What this covers
Metal roofing comes as standing seam panels with concealed clips or as corrugated and ribbed panels with exposed screws. The roofer lays a high-temperature underlayment over the deck, sets eave trim and closures, then fastens panels with clips that let the metal expand and contract, and finishes with ridge cap, gable trim, pipe flashings and snow details where the climate calls for them. Standing seam is the residential standard because no fasteners are exposed to weather. Careful work shows in straight panel lines, properly hemmed edges, sealed closures at the ridge and eave, and trim that is cut to fit rather than caulked to fit.
When to call
- A roof you want to replace once rather than every two decades.
- A low-slope section where shingles are not rated to go.
- A home in heavy snow or wildfire country where shedding and ember resistance matter.
- A farmhouse or modern design where a metal roof is part of the look.
What to expect
- DesignPanel profile, gauge, finish and color are chosen and the roof measured for panel lengths.
- PrepareOld roofing is removed, the deck checked, and underlayment and eave trim installed.
- Set panelsPanels are laid from one end, clipped and seamed, with penetrations flashed as they are reached.
- Trim outRidge, gable and transition trim and closures finish the roof, and you review it.
Get a certified company
Look up a certified company by ZIP code. Every company's license, insurance and trades are verified before it is listed, and placement is never paid.
Questions people ask
Is a metal roof loud in the rain?
Over solid decking and underlayment it sounds much like a shingle roof. The drumming people remember comes from barn roofs over open framing.
Standing seam or exposed fastener?
Standing seam hides the fasteners and moves freely, so it needs little attention. Exposed-fastener panels are simpler to install, but the screw gaskets age and need checking.
Can metal go over existing shingles?
Some systems allow it over one layer with battens or an underlayment, where the local code permits. Most companies prefer to tear off and see the deck.
Related: Asphalt shingle roofing · Roof replacement · Gutter installation · All roofing and gutters
This page describes what the service involves. The company you hire sets the scope, the schedule and the price, and your contract is with that company. We verify credentials and collect reviews from real jobs. We do not guarantee any company's workmanship. Safety steps are general guidance. When in doubt, leave the home and call 911.