Which Lasts Longer? Standing Seam Metal Roofing or Traditional Metal Roofing

If you're in love with the idea of metal roofing for your upcoming roof replacement—you've made a great choice! Metal is an attractive, long-lasting roofing material. However, the term "metal roofing" encompasses various styles and products—and some are better than others.

Read below to compare regular metal roofing to standing seam metal roofing and discover why standing seam metal roofing is the superior option for your Dayton home.

What Is Regular Metal Roofing?

Regular metal roofing is also called “screw down” or “exposed fastener” metal roofing.

Traditional metal roofing systems are made from corrugated metal panels attached to your roof decking with individual metal screws. It’s the most inexpensive metal roofing option on the market, so it may be great to cover garages, sheds, or other unheated spaces on your property, but it’s not an excellent choice for your home—and here’s why.

Since regular metal roofing includes exposed seams, it’s more vulnerable to experiencing water penetration during rain, hail, or snowstorms. Plus, when the metal sheets expand and contract in heat and cold, the screws are the only thing holding down your roof, making them vulnerable to breaking off and compromising your roofing system.

Because regular metal roofing is so vulnerable to water damage, it usually needs to be replaced after 30-40 years, and it’s costly to maintain in the meantime. Your contractor should replace the screws every ten years to keep your roofing system secure and may also need to fix underlying water damage beneath to protect your home from moisture deterioration.

What Is Standing Seam Metal Roofing?

Standing seam metal roofing is a water-resistant, long-lasting alternative to regular metal roofing. It uses a concealed fastener system, meaning all the seams are hidden so the roofing system won’t suffer moisture damage. Hidden seams in standing seam metal roofing help your roof to have a longer lifespan—these roofing systems usually last more than 50 years!

Standing seam metal roofing is more expensive than regular metal roofing and other materials, like asphalt roofing shingles. However, it’s well worth the cost. Since standing seam metal roofing is watertight, you won’t have to worry about continual maintenance. You will enjoy many extra decades of valuable performance from your roofing system.

Standing seam metal roofing is typically made with steel or copper and comes in several profiles, so you can choose the configuration that works best for your climate, roof slope, and other vital factors. These configurations include:

• Snap-lock—Snap-lock profiles snap together without mechanical seaming and are attached to the roof decking with clips.
• Mechanical seam—Mechanical seam panels are formed with edges that line up to each other, but instead of being snapped in place, a mechanical seamer bends the edges to lock the panels together. You can choose from single-lock or double-lock seams.
• Batten panel—Batten panel profiles have two legs of the panel covered with a metal cap that creates a seam. The caps can either be snapped on or mechanically adhered.
• Nail flange—Nail flange, or fastener flange, is like a snap-lock profile, but it’s directly secured, rather than clipped, to the roof decking using a fastener.

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What Are the Benefits of Standing Seam Metal Roofing?  

Now that you know how standing seam metal roofing compares to regular metal roofing, here are some valuable benefits you can enjoy from this popular roofing option:

Long Lifespan

As we mentioned, standing seam metal roofing lasts for over 50 years, nearly 20 years longer than regular metal roofing and 30 years longer than asphalt roofing shingles. Plus, this long-lasting material is also easy to upkeep, so you won’t have to worry about investing endless time and money into your roofing system once it’s installed.

Moisture Resistance

Perhaps the most appealing feature of standing seam metal roofing is its weatherproof exterior. This durable material will stay firmly in place during harsh weather, and during rain, sleet or snowstorms, you can be confident the hidden seams in your standing seam metal roofing system will keep your home warm, dry, and protected.

Beautiful Appearance

Homeowners love the attractive appearance of standing seam metal roofing and appreciate how the hidden seams create a smooth, elegant façade, unlike regular metal roofing. Plus, you can choose from dozens of desirable colors and styles to boost your home’s curb appeal.

Energy Efficiency

Since standing seam metal roofing doesn’t require hundreds of screws, the metal has better thermal responsiveness. It can expand and contract with the changing temperatures, resulting in a more energy-efficient roofing system that can help you save on your utility bills.

Discover the Countless Benefits of Standing Seam Metal Roofing with American Way Exteriors

These are just a few of the valuable benefits standing seam metal roofing can offer your home.

When you work with American Way Exteriors to install your new standing seam roofing system, you’ll enjoy top-notch installation, hand-selected products, and endless customizability to create a durable covering you'll love for your home.

Learn more about our standing seam metal roofing services to determine if this popular watertight roofing material is the right choice for you.