You’ve replaced your shingle roof after hail once already, maybe twice, and you’re wondering whether metal would finally put an end to it. Or you already have a metal roof, and a drip has started near a screw line or along a wall. If you’re researching metal roofing in Belcaro, you want to know how it really holds up to Denver weather and what it takes to install or fix it properly.

It’s a big decision with a lot of opinions attached. Some people swear metal is indestructible. Others worry it’ll be loud or dent in the first storm. It comes down to the details, and you should hear them plainly before you spend anything.

APC Roofing is a GAF Certified contractor, licensed and insured. We install and repair standing seam, corrugated, metal shingle and stone-coated steel roofs, and your inspection and estimate are free.

Types of metal roofs

Standing seam

Long panels run from the ridge to the eave, joined by raised seams. The fasteners are hidden under the seams, attached with clips that let the panels expand and contract. This is the clean, modern look most people picture, and the hidden fasteners mean fewer places for leaks to start.

Exposed-fastener panels

Ribbed or corrugated panels are screwed straight through the face into the roof, with a rubber washer under each screw. They cost less up front and are common on garages, sheds and some homes. The washers wear out over time, which is the usual source of leaks.

Metal shingles and stone-coated steel

These are steel panels shaped to look like shingles, shake or tile. Stone-coated versions have a granular surface that hides minor dings well and gives a more traditional look.

Metal roofing in Belcaro and Denver hail

Hail is the reason many Denver homeowners look at metal. Many metal roofing products carry the highest impact rating used for roofing, which means they resist being punctured or cracked by large hail.

Resisting punctures isn’t the same as resisting dents, though. Large hail can still leave visible dimples, especially on thinner panels and flat, smooth profiles. Heavier-gauge panels, textured finishes and stone-coated steel tend to show less. Some insurance policies treat cosmetic dents differently from damage that lets water in, so it’s worth reading your policy before you choose.

If hail does damage your metal roof, you file your own claim with your insurance company and pay your own deductible. We document the damage with photos, provide a written estimate and work with your adjuster. Be wary of anyone who offers to waive or cover your deductible.

Snow, ice and temperature swings

Metal sheds snow well. That’s mostly good news, since the weight comes off the roof quickly. It also means snow can slide off all at once. Snow guards above doors, walkways, decks and lower roofs keep that slide from landing on someone or something.

Denver also sees big temperature swings, sometimes in a single day. Metal grows a little in the heat and shrinks in the cold, and over a long roof that movement adds up. Standing seam clips are designed to let panels move. On exposed-fastener roofs, that same movement works each screw back and forth, slowly widening the holes and wearing the washers.

High-altitude sun and the finish

Denver’s strong UV fades and chalks low-grade paint finishes. Quality metal roofing uses factory-applied coatings made to hold their color in strong sun. Ask what finish is on the panels you’re being quoted, and get the color in writing.

Installation details that keep a metal roof dry

The panels get the attention, but the details make the roof:

• A sound deck and underlayment beneath the panels
• Proper trim at the eaves, rakes, ridge and valleys
• Flashing at walls and chimneys, sized for metal
• Pipe and vent boots made for metal panels
• Closures at the ridge and eaves to keep out wind-driven snow and insects

A tear-off before installing metal lets the deck be checked and repaired. Some jurisdictions allow metal over an existing layer of shingles, but that hides whatever is going on underneath.

Is a metal roof noisy?

Not usually. Installed over a solid deck and underlayment, a metal roof is about as quiet as other roofs during rain. The loud tin roofs people remember are typically panels on open framing over a barn or shed.

Repair or replace a metal roof?

A lot of metal roof leaks are repairable. On exposed-fastener roofs, replacing worn screws and washers across the roof can stop leaks and add years. Loose trim, failed sealant at a flashing or a damaged panel can be fixed too.

When panels are rusted through, badly damaged or the roof has been leaking in many places for years, replacement may be the better plan. You’ll see photos and hear our reasoning.

How it works

1. Book your free inspection. Call 720-902-6940 or request a free estimate online.
2. Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. We look at your current roof and talk through the metal options that fit your house, with everything in writing. Financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.
3. Your roof gets done and the site gets cleaned up.

For more on metal roofing across the city, see our Denver metal roofing page. If you’re still deciding whether to replace your roof at all, our roof replacement in Denver page can help.

Metal roofing questions from Belcaro homeowners

Will hail dent a metal roof?

Large hail can, depending on the panel thickness and profile. Most quality metal roofs resist punctures well, but some dents are possible. Textured and stone-coated products hide them better.

Is standing seam worth the extra cost?

For many homes, yes. Hidden fasteners mean fewer leak points and less maintenance over time. Exposed-fastener panels cost less up front and work well on simpler roofs.

Do I need snow guards?

If snow sliding off the roof could land on a door, walkway, deck or lower roof, snow guards are a good idea.

Can my exposed-fastener metal roof be repaired instead of replaced?

Often, yes. Replacing worn fasteners and resealing flashing can stop many leaks.

A roof you can count on through every season

Putting off a leaking metal roof lets water work along the panels and into the deck, often far from where the drip shows up inside.

Call 720-902-6940 to book your free inspection. The goal is a roof that shrugs off the next hailstorm, sheds snow where it should and keeps your home dry for a long time. Your satisfaction is our reputation. See everything we offer nearby on the Belcaro roofing page.