5 Things to Know About Your Metal Roof Replacement in Nashville

Getting a new metal roof in Nashville can be stressful. Having to spend time learning everything important about such a big investment can be even more stressful. 

You’re probably doing a lot of research and have a lot of questions. Questions like which metal roof you should choose, how much it’ll cost, what the process looks like, and more. 

Getting all this information from different sources is incredibly time consuming. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could find all the answers to the important questions about your Nashville metal roof replacement in one place? 

Stick around because that’s exactly what we did. 

The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has been repairing, replacing, and maintaining all roof types (including metal roof systems) in the Nashville area since 1990. We work with you to give you the best experience possible throughout the entire process. And after our job is done, we provide you with a lifetime warranty to back up our workmanship. 

By the end of this article, you’ll learn the right type of metal roof for your replacement, your metal roof’s materials, the cost, and more. And at the very end, don't forget to get your free checklist to help you find a great roofing contractor in Nashville. 

1. Which metal roof system is right for a residential replacement?

There are 2 types of metal roof systems: screw-down panel and standing seam. 

A standing seam metal roof system is a series of panels that are locked together at the seams or seamed mechanically. This allows for panels to expand and contract freely when the metal heats up.

A screw-down panel is just what it's called; it's screwed down. The screws are screwed through the panel, which leaves no room for expansion and contraction.

But which one is right for a residential roof replacement in Nashville? 

Because of its lack of expansion capabilities, I would not recommend putting a screw-down panel over a heated space such as your home or office. That doesn't mean you won’t see a screw-down panel on homes in Nashville. 

But here at Bill Ragan Roofing Company, we always recommend a standing seam roof system to anyone looking for a residential metal roof replacement in our area. Because of this, we’ll only be talking about a standing seam metal roof for the rest of this article. 

2. The materials that make up a standing seam metal roof 

A standing seam metal roof system is more than just the metal panels you see from the street. It’s made up of different metal roofing materials and components to form a complete roof system.

A standing seam metal roof system is made up of the following components:

• Roof decking: The wooden boards that make up the framing of your roof.
• Starter lock strip: Lock strips are what hold (lock) your standing seam metal panels to your roof edges and keep them from flapping in the wind or strong storms.
• Underlayment: Underlayment is usually a felt (15 lb, 30 lb, or synthetic) material used over your decking to provide additional protection. For your standing seam metal roof, your underlayment will be a self-adhering, high heat ice and water shield.
• Metal panels: The metal panels are what you see and what makes up the bulk of your standing seam metal roof. Usually, the panels are made of 24 gauge pre-finished steel with a Kynar 500 finish (painted finish that protects the steel panels and keeps the color from fading). However, you can get a different size gauge and multiple colors to choose from.
• Clips: Unseen fasteners that hold each panel to the roof deck.
• Z bar: A piece of metal flashing bent in the shape of a Z that is 1/8th of an inch taller than the ribs on your metal panels.
• Ridge capping: The trim installed at the peak where the two slopes of a roof meet.

To go more in-depth into these crucial components, read this article on what materials make up a standing seam metal roof. 

3. The cost of your standing seam metal roof replacement

No two roofs are going to be the same price. So, the price for your standing seam metal roof in Nashville isn't going to be the same as your neighbors. 

With that in mind, it’s impossible to give you an exact price without getting on your roof. However, the numbers below can give you an idea of how much you’ll have to budget.

Disclaimer: These numbers aren’t perfect. The actual price you’ll pay depends on multiple cost factors that are based on your roof and the contractor you hire. 

For a one-story house with a basic up and over roof with no penetrations and no valleys, you can expect a 24 gauge steel standing seam metal roof in Nashville to cost around $12.00 per square foot.

For a one-story house with a mildly complex roof, you can expect to pay around $15.00 per square foot in Nashville for a 24 gauge steel standing seam metal roof. 

Remember, these numbers aren’t perfect and it’s impossible to give you an exact price until you have a professional roofing company come out to inspect your roof. To go into more detail about the cost of your new metal roof, check out this article on how much a standing seam metal roof costs. 

4. The process to replace your standing seam metal roof

The day your standing seam metal roof is installed is the most important day in the life of your roof. It must be installed using correct metal roofing techniques to truly give you peace of mind. 

But what does the standing seam metal roof replacement process look like?

The first step to your metal roof replacement is getting all the metal roofing materials delivered to your home in the Nashville area. Then your local roofing contractor arrives on the day of your replacement and makes sure all the vehicles are moved out of your driveway or garage.

After making sure everything is clear for them to start, they’ll start setting up protection for your property and begin the tear-off process. After your old roof is torn off to a clean decking, they’ll begin installing all of your new roofing materials and your standing seam metal panels. 

Once your new roof is installed properly, your Nashville contractor will clean up your property and inspect your new metal roof to ensure the workmanship reaches the high standards you expect. 

This is a short summary of what the replacement process looks like for your standing seam metal roof replacement. To learn how the metal panels and other roofing materials are actually installed, check out this article on the 6-step process to install your standing seam metal roof. 

5. How long your new standing seam metal roof will last

The lifespan of a standing seam metal roof is how many years you’ll get out of it. So, how long will your standing seam metal roof replacement last? 

As long as it’s installed properly and your attic is adequately ventilated, there’s no reason you shouldn’t get at least 30 years out of your new standing seam metal roof. Under the ideal conditions, your new standing seam metal roof could live for 50 years.

Your new standing seam roof comes with a 30-year paint (Kynar 500) warranty on your metal panels to protect your roof investment. This painted finish protects your metal panels from the elements and keeps the color you choose from fading. 

Be aware, scratching or damaging the finish on the panels will expose the fresh steel to dew or moisture in the air, causing them to rust. Even though the paint has a 30-year warranty, it doesn’t mean it’s going to disappear after 30 years. 

This makes a standing seam metal roof one of the most durable roof types on the market. To learn what affects the lifespan of your new roof, read this article on how long your new standing seam roof will last. 

What’s the next step to replace your metal roof in Nashville?

Now you know the 5 things to know about replacing your metal roof in Nashville. This article has all the crucial information you need to know before investing in a new metal roof. 

There’s still one last step before your replacement. That’s finding a great roofing contractor in the Nashville area. 

Be aware, you must hire one that’s local to our area. But that’s just one thing you need to look for in a Nashville roofing contractor. 

That’s why you need our free 16 questions to ask a roofing contractor checklist. It gives you the main questions every homeowner should ask when meeting with potential contractors when to discuss their replacement. 

We even give you the right answers you should be getting back. But at the end of the day, you need to make sure you hire one you can trust. 

Since 1990, the residents of Nashville have trusted Bill Ragan Roofing to provide them with high-quality roofing services. We give you and all of our customers an experience rare in the roofing industry based on honesty, education, advising, and a strong workmanship history. If you think we’re the right fit for you, don’t hesitate to contact us for any of your Nashville roofing needs.

To help you find the right contractor in the Nashville area, grab your free Checklist of Questions to Ask a Roofing Contractor.