How to Choose Roofing Materials for Steel Structure Buildings

 Steel structures are a top choice for industrial, commercial and partial residential construction, thanks to their lightweight design, high strength, fast construction and flexible layout. The roof, as the core protective layer of steel structure buildings, directly affects the waterproofing, heat insulation, energy efficiency and service life of the whole building. Different from traditional concrete structures, the roofing materials of steel structures must fit the structural characteristics of light weight and good ductility, and also take into account wind resistance, corrosion resistance and construction convenience.

Selecting roofing materials for steel structures is never a simple choice based on price, but a comprehensive decision combining local climate, building function, budget scale and later maintenance needs. This guide sorts out the core functional categories of steel structure roofing materials, with clear analysis of their advantages, disadvantages and applicable scenarios, helping you make informed choices with no obscure jargon, just practical content.

The Core Roofing Materials for Steel Structures: Pros, Cons & Ideal Uses

Color Steel Plates: The Budget-Friendly Mainstream Option

Color steel plates, made of galvanized or aluminum-zinc coated steel with a colored surface and processed into profiled shapes, are the most widely used roofing material for steel structures. Their ultra-high cost performance makes them the first choice for most basic industrial and storage projects.

Pros: Extremely lightweight, no additional structural support required, reducing frame costs; quick installation, rich color and plate shape options; low upfront investment and minimal daily maintenance.

Cons: Poor inherent thermal and sound insulation (needing additional layers for climate-controlled spaces); 15-25 year lifespan, coating prone to aging in high UV/coastal areas; fasteners need firm fixing in strong wind zones.

Ideal for: Ordinary factories, logistics warehouses, temporary buildings with tight budgets and basic enclosure needs.

Color Steel Plate

Sandwich Panels: All-in-One for Insulation & Enclosure

Sandwich panels are the upgraded version of color steel plates, composed of two metal panels and a middle insulation core (polystyrene, polyurethane, rock wool, glass wool), integrating enclosure, waterproofing, thermal insulation and sound insulation in one.

Pros: One-time installation for multiple functions, saving labor; excellent thermal/sound insulation, reducing energy consumption; high structural strength, customizable cores for different needs—rock wool and glass wool for A-level fire resistance, polyurethane for extreme insulation, polystyrene for cost-effective thermal protection.

Cons: Higher upfront cost than color steel plates; slightly heavier, requiring reasonable purlin layout; local damage may need whole panel replacement.

Ideal for: Food/electronic workshops, cold storage, chemical plants/power distribution rooms with high fire/insulation requirements; ordinary factories with medium insulation needs (glass wool/polystyrene cores).

Expanded Polystyrene Sandwich Panel

Rock Wool Sandwich Panel

Daylighting Roof Materials: 3 Core Options for Natural Light

Steel structure buildings with daylighting needs have three practical options, each with its own focus on cost, durability and light transmittance, matching different project demands.

FRP Corrugated Sheets：Cost-effective basic daylighting material, fiberglass reinforced plastic with corrugated shape fitting steel structure roofing.

Pros: Low price, light weight, good corrosion resistance, easy to install/cut; Cons: Lower light transmittance (60%-70%), easy to yellow/brittle after long-term UV exposure (lifespan 8-12 years).
Ideal for: Ordinary factory daylighting belts, agricultural greenhouses, low-budget daylighting projects.

FRP Daylighting Panel

Polycarbonate Hollow Sheets (Sun Sheets)：Mainstream mid-range daylighting material with hollow polycarbonate structure.

Pros: High light transmittance (80%+), impact-resistant, good thermal insulation, flexible cutting; Cons: Surface prone to scratches, light transmittance decreases with long-term UV exposure.
Ideal for: Industrial exhibition halls, stadium stands, factory auxiliary buildings, medium-budget daylighting projects.

PC Hollow Sheet

Glass (Single/ Laminated/ Insulated)：High-end daylighting material for premium projects, insulated glass with the best thermal insulation.

Pros: Ultra-high light transmittance, permanent non-yellowing, great aesthetics; laminated glass is anti-impact/shatterproof, insulated glass has excellent thermal insulation.
Cons: Heavy weight (needing steel structure reinforcement), high cost, easy to break by hard objects.
Ideal for: High-end commercial steel buildings, exhibition halls, atriums with high aesthetic and daylighting requirements.

Laminated Glass

3 Key Selection Rules for Steel Structure Roofing Materials

1. Prioritize according to local climate

Choose thickened color steel plates or sandwich panels in strong wind/hail areas; select aluminum-zinc coated plates in coastal corrosive areas; prioritize polyurethane core sandwich panels in cold/hot areas (super insulation); pay attention to waterproof sealing in rainy/humid areas and UV-resistant coatings for daylighting materials.

2. Align with building functions

Ordinary storage → color steel plates; climate-controlled buildings → polyurethane/glass wool core sandwich panels; fire-sensitive buildings (chemical plants/power distribution rooms) → rock wool/glass wool core sandwich panels (A-level non-combustible); low-budget daylighting → FRP sheets; mid-range daylighting → PC sun sheets; high-end aesthetic daylighting → laminated/insulated glass.

3. Consider the whole life cycle cost

Temporary buildings (≤10 years) → color steel plates/FRP sheets (low upfront cost); permanent buildings (≥20 years) → sandwich panels/PC sun sheets/insulated glass (long lifespan, low later maintenance); for medium-budget permanent projects, glass wool core sandwich panels are a cost-effective choice (balance fire resistance, insulation and lifespan).

Final Small Tips for Steel Roofing

1.Never skimp on installation: Hire a professional team with steel structure roofing experience to ensure firm lap joints and fasteners, especially for sandwich panels and daylighting materials.

2.Daily maintenance: Regularly clean roof drainage systems to avoid water leakage; check metal plate coatings and replace aging daylighting sheets in time; for glass wool/rock wool sandwich panels, ensure the sealing layer is intact to prevent fiber leakage and moisture absorption.

3.Material combination: Mix color steel plates with daylighting materials (FRP/PC/glass) to balance enclosure and natural light for factories; add independent insulation layers (glass wool/rock wool) under color steel plates for cost-effective thermal improvement.

There is no one-size-fits-all roofing material for steel structures. The key is to match material characteristics with project needs. Whether it’s the cost-effective color steel plate, the all-in-one sandwich panel with multiple insulation cores, or the targeted daylighting materials, choosing the right one according to climate, function and budget ensures stable use and long service life of the steel structure roof.