Standing seam metal roofs offer an elegant and enduring finishing touch for both residential and commercial buildings. Thoroughly customizable with a wide variety of trim, hardware and gutter options, standing seam panels come in many colors. Yet a basic understanding of the type of roof being specified is important because not all standing seam products are equal.
New architectural opportunities with sustainable and aesthetic innovations
The highest quality standing seam metal panels deliver a concealed fastener roofing system that typically offer seams with either vertical or trapezoidal legs that are separated by a flat area of varying widths between them. The word “concealed” here is of critical importance. Less expensive metal roofs use screws or nails that are visible and easily spring leaks that can do a lot of damage very quickly. Regardless of the material being used, if the roof or the decking used to support it are penetrated by screws or nails, it leaves the structure vulnerable to water damage. The use of concealed fasteners for standing seam roofs that do not penetrate the panels serve to dramatically reduce any chance of leaks. Additionally, clips are used to attach standing seam panels to the roof deck offering another level of protection against potential damage from moisture.
With a little care, you won’t damage a standing seam metal roof by walking on it. During the installation and final inspection wear soft sole shoes, preferably rubber, and avoid stepping on the seams or ribs. Be mindful not to scratch or scuff any surfaces. No roof should be subject to much foot traffic. Note that walking on any roof is dangerous and carries the risk of serious falls and injury. The best bet is to ask the manufacturer for any suggestions they can offer about safety protocols.
More durable than most shingle roofing, it is not uncommon to find standing seam roof warranties of 35 years or more. Specifically, weathertight warranties offered by the installer and roofing manufacturer are an industry standard. Insurance companies will sometimes offer lower premiums on homes with metal roofing since they tend to incur less damage during storms. As to home resale value, the performance and protection provided by metal roofing can increase the home’s value when compared to traditional shingles. Among the many misconceptions about metal roofing is that they make homes and offices hotter. In fact, there are steel panels treated with coatings that are intended to improve energy efficiency to meet local energy codes and reduce the amount of heat absorbed by the roof, lowering utility costs for large commercial projects.
Perhaps most critically, standing seam roof panels and accessories are manufactured by many high-quality metal fabrication companies. As with so many architectural and building components, you get what you pay for. When comparing the initial cost of a new or replacement roof it is important to balance this against the longer life span that can be expected of a steel panel, concealed fastener roofing system. Though metal roofing is more expensive than traditional asphalt shingles, among manufacturers pricing is often very competitive. This is not a product that will leave a customer held captive by a single vendor.
The use of metal roofing has been rising over the last decade and the most recent surveys suggest that over 17% of all structures, including single-family homes, now feature steel roofing panels. From a visual and aesthetic standpoint, the standing seam metal roof is likely the best of all roofing options.
Dave Robinson is the vice president of sales at Whirlwind Steel Buildings, Houston. To learn more, visit www.whirlwindsteel.com.