Copper VS Aluminum Roofing - Which Metal Roofing is Best for Commercial Buildings?

Commercial buildings differ from residential ones in many respects depending upon their needs. Residential establishment requirements are more inclined towards individuals' preferences of those who live in it. Contrarily, the business properties have their standards that should be met. Among different aspects, commercial roofing is considered to be one of the most important parts of any architecture. Roofing come in many forms like metal, steel, asphalt shingles, rubber slate, stone-coated steel, clay and concrete tiles, solar tiles, green roofs and many more.

But the one we are interested in talking about right now is the metallic form of roofing. The metal roof itself comes in different kinds such as copper, aluminum, zinc, steel, and tin to name a few. While they all belong to the same category, they are not exactly similar to each other. They differ in many ways such as composition, cost, and performance, etc. This creates problems for industries and plant owners and they keep wondering which kind of metal roof they should have at their place of business. Professional and experienced commercial roofing companies also provide high-quality metal roofing systems for all industrial and commercial buildings.

We hope this article will help you in making the right decision about your roof material. Now let’s discuss copper and aluminum roofing and see which one suits your business more.

Copper Roofing

Copper has been used in construction for many centuries now. It’s a softer kind of metal, which is why it’s avoided in those areas which experience frequent hailstorms or heavy rains. But being light and malleable also makes it very popular for custom-based roofing as it can be molded into any kind of shape.

It requires very little maintenance as compared to other metals. It withstands corrosion and it creates its unique appearance over time according to the environmental conditions. That’s why you don’t need to apply any coating over copper roofing as you do in the case of steel.

Copper is lighter than steel, it puts very little pressure on the support of the structure and can resist relatively more weight on it. Under extreme snowfall here in Edmonton, copper roofing could prove to be a good choice as it can bear the weight of snow. But it could also be vulnerable to scratches in harsh weather conditions.

The very reason most of the businesses opt for copper roofing is due to its sheer elegance, sophistication, and prestige that it adds to the outlook of their commercial buildings. Copper is also more expensive than steel and aluminum, which is why it’s commonly seen on top of big buildings.

Aluminum Roofing

Aluminum is another metal that’s being used in roofing apart from steel and copper. It’s expensive than steel but has its advantages. Like copper, aluminum is also light-weight, durable, and resists rust, but it does require an anti-corrosive outer coating that copper doesn’t do.

Aluminum can reflect sunlight and helps in the insulation of the framework, hence proves to be very energy efficient. The durability of aluminum is one of the main reasons it’s widely used in commercial roofing. It can even last for half a century or more when maintained properly. No matter how harsh the weather is - it can last in snow, and heavy rainfalls and still not lose its durability. But unfortunately, it could be dented easily by hail.

One of the best features of Aluminum is its malleability. It can easily be shaped into different designs of your choice. That’s why it's available in a variety of forms like shingles, tiles, panels, and standing seams. Apart from that, Aluminum is lighter than steel and copper - it can be installed easily and it has a high strength to weight ratio.

As a heat reflector, Aluminum saves residential and commercial energy bills. It helps in maintaining the indoor temperatures by resisting the outside heat or cold from entering the house or office. Aluminum is also environment-friendly as it can be recycled and used again and again.

Both Copper and Aluminum can serve your roofing needs in Edmonton. It depends on your needs. However, copper is more used in commercial buildings and aluminum is preferred for residences.

Stahl Roofing is a professional metal roofing company that provides excellent roofing services both industrial and commercial roofing services in Edmonton.

Visit https://www.stahlroofing.ca for accurate and precise roofing estimates and services.

Liam is a technician and blogger. He write in his free time on technical topics including preventive maintenance, roofing and cleaning.