What is a standing seam metal roof?

Metal roofs have been used extensively on commercial roofing, but are becoming increasingly popular for residential buildings as well. The reason … metal roofing has a number of advantages over other types of materials.

• Fire Resistant: Metal roofing options are particularly resistant to fire when combined with a code-compliant underlayment.
• Resistant to Moss: Metal roofing materials are particularly useful in forested or moss prone areas that receive high precipitation.
• Tough: Metal roofs are extremely resistant to high winds (a common problem in the southwest), as well as to hail and snow buildup. The metal also sheds rain well.
• Long Life: Metal roofs have an extremely long life span — often as long as 50 years when properly installed.
• Environmentally Friendly: In some cases metal roofing materials can be recycled.

Banish the image of rippled or corrugated tin roofs from your mind. Generally speaking today, metal roofing can actually be made to mimic the look of shingles, wood shakes, tiles and come in a whole range of colors, but most of the metal roofing being installed on homes and commercial buildings are standing-seam metal roofs.

The difference between those less attractive corrugated tin roofs and standing-seam roofs is that standing-seam is installed by running continuous metal panels down the length of the roof. The 12- or 19-inch wide steel (or copper, tin, etc.) panels overlap, concealing the fasteners. The fasteners or clips are concealed under the panel and allow the roofing to float and move back and forth, thus making it responsive to heat and cold.

You might think, here in the Southwest, that metal roofing wouldn’t work because it will conduct heat. In point of fact, new coatings on metal roofing help reflect heat and even bounce debris (and hail) off the surface without damage to the panel.

It does take a bit more time for installation of metal roofing, so while more expensive than cheaper asphalt shingles, metal roofing generally has double the life span and more durability. Metal roofing can add a bright, impressive look to your home, commercial, retail or other building and can help boost your property value.