You’ve decided steel is worth a serious look, and now you have two or three quotes that all say “steel roof” and don’t look anything alike. One lists 26 gauge, another doesn’t mention gauge at all, and a third talks about a paint system you’ve never heard of. Steel roofing in the Denver metro is a good fit for a lot of homes, but only if you know what you’re actually buying.
It’s frustrating to compare bids when the details that matter most are the ones left out. You shouldn’t have to become a metal expert to make a good decision. You just need the few facts that separate a steel roof that lasts from one that doesn’t.
APC Roofing is a GAF Certified contractor, licensed and insured, and in business since 2017. We install steel roofs on homes, garages and outbuildings, and the estimate is free. Call 720-902-6940 to talk through your options.
Gauge: how thick the steel is
Steel roofing is sold by gauge, and the numbers run backward. A lower number means thicker steel.
29 gauge is thin. It’s common on sheds, pole barns and budget panels.
26 gauge is a common choice for homes, especially in ribbed and exposed-fastener panels.
24 gauge is thicker and stiffer. It’s often used for standing seam on homes and holds its shape better on wide, flat panels.
Along the Front Range, where hail is a regular part of life, thicker steel is worth weighing. It resists dents better, and it shows fewer ripples across flat areas. Gauge looks the same from the ground once it’s installed, so ask for it in writing.
The metallic coating under the paint
Before steel is painted, it gets a metal coating that does most of the work against rust.
Galvanized steel is coated with zinc. Zinc protects the steel even where it’s scratched, by corroding first.
Galvalume steel is coated with a blend of aluminum and zinc. It generally holds up longer than plain galvanized in normal weather and is widely used for roofing panels.
Either way, the coating is what keeps rust away for the long haul. Cut edges and deep scratches are the weak spots, which is why careful cutting, clean trim and touch-up matter on install day.
The paint system on top
The paint does more than set the color. It’s the first line of defense against sun and weather, and high-altitude UV is tough on it.
PVDF finishes, often sold under the Kynar name, hold color and gloss for a long time and resist chalking and fading. They cost more.
SMP (silicone-modified polyester) finishes are less expensive and common on agricultural and budget panels. They tend to fade and chalk sooner in strong sun.
For a house you plan to keep, the paint system is worth asking about. Lighter and “cool roof” colors also reflect more sunlight, which keeps the roof surface cooler on summer afternoons.
Steel panels, steel shingles and stone-coated steel
Steel comes in more shapes than most people expect.
Standing seam uses long panels with raised seams and hidden clips, so the fasteners stay out of the weather. Exposed-fastener panels, ribbed or corrugated, are screwed through the face and cost less, but the screw washers will need replacing someday.
Steel shingles are pressed into smaller pieces that interlock and read like a traditional roof. Stone-coated steel adds a granule surface and comes in shingle, shake and tile profiles. Both hide hail dents well, which is part of why stone-coated steel is popular in Denver.
Details that keep a steel roof from rusting
Steel and some other metals don’t belong together. Copper flashing or runoff from copper can corrode steel panels below it. Wet mortar and fresh concrete can damage the metallic coating. And the wrong fasteners can rust long before the panels do. A careful install uses matching trim, compatible fasteners and separation where different metals meet.
Steel also needs room to move. It expands on a hot afternoon and shrinks on a cold night, and Denver’s daily swings can be big. Clips on standing seam and properly set screws on ribbed panels let the metal travel without wearing the holes into slots.
Comparing steel roofing in the Denver metro: what to ask before you sign
A quote you can compare should name the panel type and profile, the gauge, the metallic coating, the paint system, the underlayment, and how the roof will be flashed at walls, chimneys, valleys and pipes. If one bid is much lower, one of those is usually the reason. Our metal roof installation in the Denver metro page shows how a proper install goes together.
How it works
- Book your free inspection. Call 720-902-6940 or request a free estimate online.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. We check the deck, the pitch and the existing roof, then give you a written estimate that spells out gauge, coating, finish and profile, with photos. Financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.
- Your roof gets done and the site gets cleaned up. The crew installs the steel system you chose and cleans up before leaving.
Choosing the lowest-priced panel to save money now can cost more later. Thin steel with a basic finish dents and fades faster under Colorado hail and sun.
Steel roofing questions from Denver metro homeowners
What gauge should I use on my house?
For most homes, 26 gauge for ribbed panels and 24 gauge for standing seam. Save 29 gauge for sheds and outbuildings.
Will a steel roof rust?
Not if it’s made and installed well. The metallic coating and paint protect it. Rust usually starts at cut edges, deep scratches or where a different metal touches the steel.
Are steel shingles a good choice in Denver?
Yes. They handle hail and snow well and keep a traditional look. Stone-coated versions hide dents best.
Is steel roofing the same as metal roofing?
Steel is the most common type of metal roofing for homes. Aluminum and copper are metal too, but they’re used far less on houses here. See our Denver metro metal roofing page for the bigger picture.
Get a steel roofing estimate
Call 720-902-6940 or book your free estimate online.
The goal is a steel roof you understood before you signed, one that keeps its color, rides out hail season and doesn’t need much from you for a long time.
