Residential Metal Roofing Types

If you are looking to update or install your roof, there are several residential metal roofing types to choose from. However, they are expensive and might not be the best choice, especially if you live in Portland, Oregon.

According to Clear Vision Construction, LLC Roofing Contractors, if you don’t want a metal roof, then the best choices are asphalt roofs due to their high durability, aesthetics, and cost-effective measurements. Here is what you should know about residential metal roofing types for your outdoor needs.

Table of Contents

1. Metal or Steel Roofs

Metal or steel roofs were first used on commercial structures, but recently they also gained popularity for residential houses for those that can afford them. Generally, what influences metal roof prices is their appearance and panel types.

Some choose metal roofs due to their low maintenance, resistance against fires, longevity, and overall durability. Although maintenance is low, you still need to remove branches, leaves, and debris from these types of roofs as well as clean the gutters since it can lead to erosion problems.

Washing and roof inspection is done annually or after significant weather events, but you don’t have to worry about mildew or rot issues as with other roofs. Rodents usually stay away from these roofs, and terminates aren’t a problem either.

Areas that are prone to wildfire are best suited to have these types of roofs installed due to their high-fire resistance. These roofs can last between 40 and 60 years if they are maintained properly, and they can resist winds of up to 140 mph.

However, the disadvantages come in the form of their great weight, which makes them unsuitable for many homes. Your house will need to support a great weight for several years, which stresses its overall structure. This means that you might need to do some additional investments if you want this type of roof. Check also: How to Get Power Outside Without Outlet.

Metal roofs are already expensive, and with these added costs, they might not be the best choice for some home residents. Metal is also prone to corrosion if you don’t take care of it, and if you live in a coastal region or highly moist area, you shouldn’t opt for this type of roof.

2. Aluminum Roofs

Aluminum roofs are among the most lightweight types of shades on the market, but they are still durable despite this. They are mostly used for architectural roofing and not structural roofing. This type of metal roof is highly corrosion resistant, making it an ideal choice for areas with heavy rainfalls.

Since it is lightweight and doesn’t rust, it might be a good investment, but it is also highly malleable, so you get to configure your roof in various designs. The disadvantages that come with aluminum roofs, though, are just as numerous as its advantages.

Compared to steel roofs, they are more prone to denting since aluminum is softer. Hail or falling tree branches will affect your aluminum roof easily, leading us to the second issue, repairs. Not many manufacturers make this type of roof, and suppliers are scattered around the country, which means higher transportation costs.

Apart from this, aluminum roofs aren’t all that pretty since there are few colors to choose from. Lastly, the biggest issue with aluminum roofs is their overall costs and maintenance. Since aluminum roofs are prone to denting, you may want to buy thicker plates. Yet, aluminum roofs are pricier than other types of metal roofing, and if you want this additional feature, it will cost even more.

3. Cooper Roof

Copper roofs are another type of metal roof that, for some, looks fantastic, for others, not so much. These types of roofs last between 60 to 100 years which makes them incredibly expensive.

They are resistant to corrosion, but just like aluminum roofs, they are easily dented, and repairing them is highly expensive. Not to mention that copper roof providers are hard to find, and transportation will cost just as much if you do.

4. Zinc Roof

Zinc roofs are similar to copper roofs but arguably more beautiful. They change color in time depending on the climate they are exposed to. They are also corrosion-resistant, which is a great choice if you live near the coastline.

Zinc roofs last between 80 and 100 years, but they are among the most expensive roof types on the market. If you want to opt for more affordable options, you should skip this type of roofing.

Apart from this, zinc roofs develop chalky residues over time due to water. These white streaks aren’t necessarily dangerous to the roof, but they ruin the aesthetics of your roof. This means that you have to maintain them very well to avoid or get rid of the white streaks.

Just as other types of metal roofs mentioned, zinc roofs aren’t available everywhere as there are only a couple of providers in the United States.

5. Tin Roof

Tin roofs are steel roofs coated with tin to make them more resistant to cracks. They are lightweight, making them easy to install; however, they aren’t a popular roofing material since other variants, such as aluminum roofs, became available.

This is among the hardest to find out of most metal roofing types, and the most outdated roofing material considers it. Even if you manage to find it and install it, you will always have to struggle against a market that is moving ever away from this type of metal roofing material.

Why You Should Opt for Shingle Roofs

Residential metal roofing types are expensive and, in some cases, not so easy to find. However, if you live in Oregon, one of the best roof types when it comes to low maintenance, costs, installation, aesthetics, and durability is asphalt shingles. Check also: Adding a Bay to Existing Garage.

Asphalt shingles come in various shapes and textures and have great diversity when it comes to colors. The three main categories of asphalt shingles are:

Dimensional
Strip
Luxury shingles

Depending on which type of shingles you choose to go with, they can also last you a lifetime. They are highly resistant to UV radiation and can withstand high winds fire, have a greater design variability, are cost and energy-efficient, aren’t heavy, and are easy to repair.

Why you need a Professional Roofer

It is important to note that these guidelines are not absolute and may vary depending on the specific circumstances of your roof. For example, if your roof has a steep pitch or is located in an area with heavy snowfall, the acceptable sag range may be less.

The same can be true for areas that experience other types of extreme weather. While a home in Tampa, Florida will likely experience hurricanes, a home in an upstate Alabama area like Huntsville is more likely threatened by tornadoes.

This makes it extremely important for you to get a professional opinion if you notice any kind of sag in your roof. No matter if you need a roof inspection in Huntsville or Tampa, just make sure the roof inspector is, in fact, local, as different areas can have completely different thresholds for what is acceptable depending on the weather the area might experience.