The most important part of any home is a shelter or roof over your head. Roofs, an essential part of all our buildings, protect us from the external environment and provide a comfortable space to live in.
Roofs are also required to be protected, which is where roofing sheets come in handy. The roofing sheet is a vital element when it comes to the durability and protection of roofs.
Nowadays, there are many different types of roofing sheets. Out of all the metal roofing options, let’s explore why copper roofing sheets are a good choice.
What Are Roofing Sheets?
A roofing sheet is an additional layer that sits on top of a roof to protect it and create an ideal living environment inside the building. Nowadays, roofing sheets are available in many material types, ranging from fiberglass to different metals.
Your choice of roofing sheet also depends on your living conditions and region. People from colder areas that get lots of snow in the winter prefer metal roofing sheets, as they are ideal for efficiently removing snow and blocking water from entering through the roof.
In warmer regions with little or no rainfall, wooden roofs are the best choice, as metal would heat up pretty quickly and heat the inside of the building even more. Moreover, clay and cement roofs are also suitable for warmer regions.
The color of a roof also plays a vital role in controlling the temperature inside a building. Darker colors like black are conductors of heat, which means they warm up the internal temperature of homes with heat absorption.
Lighter colors are more suitable for warmer regions, as they reflect about 60-90% of sunlight. They can also lower your electricity bill by reducing air conditioner usage.
There are now glass roofs available that allow you to experience nature while staying inside. These are only suitable for moderate climate areas.
Some high-end, fancy homes even have roofs made of reflective glass that reflect away nearly all heat. Reflective glass roofs are not allowed near airports as they can disturb pilots and disrupt their vision with solid sunlight reflections.
With the advancement of technology, many homeowners in developed countries have started using solar panels on their roofs. Solar panels utilize sunlight by converting it into electricity.
History of Roofing Materials
One of the first skills of Homo Sapiens was creating a shelter. Human beings have advanced greatly over the years with new tools and technologies, but the integral part of any building still remains the same: the roof.
Earlier civilizations slept under the open sky without a roof. As homes progressed, people made their roofs out of whatever material they found and thought could be used as a shelter.
Archaeologists claim that the earliest roof dates back to 40,000 BC, when roofs were made out of woolly mammoth skin in Siberia. With time, people invented new ways to create roofs using all sorts of materials.
In some parts of the world, palm fronds were used as roofs, and they are still popular today because they are durable and lightweight. People also used wood for their roofs, though wooden ceilings require additional materials like leaves or mud to fill the gaps.
China has a rich history of advanced roofing and other architectural designs with complex structures. Chinese roof designs using clay tiles date back to 3000 BC.
European countries like France preferred wooden tiles or slates that were locally available to them. Over time, thatched roofs gained popularity in Britain. Thatch is made out of sugar cane leaves.
People felt that thatch was a more reliable and fireproof choice compared to a roof made out of wood shingles.
In the early 1900s, the concept of baked clay for roofs gained popularity as a low-cost and durable choice. At the same time, Americans moved towards using asphalt shingles for their roofs. Asphalt was a robust and low-cost material that was easy to manufacture and install.
Metal roofing holds a prominent position in roofing history. It is highly durable and can be developed in any shape or size.
Copper roofs have been a popular choice for a long time due to their durability and beautiful design. In the 1400s, copper sheets grew in demand for roofing, and they are still popular to this day.
Copper roofs were mostly used for roofing churches. One prime example is Castle Kronborg, which used copper roofing in 1587, and it stayed there for 400 years without any major renovation until 2009. This is just one of many examples that highlight the durability of copper roofs.
Roofing innovation has come a long way, from animal skins to metal panels. Today, we can find a wide range of highly engineered roofing solutions that provide us with an optimal living experience.
Types of Roofing Sheets
Many roof sheets have their pros and cons. Let’s have a detailed look at some common types.
Corrugated Roofing Sheets
A corrugated design with grooves and ridges is a reliable choice with enhanced strength. The wavy structure of corrugated sheets makes it a durable option.
This shape enables these sheets to stand firm against years of harsh weather conditions. Corrugated roofing sheets are mostly used in agricultural buildings, garages, and parking sheds. These durable sheets also require maintenance every 5-10 years, depending on the situation.
Polycarbonate Roofing Sheets
Polycarbonate is a rigid form of thermoplastic that is an incredibly strong and durable choice for roofing. It absorbs the minimum amount of moisture, which helps protect it from water damage.
In addition to its water resistance, polycarbonate roofing sheets are also less affected by flames and chemicals. This makes it a good choice for food and medical applications.
These sheets can be easily molded into any shape and are better insulators than glass. Because of this, they can cut down on energy consumption.
Metal Roofing Sheets
One of the most popular types of roofing sheets is metal roofing sheets, which are usually made of zinc, copper, or aluminum. Metal roofing sheets are capable of being styled into nearly any shape or design.
The added durability of metal makes it a great choice to use as a roof. Some of the oldest buildings in Europe still have metal roofs that have been intact for hundreds of years because metal roofing sheets can withstand harsh weather conditions.
Metal possesses high insulating capabilities and does not break easily. Metal roofs are a good choice for colder regions because they allow snow to slide easily off the roof.
Plastic Roofing Sheets
A plastic roofing sheet is a cheaper choice, and it’s also less durable. This makes it the least preferred option for roofing.
Plastic roofing can be a good choice if you are trying to install a budget-friendly shed in your garage or a small corner shade in your garden. Plastic also gives you a wide range of color options to choose from.
Bamboo Roofing Sheets
Bamboo has been used as a roofing material for centuries. Bamboo is preferred more for temporary constructions like a shed for cattle. Bamboo roofs are widely used as cattle sheds in India and Bangladesh.
Bamboo roofs stay cool in the sun compared to plastic and metal roofs. In addition to their good insulation, bamboo roofs are soundproof in rainy weather. Bamboo is also a budget-friendly choice for making a roof.
There are, however, several drawbacks. Bamboo roofs are not durable in harsh weather conditions like a monsoon and can not stay firm against strong winds.
Fiber Reinforced Plastic Roofing Sheet
Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) is a fiber composite material. It’s made of fibers embedded in a polymer matrix. Fiber contributes to its durability, and polymer allows it to be developed into different shapes.
Fiber Reinforced Plastic roofs come in different colors and shapes, and the opacity of these sheets can be adjusted during manufacturing. These sheets are anti-corrosive and relatively easy to repair, making them a low-maintenance choice.
Copper Roofing Sheets
For its aesthetically pleasing designs and durable quality, copper roofing sheets are the preferred choice for protecting your roofs.
Copper’s unique characteristics make any roof look pleasing. It is also a good choice for architects, homeowners, and construction workers due to its low maintenance, lifetime durability, and environmental friendliness.
We can find many examples of the long-lasting durability of copper roofing sheets. Buildings hundreds of years old still have their original copper roofing sheets attached.
Copper sheet roofing requires experienced craftsmanship and experienced builders. Its flexibility makes it a compatible material for irregular roof surfaces.
Builders can easily form copper roofing into the desired shape to promote good water resistance and provide an adequate path for successful water drainage.
Although copper is not easily damaged, if it does need to be replaced, the process is fairly simple and easy. Builders can fix the affected areas like pits and holes with solder.
Unique roof structures like domes can easily be made with copper sheets. If these roofs are properly designed and installed, they can act as a life-long roofing solution. You can also find some more information about copper domes in this article.
Apart from roofs, copper is also an excellent material for making awnings and canopies, as its flexible style allows it to be developed into different shapes and sizes. Or, if your roof has a chimney, you can also protect that with copper chimney caps.
Selecting the Best Roofing Material
There are a few crucial factors that should be taken into account before choosing a roofing material for your home.
Weight of the Material
The weight of different roofing materials may differ, and you should make sure that the material you choose is a suitable choice for your specific home. You have to ensure that the house is strong enough to support certain roofing materials.
Weather Conditions in the Area
Weather conditions are a crucial factor when it comes to roofing. Preferred roofing materials are different in different regions of the world. Colder areas with snowfall rely more on metal sheets, whereas warmer regions prefer wooden or clay roofs.
Color Combinations
In addition to style, color also plays a role in providing comfort to homes. Darker colors conduct heat, whereas bright ones reflect it. You can figure out which color best suits your home based on the climate you live in.
Maintenance
Roofs also require periodic maintenance for their longevity. Homeowners should consider how much care a certain roofing material would need before choosing it. Metal roofs require far less maintenance, which is why metal is a great roofing material.
Overall Cost
When it comes to purchasing roofing, the cost is an essential factor. Remember that expensive materials aren’t always better. It’s all about the requirements and the structure of your house.
Ending Note
The basic idea of any home or shelter is to have a roof over your head. For thousands of years, humans have been building roofs with all sorts of different materials. Today, you can choose between many different types of materials to create the perfect roof for your home.
In the early 1400s, copper roofing sheets gained popularity due to their beautiful design and durable structure. They were easy to mold into any shape, making them a highly-demanded choice.
Copper is a very reliable construction material, providing long-lasting durability and a beautiful look. Even though it was used in roofs hundreds of years ago, copper still remains one of the most popular choices for roofing to this day.