Seamless one-piece aluminum or galvalume roof?

[vicp]

I am new here and am considering buying/ordering an 8.5 x 20 CT (steel frame, rounded V-nose - S. GA make) to convert and have several questions (which will be spread over several posts) on what to order/buy.

I plan to divide my time between Florida and Colorado (mountains 8,000 to 10,000 ft.). While I will do some hauling/traveling between both places, the CT will be mostly used as living quarters (will be well insulated with polyiso).

I am trying to decide between the "seamless one-piece aluminum" or the galvalume (standard?) roof. I have searched this and other forums/google but have not been able to find anything definitive or a discussion of the pros & cons of either. The one-piece aluminum is only a little more expensive and my gut tells me might be preferable (less maintenance, durability, etc.) but that is only a guess. Sales people are, for the most part, clueless.

I would appreciate any feedback from those who have any experience or knowledge on the merits or pitfalls of either style roof.

- Thanks

[makevx73]

I can't say much on long term reliability.

I just purchased a new CT, with a one-piece aluminum roof. I like the idea of no seams.

BUT... Parked it in the driveway while the acorns are raining down in record numbers this year and probably have better than 50 dents in it. I'm not worried about them poking holes but, Dang!, it looks terrible now...

I plan on coating the roof next year to help with heat anyway but I'll have to try and "fill-in" the dings while I do it.

[vicp]

I can't say much on long term reliability.

I just purchased a new CT, with a one-piece aluminum roof. I like the idea of no seams.

BUT... Parked it in the driveway while the acorns are raining down in record numbers this year and probably have better than 50 dents in it. I'm not worried about them poking holes but, Dang!, it looks terrible now...

I plan on coating the roof next year to help with heat anyway but I'll have to try and "fill-in" the dings while I do it.

Interesting - I wonder if the galvalume would stand up better? Does anyone know which is thicker and/or more resistant to dents?

Or, for that matter, more resistant to leaks - are the galvalume "seams" actually breaks in the sheathing (that need caulking) or are they continuous (no breaks) across the seams?

- Thanks

[McDave]

This is the roof on my '06 Pace 6x12. No leaks so far, and I've seen it with 5'+ of snow, -50f to +110f. I got this used from Rapid City, S.D. and their weather aint a whole lot milder than ours. I think they hold up pretty good, but I am going to paint/seal it before I install A/C and bathroom vent/fan and tank vent.

gallery/image.php?album_id=4156&image_id=137086
gallery/image.php?album_id=4156&image_id=137087

McDave

[Doublacola]

This is the roof on my '06 Pace 6x12. No leaks so far, and I've seen it with 5'+ of snow, -50f to +110f. I got this used from Rapid City, S.D. and their weather aint a whole lot milder than ours. I think they hold up pretty good, but I am going to paint/seal it before I install A/C and bathroom vent/fan and tank vent.

gallery/image.php?album_id=4156&image_id=137086
gallery/image.php?album_id=4156&image_id=137087

McDave

That roof looks pretty good to me.

[walkrdg]

If you wind up with a roof that has seams, I wouldn't count that as a problem. I've used an RV seam sealer that I applied with a paint brush to a leaking roof on a used fifth wheel I bought. It was tough as nails, stayed somewhat flexible, and I never had a leak in the five years I kept the trailer. I'm sure it lasted far beyond that.

Dave