You’ve replaced shingles after hail before, and you’d rather not do it again. A metal roof keeps coming up, but so do the questions: whether hail will dent it, whether snow will come sliding off onto the porch, and whether it’s worth the higher upfront cost. Metal roof installation in the Denver metro is a big decision, and you should make it with real answers, not a sales pitch.

APC Roofing is a GAF Certified roofing contractor, licensed and insured, and in business since 2017. We install metal roofs on homes, garages and outbuildings, and your inspection and estimate are free. Call 720-902-6940 to talk it through.

Is a metal roof a good fit for your home?

Metal makes the most sense when you plan to stay in your home a long time. It costs more upfront than asphalt shingles, and the payoff comes from years without the repeat repairs shingles often need in hail country.

It handles Colorado weather well. Metal doesn’t crack or lose granules the way shingles do, it sheds snow instead of holding it, and the high-altitude sun doesn’t dry it out. Strong hail can still dent it, though. On many panels those dents are cosmetic and the roof keeps working, but you should know that going in.

It’s also a good choice for detached garages, workshops and barns, where a simple panel roof can go up quickly and needs little upkeep.

Metal roofing options for Denver-area homes

• Standing seam. Long panels with raised seams and hidden fasteners. The clean, modern look most people picture, and the fasteners stay out of the weather.
• Stone-coated steel. Steel panels coated with stone granules and shaped to look like shingles, shakes or tile. A good option if you want metal’s toughness without the look of metal.
• Metal shingles. Smaller interlocking pieces that read like a traditional roof from the street.
• Corrugated and exposed-fastener panels. The classic ribbed look, common on barns, sheds and garages, and sometimes on homes going for a rustic or modern style.

Thicker panels and those with deeper ribs or textured surfaces tend to hide hail dents better than thin, flat ones. Our metal roofing in the Denver metro page and our steel roofing page go deeper on materials.

How metal roof installation in the Denver metro works

A metal roof is only as good as the work under and around the panels. Here’s what a proper installation looks like.

The old roof and the deck. In most cases the old shingles come off so the wood deck can be checked and soft or damaged boards replaced. Some homes can take metal over one layer of existing shingles, but that hides the deck, so it’s a call to make with the facts in front of you.

Underlayment. Metal panels get hot in the sun, so the underlayment beneath them needs to handle that heat. At the eaves and in the valleys, an ice-and-water barrier protects against meltwater that backs up when snow refreezes at the roof edge.

Trim and flashing. Drip edge, eave trim, valley metal and flashing at walls, chimneys and pipes go in before or alongside the panels. These details are where most metal roof leaks start, so they deserve the most care.

The panels. Metal grows and shrinks with temperature, and Denver can swing from a warm afternoon to a hard freeze overnight. Standing seam panels are attached with clips that let them move. Exposed-fastener panels use screws with sealing washers, set snug but not crushed, so the washer keeps sealing as the metal moves.

Ridge and closures. The ridge gets closures that keep out wind-driven rain, snow and insects while still letting the roof do its job.

Details that matter in Colorado

Snow slides off metal, sometimes all at once. Snow guards above entryways, walkways, decks and gutters hold it in place so it melts off gradually instead of dropping in one heavy sheet. Where they go is part of planning the roof.

Mixing metals can cause corrosion. Copper and some treated lumber react with steel and aluminum, so the fasteners and flashing need to match the panels.

Low-slope sections need the right panel. A porch roof or addition with very little pitch may need a seam style made for low slopes, or a different roofing material altogether.

Metal roofs on barns, garages and outbuildings

Outbuildings often have open framing instead of a solid deck, with panels fastened straight to horizontal boards. On those buildings, warm, damp air inside can condense on the cold underside of the metal and drip. A condensation barrier or the right backing under the panels helps stop that. Plan for it before the roof goes on, not after the first winter.

How it works with APC Roofing

1. Book your free inspection. Call 720-902-6940 or request a free online estimate.
2. Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. We look at your current roof and deck, talk through panel options and give you a written estimate.
3. Your new roof goes on and the site gets cleaned up. The crew installs the roof and leaves your property clean.

If you’d like to spread out the cost, financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.

Metal roof installation questions

How long does a metal roof installation take?

It depends on the size of the roof, the panel type and how many details like chimneys and valleys it has. Metal usually takes longer than a shingle roof. You’ll get a realistic timeline with your estimate.

What’s stone-coated steel?

Steel panels covered in stone granules and shaped to look like shingles, shakes or tile. You get the strength of steel with a look that fits a traditional neighborhood.

Can you put a metal roof on my detached garage or barn?

Yes. Simple panel roofs are a common choice for outbuildings. We’ll check the framing and talk about condensation before recommending a system.

Do I have to tear off my old roof?

Yes. We always tear the old roof off down to the deck before any metal goes on, so we can see and fix the wood first.

A roof you don’t have to think about

Putting off a worn-out roof usually means paying for repairs on a roof you’re about to replace anyway. If metal is the right fit, getting it planned now lets you head into the next hail season with a roof built for it.

When the next storm rolls through, you can watch it from the window without wondering what’s happening overhead. Call 720-902-6940 to book your free inspection. If you already have a metal roof that needs work, see our metal roof repair page.