Benefits of a Standing Seam Metal Roof for Your Home

The roof of your home offers protection from the elements while sheltering you inside. However, standard asphalt shingle roofs only last from 15 to 20 years depending on the weather conditions which means that you will have to replace it at least once, if not twice or more during your lifetime. A standing seam metal roof however, is not only more pleasing to the eye, it also lasts up to 50 years and beyond. This means that the first standing seam metal roof you buy will most likely be the last.

It’s little wonder that standing seam metal roofs have become more popular over the past decade as homeowners recognize the value of the investment made in such a product. This type of roof is made from premium-quality materials, is highly durable, and energy efficient which makes it a win-win for homeowners who want peace of mind when investing in a roof.

What is a standing seam metal roof?

You may have heard of metal roofs in general, but one with a standing seam means that the metal panes will run from the ridge or top of the roof down to the eaves. Because the upturned edge of each panel creates a vertical line, the term standing seam was applied to describe its appearance.

This product is designed for roofs that have a minimum slope of 14 degrees or 3:12 for maximum effect. Each panel is from 12” to 19” wide and crafted from galvanized steel, Galvalume steel, or G-90 which has been painted for additional protection. The Galvalume steel is coated with zinc, while the G-90 offers a zinc and aluminum coating for better protection against corrosion.

There are some standing seam metal roofs crafted from copper or pure zinc, but they are far more expensive and do not provide much of an additional boost in protection.

How It’s Made

The panels are created in a manufacturing facility that delivers them in a pre-formed mode or they can come from a sheet metal shop. Or, they are made on-site.

The on-site panels are created with a roll of metal coil which is processed through a machine that roll-forms them into specific shapes and crimps the metal itself into rigid panels. One big advantage of site-formed standing-seam panels is that they are faster to make, can be customized to a specific size or shape, and it’s more convenient to transport the raw material compared to the pre-formed versions.

Because metal expands and contracts due to extremes in temperature, each panel is formed with the consideration of how much is may change in shape over the course of its lifetime. Plus, thicker metal panels can be made which are even more resilient to impacts such as from hail or debris. The roof is made even stronger thanks to the rib-stiffening of the mid-panel which does not allow for oil canning of the panels themselves.

Types of metal roof

There are three basic types of standing seam systems that are used when putting together roofs of this nature.

• Field Lock: Uses a specific tool to lock together the panels
• Snap Lock: Panels snap together when placed next to each other
• Shingles: These are metal panels that resemble standard shingles

Cost standing metal roof

Depending on the type, materials, labor, and overall size and shape of your roof, the cost for a standing seam metal roof system will be noticeably more compared to standard asphalt shingles. However, if you do your research, understand the basic types of metal roofing systems, and get quotes from reliable roofing contractors, you can save a considerable amount of money if you purchase what is needed for your home.

Materials: You can expect to pay from $3.50 to $5.50 per square foot for the materials needed. The determining factors will be the type of metal, the system used, the location of your home, and the supplier. The total square footage of the roof will be considered, so the larger the area, the more you will have to pay. However, the cost per square foot does drop for large roofs.

Labor: This will depend greatly on your location as contractors tend to charge more in large, urban cities compared to small towns. You can expect to pay $800 to $1,400 per square (which is 100 square feet) that is installed which again depends on the materials, thickness of the metal, and all labor costs.

Warranty: The longer your roof is covered, the greater the cost of the warranty. However, the overall cost that is added by the warranty is quite small compared to the material and labor costs.

Finding the right contractor

The first step is to look up all roofing contractors that are in your community which are licensed and insured. If they are not licensed with the state, then you should not contact them. Being insured means that if they cause damage to your property, their insurance coverage will pick it up. Otherwise, you risk having to pay for the damage yourself. Other factors that you should consider include the following;

• Experience
• Reputation
• Customer Service
• Recommendations

Once you have narrowed down the roofing contractors, call at least three of them to get an on-site estimate for installing a standing seam metal roof. Once you have seen, met, and talked to roofing contractors, you can then make the best-informed decision about who to hire.

Benefits of having a standing metal roof

The benefits of having a standing seam metal roof are numerous, which is why they make a good investment for your home.

Looks Great: For homeowners who want their property to really pop, a standing seam metal roof offers that and so much more. The sleek lines, rib heights, and the style chosen will compliment your home in the best way.

In addition, you can choose from a considerable range of colors that compliment your home. You can go with earth colors, such as green, grey, red, or brown that works best with the paint on your home. Or, you might be able to choose from other colors that provide an excellent effect which will last a long time.

Durable: Metal roofs with standing seams offer exceptional durability, often lasting up to 50 years and longer. This is because the metal will not shrink, erode, perforate, or crack under extreme temperatures or weather conditions. Even winds of 110 mph will not damage a properly installed standing seam metal roof.

Resists Snow and Ice: Because the roof is designed to allow snow and ice to fall away, it prevents ice dams from forming which hold water in one place. If you live in an area of the country that sees lots of snow and ice, then a standing seam metal roof is just perfect for you.

Hidden Fasteners: In other words, there are no exposed fasteners or screws on top of the roof which might provide a path to letting moisture into the home. This makes the roof considerably more watertight compared to corrugated or ribbed metal roofs.

Solar Friendly: If you’ve been thinking about adding solar panels to your home, a standing seam metal roof is the perfect support system. With a special bracketing system, the panels can be installed without having to drill holes in the metal itself.

Moisture Resistance: Arguably the biggest issue with roofs is the moisture they leak in which damages the interior of the home. Because the seams are raised above the roofing panel, this makes it impervious to moisture, so you can rest easy above having water leak into your home, even when the roof is covered with snow.

A standing seam metal roof is also the perfect choice to protect the environment. This is because the metal is recyclable and often contains a considerable amount that has been recycled already. Plus, the added thickness provides additional energy savings through the summer and winter months.

Is a standing seam metal roof right for your home?

Although there are many advantages, there are a few considerations you need to make to ensure that this type of roof is best for your needs.

Pitch: If the pitch of your roof is 2:12 or less, then it’s not suited for a standing seam metal roof.

Appearance: Depending on your style, size, and location of your home, a metal roof may not be the most flattering. The contractors who provide free estimates should let you know, but a metal roof does not compliment old, historic homes very well. Nor do they look good on some modern designs. Chances are, your home will be perfectly fine with a metal roof, but it is true that wood or traditional shingles may look better on certain homes.

Contractors: You will need to locate roofing contractors who are experienced in installing metal roofs like this one. Otherwise, if installed incorrectly, it may lead to considerable issues that compromise the integrity of the roof itself.

The benefits of a standing seam metal roof are considerable, especially in terms of toughness and durability that most other roofs cannot approach.