The Best Type of Metal Roof for Residential Roofing

So, you’re in the market for a metal roof to go over your home, porch, or another area. If you’re like the thousands of other homeowners that want a metal roof, you probably want to know which metal roof system is the best.  

Both types of metal roof systems have their place in the roofing industry. However, there is one that’s the right and best choice for residential purposes. 

Bill Ragan Roofing takes pride in educating homeowners like you, so you’re able to make the right decisions. And if you end up choosing us to take care of your roofing needs, you can count on high-quality workmanship and expertise that’s been cultivated for over 30 years.

Let’s get into which metal roof system is right for residential roofing and a few advantages it has over the other. 

Which metal roof is right for your residential home? 

There are two types of metal roof systems to choose from: standing seam and screw down panel. Remember, both metal roof systems have their place in the roofing industry, but a standing seam metal roof is the best choice for residential purposes. 

The main reason for this comes down to the expansion capabilities of the two types of metal roofs. 

For example, a standing seam metal roof system’s panels are locked together at the seams (ribs) or seamed mechanically. Under each rib is a clip that fastens the panels together and allows them to glide back and forth freely as the metal goes through thermal expansion.

On the other hand, a screw-down panel metal roof system (also known as an exposed fastener) is installed by screws that are screwed straight through the panel. This leaves no room for expansion and contraction. 

Because there’s no room to expand and contract, the screws will eventually wallow out the holes in the metal panels, and you’ll periodically have to pay to replace the screws with the next size up. 

Can you install a screw down metal roof over your home? Yes. However, it’s going to be expensive to maintain, and will be more prone to roof leaks.  

3 more advantages a standing seam metal roof has over a screw down panel metal roof

Now you know that a standing seam metal roof is the recommended choice for residential roofing. But it has more advantages over a screw down metal roof than just being able to expand and contract freely. 

1. The painted finish on the standing seam metal roof’s panels

A standing seam metal roof has a painted finish on the metal panels called Kynar 500. This painted finish protects your metal panels from the wear and tear a roof experiences throughout its life to ensure you get the longevity expected out of a metal roof. 

But Kynar 500 not only protects the metal panels it also keeps the paint color from fading as your roof ages. This is especially important because you choose a specific color to give your metal roof the aesthetic and curb appeal you’re looking for. 

The Kynar 500 painted finish is only used on standing seam metal roofs. If you’re thinking about a screw down metal roof, you’ll still have color options, but it’ll have a different painted finish that fades a lot quicker and doesn’t last as long. 

2. A standing seam metal roof doesn't require much maintenance

Every roof needs maintenance to ensure it’s running smoothly throughout its lifespan. However, the amount of maintenance your roof needs depends on the type of roofing material you choose. 

A big advantage of standing seam metal roof is that it doesn't require as much maintenance as other roof types. After it’s installed, no maintenance is actually required except at the penetrations such as vent pipes, gas pipes, etc. 

Besides that, cleaning is the only other general maintenance needed, and that’s a personal choice for each customer. On the other hand, a screw down metal panel's screws have to be replaced every 5 years to prevent leaks or before a strong storm tears the entire metal roof off. 

3. The lifespan of a standing seam metal roof 

The lifespan of your roof is how many years you get out of it. You can think about it as your return on the investment you made in your roof. 

A huge advantage a standing seam metal roof has over most roof types is its durability and longevity. Your new standing seam metal roof comes with a 30-year paint warranty on the Kynar 500 painted finish on the metal panels. 

As long as it’s installed properly, there’s no reason you shouldn’t get through the paint warranty and get 30 years out of your standing seam metal roof. But just because the paint’s warranty is up doesn’t mean the painted finish will disappear after 30 years. 

Under ideal conditions, your new standing seam metal roof could live up to 50 years. On the other hand, you could get 20 years out of a screw down panel metal roof. 

With periodic maintenance, you could possibly stretch it to 30 years. But remember, you’re going to have to pay someone to change out the screws every 5 years if you want to get the most out of it. 

How much do the two types of metal roofs cost? 

Even though a standing seam metal roof system is recommended for residential purposes, you can still get a screw down metal roof system. Just keep in mind all things we discussed in this article when making your decision. 

But before making that decision, there’s still one more thing you need to know. How much the two types of metal roof systems cost. 

The cost of any roof type is always a huge factor in a homeowner's decision-making process. That’s why we want to help you even more by breaking down the cost of a standing seam metal roof vs. a screw down panel metal roof. 

Here at Bill Ragan Roofing, we’ve dedicated ourselves to providing you and other homeowners in Nashville and surrounding areas with high-quality roofing services. Whether it’s for roof repairs or a full roof replacement, you can count on us and our lifetime warranty to always be there for you and your roof. 

Check out How Much Your Metal Roof Costs to see the budget you’ll need for both metal roof systems.