WHAT IS THE BEST TYPE OF METAL ROOF FOR YOUR HOUSE?
So you want a metal roof but can’t decide which metal to go with? You’ve come to the right place. There are many excellent metal roofing materials to choose from, each with its advantages and some disadvantages, too.
Below are some typical metal roofs used in Australia to help you better decide:
Colourbond Steel
Steel is a wonderful building material that lends itself well to roof construction, as well, but these days blended alloys and coated steel are essential improvements. Up until perhaps the late 1980s, galvanised steel was a popular choice for Australians, but it’s since been surpassed by smart alloys such as Colourbond steel.
What makes Colourbond so special? It’s been specifically engineered and designed to withstand the harsh Australian climate, so it lends itself naturally well to Australian homes.
Our Colourbond roofs are under warranty from BlueScope Steel for up to 36 years after construction, but the roof itself can last well beyond that if kept in good condition.
Aluminium
As the third most abundant metal in the world, aluminium is wonderful for its many superb characteristics, such as high resistance to rust and corrosion, highly recyclable, lightweight, and a middle-of-the-road price point.
Unfortunately, aluminium roofs tend to suffer from expansion and contraction, which can pose design challenges for your home, as well as being easy to dent and quick to discolour over time.
Zinc
As a widely abundant metal (although not as much as aluminium), zinc roofs are becoming very popular for homes in Australia and elsewhere. Zinc is well-known to be highly durable, lasting well over half a century and in some cases over 150 years old. It is also a highly environmentally-friendly metal and it’s easy to maintain and form, making it perfect for many homeowners.
Unfortunately, pure zinc roofing is quite expensive and can corrode on its underside. This is why Roof Guard Roofing builds with high-quality Zincalume steel, which is essentially an improved version of galvanised steel that uses the superb benefits of zinc without costing a fortune yet lasting for decades. Our Zincalume comes with a 25-year warranty, but if well-maintained it will last for far longer than that!
Copper
Commonly used in historic buildings and a favourite of governments in previous centuries, copper roofs have many excellent benefits that are similar to aluminium in some regards.
Like aluminium, copper roofs are highly durable, lightweight, and recyclable. Unlike aluminium, copper develops a rich patina as it ages (it turns green) which may be a pro or a con, depending on your perspective. It is also prohibitively expensive for many homeowners.
Stainless Steel
Popular for handrails, kitchen countertops, and in many other practical applications, stainless steel is also an excellent metal for roofing. It can last for over 60 years, withstands the elements and expansion/contraction very well, and can be finished with a variety of paint colours including polished finishes.
It is, however, fairly expensive for many homeowners. Furthermore, it can be prone to corrosion if exposed to standing water at points of contact with non-stainless stell metals, which is something to consider during construction.
Roof Guard Roofing
Choose to have your metal roof installed and maintained with the friendly roofers at Roof Guard Roofing today.