A good roof is the most crucial part of a house. The suitable roofing strip material will protect our home from elements like moss, algae, and other organisms and maintain its durability.
It is complicated when choosing between zinc or copper roofing strips. Keep reading to know which between the two is essential for your needs.
What is Zinc Roof Strips?
A zinc roof strip is a roll that’s easily installed under a course of roof shingles. It acts as a barricade to roof moss, algae, and fungus growth. Moreover, protecting the roof’s appearance increases its value and durability.
When it rains due to elements brought by the wind, the roof shingles retains
Zinc strips’ task is to keep moss from growing on roofs. However, when it rains over the metal in the zinc strips, they release poisonous zinc particles. Due to the poison, the moss, algae, and tiny organisms eventually die, and the stains fall off.
There should be enough zinc strips for the raindrops to run over. They should be installed under all the ridge caps, whether angular or straight.
Pros and Cons of Zinc Roof Strips
While installing zinc strips, always consider their quality and durability, among other components. It is also good to look into its advantages and disadvantages.
Zinc strips extend the life of your roof shingles by washing onto your shingles and preventing them from oxidizing.
Pros
- Zinc roof strips oxidize due to other elements such as rain and snow. It forms a greyish substance on the roof surface called patina, protecting it from damage and rust. If scraped, the patina refines itself.
- It has an attractive appearance, and the patina greyish color looks good on roofs.
- It can work with many types of roofs, and it’s durable and self-repairable. It can also last up to 20 years.
- It is fire-resistant, fungistat, and insect-proof, thus prohibiting the growth of moss, mold, mildew, algae, and fungus.
- Zinc strips are eco-friendly. The strips are recyclable if you no longer need your roof and demolish it. If properly installed, they are easy to maintain with the patina constantly renewing itself.
Cons
- They are expensive to install compared to clay and asphalt. Patina is highly inconsistent, and it’s hard to determine when the roof will generate it.
- It requires professional installation for it to work correctly. If poorly installed, it can lead to severe damage and corrosion. Also, if installed by nailing it or by opening the seal of the roof, shingles can lead to leakage, primarily when the roofing nails work themselves out due to expansion and contraction.
- If the zinc strip is thin, it allows the metal to bend. That will let the water run under the bent area, which is not treated, will enable more moss to grow. They also break easily due to the wind causing metal stress.
- Some zinc strips oxidize over time and are replaceable after a short period.
- Not as effective when used on barrel tile-type roofs. The fungus inhibiting action remains mainly in the valleys of the tiles.
How to Install Zinc Roof strip on Roof
- Calculate the length and number of zinc strips you will need, and this can be done by measuring the height and width of the roof.
- Start by wearing protective clothing like gloves, glasses, and boots. It protects you from chemicals and also dust.
- Assemble all your materials, ladder, nails, hammer, zinc strip, and other needed tools.
- Seal the harness system of the roof and read the manufacturer’s plan for better installation.
- Remove the existing moss with a brush. If it’s hard to come out, use some bleach to clean it up.
- Place the strips under the ridge cap. If the roof has more than one ridge, the zinc strips should be attached to both sides of the ridges.
- Start from one side, place the strips under the edge of the roofing shingles, and leave the rest of the strip exposed on the top of the row of the shingles below. Remember to put a zinc strip below the chimney skylight and gables.
- Use either hot-dipped galvanized nails or high-grade exterior adhesive glue. With a proper hammer and nails, place the strips next to each other and leave room for expansion. Along with the nails, use neoprene washers spaced at 12″. You can also use roofing cement to seal the nail holes.
- The spacing should be 15feet below; if the roof is bigger, install another row 15ft below the first row.
- Delicately remove your roof harness system without loosening the strips.
- Make a solution using 500 liters of water and 1.5 liters of bleach. Mix the mixture properly.
- To destroy the remaining moss, spray all areas of your rooftop and let it stay for a few days.
- Check the strips frequently to ensure they are in good condition.
What is Copper Roof Strip?
They are roof strips used to kill mold, algae, mildew, lichen, and moss that grows on roofs. The copper strip is fixed onto the ridge, allowing the copper matter to flow down the roof area. Copper is a natural fungicide.
Copper strips prevent moss growth by releasing particles of the metal onto the roof with rainwater. Every time it rains, a little of the copper wash off the dome’s components and onto the shingles.
Copper roof strips are easy to install and add value to the roof’s durability since it has a low thermal expansion and a high melting point.
Copper roof strips resist fire, hail, mildew, and high winds. They oxidize beautifully during the winter and rainy seasons. The copper strip is light weighted and very durable. It can last a lifetime.
Pros and Cons of Copper Roof Strips
Besides being one of the most beautiful roofing materials, copper strips offer roof strength, safety, and high durability. Let us look at the benefits to incur with these strips and also some of its downs;
Pros
- Copper roof strips are strong and durable and can last up to 50 years with simple repairs and maintenance.
- Copper strips have an attractive appeal that helps increase the value of a home.
- Copper strips are natural biocides that inhibit moss growth and restrain it from spreading over the roof.
- Copper wire for roof moss is a good oxidant that strengthens the durability and safety of the roof.
- Copper strips are light, thus putting minimal strain on the internal roof structure than steel, wood, and clay tiles.
- Copper strips help in the control of heating and cooling.
Cons
- Though copper strips are easy to install, they are costly since their material is hard to produce.
- Copper strips tend to expand and contract quickly, hence loosening the fasteners.
- Copper is susceptible, and if it comes into contact with dissimilar metals, it causes corrosion.
Zinc vs. Copper Roof Strips: Side by Side Comparison
The best way to make a well-informed decision is to compare the two zinc vs. copper roof strips to see which fits your needs best. Below is the side-to-side comparison.
1. Zinc vs. Copper Strips Price Comparison
Since the roof is an investment, it is crucial to compare the price to know your money’s worth. The cost of zinc or copper strips will vary depending on key features, including width, size, and brand.
Zinc roof strips cost around $50 per roll of 50ft, including nails. If you opt to buy nails separately, it will cost you almost half the price.
On the other hand, a 10ft roll of copper roof strips costs around $40. So the price makes copper more expensive than zinc strips.
2. Zinc vs. Copper Strips Effectiveness
Zinc roof strips can effectively kill moss within 4-6 inches. In other words, if your moss growth is vast and thick than 4-6 inches, it will call for multiple layering of the strips. Zinc strips smoothly work when raindrops contact them, causing organisms to die.
On the other hand, copper roofing strips are more effective, kill mold and moss from 8-10 inches, and do not require a cover-up. In addition, their quality remains stable when hit by several weather conditions.
When it comes to effectiveness, copper is more effective. The multiple layers of zinc roof strips give the roof an ugly look.
3. Zinc vs. copper Roof Strips Durability
There are superior zinc strips made of 99.5% zinc, and they can last up to 20 years long. This 99.5% zinc roofing strip’s durability can serve the same as the copper strips that last 20 years and above.
When purchasing the zinc strips, look for the 99.5% zinc than those zinc plated or galvanized steel strips. Due to oxidation, these strips stop being effective as quickly as 5_8 years.
Zinc strip manufacturers claim that the strips can last 20 years long.
4. Zinc vs. Copper Roof Strips Installation
When installing copper, they are placed on the surface of the ridge strips, are easy to install, and do not require hiring a professional to do the work. While as for the zinc strips have unique characteristics and need a professional to do the installation process.
Zinc strips have an added cost since you will have to hire a professional to do the work, while for copper strips, you can do a DIY since they are easy to install.
A copper roofing strip is installed at the roof’s ridge with copper roofing nails. Unlike zinc strips no need to put the copper in the middle of the roof to get the full effect of its prevention.
5. Zinc vs. Copper Roof Strips Moss/ Algae Killing Properties
Copper roofing strips have a natural moss poison that kills the existing moss and prevents more moss from growing and spreading over the roof. The copper wire for roof moss also stops asphalt oxidation.
On the other hand, zinc roofing strips contain a vital component called zinc carbonate, which prevents moss growth and other harmful elements such as fungus, algae, and mold.
Copper strips are more powerful when killing moss since they can kill 8-10 inches, while zinc can only kill 4-6 inches unless layered.
Due to high-quality materials, copper strips have a double effect on killing moss than zinc to deal even with the most demanding and strongest mosses.
6. Zinc vs. Copper Roof Strips Resistance to Fire, Hail, Mildew, and High Winds
Zinc strips absorb carbon dioxide, and they act as barriers between combustible materials to prevent fire from spreading.
On the other hand, copper roof strips are known to be strong and are not easily affected by elements such as rainfall, hail, and mildew. Copper is also one of the most fireproof materials available. It has a high resistance to thermal changes.
When it comes to fire resistance, both zinc and copper strips are reasonable.
7. Zinc vs. Copper Roof Strips on Maintenance
Zinc strips must be regularly maintained, especially if the zinc plated or galvanized steel strips are installed. Due to oxidation, these strips stop being effective as quickly as 5_8 years. These will require renovations regularly, leading to more costs.
On the other hand, copper strips require minimal maintenance and are ideal for rigid or risky locations. They can last for 20 years without being maintained. In addition, since copper strips are installed on the surface of the ridge, they don’t cause damage to the roof.
On the other hand, zinc strips should be replaced regularly, as they form nail holes on the roof surface, thus causing leakage.
Conclusion
Both materials will help you maintain your roof by getting rid of moss, algae, lichen, and other organisms. However, if you are going for a more cost-friendly material, the zinc roof strips are the best affordable option.
But if you are going for quality, you will need to spend more and install the copper roof splits.