With so many different roofing options on the market, it can get difficult to decide which roofing option is best for your. When it comes to deciding on what type of metal roof to get, there are three options that Park City homeowners most often have installed; steel, zinc, or copper. Each type of metal roofing material has its own unique characteristics, and unique advantages. Let’s take a look at the 3 most commonly used roofing materials in Park City and the pros and cons of each.

Steel Roofing

Steel is the most used metal roofing material in Park City and in the U.S. Steel is a an alloy made from iron and other elements. Steel is one of the most common materials from on many construction sites because it’s price to performance ratio is excellent. Steel roofs can last 50+ years and are often referred to as a lifetime roof.

Steel comes from a variety of manufacturers and they each use their own painting technology and processes. The paint on a metal roof is incredible important because unlike copper and zinc, steel will rust without a protective paint layer. The type of paint and process used will make the quality of metal roofs vary from company to company.

Zinc Roofing

Zinc is another popular and pretty amazing metal. Zinc can last over 100 years and the natural properties make it a popular material for commercial and high end projects. Zinc is a very workable material and can be formed into many shapes. Zinc also patinas naturally into a grey/blue appearance when left unpainted that can be very aesthetically pleasing when incorporated into a home.

Zinc is a more expensive roofing option than traditional steel metal roofs but is still cost effective when you consider the extended lifespan. Over 70% of residential roofs in Europe utilize zinc roofs and it is becoming a more popular material in the U.S.

Because zinc naturally patinas, it doesn’t rust with weather or water. It naturally creates a patina layer that protects the metal from breaking down without the need for paint.

Copper Roofing Pros and Cons

Copper roofs are considered as the grandfather of metal roofing and have been used for centuries all around the world. Copper has been used as a roofing material for hundreds of years because of how long lasting the metal is. A Copper roof under the right conditions can last over 200+ years and most will last up to 100 years.

Coppers unique properties make it less susceptible to rusting and because the material can be installed without a painted surface, it doesn’t rely on the paint as a major protective element. Cooper is a soft metal and because of this, copper roofs tend to be the most quite metal roofs.

The biggest drawback for some when it comes to copper roofing is the price. Copper is an expensive and highly in demand material and the price of copper roofs reflects this.