If you’re a homeowner or business owner considering installing a metal roof, you’ll have to decide which material to use: aluminum or steel? We’ll outline the many components of each, their pros and cons, average prices, and much more.
Types of Metal Roofing
Steel Roofs
Residential and commercial metal roofs are primarily either steel or aluminum.
Stone-Coated Steel
Stone-coated steel roofing has roots dating back to the 1950s, but it's changed quite a bit since then. This type of roofing material was originally coated with a thin layer of bitumen and tiny pieces of stone, which was shown to perform exceptionally well against weathering, rusting, and varying climates. However, today’s stone-coated steel products use advanced coatings that perform better than ever before, as many stone-coated roofing products feature lifetime warranties.
Stone-coated steel roofing is also available in a wide variety of styles, including shingles, tiles, shakes, and slate.
Galvanized Steel
Bare steel roofing is susceptible to corrosion and rust, so to avoid these problems, steel undergoes a galvanization process. During this process, a zinc coating is applied to the surface of the steel roof. The zinc coating provides decades of protection against UV rays, corrosion, rust, and weathering.
Galvalume Steel
Galvalume steel is steel coated with a zinc/aluminum mixture. Galvalume steel roofing is more corrosion-resistant overall. Galvalume steel roofs work best in simple roofing installations where material cuts and bends are at a minimum, such as standing seam metal roofs.
Aluminum Roofs
Aluminum Panels
Because of aluminum’s malleable properties, it can be formed and molded relatively easily. Pre-fabricated aluminum panels can be manufactured in virtually any shape or size to fit your roofing structure. These panels install quickly and easily, and they provide superior water-shedding qualities.
Aluminum Shingles
In recent years, aluminum roof shingles have gained popularity in the residential roofing market. Not only are aluminum shingles lighter and more durable than asphalt shingles, but they are also manufactured to resemble any type of roofing you can think of, including slate, wood shakes, and architectural shingles.
Corrugated Aluminum
Aluminum roof paneling with a corrugated (“wavy”) appearance has a long history in the roofing industry. The tin corrugated roofing panels of the past gave way to steel and eventually corrugated aluminum roofing panels.
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Metal Roof Coatings
Steel roof panels have a metallic coating on both sides that acts as a protective barrier against rust. These coatings come in a variety of colors that can be customized to meet homeowners' requests.
There are two types of metallic coatings: galvanized and galvalume.
Galvanized coatings are made from 100% zinc and come in varying thicknesses depending on the steel's intended use. Because zinc oxidizes faster than steel, the coating forms a protective barrier against the elements.
Galvalume is a mixture of zinc and aluminum. These coatings protect the iron in steel from oxidation. When zinc is combined with aluminum to form galvalume, it’s even more protective.
Aluminum is highly resilient against corrosion, making it great for roofs located close to saltwater. On the other hand, steel tends to damage faster when exposed to salty conditions.
Consequently, aluminum may cost up to 20% more than steel. Steel roofing located near coastal areas are generally not backed by warranties, as the potential for the coating to separate from the metal substrate at the edges is high.
Thickness and Weight
Steel
Steel roofing is designated by gauge, with the higher gauge being the thinner material. Gauges are generally between 24 and 26. These gauges are suitable for residential applications, as most installations are over a solid substrate.
Steel roofing products, even at their heaviest, weigh about 1.5 pounds per square foot. Aluminum weighs even les, and is one of the lightest metals used for roofing applications. It’s strength-to-weight ratio ranks among the highest of the common metals. Aluminum’s lightness and thinness also means it stores very little heat and cools quickly once sunlight fades.
Aluminum
Aluminum roofing's thickness is measured in decimals and typically comes between .023 to .040 thicknesses.
Aluminum is the lighter material if weight is a critical factor in choosing a metal roofing material. Both aluminum and steel are very light in comparison to other materials like asphalt shingles, much to the surprise of homeowners.
KEEP READING:
- The 6 Best Roofing Materials for Longevity
- 5 Metal Roofing Myths Debunked
- Metal Roofing FAQs: Everything You Need to Know
Typical Costs
Metal roofs are known for their longevity. They can last fifty years or more with little maintenance, which is why steel and aluminum roofs are more expensive than standard roofing materials.
Not only does metal roofing outlast asphalt shingles 2:1, but the level of experience required to install metal roofing is much higher.
| Roofing Material | Average Cost |
| Steel Shingles | $265 - $375 per roofing square |
| Aluminum Shingles | $375 - $550 per roofing square |
| Corrugated Steel Panels | $120 - $150 per roofing square |
| Stone-coated Steel | $350 - $425 per roofing square |
| Aluminum Standing Seam | $500 - $1,100 per roofing square |
Metal Roofing Contractors
The needs of your roofing project will dictate whether you choose steel or aluminum, but no matter which material you choose, be sure it's installed correctly.
Hometown Roofing Contractors can help you identify the best metal roofing contractor for your next installation. You can research multiple contractors, determine the best quotes, and see what other customers have to say.