Difference Between Steel, Aluminum & Copper Roofing Material

Creation

• Steel receives a rust-preventing metallic coating and is then painted and sent to roofing manufacturers to be pressed into shingles. Aluminum is made the same way but without the metallic coating. It does, however, get a specialty plastic finish of polyvinylidene fluoride that is baked into the shingles. Copper, after being melted, is made into different sized slabs. These slabs go to a rolling mill to be made into coils, and the coils are cut into shingles. Many metal roofing materials are made from some recycled materials.

Durability

• Copper, steel and aluminum are all quite durable roofing materials with similar strengths. They are all resistant to rust, decay, mold, rot, insects and fire. While aluminum and steel can withstand hail, copper can handle heavy snowfall. Copper and aluminum can also handle 110 mile-per-hour wind and rain. Steel is even stronger, standing up to 120 mph winds. Lasting around 30 years, copper has the shortest lifespan of the three metals. Steel lasts around 50 years, while aluminum can last the lifetime of the home.

Pros

• Steel, copper and aluminum share many benefits, such as being low-maintenance and practically algae-free. They are all also lightweight, so shingles don’t add stress to the house like heavier roofing materials. Aluminum, steel and copper roofing materials reflect and transfer heat, resulting in about 20 percent savings on energy bills.

Cons

• Metal roofing is lightweight, so there is the possibility it can be damaged by hail or other hard objects. It can also be more expensive than some other roofing materials. Steel shingles are not well-suited for places prone to hurricanes or high winds. While aluminum shingles fare better in windy locations, if they are not installed properly, they might come apart in high winds. Anyone walking on an aluminum roof should tread carefully or their footsteps may damage shingles. Copper roofing might amplify noise during bad weather. Seasonal temperature changes cause copper to expand and contract, which could loosen fasteners holding the roofing material together.