Material

There are many different types of metals of which Standing Seam can be made from. Below is the general order of material ranging from the most inexpensive to the most expensive types of materials.

GALVANIZED STEEL: Seldom used unless painted galvanized steel will have the shortest life of any materials. Galvanized is typically found around the house and is used for most metals found around the house. Generally, galvanized metal will start to rust in a very short period of time. If galvanized steel is painted, the life period will generally last as long as the paint warranty.

GALVALUME COATED STEEL: Aluminum-Zinc - Combine the chemical action of zinc and the barrier protection of aluminum. Galvalume was developed by the Bethlehem Steel Corp. and is described in ASTM A-792. This make-up is 55 percent aluminum and 43.5 percent zinc and 1.5 percent silicone. Galvalume will generally last 15 to 20 years in most conditions. When painted, the life expectancy will double. This is the most common material used in metal roofing coming in a range of gauges from 29 to 22 gauge. Generally 24 gauge is the standard in the industry. This product also goes by the name of Zincalume which is a registered trademark of BPI Steel.

ALUMINUM: Lighter then steel and will not rust. However, aluminum will start to go to a chalk white oxidation process. Generally will hold up better then Galvalume in corrosive conditions such as industrial or salty conditions at a beach. If painted, this product will be greatly extended in life expectancy. This will generally run five to 15% greater in cost then Galvalume.

STAINLESS STEEL: A good solution when corrosive or salty conditions are present. Stainless steel will last 30 to 50 years depending on conditions and wear. Generally a good choice when building on beach or in a highly crossive industrial situation. About 20% greater cost then Galvanized.

COPPER COATED STAINLESS STEEL: All the advantages of stainless steel with the ageing qualities of copper. When looking at this roof, it is almost impossible to tell the difference between a real copper roof and copper coated stainless steel roof. The reason is because the copper coating will age exactly like a copper roofing including the patina ageing the comes over a period of years. This will generally fun about 25 to 30% greater then galvanized roofing.

COPPER ROOFING : Copper generally comes in 16 ounce [standard] and 20 ounce. The 20 ounce generally more strength and thickness then most roofs would need. Flashings in most cases can be made with 16 ounce copper although with some larger gutters, 20 ounce might be preferred. The advantage of copper is that very few elements will affect this roofing material. Copper is a product that will last a lifetime. Copper roofs can still be found on buildings build over 300 years ago. The natural patina process where the roof will first turn a dark brown and then slowly start turning a patina green. This is a product that actually increases in value as it ages. Copper generally runs about twice the cost of galvanized steel.

ZINC: The most common zinc roofing material goes under the name of Rhinezinc which is made in Germany, This product is very soft and needs extra support of siding and certain flashings. This is another product that will last forever. In Europe, this product has been in use over 500 years with some examples going back to BC era. This is a material that will slowly turn to a medium grey as it ages. A product that can be used on the beach without any worry of corrosion. This material takes special skill to install because of special conditions that need to be meet to keep the product in goo shape. Generally, this product will run five times the cost of galvalume steel is the most expensive product that can be used for metal roofing.


METALS There are many different types of metals of which Standing Seam can be made from. Below is the general order of material ranging from the most inexpensive to the most expensive types of materials. GALVANIZED STEEL: Seldom used unless painted galvanized steel will have the shortest life of any materials. Galvanized is typically found around the house and is used for most metals found around the house. Generally, galvanized metal will start to rust in a very short period of time. If galvanized steel is painted, the life period will generally last as long as the paint warranty. GALVALUME COATED STEEL: Aluminum-Zinc - Combine the chemical action of zinc and the barrier protection of aluminum. Galvalume was developed by the Bethlehem Steel Corp. and is described in ASTM A-792. This make-up is 55 percent aluminum and 43.5 percent zinc and 1.5 percent silicone. Galvalume will generally last 15 to 20 years in most conditions. When painted, the life expectancy will double. This is the most common material used in metal roofing coming in a range of gauges from 29 to 22 gauge. Generally 24 gauge is the standard in the industry. This product also goes by the name of Zincalume which is a registered trademark of BPI Steel. ALUMINUM: Lighter then steel and will not rust. However, aluminum will start to go to a chalk white oxidation process. Generally will hold up better then Galvalume in corrosive conditions such as industrial or salty conditions at a beach. If painted, this product will be greatly extended in life expectancy. This will generally run five to 15% greater in cost then Galvalume. STAINLESS STEEL: A good solution when corrosive or salty conditions are present. Stainless steel will last 30 to 50 years depending on conditions and wear. Generally a good choice when building on beach or in a highly crossive industrial situation. About 20% greater cost then Galvanized. COPPER COATED STAINLESS STEEL: All the advantages of stainless steel with the ageing qualities of copper. When looking at this roof, it is almost impossible to tell the difference between a real copper roof and copper coated stainless steel roof. The reason is because the copper coating will age exactly like a copper roofing including the patina ageing the comes over a period of years. This will generally fun about 25 to 30% greater then galvanized roofing. COPPER ROOFING : Copper generally comes in 16 ounce [standard] and 20 ounce. The 20 ounce generally more strength and thickness then most roofs would need. Flashings in most cases can be made with 16 ounce copper although with some larger gutters, 20 ounce might be preferred. The advantage of copper is that very few elements will affect this roofing material. Copper is a product that will last a lifetime. Copper roofs can still be found on buildings build over 300 years ago. The natural patina process where the roof will first turn a dark brown and then slowly start turning a patina green. This is a product that actually increases in value as it ages. Copper generally runs about twice the cost of galvanized steel. ZINC: The most common zinc roofing material goes under the name of Rhinezinc which is made in Germany, This product is very soft and needs extra support of siding and certain flashings. This is another product that will last forever. In Europe, this product has been in use over 500 years with some examples going back to BC era. This is a material that will slowly turn to a medium grey as it ages. A product that can be used on the beach without any worry of corrosion. This material takes special skill to install because of special conditions that need to be meet to keep the product in goo shape. Generally, this product will run five times the cost of galvalume steel is the most expensive product that can be used for metal roofing.