Should You Install an Aluminum Roof?

Metal roofs, although currently back in vogue, are nothing new to American builders and homeowners. In the 18^th Century, American homes and government buildings were covered with metal roofs. Even the Washington Monument has a metal roof. Now homeowners have the option of installing an aluminum roof as a durable, lightweight option known for its corrosion resistance and tensile strength. Unlike metal roofs of steel, aluminum roofs resist corrosion in salt-heavy climates along the coastlines of the country. An aluminum roof can sustain the weight of snow and ice in cold climates, while keeping homes cooler in the summer. Metal roofs absorb a third less solar heat than asphalt shingles.

Aluminum Roofing Pros and Cons

On the negative side of the ledger, aluminum roofs must be coated or painted to make for presentable roofing materials. You don't want your house to look like a military aircraft. Fortunately, the paints or clear coats used on aluminum tiles or panels can help the material resemble tiles, wood shakes, and shingles. Or, you can choose a coating that completes a Victorian décor with a copper look and feel.

Some environmentally conscious consumers feel it's a waste of aluminum--a valuable resource--to use it in roofing. But on the plus side, aluminum roofing can be made of recycled metal and re-used after the home is sold or taken down for a new structure. Homeowners are divided over the noise that heavy rains make on an aluminum roof: some find it romantic, others find it distracting. Even if you don't like the noise, it's good to know that aluminum roofs hold up extremely well in heavy rain. That's why some aluminum roofs come with extensive warranties.