If you've ever driven through an industrial park, you've almost certainly seen corrugated metal siding. Now, however, you are increasingly likely to see this versatile material applied to residential uses.

For those who are unfamiliar with the product, it can be identified by the presence of raised ridges evenly spaced along the metal surface. It can be compared to what you see if you strip off one side of a piece of cardboard. The corrugations add rigidity and strength to the relatively light gauge metal.

It is sometimes (and increasingly!) referred to as 'architectural siding'. That may seem like mere window dressing, but modern technology and metal processing techniques really do allow the metal siding to be formed into a range of configurations that allow for a great deal of creativity.

Probably the greatest recommendation for corrugated metal siding is it's fire resistance. After that, in most people's minds, is its low maintenance. It's also heat reflective, but in an ironic twist, manufacturers have come up with a perforated style of metal siding that shows tremendous performance in reducing heating bills when mounted on the south wall of a building. For the warm months, when heating is not needed, the structure has built in a dampered bypass system that directs accumulated hot air upwards into the atmosphere.

photo credit: Jeremy Burgin

Corrugated metal siding is available in steel and aluminum, each of which is preferable for certain applications. Steel is sturdier, and is more resistant to dings than is aluminum.

If you live in an area prone to hail storms, steel is likely to be your better choice, other factors being equal. Steel corrugated siding can be painted or powder coated, or zinc can be incorporated into its manufacture, making it quite resistant to rust. Still, steel will almost surely come to show evidence of rust with the passage of time, but repairs are not difficult. Re-coating with a durable paint will allow the material to remain useful and attractive for additional decades. Curiously, and in keeping with the notion of 'architectural' use, some people order their steel siding without protective coatings in the desire to have their building take on that rusty hue.

Aluminum siding is softer than steel, and won't stand up to bangs and bumps as well without marking. However, it's ideal for use in coastal areas, where salt air will attack steel. As the material reacts with the air, a coating of aluminum oxide is formed which shields the underlying material from damage.

Manufacturers can make almost any desired profile these days, and do so relatively economically. These products are easily available in custom runs of color, profile and size. These assets make them uniquely suitable for projects that wish to avoid a cookie cutter sort of appearance.