Sudbury Metal Roofing - affordable metal roofing installation Sudbury, ON

ROOFING MATERIALS

Deciding to install a metal roof for your residential, commercial or agricultural building is only the beginning. When it comes to metal roofing, there are more types of metal roofing materials and panel styles than you 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.

corrugated metal roofing sudbury Ontario
corrugated metal roofing sudbury Ontario

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 for decades. It has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than the other metals used for roofing. This means you get the same or greater strength without having to use a heavy material that is more difficult to work with during installation. 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 ideal metal roofing material for coastal climates and areas with heavy rains. 
  • Lightweight. Since aluminum is so lightweight, it puts less stress on the structure of your home. It weighs as little as 5 lbs a 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. There are few manufacturers that offer aluminum roofing which makes it hard to buy 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 one-of-a-kind appearance. Aside from its looks, copper is very durable and is the longest lasting roofing material. A well installed copper roof can last for over 200 years. A unique 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 vary more 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 prone to denting from hail and falling debris. This will decrease 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

It's difficult to find a zinc roofing installer who knows what they're doing. This material has some drawbacks and should only be installed by a professional who is familiar with zinc. Because 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: $23 to $35 Per Sq. Ft.

ADVANTAGES

  • Aesthetically appealing. Over the years, zinc roofing will form a protective layer of zinc carbonate which creates a beautiful blue/grey patina.
  • Corrosion resistant. Zinc is resistant to rusting which makes it a great roofing material to use if you live 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 the market.
  • Chalking. When zinc patinas and turns a blue/gray 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.

METAL OR STEEL ROOFING

When the term “metal roofing” is used, most commonly it’s referring to steel. Steel is a metal alloy composed of iron and other elements. Steel roofing has long been used on commercial buildings, but it is now becoming popular for use on residential homes due to its affordability, longevity, and low maintenance. There are many steel roofing panels, styles and colours available in today’s market.

STEEL 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 completely 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 the least expensive metal roofing material. In comparison to asphalt, a metal roof will save homeowners thousands of dollars.

DISADVANTAGES

  • Less corrosion resistant. Steel roofing is corrosion resistant for the most part. However, in coastal areas, a metal roof won’t last as long as copper, zinc or aluminum.
  • 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 ROOFS

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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