At one point in history, metal roofing was primarily considered a commercial product. It was often used on storage facilities, warehouses, and even pole barns on agricultural properties. The one thing metal roofs were not usually used on were homes. In recent years, however, that has changed.
As homeowners throughout the southeastern United States and the rest of the nation have realized that metal roofs have perks, including long lifespans and extreme durability, the material has skyrocketed in popularity for residential projects. Figuring out exactly what type of metal roof is right for your project, though, can be something of a challenge.
Here, we break down everything you need to know about standing seam metal roofing.
What exactly is standing seam metal roofing?
This type of roof is what most people think of when they picture metal roofing. To lay a standing seam metal roof, contractors place flat metal panels between 12 inches wide and 24 inches wide alongside one another to cover the entire area of the roof. Much like lapboard siding, each piece has a lip that overlaps onto the next panel, creating the the seamed look.
The panels used for a roof like this can either be made at the worksite or prefabricated and purchased from a manufacturer. Some panels require that fasteners be attached to the roof sheathing to hold them in place. To prevent visibility, the fasteners are generally hidden under the seam. In some cases, however, prefab panels are crafted with a locking flange system – akin to tongue and groove flooring – that allows the panels to “float” above the roof itself.
Why do people choose standing seam metal roofing?
There are a number of reasons homeowners opt for standing seam metal roofing instead of asphalt shingles or other options. Below, you’ll discover just a few of the benefits that this increasingly popular material has to offer.
- It can handle snow – Depending on where you live in the Carolinas, winter snow may or may not be an issue. However, for those who reside in certain areas, such as the mountains of North Carolina, whether or not a roof can reasonably bear a snow load is an important consideration. Standing seam metal roofing is up to the task, making for less maintenance later.
- It is extremely durable – As noted previously, metal roofing is well-known for its durability. This means that it has to be replaced less frequently than many other options and that it will stand up to inclement weather more than other materials, as well. It is, however, worth noting that hail can cause cosmetic damage to metal roofs, but if the slight dings don’t bother you, the functionality won’t be impacted.
- It requires almost no upkeep – One of the biggest benefits of a standing seam metal roof is that once it is installed, you can more-or-less forget about it. Unless you live in a hurricane-prone area of the Carolinas, for instance, there is very little that can actually destroy a metal roof.
If you are interested in discussing the possibility of having a standing seam metal roof installed on your home, contact the team at Hatch Homes today. We look forward to helping you understand all of the roofing options that are available to you and to providing you with all of the information you need to make an educated decision.