Standing Seam Metal Roofing 101

Metal roofing has been gracefully covering and protecting some of the most beautiful and well-known of the world's buildings for hundreds of years.  Some factors in the current market are making a standing seam metal roof a very attractive option for small business owners and even homeowners.  The rising cost of oil, from which asphalt shingles are made, has made metal roofing a more viable option.  In this increasingly eco-conscious world, people also like knowing that a metal roof can be recycled and will not end up in a landfill.

Just What Is a Standing Seam Metal Roof?

A metal roof cannot be one continuous sheet - it is made from panels.  The panels (usually 12-19 inches wide) run vertically from the roof ridge to the eave.  Where the panels are joined, their edges are formed so that one overlaps the other and the fasteners are covered by this overlap.  This seam is usually 1 to 2 1/2  inches high - thus the name "standing seam."  There are several advantages to this type of roof:

• Fewer number of total seams (fewer vulnerable spots)
• No horizontal seams
• Seams are covered by the overlapping metal
• Panels are secured with clips concealed underneath.  These clips allow for some expansion and contraction caused by varying temperature

Other Advantages Of Metal Roofing

• Fire retardant
• Impact resistant
• Low maintenance
• If the roof is painted in a light color, it will reflect more of the sun's UV rays and reduce energy costs

Although metal roofing may have a higher initial cost, it will pay off in the long term.  A properly installed standing seam roof will last more than 50 years, and it will increase the attractiveness and value of the property.