"Aluminum definitely feels lighter to me whenever I've handled it, almost like it's too thin or something."
Yeah, aluminum can feel deceptively flimsy at first, but it's surprisingly durable once installed properly. I've seen roofs that look paper-thin hold up for decades. If you're still unsure about the material, have you tried a simple magnet test yet? Aluminum won't stick, but steel-based materials usually will... might narrow things down a bit. Curious if anyone else has stumbled across mystery roofing samples lately—seems oddly common around here lately.
I agree aluminum can feel oddly thin at first, but it's pretty impressive how sturdy it actually is once installed. My neighbor put up an aluminum roof about 15 years ago, and it's still going strong—no leaks or rust at all. The magnet trick is handy, but another quick check is to look at the edges: aluminum usually has a cleaner cut and won't show rust spots. Have you noticed any rust or discoloration on your sample yet?
"aluminum usually has a cleaner cut and won't show rust spots."
Good tip about checking the edges. Have you tried scratching it lightly? Aluminum won't rust, but sometimes you'll see a powdery white oxidation instead. Sounds like you're on the right track though.
"sometimes you'll see a powdery white oxidation instead."
Good catch on the oxidation—seen that plenty of times. Couple quick points from experience:
- Aluminum edges usually stay pretty clean, but yeah, that white powdery stuff can show up after a while, especially if it's been sitting around outdoors.
- If you're still unsure, try bending it slightly. Aluminum tends to bend easier without cracking or flaking compared to steel.
- Also, weight can be a giveaway. Aluminum feels noticeably lighter in your hand.
Sounds like you're already narrowing it down nicely. Keep at it, you're almost there.
Good points there, especially about the bending test. I've had aluminum flashing sitting in my shed for years, and yep... that powdery stuff showed up eventually. You're definitely on the right track figuring this out.
