Steel, Copper, and Aluminum Commercial Roofing
Made for Buildings That Have Work to Do
Commercial property owners have plenty pulling at their attention, and the roof typically isn't part of that conversation until something goes wrong overhead. Metal roofing changes that equation. It's built to handle decades of New England weather with far less upkeep than most alternatives, which means it can quietly drop off your list of ongoing concerns.
Back in 1982, we got our start as Mike Driscoll Building, long before we became The Roofing Store. Our commercial division launched in 2005, and we've been working on properties across Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts ever since. Every commercial installation we do follows AIA architectural specification methods, and our crews hold OSHA 90 credentials. Steel, copper, and aluminum all have a place in commercial roofing, and we'll tell you straight which one earns a place on yours.
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A Closer Look at the Metals We Install
Not every metal roofing system belongs on every building. The material that works well on a retail strip near the coast might be the wrong pick for an inland industrial facility, and the roof design, budget, and architectural goals all play a part, too.
Steel
Steel is the workhorse option, and it shows up on all kinds of commercial buildings. We install Englert's Galvalume® and Galvalume Plus® products, which use an aluminum-zinc coating that resists corrosion more than twice as well as standard galvanized steel.
These products come in 26 standard Ultra-Cool colors, with custom colors sometimes available for larger commercial jobs. They're also ENERGY STAR certified for their reflective properties.
Copper
Copper takes a different path entirely. It's been used on roofs for centuries, because it never rusts and there's no paint finish to chip or fade over time. Instead, it develops a green patina as it ages, the kind you'll recognize from historic buildings and high-end architecture.
Copper costs more upfront than steel or aluminum, so it tends to make the most sense on projects where the building's design or long-term legacy justifies the investment.
Aluminum
Near the water, aluminum is often the smarter option. Salt air and constant moisture wear down many exterior materials, but aluminum resists rust and holds up well in harsher marine conditions. That resistance comes from the metal itself, not a coating that can break down.
Weight is another factor that works in aluminum's favor. It's lighter than steel, which can matter on structures where the framing wasn't designed to carry a heavier roofing system.
A Roof Worth Measuring by the Decade
Price per square foot is an easy metric to compare, but it's not the number that decides whether a roofing system was worth it. That comes down to how long it lasts, how much it demands from you afterward, and what it costs you down the line.
Metal roofing tends to win on all three counts. A well-installed metal roof can run for decades without needing the kind of full replacement that shorter-lived materials require. It also asks very little of you, requiring only periodic inspections and a look at the flashing and drainage every now and then. On top of that, reflective steel finishes reduce the amount of heat the roof absorbs, which can ease the load on your cooling system during the warmer months.
That said, metal isn't the answer for every building. Flat and very low-slope roofs are usually better served by systems such as EPDM, TPO, PVC, Duro-Last, or modified bitumen. That distinction is exactly why we look at the building before recommending anything.
From Tear-Off to Turnover
Panels are only one piece of a commercial metal roof. What happens beneath them decides how the whole system holds together once it's exposed to weather.
Here's what each stage of the process involves:
Roof and Substrate Evaluation
We'll start by inspecting your existing roof assembly, assessing the condition of the substrate, and flagging any drainage, penetrations, or transitions that require special handling.
Tear-Off and Deck Preparation
On replacement projects, the old roofing will be removed down to the deck, giving us a clear view underneath and allowing us to catch damaged decking or other hidden issues early.
Underlayment and Flashing Installation: Once the deck is ready, the underlayment and flashing components are installed next, forming the roof's first line of defense against moisture before any metal panel goes down.
Panel Installation and Seaming
Panels or shingles will go on according to the profile and system you've chosen, with our crews following manufacturer standards to keep every seam tight and every fastener properly set.
Detail Work at Penetrations and Transitions
Edges, vents, chimneys, valleys, and wall transitions will each get individual care, since these are the spots where a rushed installation tends to show up as a problem years later.
Final Review and Site Cleanup
After installation wraps up, the site will get a thorough cleanup, and the finished roof will go through our own review before we consider the job complete and hand things back over to you.
This is the process we follow on every commercial roof, not just the ones that end up in photos or on a proposal. The parts of the job that stay hidden are often the ones that determine whether the roof performs as it's supposed to.
See the Materials in the Real World
Product names only go so far when you're picturing a new roof on your own building. Browsing our project gallery gives you a look at recent commercial installations across different building types, materials, and finishes. If you'd rather see materials in person, our showroom at 496 Norwich Rd in Plainfield, CT includes a 150-foot outdoor product display where you can compare panel profiles, colors, and finishes side by side.
Seeing the options up close makes the decision easier than imagining them from a swatch or a spec sheet. Between the two, you'll have everything you need to envision your building with its new roof already on it.
Built Here, Installed Across New England
The Roofing Store takes on commercial metal roofing projects throughout Windham County and New London County in Connecticut, including Plainfield, Danielson, Killingly, Putnam, Thompson, Hampton, and the surrounding towns.
We also work across the border into Rhode Island, covering Foster, West Greenwich, Smithfield, Cumberland, and nearby communities, and we take on commercial projects in Massachusetts as well.
If your property sits outside that footprint, reach out with your location and project details, and we'll let you know if we can help. Or, head over to our service areas page to see the full rundown of communities we serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Standing seam panels interlock or mechanically seam together, hiding most of the fasteners and giving the roof a cleaner look. Exposed-fastener systems attach directly to the metal face and can work well for certain buildings, but the choice depends on your roof's design.
A properly installed metal roofing system can run for decades, though the exact lifespan depends on the material you choose, how exposed the building is to weather, the roof's design, and how well it's maintained over time.
Sometimes. Standing seam systems can handle lower slopes than exposed-fastener panels, but it depends on the roof's pitch, drainage, and the manufacturer's own requirements. Very low-slope buildings are often better off with a membrane system instead.
Englert's Galvalume and Galvalume Plus lines come in 26 standard Ultra-Cool colors, and custom paint options may be available for projects with specific branding or architectural needs.
Compare Your Metal Roofing Options
There's only so much a phone call can tell you about a roof. We'd rather see the structure firsthand, understand what it's exposed to, and hear what you're hoping to get out of the project before we recommend anything.
Metal roofing isn't the best call for every commercial building. Find out if it’s the right fit for yours today by connecting with The Roofing Store for a free on-site estimate.
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