6 Factors To Consider When Purchasing Metal Roofing and Siding

This added layer underpins why steel can last so long once properly installed. In most environments, aluminum-zinc coating provides longer protection than galvanized and carries the benefit of a warranty. This warranty guarantees the metal will not rupture or fail structurally. For locations with extreme corrosion resistance needs, such as those very close to salt water, it is often recommended to use a thicker paint or aluminum as the base metal. For these applications we recommend consulting Steelscape or a product fabricator prior to selecting your material.

Common gauges (ga) for residential installations are 26ga and 24ga for their favorable combination of performance and price. For some value conscious applications, such as sheds, which trade off performance for price, thinner 29ga material is used. Aluminum thickness is represented in inches and common thicknesses are 0.032″ and 0.040″. Your roofing contractor should know the needs of your location or local building codes and which material thickness is suitable. Homeowners should note, the metal thickness can be a driver of product price – the thicker the metal, the more expensive the solution.

The most common for residential applications, is the middle ground product called SMP. Most paints used on metal come standard with ‘cool’ technology which offers improved sunlight reflectance, reducing the build up of heat within homes. When selecting a color, note there is no industry standard for color names. Always compare physical samples to make sure you are selecting the right color for your project.

Metallic Paint – When illuminated by sunlight, these have a noticeable sparkle due to mica pigments. Common colors are silver, copper and champagne.

Textured Paint – Some paints have a textured finish to provide a distinct look and to help reduce the glare from the sun.

Print Designs – Printed designs can be applied to metal to create distinctive finishes or to create finishes that recreate other natural effects, such as rust, without the performance drawbacks.

Specialty Clears – Translucent colored resins provide visual depth and a unique finish that interact dynamically with natural light.

Matte Finishes (launching soon!) – Matte finishes feature microscopic texture to significantly reduce gloss and sheen.

Warranty length and coverage will vary based on the paint system used. Finish warranty coverage may include film integrity (painted finish is consistent and is free from blistering or cracking), and resistance to color fade or chalking (the loss of pigments in the color). Warranties for panel performance, panel quality, or roof weathertightness, are the responsibility of the panel fabricator and roofing contractor. To avoid confusion, request a summary of the end-user warranties being offered by the contractor as part of the bid process.

Always ensure you understand the environment of the installation. Most metal is interchangeable between roofs and walls, however specific environmental conditions or structural performance needs may directly affect material selection. For example, proximity to salt water may impact the paint system selected. Alternatively, a thicker base metal may be needed to achieve minimum snow or wind load building code requirements. Always discuss these considerations when selecting a preferred material.