As a business owner, you must choose the right roofing for your commercial building. One popular roofing system you are likely to consider is a metal roof. Metal roofing is preferred by many because of its affordability, longevity, and efficiency.
Today’s guide will walk you through commercial metal roofing, including the different materials and why it’s a popular option.
What are the Various Types of Metal Roofing Materials?
Commercial metal roofing comes in various materials, such as aluminum, zinc, steel, tin, and copper. Let’s discuss each material in detail below.
Aluminum Roofing
Aluminum metal roofing has the highest strength-to-weight ratio compared to other materials. It’s also the most lightweight material. When installed properly, aluminum provides a long lifespan and requires minimal maintenance. Also, aluminum roofing is corrosion-resistant and malleable. However, it’s more vulnerable to denting than steel and tends to be more expensive.
Copper Roofing
Copper is another popular metal roofing system thanks to its attractive and unique appearance. It’s also easy to install and provides extra longevity. Copper roofing is available in different styles, including sheets, tiles, panels, and shingles. One of the most significant disadvantages of copper roofing is that it is prone to denting and can be more expensive than other materials.
Steel Roofing
Steel roofing is probably the most used metal roofing material on commercial buildings. It’s available in various panels, including standing seam and corrugated metal panels. If installed properly, steel roofing panels offer unmatched longevity and cost-effectiveness. Also, steel roofing requires minimal maintenance and is resistant to rot and fires. However, steel roofing panels offer less corrosion resistance and are less durable than copper and aluminum roofing.
Tin Roofing
Tin roofing is made of rolled steel coated with tin. Since the tin is chemically bonded to steel, this roofing material offers excellent resistance to cracking. Tin roofing is also lightweight making it easy to maintain and install. However, tin roofing panels are not readily available.
Zinc
Zinc roofing offers a striking and unique appearance, just like copper. However, it’s not popular due to its high cost.
What are the Advantages of Metal Roofs for Commercial Buildings
Metal roofing offers a host of benefits to your commercial property. Let’s discuss the pros of metal roofing below.
Many Roof Color Options to Choose From
With commercial metal roofing, business owners are spoilt for choice. Commercial roofing in Fort Wayne and surrounding areas comes in many color options to match almost all architectural roof designs. The standard color options you can choose from include:
- Copper brown
- Deep red
- Buckskin
- Sierra tan
- Parchment
- Bronze
- Natural white
- Zinc grey
- Matte black
- Royal blue
When choosing your roof color, remember to think about the architectural style of your building. You also want to consider local regulations and the surrounding landscape. Above all, think about your local climate, solar absorption, and the exterior color palette of your commercial building.
Easy Installation
A significant advantage of metal roofs is that they are easy to install. Nearly all metal roofing materials are lightweight, making them easy to carry and install. Also, metal roofing systems come in different sizes that are easy to install.
Offer Unmatched Longevity
Commercial metal roofing is the go-to option for many business owners because it offers unmatched durability. It’s not surprising that the metal roofing market is set to grow tremendously in the coming years as more business owners switch to commercial metal roofing. Typically, commercial roofing systems last anywhere from 20 to 50 years, depending on the material, climate, installation, ventilation, slope, and maintenance.
Environmentally Friendly
Unlike traditional asphalt shingles, metal roofs are environmentally friendly. Since conventional asphalt shingles are a petroleum product, they increase the dependency on fossil fuels. Moreover, you must replace asphalt shingles every 15 to 20 years. Unsurprisingly, approximately 12 million tons of worn-out asphalt shingles end up in our landfills every year.
On the other hand, metal roofs are more sustainable because they are recyclable. For instance, steel roofing can be recycled multiple times without decreasing and without losing strength. Metal roofs also allow business owners to install solar panels and harvest rainwater.
Exceptional Energy Efficiency
Once you install metal roofing, you will likely reduce your utility bills significantly. This is because metal roofing offers exceptional reflectivity and emissivity.
Resistant to Fires, Moss, and Fungus
Metal roofing provides excellent resistance against fires, moss, and fungus. That also means that your metal roofing requires minimal maintenance.
Cons of Commercial Metal Roofs
As with other commercial roofing materials, metal roofs also have a few drawbacks, including:
- They have a higher upfront cost compared to other materials
- They can be noisier than other materials
- They are prone to denting
Although most people assume that commercial metal roofs attract lightning, the truth is that nearly all metal roofing is Assembly-Rated Class A. That means it’s one of the best roofing materials for commercial properties in lightning-prone areas.
Ready to Install a Metal Roof? Work With a Licensed Commercial Roofer Near You
Switching to a metal roof is one of the best decisions you can ever make as a business owner. Metal roofs will improve energy efficiency in your commercial property. Moreover, they are durable and environmentally friendly. Regardless of your budget, style, and preferences, our licensed and experienced commercial roofers at Premier Commercial Roofing are ready to help you find the best roofing solutions for your business.
Contact us today for all your commercial roofing needs, including commercial roof maintenance, restoration, fabric-reinforced roofing systems, and membrane roofing and coating systems.
