The roof is one of the most critical parts of your home. It is your first line of defense against the elements, because it takes the brunt of it all, from the harshest wind and rain to the hottest sun beating down on it; so you want a roof that can withstand it all and come out at least relatively unscathed.
Metal roofs are a great option, and there are many types of metal that you can use. One choice you'll have to make is a Galvalume or painted metal roof. Which is better, or should you choose something different altogether?
What is Galvalume?
Galvalume is a hot-dip coated metal with a steel core that was first introduced in the early 1970s after the invention of galvanized steel, which, at the time, was the most common material for metal roofing. After its introduction, there was little debate about a Galvalume vs. galvanized metal roof. Gavalume became the premier choice due to its superior durability and corrosion resistance. This superiority is due to its coating, which combines aluminum and zinc alloys, as well as silicone in a combination that breaks down into 55% aluminum, 43.4% zinc, and 1.6% silicone.
Aluminum: Aluminum provides corrosion resistance and protects the metal from oxidation.
Zinc: Zinc offers galvanized protection that protects the metal from cuts and scratches.
Silicone: Silicone helps to ensure the best adhesion between the coating and steel core.
Pros
Reflectivity: Galvalume is highly reflective, which helps reduce summer cooling costs.
Cost: The price of the Galvalume compared to painted metal roof is generally less, which makes Galvalume a more cost-effective option.
Maintenance: Galvalume requires less maintenance because it won't require repainting.
Cons
Aesthetics: Galvalume has a more limited color and finish selection, typically metallic gray or silver.
Staining: Galvalume can develop stains, or patina, over time, especially in high humidity or polluted areas.
UV Protection: While it can reflect UV rays, it doesn't offer the same level of protection as some paint coatings.
What is a Painted Metal Roof?
A painted metal roof is, as the name implies, a metal roof that is typically aluminum that has been coated with a layer of protective paint. The coating enhances the metal's durability and creates a better aesthetic appeal. The base metal provides a structural foundation, so different metals provide different benefits; steel offers better strength and durability, while aluminum offers a more lightweight, corrosion-resistant form.
The paint coatings used for painted metal roofs typically include polyester or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), which helps protect the metal from weather damage and UV exposure. Polyester provides a good balance of durability and color retention at an affordable price. PVDF coatings offer better durability and color retention at a more premium price.
Pros
Aesthetics: Painted metal offers better aesthetics and customization, with a variety of colors and finish options.
UV Protection: High-quality options have UV coatings that protect the roof and make it more energy-efficient.
Corrosion Resistant: The paints used for the roofs often have corrosion-resistant properties.
Enhanced Durability: Some options have more advanced coatings to protect the roof from wear and tear.
Cons
Cost: Painted metal roofs cost more due to the manufacturing process.
Maintenance: They require more maintenance over their lifetime, including repainting or touch ups.
Damaged Paint: Paint can become scratched or chipped, which reveals the base metal underneath and exposes it to potential rusting.
Galvalume vs. Painted Metal Roof
When comparing Galvalume and painted metal roofing, you need to look at several different factors:
Durability
Corrosion resistance
The aluminum-zinc alloy coating gives Galvalume a good amount of corrosion resistance. A painted metal roof often has a Galvalume or galvanized metal substrate and is coated in a corrosion-resistant paint, which helps enhance the corrosion resistance of the substrate.
Weather resistance
Both options do relatively well in harsh weather conditions. Galvalume is more rust-resistant, whereas painted metal's performance depends largely on the quality of the paint.
Longevity
Galvalume can last anywhere from 10 to 15 years or more, with minimal maintenance. A painted roof can have an equally long lifespan, but it will depend on the paint and if it deteriorates over time.
Aesthetics
Painted roofs come in various colors and have multiple potential finishes, while Galvalume has a more limited color selection and is typically a shiner, more metallic finish. The larger selection of colors and finishes makes painted metal roofs a better option for more home styles, while Galvalume will give a more modern, industrial appearance.
Galvalume vs, Painted Metal Roof Cost
Initial Costs
When comparing the initial Galvalume vs. painted metal roof price points, you will find Galvalume has the cheaper initial costs.
Maintenance Costs
Painted metal requires more maintenance, because it has to be repainted periodically, which is an added cost, whereas Gavlaume requires minimal maintenance.
Long-Term Value
The better value depends on the homeowner when comparing the long-term value of Galvalume to painted metal roof cost factors. For homeowners who value durability and low-maintenance materials, Galvalume will offer better long-term value. For those who value aesthetics and variety, painted metal roofs will be more valuable.
Performance in Various Climates
Hot Climates
Both can do well in hot climates by providing UV protection. Galvalume's reflectivity will also help reduce cooling costs.
Cold Climates
Galvalume's durability makes it a better choice, because the painted metal roof can experience paint cracking with temperature fluctuations.
Coastal Areas
A painted metal roof vs. Galvalume in coastal areas will require a paint formulated for use in marine environments. Galvalume is highly resistant to saltwater corrosion.
Brava - A Better Alternative
The debate on what is better, a painted metal roof or a Galvalume roof, depends largely on what you value most. Both have advantages and disadvantages, and you'll find yourself sacrificing something one way or another. If you don't want to give up anything, you should consider a different roofing option altogether.
Brava is a premium synthetic roofing brand that offers high-quality products with more benefits than Galvalume and painted metal roofing.
Durability
Brava is made of compressed recycled plastics and other sustainable materials, which makes lightweight, dense, highly durable tiles that can last 50 years or more.
Depending on the installation method, they offer a Class 4 impact rating, Class A fire rating, and wind resistance from 188 mph to 211 mph. You will never have to worry about tiles rusting, cracking, or splitting from exposure to the elements.
Aesthetics
Aesthetically, Brava offers many more options. Brava tiles come in three styles, which mimic natural materials and have an extremely realistic appearance.
Cedar Shake Style
Brava's synthetic cedar shakes are molded from real hand-split cedar shakes. Each tile has variations in texture and overall appearance, much as you would expect from a natural cedar roof.
Old World Slate
Old World Slate mimics the look of natural slate, with varying textures, and comes in a 12" standard with 6", 9", and 12" multi-width options, for a realistic appearance.
Spanish Barrel Tile
The Spanish Barrel tile mimics the classic barrel tile you'd find across the Mediterranean and warmer parts of the U.S.
In terms of colors, each style offers over ten options in various color families. You can also work with the company to create a custom color for a more personalized roof option. With the style and color options, Brava works well with every architectural style.
Cost
While Brava is a premium material, and the initial cost will be higher than other roofing materials, it is cheaper than the Galvalume and painted metal roofing price points. Brava tiles also have the benefit of being virtually completely maintenance-free, which adds to their cost-effectiveness. Another benefit that factors into cost considerations is that Brava is an energy-efficient option. Tiles are insulating, which helps prevent heat loss, but they also provide UV protection and "cool roof" colors, which reflect more UV rays, for lower energy costs.
Performance in Different Climates
Brava performs well in all climates; it can withstand freeze-thaw cycles without cracking or splitting the sun's UV rays and will not become damaged from exposure to coastal climates.
Protecting Your Home with Brava
While these metal roofs are great options, there are disadvantages to each. With Galvalume, you give up aesthetics. Painted metal roofs cost more and require maintenance, and if the paint peels, there is the potential for rusting. With Brava roofing, there is no compromising. You can get a beautiful, aesthetically pleasing roof that is highly durable and capable of withstanding any climate while also being energy efficient and saving you hundreds of energy costs.
Contact Brava today to learn more about the benefits of Brava over Galvalume and painted metal roofs. You can also look at our past projects and request samples to see the products for yourself!
