It's no secret that a standing seam metal roof cost more than other types of metal roofing. Many Indiana metal roofing contractors are familiar with and install lighter gauge metal roofing that screws down and that along with lower material and labor cost means standing seam metal roofing isn't installed in Indiana nearly as much as screw down metal. Although you will pay more for a standing seam metal roof.
Here are the top 5 reasons it's worth the additional cost
1. Standing Seam Metal Roofing doesn't have exposed screws.
Metal roofing that screws down requires on average 70 exposed screws per sq. of roofing. On an average sized home this can add up to something like 2,500-3,000 screws or 3,000 potential leaks down the road. Extreme Indiana temperature differences between summer heat waves and polar vortex cold snaps cause expansion and contraction of the metal roofing along with the deterioration of the rubber washer that seals the water out. with so many screws on the roof it can be very difficult to figure out which ones are leaking. In Indiana we often see metal roofing screws and nails going bad some where between year 9 and 13.
Standing seam metal roofs on the other hand do not have this problem. The metal is held down with clips that are underneath of the metal panels. This serves for two purposes 1) the screw is hidden and therefore never has a leak issue and 2) the clip is secured to the roof and not the standing seam metal roofing panel which allows the metal roofing to go through its daily expansion and contraction with ease.
2. Standing Seam Metal Roofs have the necessary trims to stay water tight around details.
Standing seam is a metal roofing system that is designed to interlock to itself keeping water out. The standing seam metal roofing panels are flat in the pan and can be bent to create a hem. The hem is then slid onto a cleat which is sealed with butyl tape when attached. The result is roofing details that are water proof for long term and that do not rely on blobs of caulking but rather sound metal roofing practices. Areas in valleys, around chimney and skylights are of special importance as well as dormers and gables that tie into larger sections of the roofing.
Light gauge metal roofing that screws down do not have the ability to interlock to itself and relies on caulking in crucial areas to stay dry. Because the metal is thin it must have ribs either up or down. The ribs also become areas that must be filled with caulking in valleys so snow and ice won't build up and enter behind metal roofing.
3. Standing Seam Metal Roofs last much longer.
Properly installed standing seam metal roofs will last 2-3 times longer than lighter gauge, screw down metal roofing. Not only is metal itself thicker, 24 gauge compared to lighter grade metals 29 gauge, the paint is also much better. Most standing seam metal roofing is given color with kynar paint guaranteed to last 35 years. Because what good is a metal roof that looks terrible because of peeling paint after only 10 or 15 years.
4. Standing Seam Metal Roofing is very low maintenance.
Because the roofing details of standing seam around chimneys, skylights and valleys are interlocking and do not rely on caulking, they are very low maintenance. Light gauge metal roofing panels that cannot be hemmed will routinely need sealants around important areas to stay leak free. The movement of metal roofing through expansion and contraction cycles mean the seal of caulking is often broken after a year or so depending on weather and temperature extremes. You won't be climbing around on your standing seam metal roof every couple of years to top off sealants and caulking.
5. A Standing Seam Metal Roof has amazing curb appeal.
The looks of a standing seam metal roof is a combination of elegance, strength, durability and craftsmanship. Timeless beauty that never looses its appeal. A standing seam metal roof may just be the one thing that makes your home or building stand out among the crowd.
