Standing Seam Metal Roof Pros and Cons

Published on Monday August 5, 2024

A photo of a standing seam metal roof in 2021

Standing seam metal roofs are well-loved for their many advantages. They’re durable and sturdy, making them an excellent choice for those who plan to live in their homes for a long time.

However, they do have a few potential drawbacks. Keep reading to learn more about standing seam metal roofs so you can decide for yourself whether they’re right for you.

What is a Standing Seam Roof?

Standing seam metal roofs are designed with intricate metal roof panels that keep fasteners concealed and unexposed. This protects the fasteners from UV rays, wind, rain, snow, and other elements that can cause roof wear and decay, making standing seam metal roofs more durable compared to other metal roof types. These roofs are also easily identifiable by their raised seams (or vertical legs) that extend above the flat panel.

Standing Seam Metal Roofs: Pros

Standing seam metal roofs offer several advantages, particularly in terms of energy efficiency and providing security for your home.

Eco-Friendly

The type of material you choose for your roof can make a big difference in terms of going green. If you’re looking into eco-friendly roofing options, go with something recyclable, such as metal roofing.

Standing seam metal roofs are made of recycled and recyclable materials like aluminum. They’re easy to work with and can be reused for different projects when the time comes to replace them. No need to add to landfills with this type of roof.

Energy Efficient

Energy efficiency is not only green but can also save you money. Although these options can be more expensive upfront, choosing energy-efficient materials for your home upgrades, repairs, and replacements can end up saving hundreds every year on energy bills.

Standing seam metal roof panels reflect radiant heat from the sun. While some homeowners wonder if a metal roof will make their home hotter (since metal heats up under sunlight), a standing seam metal roof allows your home to stay cool more easily and substantially reduces your cooling costs.

Lightweight

While your home’s roof is built to endure heavy loads, opting for a lightweight option can offer various benefits. Standing seam metal roofs are a popular lightweight choice among homeowners looking to add the least amount of stress to their home’s structure. The materials are also easier for professional roofers to handle, carry, and install.

Durable

Metal roofing is one of the most durable types of roofing available at a reasonable price. The metal itself can withstand elements like wind, rain, sunlight, and ice.

While standing seam metal roofs are lightweight, they’re also incredibly resilient thanks to concealed fasteners that allow them to endure extreme weather conditions without rusting, coming loose, or leaking.

Hidden Fasteners

Hidden fasteners offer one of the greatest advantages of a standing seam metal roof. This technology keeps your roof’s fasteners protected from UV rays, wind, moisture, and other elements that can cause other types of roofing to deteriorate more quickly.

The hidden fastener system also helps your metal roof last longer by avoiding the need to make holes in the panels themselves. Standing seam metal roofs are installed using clamps or clips, which reduces the likelihood of the metal roof wearing down against screws.

Standing Seam Metal Roofs: Cons

If you’re thinking of installing a standing seam metal roof on your home, it’s important to take a look at a couple of potential disadvantages you might run into.

Expense

One of the most significant cons of standing seam metal roofs is their cost. Installation of a standing seam metal roof is more complicated than other roof styles and, therefore, must be done by a skilled, professional roofing contractor. They also cost more in materials than many other roofing types. Compared to asphalt shingle roofing, standing seam metal roofs generally cost about double.

Noise

If your home’s roof isn’t insulated properly, sounds can easily carry from it throughout the rest of your home. A standing seam metal roof can be especially noisy during rainfall or storms. It’s highly recommended that you invest in proper soundproofing when choosing a standing seam metal roof for your home.

Types of Standing Seam Metal Roofs

Standing seam panels come in different shapes and sizes depending on what’s needed for your particular home. Each is unique and offers its own advantages.

Snap-lock

Snap-lock standing seam metal roofs are known for their easy installation process, a wide variety of color options, and affordability (compared to other standing seam metal roofs). While they aren’t ideal for low-slope roofs, they’re great if you’re working with a tight budget. You can expect a snap-lock standing seam metal roof to last up to 50 years.

This type of panel features male and female legs that snap together. It’s a favorite among roofing contractors because it is a low-maintenance, easy-to-install metal roofing type.

It’s important to note that while snap-lock standing seam metal roofs are affordable and easy to install, they’re also not as weathertight as other options. Homes in areas with heavy rainfall may want to consider a more secure style.

Mechanical

Mechanical standing seam metal roofs are known for their durability and excellent weather-tight seal. Although they’re fairly labor-intensive to install and cost more than their competition, many homeowners in areas that experience extreme weather conditions find their advantages are well worth it. This is because, unlike snap-lock styles, mechanical standing seam metal roofs are mechanically seamed together.

Batten Panels

This type of standing seam metal roof is known for being highly wind-resistant. It’s assembled by placing two legs beside each other. A batten clip is then drilled through to the roof’s surface, keeping the panels locked together and secured. A metal cap is put over them, fully seaming them together.

Batten panels can be either snap-locked or mechanically sealed together. If a mechanical seam is used, the batten panels are weathertight and perform well with low-sloped roofs under extreme weather conditions. If a snap-lock system is used, the batten cap can slide off the seam, and the panels are not as weathertight.

We’ll Help You Find Your Best Roof

When it comes to a major home upgrade like a roof replacement, you deserve to have all of your questions answered. Long Roofs is here to tell you everything you want to know about standing seam metal roofs, including whether they’re right for your home.