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Hardscaping 101: Standing Seam Metal Roofs

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Hardscaping 101: Standing Seam Metal Roofs

January 22, 2021

When we surveyed members of the Remodelista + Gardenista Architect/Designer Directory for their favored roofing material, we were surprised by the answers. Did the recommendations vary? NO. Were we surprised? YES. Hands down, the “go to” roofing material was standing seam metal.

A white barn-style residence in Pennsylvania by Lee Calisti Architecture + Design features a standing seam metal roof. Photograph by Skysight Photography via ATAS International, the metal roofing manufacturer used for the project.
Above: A white barn-style residence in Pennsylvania by Lee Calisti Architecture + Design features a standing seam metal roof. Photograph by Skysight Photography via ATAS International, the metal roofing manufacturer used for the project.

What is Standing Seam Metal?

Standing seam metal roofs are made of metal panels that run from the top of the roof to the eaves. Each panel has a high lip or rib on each side. The ribs overlap and fit together, concealing the fasteners and creating raised seams that run from top to bottom.

Standing seam metal roofs aren’t new: This style of metal roofing was used as early as the mid 1700s. It became more prevalent in the mid 1800s when copper was more readily available. Today, the most common metals used are steel, aluminum, and copper–which is the most expensive.

The Benefits:

  • A standing seam metal roof is energy-efficient, reducing home energy costs–especially in hot climates.
  • It is sustainable. Most metal roofing contains a significant amount of recycled content, and it is 100 percent recyclable at the end of its house-topping life.
  • It is long-lasting and durable, not to mention fire- and wind-resistant. While the upfront cost may be higher than composite shingles, metal roofing can last three times longer, maybe more. Most of these roofs carry a 30- to 50-year warranty.
  • It is lightweight, reducing load-bearing structural costs. A metal roof can often be installed directly over an existing roof, eliminating the expense and waste of removal and disposal. Consult with an installer for your specific case.
  • It looks great and is equally suited to barn-style, modern and traditional homes.

Here’s what the architects had to say:

For a cabin in Hansville, Washington, Rohleder Borges Architecture installed a simple gutter-less standing seam roof made of galvanized metal. Rainwater runs down to a bed of river rock below. Image by Cynthia Grabau Photography.
Above: For a cabin in Hansville, Washington, Rohleder Borges Architecture installed a simple gutter-less standing seam roof made of galvanized metal. Rainwater runs down to a bed of river rock below. Image by Cynthia Grabau Photography.

“Metal roofs are always a great, low-maintenance high-aesthetic option,” says architect Andrew Borges. “We love metal for its crisp aesthetic and long-lasting functionality. Metal roofing has been around for quite some time and hasn’t really changed much in its application. The under-layers have gotten more advanced, but in the end the metal itself is there for the ages . . . and is recyclable when it reaches the end of its useful life.”

An historic Dutch Colonial house in Ghent, New York, has an antique standing seam metal roof in black. James Dixon Architect matched the roofing material on the addition the firm designed (shown at right).
Above: An historic Dutch Colonial house in Ghent, New York, has an antique standing seam metal roof in black. James Dixon Architect matched the roofing material on the addition the firm designed (shown at right).

James Dixon likes the fact that standing seam metal roof panels are available in many different finishes. “Our favorites are galvanized aluminum and, when the budget allows, copper,” says Dixon. “Not only do metal roofs look great, but they are extremely durable–many old barns throughout the Northeast have them. Because of its durability, metal roofs make a great ‘green’ choice. Shake roofs are lovely, but the material that’s available today only lasts about ten years or so, compared to thirty-plus for metal.”

Metal roofing can be partnered with an existing shake or composite roof. In this example, the porch&#8\2\17;s galvanized aluminum standing seam metal roof was installed below the house&#8\2\17;s shingled roof. James Dixon considers standing seam metal to be especially well suited for porches, since these often have flatter pitches: &#8\2\20;The snow just slides right off.&#8\2\2\1;
Above: Metal roofing can be partnered with an existing shake or composite roof. In this example, the porch’s galvanized aluminum standing seam metal roof was installed below the house’s shingled roof. James Dixon considers standing seam metal to be especially well suited for porches, since these often have flatter pitches: “The snow just slides right off.”
Above: Todd Hansen of Albertsson & Hansen in Minneapolis uses a variety of materials for roofing, including Galvalume or Bonderized standing seam metal, as shown in this cabin on Wisconsin’s Cable Lake. The firm also combines asphalt and metal roofing, using metal for low-pitched roofs.

In areas where heat is a concern, such as in California wine country, seamed metal roofing is the first choice for architect Amy Alper. The metal reflects sunlight, so the roof absorbs less heat and less energy is needed to cool the house’s interior.

Above: San Antonio-based Lake Flato Architects often uses standing seam metal roofs (as pictured in this Pine Ridge cabin) because they’re long-lasting, require little maintenance, and come in a wide range of materials, such as copper, weathered steel, and zinc. Image by Paul Hester.
Above: The roof on this Austin hillside house by Lake Flato Architects is made of a material called “paint grip” steel. Image by Aaron Leitz.

“We often work in mild climates, and we love the look of uncoated paint grip steel,” says Lake Flato architect Rebecca Bruce. “It’s steel that has been dipped in a phosphate bath to make it ready for painting. It has a great matte finish that’s similar to weathered zinc, but it’s much less costly.”

Above: Seattle-based architects Suyama Peterson Deguchi topped this San Juan Island retreat with a vaulted zinc standing seam roof shell. Image by Paul Warchol.

Ric Peterson of Suyama Peterson Deguchi favors zinc for a standing seam metal roof. “Zinc is possibly a lifetime solution if it’s correctly detailed and installed,” he says. John Dutton, of the L.A. firm Dutton Architects, agrees. “The king of roofs for us is Rheinzinc,” he says, adding, “A nice thing about a metal roof is you can do an integrated gutter.”

This is an update of a post originally published November 5th, 2013.

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