Aluminum Roofing

All that glitters is not gold – or, in the case of roofing materials, copper or steel. Historically, contractors and building designers have shied away from using aluminum as their metal of choice because of its high cost and notions of its less than ideal structural composition. Both of these drawbacks are now under challenge, and aluminum has become more widely used, particularly in the manufacture of commercial roofs. Given its limitations – at least, those that it is perceived as having – what are the advantages of using aluminum?

Advantages

Aluminum has many corrosion-resistant properties, making it an ideal choice for buildings that withstand large amounts of precipitation. Of course, no roofing material can totally withstand the effects of acid rain, coastal air or other "aggressive" environments, but aluminum has proven to be the clear winner among metals used for roofing. An added bonus is that aluminum, unlike other materials, will not split or break in a hailstorm. Designers like working with aluminum because of its ease of use and availability in a wider array of gauges than steel. It's also easier to cut and work with in the field, both of which factors translate into lower labor costs. Not the least important of the advantages to working with aluminum is its environmentally friendly properties. A roof panel made of aluminum will often contain 90 percent recycled content and can be made solar power efficient.

Value for the Dollar

As a result of its high cost, builders have typically shied away from using aluminum as a roofing metal option. Yet, recent studies have proven that, over the long run, aluminum actually sits on the lower end of the price range in comparison to asphalt, steel, and composite shingles, as well as concrete tile, stone-coated steel panels, or copper roofs.

There are many good reasons to choose aluminum as a roofing material in both commercial and residential projects. Perhaps the Aluminum Association put it best when it laid out the metal's unique and advantageous properties:

"Unlike wood shingles, will not dry, split, rot, or attract insects; unlike steel, it will not rust; and unlike asphalt, it will not curl, dry, lift or host moss, mildew or fungus."

Everything Old is New Again

The roof of the Washington Monument (made of metal, by the way) was installed in 1882 and still remains. But for many years, aluminum has not been the roofing material of choice. Perhaps now, with all the proven benefits this lightweight, energy-efficient, cost-effective and easy-to-use metal has to offer, designers and contractors will once again use metal atop their most treasured buildings.