What Are The Disadvantages Of Zinc Roofs?
What Are The Disadvantages Of Zinc Roofs?
Zinc roofing sheets’ disadvantages are;
1. Zinc Roof Cost
Prepare for sticker shock if you’re only familiar with the prices of more regularly used roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles.
Zinc can cost $5 to $8 per square foot in supplies and $10 to $20 per square foot installed. Copper is the only roofing material that is more costly than zinc.
2. The Variables with Patina
Some folks choose zinc for its patina look. While zinc will ultimately provide patina, there is no timetable for when this will occur. It might take as little as two years or as long as thirty years.
The time it takes zinc to patina is primarily determined by the environment since color change happens more quickly in moist and humid areas. There is also no certainty as to what color it will turn following the transition, and tonal variances may exist throughout the zinc.
3. Zinc Roof Problems from Poor Installation
Like any other type of roof, a zinc roof must be correctly fitted to avoid future difficulties. Corrosion can develop if the backside of the panels is constantly exposed to water.
If a non-breathable synthetic underlayment is utilized during installation, moisture can become trapped between the roof and the roofing deck. This eventually leads to mold and leaks.
4. Noise Contributor
Metal roofs are better at absorbing sound than asphalt roofs, single-ply membranes, and shingles. As a result, even little rain showers will ring out loudly within any building.
Strong hailstorms exacerbate the problem. This, however, is a modest amount to pay for stronger and more lasting roofing.
5. Expands and Contracts
Metal roofs, like siding, respond to temperature. They swell and shrink. If contractors do not correctly install them, the contractions will diminish the material’s lifespan. Furthermore, the motions will loosen screws and fasteners. As a result, your entire roof system will be weakened.
Metal roofs require a “breathing” room. If you notice any nails displaced, even if there is no rain, contact a reputable contractor for immediate assistance. This is, indeed, a minor drawback of metal roofs.
6. Industrial Look
One downside of uncoated metal roofs is that they glint and shimmer like warehouses. Metal roofs will give your property an industrial feel if you do not get the associated specialist protective coating.
While it raises the material cost, it provides greater aesthetics. Furthermore, the coating adds UV protection and material durability. Residential metal roofs are a whole different aesthetic matter.
7. Not a Beachside Roof Option
Metal roofs, with the exception of aluminum, are not ideal for beachfront property roofing. Metals in high-salt air conditions will corrode closer to the source. This is a significant disadvantage, given the high cost of aluminum.
If residential and commercial establishments along the shore still desire metal roofs, they must consider employing aluminum alone. Any contractor, however, will strongly advise against alternative metal roofs for these houses.
