Standing seam metal roofing is becoming more and more popular for residential homes. But the truth is, it’s not the best fit for every homeowner.
So, how are you supposed to determine if it’s right for you? That comes down to knowing the good and the bad of a standing seam metal roof.
Unfortunately, it can be hard to find unbiased information, either good or bad. We want to change that.
For over 30 years, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has educated homeowners on everything roofing, both the good and the bad. Now we’ll help determine if a standing seam metal roof is right for you.
Let’s get to the pros and cons of a standing seam metal roof.
The cons of a standing seam metal roof
To start this pros and cons article off, I’ll start with the “bad”. These cons are really just the three big things homeowners have the biggest problems or hesitations about when getting a standing seam metal roof.
Without further ado, here are the cons of standing seam metal roofing.
A new standing seam metal roof is expensive
The biggest con (and biggest concern to homeowners) is that a standing seam metal roof is expensive. It’s actually around three times more expensive than the most commonly used roofing material on the market, architectural asphalt shingles.
For example, a two-story house with a little complexity, good accessibility, and using architectural asphalt shingles costs around $4.76 per square foot. For comparison, you can expect a standing seam metal roof on the same home to be around $15.00 per square foot.
This is a big price jump, which is why most homeowners avoid a standing seam metal roof. But if you have the budget, a standing seam metal roof is a great option.
You can hear rain hit a standing seam metal roof
The next con is one of the most asked questions for anyone interested in a standing seam metal roof. This is the noise factor of a standing seam metal roof when it rains.
Unfortunately, there’s an echo when rain hits a standing seam metal roof. Solid roof decking dulls the echo because the wood (decking) between the metal panels and your ceiling helps absorb some noise.
Adding wood fiber insulation boards between your roof’s decking and your metal panels also helps absorb the sound of rain. But even though these boards provide an extra noise barrier, they won’t completely block out a heavy downpour.
There’s no way to avoid the fact that a standing seam metal roof makes some noise when it rains. So, even if you do what I mentioned above, it’s impossible to completely drown out the sound of rain from a heavy thunderstorm.
Oil canning can happen to standing seam metal roof panels
The last con of a standing seam metal roof has to do with oil canning. Oil canning occurs when installers fasten the standing seam metal panels too tightly together.
While this still gives the metal panels room to expand longways, there’s no room for them to expand sideways. This leads to your standing seam metal roof panels showing signs of oil canning.
It starts with a “bubbling” look that eventually turns into a wavy look on the metal panels. Just know that oil canning doesn’t cause any functionality problems.
However, it is an aesthetic issue that some homeowners don’t like. If curb appeal and aesthetics are big factors in your decision-making process, keep in mind that oil canning is possible on a standing seam metal roof.
The pros of a standing seam metal roof
Now you know the cons of a standing seam metal roof. With the “bad” out of the way, you’re ready to learn the pros.
Let’s see what you get out of a standing seam metal roof investment.
Standing seam metal roofs have a long lifespan
The biggest pro of a standing seam metal roof is that it’s a long-lasting roofing material. You should get at least 30 years out of your new standing seam metal roof as long as it’s properly installed and your attic is adequately ventilated.
Under the ideal conditions, it could even last up to 50 years. But if the painted finish on the metal panels is scratched or damaged during installation, the exposed fresh steel will rust due to dew or moisture in the air.
This shortens the lifespan of a standing seam metal roof. That’s why it’s crucial that your local roofing contractor has experience installing standing seam metal roofs and takes all the proper precautions during installation.
The Kynar 500 painted finish on standing seam metal roof panels
The next pro of a standing seam metal roof is the painted finish that protects the metal panels and its warranty. All of the major steel manufacturers apply a painted finish called Kynar 500 to the panels of a standing seam metal roof through a patented process.
The Kynar 500 painted finish protects standing seam metal roof panels from the elements and keeps the color you choose from fading. The Kynar 500 on the metal panels comes with a 30-year paint warranty after the roof is installed.
While the painted finish is only covered for 30 years, it doesn’t mean it’ll just disappear after 30 years. However, you should start budgeting for a new standing seam metal roof once the warranty expires.
A standing seam metal roof is virtually maintenance-free
Every roof needs maintenance in some shape or form. However, the amount and how often you need roof maintenance depends on the type of roofing material.
That brings us to the next pro of a standing seam metal roof; it’s virtually a maintenance-free roofing material. After it’s installed, the only major maintenance required is checking around penetrations such as vent pipes, gas pipes, etc.
Besides that, cleaning is the only other general maintenance needed, which is a personal choice. Even though I say it’s virtually maintenance-free, you should still get your standing seam metal roof checked out every year or two.
This helps catch potential problems, clear sitting debris that could cause damage, and ensures you get the most out of a standing seam metal roof investment.
Getting a standing seam metal roof raises your home’s curb appeal
The last pro on this list is what a standing seam metal roof does for your home’s curb appeal. A standing seam metal roof has a higher curb appeal and a more visually appealing look than the standard 3-tab or architectural asphalt shingles.
Getting a standing seam metal roof over your entire home drastically increases your home’s curb appeal. But because of the cost, this isn’t an option for a lot of people.
(Standing seam metal roof over back porch)
That’s why homeowners choose to use a standing seam metal roof over front porches, side porches, back porches, bay windows, and more to take their asphalt roof’s look to the next level. No matter where you decide to install a standing seam metal, it will improve your home’s curb appeal.
Is a standing seam metal roof right for you?
Now you have the pros and cons of a standing seam metal roof. After reading this article, you should have a good idea if it’s the right roofing material for you.
If it is, you’re ready to find a local metal roofing contractor to start the process of getting your standing seam metal roof. But if you’re still on the fence, you need to know the other popular roofing material options.
Luckily, we wrote another article breaking down the 5 best roofing materials for a roof replacement.
The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has provided high-quality standing seam installation services to homeowners in Nashville and surrounding Middle Tennessee areas since 1990. We take pride in our metal roofing work and provide a lifetime craftsmanship guarantee on our workmanship.
If you’re local to Nashville or a surrounding Middle Tennessee area, don’t hesitate to contact us for your standing seam metal roofing needs.
Check out The 5 Best Roofing Materials for Your Roof Replacement to learn the other popular residential roofing material options.
