Not so long ago, metal roofs were mostly used in warehouses, barns and various commercial buildings. Now they are gaining more popularity among residential customers and even becoming a somewhat high-end option.

In fact, since 2013, we’ve completed quite a few projects in Aurora, Hinsdale and Oak Brook that involved larger residential structures.

Some were referrals from other Chicago area roofing companies that don’t do standing seam roof installations, others were clients who found us and specifically requested a quote for a metal roof. So what makes a metal roof an attractive option?

It is worth noting that there’s a certain type of metal roof that has been gaining popularity ant that’s a standing seam metal roof. Most of the metal roofs installed on homes and commercial buildings these days are of this kind.

Standing seam roof is a particular type of metal roofing which is different than the rippled or corrugated tin roofs often seen on barns or warehouses. Metal roof can also be made to resemble shingles, wood shakes, tiles, and other types of roofing.

Standing-seam metal roofing is installed by running continuous metal panels down the length of the roof. Standing seam systems use accessories called clips, which are located within the metal seam and concealed from the exterior surface of the roof. The clips that hold the adjoining roof panels together are then fastened to the roof substrate. Such clips are not exposed to the elements.

Main advantages of a standing seam roof include the following: aesthetic considerations; durability; resistance to elements; safety; sustainability; cost and maintenance.

1. Aesthetic considerations.

Many metal systems offer significant aesthetic advantages over conventional roofing. From the richly toned natural surfaces of copper and titanium, to the hundreds of colors currently available for steel roofing, metals offer an exciting spectrum of aesthetic options. Some architectural designs can only be achieved through the curving properties of metal solutions; for example, the metal domes so popular for sports and entertainment facilities, but also some more sophisticated architecture solutions of a residential home.

2. Durability.

A metal roof installed correctly will often last for more than 50 years, potentially even hundreds of years. Monticello — Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia home — has retained its original “tin” roof to this day.

3. Resistance to elements.

A metal roof can withstand decades of abuse from extreme weather like hail, high winds, and heavy snow. In unusual cases, very large-sized hail has been known to dent metal roofs during extremely heavy storms, but that’s not enough to cause a serious damage or leaks. A typical hail storm, however, will not dent your metal roof. In the areas that receive heavy snowfalls, their slick, low-friction surfaces shed the snow so quickly that it rarely has a chance to build up to weighty depths.

4. Safety.

Most roofing metals are tough enough to resist damage from falling tree limbs. On top of this, metal roofs are fire retardant (won’t burn).

5. Sustainability.

A property owner who wants to meet LEED® performance criteria will put a premium value on metal solutions. Most metal substrates consist of material that has already been recycled, and all metal substrates are themselves recyclable when the time comes for eventual tear down or replacement. As an example, a recent survey of aluminum producers revealed that the total recycled content in flat-rolled products for the building and construction market was 80 to 85 percent.

6. Cost and maintenance.

Since standing seam roofs last decades longer than regular shingles roof, it provides long-term savings. In addition, it requires very little maintenance. Money will also be saved on your energy bills because metal panels painted with lighter colors reflect much more heat than asphalt shingles.