Difference Between Steel and Aluminum For Florida Metal Roofs

A metal roof has a tremendous amount of benefits. Some benefits include lasting up to 50 years, having excellent wind and fire resistance, providing outstanding energy-efficiency attributes, and maintaining structural integrity. Metal roofs also come in a variety of materials. For instance, our Destin roofing company offers tin, galvanized, steel, copper, lead, zinc, aluminum, and stainless steel. However, in this article, we are going to compare the difference between steel and aluminum for Florida metal roofs.  

What is a Steel Roof? 

A steel roof is often known as a “forever roof.” This material is sturdy, safe, and completely recyclable, which many people find beneficial. The thickness of steel is designated by gauge and is typically 24 to 26 gauge. While steel was most common for buildings in Europe many years ago, it is now becoming a very popular choice among homes in North America.  

Steel has several benefits: 

• Fire Resistance – With a steel roof, you won’t have to worry about fires occurring since steel roofs have a Class-A fire rating.  
• Value – Compared to many other roofs, steel lasts much longer and reduces energy costs by reflecting heat. While upfront installation costs may be higher, the overall value tends to outweigh the costs. 
• Quick Installation – It does not take long for a roofing company to install a steel roof. For example, Gulf Coast’s GulfLok steel panels have clipless, snap-and-lock installation, which makes it easy for our roofers to install quickly.  
• Moss Resistant – Florida weather is humid and makes it easy for moss, algae, and fungi to grow. This is why our roofing company prefers metal roofs since steel is moss resistant. 
• Energy Efficiency – We all know Florida is known as the Sunshine State. Steel is an excellent option for Florida homes because steel has high reflectivity, which means less heat infiltrating into the home.  

What is an Aluminum Roof? 

Similar to steel, aluminum is also known for its durability, energy efficiency, and longevity. This material resists oxidation and rust caused by seawater very well, making it an ideal roofing material for coastal environments like Florida. 

In addition to resistance to corrosion, other benefits of aluminum include: 

• Finish Warranty – Unlike steel, aluminum roofs have a finish warranty that is ideal for roofs in coastal areas to prevent rust.  
• Light Weight – Aluminum tends to be the lightest metal a roofing company can install. It’s lightness also means it stores little heat and cools off quickly once it’s out of direct sunlight. 
• Fire Resistance – While aluminum does not have a Class A fire rating like steel, it can achieve one when it has a proper underlayment, sheathing, and a fire barrier.  
• Malleability – Aluminum is a flexible material, more so than steel, which lets it be configured into elaborate designs. 
• Energy Efficiency – Aluminum roofs naturally reflect heat and light. This helps lower energy bills, which is especially important in Florida. 

Which Material Is Better? 

Whether you choose steel or aluminum will ultimately depend on the location of your home. The closer you are to the ocean, the best roofing company will likely suggest going with an aluminum roof. The further away from the ocean you are, you can get by with steel. However, both steel and aluminum are excellent choices for a metal roof.   

Contact The Best Roofing Company in Destin

Are you ready to switch to a metal roof? Contact Kings Roofing today. One of our experts can help you decide which metal material would be best for home.