Maybe you’re done replacing shingles every time a big hailstorm rolls through, and metal keeps coming up. Or you already have a metal roof, on the house or on a shop out back, and it’s started to leak along a row of screws. Either way, you’re looking for metal roofing in the Denver metro from someone who will give you the plain version, including the parts a salesperson might skip.

Metal is a big decision, and the information out there is mixed. Some of it oversells what metal can do. Some of it scares people off for the wrong reasons. You should be able to weigh it with real answers about your building.

APC Roofing is a GAF Certified contractor, licensed and insured, and in business since 2017. We install and repair metal roofs on homes, garages, shops and outbuildings, and your inspection and estimate are free. Call 720-902-6940 to set up a visit.

Thinking about switching your home to metal

Metal makes the most sense when you plan to stay in the house a long time. It costs more upfront than asphalt shingles. What you get back is a roof that doesn’t crack, curl or lose granules, that sheds snow instead of holding it, and that stands up to the strong sun at this altitude.

Hail is the honest caveat. Metal handles hail far better than shingles in terms of keeping water out, but large hail can dent it. Thicker panels, textured finishes and stone-coated steel hide dents better than thin, smooth panels. Most dents are cosmetic, and the roof keeps working, but it’s worth knowing before you choose.

The main styles for homes are:

• Standing seam, with long panels, raised seams and hidden fasteners
• Stone-coated steel, shaped to look like shingles, shake or tile, with a granule finish
• Metal shingles, smaller interlocking pieces with a traditional look
• Exposed-fastener panels, ribbed or corrugated, more common on outbuildings

Our metal roof installation in the Denver metro page walks through how a new metal roof goes on, from the deck to the trim.

Shops, barns and outbuildings

Around the edges of the metro, plenty of properties have a detached shop, a horse barn, an equipment shed or a big garage. Metal is often the natural fit there. Ribbed or corrugated steel panels go up quickly, span open framing and need little upkeep.

A few things matter more on these buildings than on a house. Panels over open purlins, with no solid deck, need thicker steel to resist bending and hail. Metal over an unheated, uninsulated space is louder in rain and hail and can drip condensation on cold mornings, so a vapor barrier or insulation under the panels may be worth it. And the panel profile needs enough slope. Exposed-fastener panels generally want about 3 inches of rise per foot or more.

When your metal roof leaks

Most metal roof leaks aren’t the panels’ fault. They come from the smaller parts.

Fasteners. On exposed-fastener roofs, each screw has a rubber washer that dries out and cracks in the sun long before the panel wears out. Leaks tend to follow rows of screws. Replacing the fasteners across the roof, sometimes with a slightly larger size where old holes are worn, can stop leaks without new panels.

Flashing and boots. Pipe boots crack, and flashing at walls, chimneys and roof edges can loosen as panels expand and contract every day.

Laps and valleys. Where panels overlap or two slopes meet, sealant ages out and water can get under the lap.

Rust. Scratches that cut through the finish, cut edges and spots where a different metal touches the steel can start rust. Copper and steel don’t mix well, so runoff from copper flashing can stain and wear the panels below it.

You’ll find more on fixing these on our metal roof repair in the Denver metro page.

Snow and metal roofing in the Denver metro

Metal sheds snow, which keeps weight off the roof. The trade-off is that a full slope of snow can let go at once. Over a door, a walkway, a deck or a parked car, that’s worth planning for. Snow guards hold the snow in place so it melts off gradually. Where they go depends on the layout of your doors, walks and drives.

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 the roof, the deck, the pitch and the flashing, and on an existing metal roof we check the fasteners, seams and any rust. You get photos and a written estimate for repair or replacement. Financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.
3. Your roof gets done and the site gets cleaned up. The crew installs or repairs the system and cleans up before leaving.

A metal roof leaking at a few screws is an easy fix today. Left through a few winters, the same drips can rot the deck or the framing under them.

Metal roofing questions from Denver metro homeowners

Is a metal roof worth it in the Denver metro?

If you plan to stay a long time and you’re tired of hail repairs, it often is. If you might sell in a few years, a quality shingle roof may be the better value.

Can metal go over my existing shingles?

No. We always tear the old roof off down to the deck first, so soft spots or old leak damage get repaired before the metal goes on.

Is steel or aluminum better here?

Steel, for most homes here. It’s stronger and resists dents better than aluminum of the same thickness, and aluminum’s big advantage, resisting salt air, doesn’t matter this far from the coast. Our steel roofing in the Denver metro page goes into gauge and finish.

Can you fix an old barn roof instead of replacing it?

Often, yes. New fasteners, resealed laps and replaced flashing can add years. If rust has gone through across large areas, new panels are the better choice.

Talk to us about your metal roof

Call 720-902-6940 or book online. You can also see everything we do on our Denver metro roofing page.

The goal is a roof that shrugs off the next hailstorm, sheds its snow where you want it and stays dry for a long time. Trust matters, and so does a straight answer.