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Metal roofs can rust, but steel is a material that holds up well to environmental factors, especially if it’s painted or galvanized. One of the main determining factors regarding rust is the environment the roof is in. Harsher environments with a lot of salt in the air will rust much more quickly than a steel or metal roof in a dry climate. Zinc-coated steel, called galvanized steel, is excellent at preventing rust from forming.

In the metal versus shingle roof debate, aluminum roofing has several advantages. However, aluminum roofing costs more than typical asphalt roofing, so up-front cost is a major downside. Aluminum is also somewhat susceptible to denting, and repairs can be more costly than for other roof types because your roofer will need to replace large panels rather than individual shingles. Aluminum roofs are also noisy in the rain, which some homeowners don’t like.

Metal roofs often benefit from snow guards because the slick surface can lead to snow avalanches off of your roof, potentially damaging cars or personal property below and putting your family at risk of injury. Low-slope metal roofs may not require snow guards if your area doesn’t see heavy snow accumulation, but it’s a good idea to install them for security.

A 26-gauge metal roof panel can span between 4 and 8 feet, depending on a few factors. Local building codes dictate what’s appropriate for panel span, but these are normally based on expected snow loads. Additionally, the type of metal roof you choose will affect the maximum span, as corrugated metal is stronger than flat standing seam panels or a screw down roof and can often span greater distances.