What are the Pros and Cons of a Standing Seam Metal Roof?

Are you considering a standing seam metal roof? Are you struggling with your decision because you don't know the pros and cons?

Standing seam metal roofing is becoming increasingly popular in residential roofing. However, it’s not even close to being the best fit for every homeowner. 

So, how are you supposed to determine if it’s right for you? That comes down to knowing all the advantages and disadvantages of a standing seam metal roof. 

Unfortunately, it can be hard to find unbiased information, either good or bad. Let’s change that. 

For over 35 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has given homeowners the information and tools they need to feel 100% confident when choosing a roofing material. So, now I’ll help you determine if a standing seam metal roof is right for your upcoming roof replacement.

Let’s get to the pros and cons of a standing seam metal roof. 

What are the pros of a standing seam metal roof?

Let’s start with the good of a standing seam metal roof. Below, you’ll learn more about the following pros that make standing seam metal roofing a great roofing material: 

• High curb appeal
• The painted finish
• Multiple metal options
• Energy efficiency
• Long lifespan
• Versatile

Standing seam metal roofing has high curb appeal

One of the biggest pros of a standing seam metal roof is that it greatly increases your home’s curb appeal. The clean look stands out from the standard asphalt shingles you see on most homes in the United States. 

(Steel standing seam metal roof)

Steel and aluminum panels also come with a painted finish that prevents the color you choose from fading for decades. And if you really want to stand out, premium metals like copper dramatically increase a home’s curb appeal. 

Looks are subjective, and everyone has different tastes. However, standing seam metal roofing’s curb appeal is a big reason why it’s growing in popularity. 

Standing seam metal panels come with a painted finish

I just mentioned it, but standing seam metal panels (aluminum and steel) have a painted finish. This not only protects the color but also the panels themselves from rusting or damage from everyday wear and tear.

There are different types of paints, but steel standing seam panels come with industry-leading Kynar 500, which comes with a 30-year warranty. Just keep in mind that the specific painted finish applied to panels depends on the metal type, metal roof system, and manufacturer. 

There are multiple metal options 

A great thing about a standing seam metal roof is the multiple metal options based on budget, personal style preferences, and lifespan. However, certain types are more commonly used in the United States. 

The most common types of metal used in residential standing seam metal roofing are:

• Steel metal roofing
• Aluminum metal roofing
• Galvalume
• Copper metal roofing
• Stainless steel metal roofing
• Zinc metal roofing

While all are great options with pros and cons, the two most popular are prefinished steel and aluminum. This is mainly due to affordability, but premium metals (copper, stainless steel, and zinc) may also not be readily available in certain areas.

A standing seam metal roof is energy-efficient

A standing seam metal roof is one of the most energy-efficient roofing materials, mainly because of the natural reflective and emissive (releases heat quickly) properties. This helps them cool down more efficiently in hotter areas, which means using less energy (and money) to cool your home.

Just keep in mind that darker-colored metals absorb more heat, and each metal type has different reflective properties. That’s why steel and aluminum panels get a “cool” coating or painted finish to enhance reflectivity and emissivity to meet Energy Star standards. 

In areas with hotter climates, this can reduce air conditioning usage by up to 25%. 

Standing seam metal roofing is long lasting

A new standing seam metal roof increases your home’s value, but the main return on investment is how long it'll last. Standing seam metal roofing is a very long-lasting roofing material, but the lifespan depends on the metal type. 

Properly installed with periodic maintenance, a steel standing seam metal roof with a Kynar 500 painted finish will last 30 years and can get up to 50 years in the right conditions. This is a long lifespan, but premium metals like copper, stainless steel, and zinc last well over 50 years.

Standing seam metal panels are versatile

One of the most unique things about standing seam metal roofing is its versatility to be installed anywhere. It’s actually very common to be used for accent purposes on an asphalt roof or other roofing material, such as front porches, side porches, back porches, bay windows, and other areas.

(Standing seam accents with other roofing materials)

This does a lot for a home’s curb appeal, but it won’t be cheap. Not only are the materials expensive, but installing metal roofing is a more specialized skill set with a higher labor cost.

What are the cons of a standing seam metal roof?

Having the pros of a standing seam metal roof are great to help you understand why it’s such a great material. However, the cons are actually what make or break the decision of whether it’s right for you. 

Below, you’ll learn more about the following cons to keep in mind when considering standing seam metal roofing: 

• Pricing
• Noise when it rains
• Climate
• Storm damage

A new standing seam metal roof is very expensive

The biggest hurdle for a new standing metal roof is the price, which can be up to three times more expensive than asphalt shingles. Most steel standing seam metal roofs installed by an experienced metal roofing company will cost at least $30,000 to $50,000 on the average home. 

(Steel standing seam metal roof)

In fact, according to the Cost vs. Value Report, the national average cost for a steel standing seam metal roof is $51,865 in 2025. However, this doesn’t help you understand how much it’ll cost to get a standing seam metal roof on your home. 

So, let's look at the 2025 cost per square foot for a full standing seam metal roof with the five most commonly used metals in residential roofing. 

Using the table above, you can apply the cost number to your roof's square footage for a more accurate estimate. Just know that metal roofing prices are expected to increase further in 2025, with more expected price increases in 2026.

Rain makes noise when hitting a standing seam metal roof

One of the biggest complaints homeowners (and one of the most asked questions) have is the noise a standing seam metal roof makes when it rains. However, there are things you can do to help. 

Having solid wood decking between the metal panels and ceiling absorbs some of the noise. But you can take it a step further by adding wood fiber insulation boards between the decking and panels to dull the rain even more.

Doing all of this puts an extra layer to absorb sound, but even this won’t completely block out a heavy downpour. So, no matter what you do, just know it’s impossible to completely drown out the sound of rain when there's a heavy thunderstorm. 

A standing seam metal roof requires the right climate

Metal is a great and reliable material, but climates can affect specific metals. So, a standing seam metal roof (or certain metal) may not be the best option in your area. 

For example, Galvanized steel performs best in areas without excessive moisture or salt exposure, which makes it a great option for landlocked or temperate regions. On the other hand, aluminum’s natural resistance to corrosion makes it a great choice for coastal and humid climates. 

However, it’s also more prone to hail and other damage in areas with frequent storms because it’s a softer metal. Standing seam metal roofing is a great option anywhere, but just consider how your area’s climate affects the metal you’re considering.

Storms can damage standing seam metal panels

While not as prone as other roofing materials, it’s still possible for a standing seam metal to get storm damage. While normal wind damage shouldn't occur unless wind gets under the panels, fallen trees or limbs during high winds can significantly damage metal panels. 

On the other hand, large hail can damage metal panels and the protective painted finish (if applied). This is especially true for soft metals, such as copper and aluminum. 

While it’s technically a con, it takes a significant hail storm or prolonged hail exposure to really cause noticeable damage. 

Is a standing seam metal roof right for you?

You now know the pros and cons of a standing seam metal roof. At this point, you should have a good idea if it’s the right roofing material for you.

If you're seriously considering it, it’s crucial to hire a roofing company with metal roof installation experience. But if you’re like most homeowners, I’m sure the cost caused some hesitation. 

So, before doing anything else, you need to know how standing seam metal roofing compares to other popular residential roofing materials. After all, you can’t really feel confident making a decision without knowing every option available.  

Check out The 8 Best Roofing Materials for Your Roof Replacement to learn the cost, lifespan, warranties, and pros and cons of the most popular residential roofing materials.