Metal Commercial Roofing: Why Owners and Builders Love It

Metal roofs have become favored not only for residential properties but also for commercial buildings. Despite the presence of other commercial roofing systems on the market, metal roofs continue to rise in popularity, given their accessibility and advantages.

If you’re looking to get metal commercial roofing in Dothan, AL, it would be a good idea to be informed well regarding this durable, long-lasting, and reasonably priced option. Read on to learn more about why they are highly preferred today.

History

Before the 1800s, most roofs were made of wood and slate. But, roofs with a gentle incline didn’t hold up well with these materials, which created a demand for metal roofs made with protective lead or copper.

Then, Robert Morris, known as the “Financier of the Revolution,” first manufactured sheet iron in the 1790s. When corrugated, it becomes sturdier and able to cover larger buildings. This eventually brought on the introduction of metal roofing to America in the 19th century. The cost-effective material steadily gained popularity and was later redeveloped into sheet metal roof tiles.

Types

 Metal roofs have different types. Here are the most common ones:

R-Panel

This type features overlapping seams that help minimize water leakage and is built with interconnected panels that are 36 inches wide. R-Panel metal roofs are a popular commercial roofing system since they are low-cost, low-maintenance, and easy to install. They also offer excellent support, especially for deck roofs, and can last up to 30 years with proper maintenance.

Standing Seam

Standing seam metal roofs have tightly interlocking panels that provide extra  

protection against wind uplift. They are also designed to limit water 

infiltration, making them ideal for covering very large areas, especially in 

commercial buildings. This roofing type works best when the panels are primed 

with a water- and rust-proofing medium to maximize its durability.

Corrugated

This is considered the classic and original metal roof, having been on the market since the early 1900s. It’s widely used in commercial roofing because it’s lightweight, customizable according to size, cost-effective, resistant to corrosion, and much sturdier than standard sheet metal roofing.

Materials Used

The material used for metal roofing has various types, which allow for customization based on what would suit a building best. The most popular ones are:

Steel

Popular for its affordability, flexibility, and durability, steel is one of the most commonly used roofing materials in commercial construction sites. It has a low long-term cost and is sustainable and recyclable. It can withstand most weather environments.

Steel for roofing comes in three types: galvanized, which is coated with zinc for protection against the elements; galvalume, which is coated with zinc and aluminum to withstand corrosion; and weathering, an uncoated variant that’s intended to rust and is only used for accent roofs.

Zinc

Zinc is greatly favored for commercial buildings due to its malleability, resistance to corrosion, and low melting point that makes it environmentally-friendly in production. It’s also low-maintenance, highly durable, and can last for over 100 years, with a self-healing patina that guards against scratches.

Copper

Copper is an elegant metal roofing material that has been used for centuries. One of its unique properties is its relative softness, which allows it to become dented instead of punctured when hit by hard objects such as hailstones. 

Copper has a very long lifespan, lasting up to 50 years or even more in most environments. It can withstand fire, mold and mildew, and corrosion. Moreover, copper is fully recyclable, making it a green material choice.

Aluminum

This is a popular choice for use in coastal climates, being highly resistant to salt corrosion. Aluminum reacts instantly to atmospheric elements such as oxygen, which triggers it to create a layer of aluminum oxide, sealing its deeper layers against the elements and preventing further damage. 

Aluminum also has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than steel. This makes it an excellent choice for commercial roofing that requires more material.

Lead

Lead has the ability to maintain the energy efficiency of a building by expanding and contracting under different temperatures. It can be manipulated into various shapes to fit many designs and is perfect for sealing roofs to make the seams watertight. This material is also resistant to corrosion and radiation, can last up to 500 years, and is completely recyclable.

Advantages

As previously mentioned, the popularity of metal roofing among commercial property owners is largely brought about by the benefits it has. Here are some of them:

Long-lasting

Metal roofs have a long life expectancy and amazing durability. Their average lifespan is 50 years—much longer than the average commercial roof’s. They can even reach up to 70 years, depending on the roof’s material.

Environment-Friendly

Many metal roofs in use are composed of 40% recycled steel, and the materials used in their manufacture are fully recyclable; its components rarely end up as landfill waste. This makes it one of the eco-friendliest roofing solutions.

Metal roofing systems are energy-efficient. Their solar reflectance can go from 10% to 75%, depending on the color of their coating. This helps make a property’s indoors cooler, effectively reducing energy consumption.

Visually Pleasing

Metal roofs can be manipulated according to your preference. They can be formed into several designs and can be painted in a range of colors to maximize aesthetic appeal. This makes them an especially excellent choice for commercial buildings as they can be made to suit a business’ aesthetic.

Low-Maintenance

Only minimal maintenance is required of metal roofs, and it can be done even just once a year. It will unlikely need extensive repair, especially when primed, coated, and sealed correctly.

With their remarkable features, metal roofing systems will surely continue to be a constant choice for commercial properties. Check out options for metal commercial roofing in Dothan, AL today, and consider them for your future establishments.