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If you live in the Greater Tampa Bay area, you may have noticed that standing seam metal roofs have exploded in popularity. This is because many local homeowners are seeing the advantages of a standing seam metal roof over traditional asphalt shingles. But is this a roofing upgrade that you should make?
We’re Classic Roofing and Construction, and we’ve been installing metal roofs all over Florida for 20 years. After our decades of great roofing services, we’re sure that there are both pros and cons to standing seam metal roofs in Florida. And today, we’re going to walk you through the benefits and drawbacks of this high-end roofing material.
What Is a Standing Seam Metal Roof?
When people think of metal roofs, they often think of thick sheets of corrugated metal placed on top of a home. And while this is still a style of roofing, standing seam metal roofing is very different. And this more modern approach has a lot of advantages over older forms of metal roofing. But how do standing seam metal roofs work?
They’re made of wide, flat sheets of metal that have hidden fasteners. This means that the metal panels are adhered together from underneath, which creates a smooth, seamless look for the new roof. And hidden fasteners don’t just create visual appeal—they also virtually remove the risk of water leakage.
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When you add on top of this the fact that standing seam metal roofs are made of a stronger gauge of metal than corrugated steel, there are a lot of advantages to this metal roofing option. Now, let’s look at some of the biggest benefits of a standing seam metal roof.
Video – Standing Seam Metal Roof Pros and Cons
Pros of Standing Seam Metal Roofs
There are a lot of reasons why standing seam metal roofs have become so popular in recent years. So if you’ve been wondering why more metal roofs are popping up in your area, we’ll give you the answers you’ve been looking for.
Longer Lifespans
With a traditional asphalt shingle roof, your roof might last 25 years if everything goes well. But standing seam metal roofs are much more durable. For these roofs, you can expect to get at least 30 years of protection, and even up to 70 years if your roof is installed well and properly maintained.
However, 70 years is not the guaranteed lifespan for a standing seam metal roof. Over time, the protective paint can chip away, which can allow rust to develop and weaken your roofing system. For this reason, it’s important to go with experienced installers if you want to minimize issues and get the longest possible life out of your new roof.
Enhanced Durability
New shingle technology has made shingle roofs more durable than ever. But even so, a shingle roof cannot compete with a standing seam metal roof when it comes to withstanding the elements in Florida. In terms of water resistance, wind resistance, and impact resistance, metal roofs stand head and shoulders above shingle roofing options.
And a lot of this comes down to the way that standing seam metal roofs are designed. Since they create a flat, uniform surface, there is much less opportunity for wind uplift than with shingles. And as mentioned above, the hidden fasteners make it all but impossible for water to make it to your underlayment or decking. Add on the resilience and durability of metal, and it’s no wonder why these roofs have become so popular in recent years.
Low Maintenance Requirements
Another big upside to standing seam metal roofs is that they don’t require a lot of extra work over the years. Because their design is so resilient, there aren’t a lot of major problems that can arise. Unlike with shingles, you don’t have to worry about missing parts of your roof, rot, or leaks.
But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t keep an eye on your roof, just to be safe. We recommend that you have a roof inspection once every two years and after major storms. These will let you identify minor issues like trapped debris that could develop into a more serious problem if not removed. This is also a good time to clean your roof, so think of it as a win-win!
Increased Home Value
While aesthetics and safety are big considerations when purchasing a new roof, you also need to consider how much value it will add to your home. And standing seam metal roofs can do a lot of work to increase your home’s value. Since these roofs are so strong and durable, they make homes worth substantially more to potential buyers.
In fact, a 2019 report found that metal roofs increase home values by a little over 60 percent. And this number is likely even higher for standing seam metal roofs, which are the gold standard when it comes to quality metal roofing.
Cons of Standing Seam Metal Roofing
Just because standing seam metal roofing has a lot of pros doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have any downsides. But it’s up to you to decide if the pros outweigh the cons. With that in mind, let’s look at some of the biggest drawbacks to a standing seam metal roof in Florida.
High Costs
Without a doubt, the biggest con with standing seam metal roofing is the cost. Ultimately, the total costs will depend on the specific manufacturer and composition of your new metal roof. But in general, standing seam metal roofing costs can range from $9 to $20 per square foot. For a 3,000-square-foot home, this means a total metal roof replacement cost range from $27,000 to $60,000.
However, it’s important to put that big price tag in context. Yes, standing seam metal roofs are expensive. But they’re also long-lasting, durable, and require very little maintenance. And since Florida experiences a lot of extreme weather, a durable roof is often worth the up-front investment.
Difficult Installation
A shingle roof replacement can be completed by almost any professional roofing company. But installing a standing seam metal roof requires more experience and a crew of trained professionals. This is especially important in Florida, where scam roofing companies have caused homeowners plenty of headaches and fueled the homeowners insurance crisis.
Because metal roofs are less common, only experienced professionals will have experience installing them. And you need a perfect installation if your new metal roof is going to keep the elements at bay. For all of these reasons, you need to make sure that the people installing your standing seam metal roof are experienced roofers.
Get Your New Standing Seam Metal Roof
Ultimately, you’re the only one who can decide if a standing seam metal roof is the right choice for your home. But as experienced local roofers, we know that metal roofs pay dividends in the long run.
And we make the roof replacement process as easy as possible. In fact, to get your free, no-obligation roofing estimate, all you have to do is schedule your roofing estimate online! One of our roofing experts will inspect your roof, take measurements, and prepare a personalized estimate that takes into account all the unique dimensions and features of your roof.
If you live in or around Pinellas, Hillsborough, or Lee Counties, we can help you get your new metal roof installed ASAP. With our team of in-house roofers and our 100% happiness guarantee, we know that we can get your standing seam metal roof installed the right way. And we’ve got hundreds of rave reviews to prove it!
