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Alum .032 vs 24g steel roof

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Guest User
2/23/2004
Can you give me a run down on the pros and cons between .032 Alum. standing seam roof vs 24g steel standing seam roof. We live in the NE of PA. We contracted for the .032 Alum but find out 3/4 of the way into the project that we have a 24g steel roof.
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.
2/25/2004
24 gauge is normally a high quality standing seam as far as steel goes. An obvious benefit to aluminum is that it will never rust, even from cut edges or the back side. If I were you, regardless of any comparison of the merits of aluminum vs 24 gauge steel, I would be very upset to not receive the product I had contracted for.
Guest User
2/29/2004
I will take issue with the builder. I do not want to delay construction and have them take this roof off, since they are 3 days from completion. I understand that Steel is cheaper than alum. What I am most interested in knowing is if I have sacrificed quality? What is the difference between the two? Am I getting a FIAT roof instead of a Porche. Or, either way, I am getting a Porche but a different series with pros and cons to both.
Guest User
3/4/2004
This is a tough question to answer. Both 24 gauge steel and .032" aluminum can make a very good roof. I would certainly expect a Kynar 500 / Hylar 5000 finish on both. Steel, ultimately, has greater strength while aluminum, ultimately, has greater corrosion resistance.
Guest User
8/26/2009
I recently met with a rep from American Metal Roofing out of Flint, MI, who stated their company will not guarantee their steel-based roof against rusting; only their aluminum-based roof. He also stated other companies out there who install steel roofing cannot possibly guarantee them against rusting. He stated that the scrap metal from the US goes to China and they keep the Grade A scrap metal and chip it. They send the Grade B scrap metal back to the US and this is what the other companies are making their metal roofs from. Is is possible that years ago when the US kept their better scrap metal, the steel roofs were better? Which is probably why they can't guarantee them against rust? Have you ever heard such a story?
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.
8/28/2009
I am not aware of the scrap issue. However, I agree that no one warrants steel roofs from rusting from cut edges, scratches, etc. Ultimately, the paint finish and the galvanized or galvalume coatings on the steel protect it from corrosion. Those are items that over a very long time will break down and eventually fail. Most manufacturers will offer some form of warranty on their paint finish that will in essence mean it will protect the steel from corrosion. Again, though, in the case of scratches on the panels or cut edges, you will not find coverage against rust.
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