Metal Roof Overview
Many consider a metal roofing system when they are looking to replace a roof. This is because there is the perception that no roof lasts longer.
However, there are reasons to be wary of metal roofing:
- Upfront costs are much higher.
- The average lifespan of a metal roof (sometimes called a “steel roof”) is just over 25 years. All AQR roofs are guaranteed for 25 years.
- The perception that a metal roof is a “permanent solution” is just not correct.
- Care must be taken on large roofs to provide for seasonal thermal shrinking expansion and movement.
- Movement caused by differences in temperature may cause annoying noises in some roofs.
- Care must be taken with all steel roof products to avoid the use of incompatible materials. Certain metal combinations can cause unexpected and rapid corrosion.
- Despite its perceived eco-friendly properties. Metal refining, production and transport can be very energy-intensive and is almost always a non-local activity requiring energy sapping long haul transport.
Steel Roof Prices
Steel roofing prices, as of March 2011, was about one dollar per square foot for coloured metal sheets in 29 gauge thickness uninstalled. Metal Roof Materials often require additional labour (due to their weight), and unique fastening systems that require multiple site-visits and are not only pricey, but often contain gasket systems that can wear and corrode. So while your steel roofing materials may be comparable in cost to shingles, they often cost double to install, and still require regular site visits to check and replace brittle gaskets and fasteners.
Metal Roof Materials
- Corrugated galvanized steel roofing. A wrought iron sheet coated with zinc and then roll formed into corrugated sheets.
- Tin Roof – Ironically not tin at all, but rather a blend of zinc, aluminum and silicon-coated steel.
- Metal Tile Sheets – Painted or stone-coloured steel.
- Stainless Steel Roofing – Great for harsh or extreme conditions, or as a distinctive design element. Unique but expensive.
- Aluminum Roofing – Also often called Tin roof. Long lasting and durable, but also comparatively very expensive metal roofing material. Lightweight, corrosion-resistant, energy-efficient and durable.
- Copper Roofing – Expensive and not often used.
- Stone Coated Steel Roofing – Panels made from zinc/aluminum-coated steel with acrylic gel coating. The stones are usually a natural product with a coloured ceramic coating.
Metal Roofing Installation
In Vancouver, metal roofing installation tends to primarily be on commercial buildings. However residential and agricultural metal roofing installation is common in BC’s more rural areas. Metal roofing installation is popular in agricultural industries in particular, because the metal roofing can be used as siding as well.
Metal roofing is most often used in new construction installations. This is simply because the design and structure of the roof has to be taken into account for a metal roof and therefore it is easier, cheaper and faster to install metal roofing in new buildings with fewer job site modifications.