There are many things that are common between them at the same time, both have their pros and cons too!
In this detailed article, we are going to discuss Zinc and Copper strips, their feature, pros and cons, and finally a conclusion about which one will be better for you.
Moss on roofs not only looks bad, but it also shortens the life of the roof covering and can lead to roof leaks. If your roof doesn’t dry properly, moss can develop on it, whether it’s made of wood or asphalt shingles.
The most typical spot for moss to develop, like black algal stains, is on the north side of the roof, although moss can grow everywhere provided there are enough overhanging trees or other types of shade.
In order to clean the moss, you need either Zinc or Copper strips. Both have advantages and disadvantages.
Before starting it will be helpful for you to know the details, so, here is a detailed review of Zinc and Copper strips for roof moss.
Zinc Vs. Copper: Quick Comparison!
| Zinc | Copper |
| Cost- Budget Friendly- $40 for 60 ft | Cost-$30 for 10ft. |
| Strength- Durable | Strength—Extremely Durable |
| Capacity- Kill the moss about four to six-inch away from the moss | Capacity- Kill the moss about four to 10 inch away from the moss |
| Installation– A bit difficult | Installation- Easier than Zinc |
| Cleaning Capacity – Medium | Cleaning Capacity- Clean more moss than Zinc |
Last update on 2022-09-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Differences Between Zinc and Copper Stripes
- Strength
Zinc strips can help inhibit moss growth to some extent. Zinc strips have been shown to be effective for killing the moss about four to six inches away from the moss in several experiments.
It implies that many roofs would require multiple layers for successful control.
When rainwater falls on zinc strips, the zinc particles are slowly released. Rainwater then drains off your roof, preventing moss and another organic buildup.
Multiple layers of zinc strips are a no-no for moss control for the average homeowner because of their unsightly appearance.
Another downside is that after ten years, zinc strips lose their potency.
On the other side, Cooper has more durability than Zinc. Cooper strips have been shown to be more effective that can kill the moss about 8-10 inches away from the moss.
It doesn’t need that many multiple layers for successful control.
Also, it is more durable in different sessions than Zinc.
But the downside that comes with Copper is that it is more expensive than Zinc.
- Cost Differences
We need to look at the pricing points to determine if we’re getting our money’s worth.
We all know that roof work is a huge expenditure, but you should always choose the most cost-effective choice.
Zinc roof strips, with nails, normally cost roughly $40 for a 60-foot roll. The 60-foot roll will cost roughly $20 if you buy the nails separately.
Zinc roofing can be a cost-effective solution depending on the size of your roof’s surface.
Copper roof strips, on the other hand, cost roughly $40 for a 10 ft. roll, making copper a more expensive option.
The price, however, varies substantially depending on the thickness and width of the strip.
Despite the fact that zinc is the more cost-effective alternative
- Most Killing Properties
Regarding most killing properties both Zinc and Cooper is good option but copper has more strong capability to kill the moss.
Cooper is more powerful and durable. At the same time, they are costlier too.
Recent studies have found that copper can kill up to 2x more moss than zinc because of the copper material and build quality.
If you are on a budget, then you should go for zinc as it cost way less than copper.
But for the best quality and long durability copper is the best option.
Also, it depends on the place you live in your environment. Like in some places the moss grows far more quickly than others.
So, if you live in those kinds of places it is always better to think about the long-term gain rather than the cheap method.
- Different Method of Installation
Installing Zinc and copper is easy. It is not something that always needs a professional. Surely professionals can finish the job more perfectly. But as they say, it always comes with a price.
If you are DIY enthusiastic we recommend you to install this thing on your own as it will help you to gain a new skill and of course, there is excitement and adventure too!
So How Do You Install Zinc Or Copper?
To install Zinc or copper on your roof:
- Begin by fastening the harness system to the roof, being sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions to ensure proper installation.
- Lightly sweep the roof with the push broom to remove as much loose moss as possible.
- Place a strip towards the roof’s ridge. When it rains, the particles in the zinc will be picked up by the water and deposited along the roof, preventing further moss from developing.
- Place the strip underneath a course of shingles, leaving about half exposed and the other half hidden beneath the shingles.
- keeps the zinc or copper stripe in place of roofing nails halfway through it.
- Before nailing all the way through put a bead of roofing cement around each nail. This will aid in the sealing of the hole created by the nail.
- Apply another bead of roofing cement on top of the nail once it has gone all the way through.
- Continue with the rest of the nails in the same manner.
- Spray any plants or grass beneath the roof with water to protect them from any bleach runoff that may fall off the roof during the next stages.
- Fill the pump sprayer with a combination of 1/3-gallon bleach and 112 gallons of water.
- Spray the roof with the bleach mixture. Over the next few days, the bleach will kill any remaining moss.
- Takedown the roof harness system.
- Once the operation is complete, re-spray any plants and grass beneath the roof with water.
Similarities Between Zinc and Copper Stripe
- Both works almost the same way.
- Both are powerful
- Both have a strong durability
- installation process is the same
- Both have almost the same killing capacity.
Which One Is Better?
Both the Zinc Stripes and Copper stripes have similarities and differences. When it comes to characteristics, each of them is well-equipped with excellent specifications.
However, we have found the copper more efficient than the zinc stripes. And the following are the reasons for this:
- Copper doesn’t need to be maintained and is ideal for regions that are difficult or dangerous to access after installation.
- Copper is antimicrobial, meaning it inhibits the growth of germs, molds, algae, and moss.
- To take advantage of this property, numerous techniques of incorporating copper into roof construction have been tried over the years.
- Copper stripes can be made at any angle or size to meet your needs, and are comparable in price to ordinary clay ridge tiles, but with all of the advantages of copper.
- Copper sulfate is discharged down the roof slopes as the roof ages, inhibiting the formation of moss and algae.
- Copper stripes are straightforward to install and don’t require any specific tools or knowledge. They also have a simple block end system.
But keep in mind that the quality of copper utilized in any copper moss prevention technique is critical.
Conclusion
So in this detailed review of Zinc vs. Copper roof stripes for your roof moss, we conclude that copper strips are more powerful and stable between the two
But that doesn’t mean that Zinc stripes will not work.
If you are on a budget, then we definitely recommend you go for zinc stripes.
On the other hand, if you are looking for something that will last a little bit more length and be a bit more expensive then we recommend you to go for copper strips for roof moss.
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