Can You Use Metal Roofing on a Flat Roof?

Metal roofing is becoming more and more popular in the residential roofing industry. The reason for its rise in popularity is because it’s one of the most versatile roofing materials on the market. 

It can be used for your entire roof system, over a covered porch, and more. But can a metal roof also be installed over a flat roof?

Here at Bill Ragan Roofing, our main job is to give you the information needed to make the right purchasing decision. That’s why we’ll be breaking down if you can install a metal roof on your flat roof. 

Let’s get to all the information you need about putting a metal roof over your flat roof. 

Can you put a metal roof on your flat roof?

Yes, you can put metal on your flat roof. Installing a metal roof over a flat roof area, over a porch, or for other accent purposes is considered an upgrade. 

With that in mind, it’s actually fairly common for homeowners to put a metal roof over their flat roof or low slope roof. Everyone has their own reasoning for using metal on their flat roof. 

Some homeowners want metal roofing for its lifespan and durability. Other homeowners like the look of metal and want to boost their home’s curb appeal. 

Some even want to use metal on their flat roof for both reasons. Whatever your reasoning, installing a metal roof on your flat is always a great option. 

Just keep in mind, it will be more expensive than a membrane roof system that is also commonly used on flat roofs. 

Which type of metal roof is best for your flat roof?

There are 2 types of metal roof systems for your flat roof, standing seam and screw-down. While they both get the job done, you need to pick the one that’s right for your situation. 

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

If your flat roof is over a heated living or workspace, I recommend using a standing seam metal roof. This type of metal roof also requires virtually no maintenance.  

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. 

Due to its lack of expansion capability, I would not recommend putting a screw-down panel on a flat roof that’s above a heated space such as your home or office. You can still get this type of metal roof over your flat roof, but you’ll have to pay to replace the screws when they get wallowed out to avoid roof leaks. 

The type of metal roof you choose for your flat roof is up to you and your budget. But as I stated earlier, I recommend going with a standing seam metal roof system over a flat roof if it’s above a heated surface. 

How much will it cost to install a metal roof on your flat roof?

Pricing is the biggest factor homeowners account for when deciding if they should get a metal roof over their flat roof. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to give you an exact price without a roof inspection. 

However, I can at least give you a rough estimate for the price of each type of metal roof based on square footage. 

A screw down panel metal roof starts around $4.50 per square foot. A screw down metal panel will be the cheaper option, but you’ll end up spending money on the maintenance it requires. 

For a flat roof with no penetrations, you can expect a 24” gauge steel standing seam metal roof to cost around $12.00-$15.00 per square foot. This number could be more or less depending on the size of your flat roof, the roofing contractor you hire, and other factors. 

However, it’s a good number to give you an idea of the budget you’ll need for a standing seam metal roof. 

What if a metal roof isn’t right for your flat roof?

Now you know that you can install a metal roof over your flat roof. You also learned the type of metal roof I recommend and an idea of how much it’ll cost. 

If you think a metal roof is right for your flat roof, you’re ready to find a great roofing contractor. But if you don’t think a metal roof is the right choice or you just want to learn more about your flat roofing options, you need to know about the different types of membrane roof systems. 

That’s why we wrote another article going over the 3 types of membrane roof systems, including their lifespan, cost, and more.

Since 1990, Bill Ragan Roofing has provided homeowners in the Nashville area with high-quality metal roofing services. Whether you want it for accent purposes or want a full metal roof replacement, you can count on our workmanship to give you a metal roof that will last for decades. 

Check out 3 Types of Roof Membranes for Your Flat or Low Slope Residential Roof to help you decide if a metal roof system or a membrane roof system is right for your flat roof.