seam Aluminum Roofing: $11 to $17 Per Sq. Ft.

ADVANTAGES

  • Corrosion resistant. Aluminum doesn’t rust which makes it the perfect metal roofing material for coastal climates and areas with heavy rains. 
  • Lightweight. Because aluminium is so light, it puts less strain on your home's structure. It is as light as 5 pounds per square foot.
  • Malleable. Aluminum is a malleable metal that can be easily formed into various profiles. This gives homeowners a wide range of designs to choose from.

DISADVANTAGES

  • Less availability and colour options. Because there are few manufacturers who offer aluminium roofing, it is difficult to purchase, and there are fewer colour options available.
  • More prone to denting. Aluminum is a softer metal which makes it more prone to denting from hail, branches or other falling debris.
  • Higher cost. Since aluminum is prone to denting, most homeowners purchase a thicker gauge to help with durability but this increases the cost significantly. 

COPPER ROOFING

Copper roofing is well known for its eye-catching and unique appearance. Aside from its looks, copper is still very durable and is the longest lasting roofing material. A properly installed copper roof can last for over 200 years. A one-of-a-kind feature with copper roofs is that over time, the copper will change colour. It goes from looking like a new penny to a blue-green or brown patina. Copper roofing comes in many styles including copper tiles, copper shingles, copper panels and copper sheets.

COPPER ROOFING COSTS

Copper roofing prices have a larger range than aluminum or metal roofing prices. Because it is a premium product with a high price tag, it is not uncommon for the installer to charge a premium when bidding for a copper roof. The cost of copper roofing will vary depending on the difficulty of the installation, the location of the job, and the accessories required. These prices include the costs of materials and installation.

  • Corrugated Copper Roofing: $19 to $28 Per Sq. Ft.
  • Standing Seam Copper Roofing: $23 to $35 Per Sq. Ft.

ADVANTAGES

  • Attractive
  • Lasts centuries
  • Corrosion resistant
  • Easy to install
  • Lightweight
  • Many design options

DISADVANTAGES

  • Expensive. Copper is extremely expensive because of its durability and lifespan. If you install a copper roof, it won’t need replacing for over 200 years.
  • Prone to denting. Since copper is a softer metal, it is easily dented by hail and falling debris. This reduces its aesthetic appeal.
  • Less availability. Few manufacturers provide copper roofing which makes it a hard roofing material to get.

ZINC ROOFING

Zinc roofing is similar to copper. It has a beautiful appearance that will age and change colour over time. The majority of zinc roofing panels used today are pre-patinated, or have not yet developed their protective layer, which alters the appearance of the zinc. While zinc roofs are common in Europe due to their aesthetic appeal, they are not widely used in Canada due to their high cost.

ZINC ROOFING COSTS

Now a days, it's hard to find a zinc roofing installer who knows what they're doing. This material has some drawbacks and should be installed only by a professional who is familiar with zinc. Since there will be fewer qualified installers to choose from, installation prices will vary more than with any other type of metal roofing material. These prices include the costs of materials and installation.

  • Corrugated Zinc Roofing: $19 to $28 Per Sq. Ft
  • Standing Seam Zinc Roofing: $28 to $40 Per Sq. Ft.

ADVANTAGES

  • Aesthetically appealing. Over the years, zinc roofing will naturally create a protective layer of zinc carbonate which creates a beautiful blue/grey patina.
  • Corrosion resistant. Zinc is resistant to rust which makes it a great roofing material to use if you reside in a coastal climate.
  • Long lifespan. Zinc roofs last for at least 80-100 years. Once you install a zinc roof, you won’t have to worry about re-roofing in your lifetime.

DISADVANTAGES

  • Expensive. While the cost is justified by its extremely long lifespan, zinc is one of the most expensive roofing options on today's market.
  • Chalking. When zinc patinas and turns a blue/grey colour, a chalky residue may form in areas where water runs off the roof. This creates an unappealing look.
  • Limited availability. Like copper, few manufacturers provide zinc roofing panels which makes the available limited.

STEEL OR METAL ROOFING

When referring to metal roofing, metal and steel are interchangeable. Steel is a metal alloy composed of iron and other elements. Steel roofing has long been used on commercial buildings, but has recently become extremely popular for residential homes due to its affordability, longevity, and low maintenance. Homeowners also love that many steel roofing panels, styles and colours available. With all the options out there, it makes it easy to find the perfect match for any home.

METAL ROOFING COSTS

The cost of metal roofing will vary depending on the difficulty of the installation, the location of the job, and the accessories required. These prices include the costs of materials and installation.

  • Corrugated Metal Roofing: $7 to $12 Per Sq. Ft.
  • Standing Seam Metal Roofing: $10 to $16 Per Sq. Ft.

ADVANTAGES

  • Fire resistant. Steel roofs are entirely fire resistant. They won’t catch fire, plus they help prevent fires from starting from outside sparks.
  • Low maintenance. Steel roofing needs very minimal maintenance over the course of its 50+ lifespan. 
  • Cost effective. Steel roofing is one of the cheapest materials for metal roofing. A metal roof will save homeowners thousands of dollars over an asphalt roof.

DISADVANTAGES

  • Less corrosion resistant. Steel roofing is generally corrosion resistant. In coastal areas, however, a metal roof will not last as long as a copper, zinc, or aluminium roof.
  • Lifespan. Metal roofs have a long lifespan and can last 50+ years. But when compared to zinc or copper, it doesn’t last nearly as long.
  • Greater weight. Steel roofing weighs more than aluminum or copper. It creates a larger load on your home that causes stress on the structure.

TIN ROOFING

Tin was the first type of metal ever used as a roofing material. It was a very popular roofing material in the mid 19th century because it was lightweight, which made it easy to maneuver and install.

Over the past century, the demand for tin roofing rapidly started to decline as asphalt shingles and aluminum roofing started to rise in popularity. Tin roofing isn’t as durable as other metal roofing materials which lead to its decline in demand. Now tin roofing is no longer a commonly used roofing material. The term tin roof is now used to describe metal roofing, steel roofing and galvanized steel roofing.

ADVANTAGES

  • Lightweight. Tin is a very lightweight metal which makes it the perfect material for roofing.
  • Ease of installation. Tin roofing is very easy to install which is why it was so popular in the mid 19th century.

DISADVANTAGES

  • No longer used or on the market. Since other metal roofing materials (like aluminum and steel) are more durable, tin is no longer used in today’s market as a roofing material.
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