Aluminum Roof Types in Tallahassee
Aluminum is a small slice of the metal roofing market. One industry estimate in the Journal of Light Construction puts it at about 5% of standing seam, against roughly 85% for galvanized and Galvalume steel. It earns its place where corrosion is the worry or where a lighter panel helps.
Aluminum Standing Seam
Aluminum standing seam works the same way as steel: concealed clips, raised seams, no exposed screws. Angi's aluminum guide puts standing seam at $7 to $11 a square foot. Florida approvals for aluminum panels are listed by thickness and deck type, so the approval number and the thickness on the quote should match. See standing seam metal roofs for seam types and clips.
- Code minimum: 0.024 inch for roll-formed aluminum panels
- Typical range: .032 to .050 inch, with the heavier gauges able to span purlins
Aluminum Shingles and Shakes
Aluminum shingles are pressed panels with a shake, slate or shingle pattern. One shingle-style panel made in .032 aluminum locks on four sides, covers 16-3/8 inches per course and wants at least 4 in 12 of pitch. Angi prices aluminum shingles at $6 to $10 a square foot. Florida's code floor for pressed aluminum shingles is 0.019 inch thick.
Aluminum Thickness (.032 and .040 Inch)
Thickness is the aluminum equivalent of steel gauge, given in thousandths of an inch. Within the usual .032 to .050 range, the heavier panels are stiff enough to go over purlins instead of a solid deck. Fixr points out that aluminum dents more easily than steel, so on a house under oaks, .040 is worth pricing. Aluminum also shows up on lower-cost profiles. One 5V panel maker lists a .032 inch aluminum version with its own Florida approval over 7/16 inch OSB.
Painted Aluminum Colors
Aluminum roofing is always prepainted, and cut edges and minor scratches don't rust the way bare steel can. Light colors keep an attic cooler in Tallahassee's warm-humid climate zone. ENERGY STAR no longer certifies roof products, so ask for the color's tested solar reflectance rather than a label.
Why Tallahassee homeowners call Tallahassee Metal Roof Co.
- Free referral, no charge to homeowners
- Your request reaches a single metal roofing contractor, not a list
- Ask for panel, gauge and Product Approval number in writing
- Free, no-obligation estimate from the roofer
Aluminum vs Steel: What Changes on the Quote
Aluminum changes a few details besides the price per square:
Fasteners
Without manufacturer instructions, the code allows aluminum fasteners only where an aluminum roof is attached to aluminum supports. Stainless works for any metal roof.Thickness, not gauge
Ask for .032 or .040 in writing, plus the alloy if the maker lists one.Trim match
Flashing and trim in the same metal avoid mixing aluminum with steel or copper at the edges.Life expectancy
Angi gives aluminum 40 to 80 years, shorter where salt air is a factor.
When Aluminum Makes Sense Around Tallahassee
HomeGuide calls aluminum one of the most recommended roofing metals in coastal regions, and Galvalume a popular choice away from the coast. Tallahassee is inland, so Galvalume steel is the natural thing to compare against. Aluminum earns its premium in two cases: houses where a previous steel roof rusted at the cut edges or fasteners, and manufactured homes, where HomeGuide names aluminum as a popular material. See mobile home metal roofing for those jobs.
If dents worry you more than rust, compare aluminum against a 24 or 26 gauge steel panel before deciding. And if you want a metal with a patina instead of paint, see copper roofing.