It’s August, the attic feels like an oven and the shingles over the garage are curling again. You’ve started looking into metal roof installation in Orlando, partly for the storms and partly for the heat, and you want to understand what you’d be paying for before you sign anything.
That’s a smart instinct. A metal roof costs more up front than shingles, and the estimates can be hard to compare. One lists panel gauges and clip systems. Another just says “metal roof.” The difference between a metal roof that lasts and one that leaks at every screw comes down to choices most homeowners never get explained.
APC Roofing has installed roofs across Central Florida since 2017. We’re GAF Certified, licensed in Florida (CCC1337030) and insured, and your inspection and estimate are free. Call 407-270-1129.
The main types of metal roofing
There are four common kinds of metal roof, and they’re not interchangeable.
Standing seam panels run from the ridge down to the eave, joined by raised seams. The fasteners are hidden under the seams, held by clips, so there are no screws through the face of the roof. It’s the cleanest look and has the fewest places for water to get in. Our standing seam metal roofing in Orlando page goes deeper.
Exposed-fastener panels, often corrugated or ribbed, are screwed straight through the face into the roof deck or framing. They cost less, but each screw has a rubber washer that ages in the sun, so they need more upkeep over time.
Metal shingles are stamped to look like shingles, slate or shake, for homeowners who want metal without the panel look.
Stone-coated steel has a textured granule finish that resembles tile or shingles. It’s quieter in rain than bare metal and fits neighborhoods where a panel roof might stand out.
Steel or aluminum
Most residential metal roofs are steel with a protective zinc or aluminum-zinc layer, then paint. Steel is strong and resists dents. If that layer gets scratched through, it can rust at that spot, so cut edges and scratches matter. You can read more on our steel roofing in Orlando page.
Aluminum doesn’t rust, which makes it the usual pick right on the coast. It’s lighter and dents more easily from falling branches or hail. For most homes in inland Orlando, coated steel is the more common choice, but it’s worth a conversation if you want aluminum.
Finishes that hold up to Orlando sun
The paint on a metal roof does more than add color. Higher-grade finishes hold their color and resist chalking much longer in strong UV, while lower-grade paints fade faster. Ask which finish system is on the panels you’re being quoted.
Color affects heat, too. Light colors and “cool” pigments reflect more sunlight, so the roof deck and attic stay cooler. A dark metal roof gets about as hot as dark shingles. In Orlando, where the AC runs much of the year, that’s worth thinking about.
What a metal roof installation includes
Here’s how a typical installation goes.
- Tear-off and deck check. The old roof comes off, the deck gets inspected and any soft or damaged plywood is replaced.
- Underlayment. A high-temperature underlayment made for metal roofs goes down over the deck. Metal gets hot, and standard felt can break down under it.
- Edge and valley flashing. Drip edge, valley metal and other trim pieces go on before the panels so water is directed out at every edge.
- Panels. Panels are fastened with clips or screws in the pattern the manufacturer requires for wind. Standing seam panels are allowed to move slightly as they heat up and cool down; if they’re pinned too tightly, they can wave or pull at fasteners.
- Trim, ridge and penetrations. Ridge caps, closures that block gaps under the panel ribs and flashing around pipes and walls finish the roof. Every pipe through a metal roof needs a boot made for metal, with sealant only as a backup.
Sealant isn’t a substitute for good metal work. Florida sun dries out caulk within a few years, so a well-installed metal roof relies on folded and overlapped metal to keep water out.
Why metal suits Orlando, and what to know first
Orlando gets two kinds of hard weather. Summer thunderstorms hit with sudden gusts and heavy rain, and hurricane season, June 1 through November 30, brings hours of sustained wind. A properly fastened metal roof handles wind well, especially standing seam with no exposed screws. Ask whether the panel system has been tested and approved for Florida wind loads.
A few things to know before you commit. Metal costs more up front than shingles. Installation usually takes longer than a shingle reroof, so plan for a few days rather than one. If you live in a community with an HOA, check whether metal is allowed and which colors. And if you’re worried about rain noise, a metal roof over a solid deck with underlayment and an insulated attic is usually much quieter than people expect.
How it works with APC Roofing
- Book your free inspection. Call 407-270-1129 or request a free estimate online.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. We look at your current roof and deck, talk through panel type, metal and finish, and give you a written estimate that spells them out. Financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.
- Your new roof goes on and the site gets cleaned up. You’ll get a realistic timeline up front, and the crew cleans up before leaving.
If your current roof is already leaking, a repair now can protect the deck while you decide. Every rainy season on a failing roof adds risk to the plywood underneath.
Metal roof installation questions from Orlando homeowners
Is a metal roof louder in the rain?
Not usually. Installed over a solid deck with underlayment and an insulated attic, most metal roofs aren’t much louder than shingles. Stone-coated steel is quieter still.
Can metal go over my existing shingles?
No. We always tear the old roof off first. It lets the deck be inspected and repaired, and keeps the new roof on a clean, flat surface.
Will a metal roof lower my cooling bill?
A light-colored or cool-pigment finish reflects more sun, which can help keep the attic cooler. How much it helps depends on your insulation and AC, so we won’t promise a number.
Do you repair metal roofs too?
Yes. See our page on metal roof repair in Orlando for loose fasteners, leaks and storm damage.
Plan your metal roof installation in Orlando
Call 407-270-1129 or start your free estimate online. For an overview of all your options, see our metal roofing in Orlando page.
At the end, you’ll have a roof that stands up to hurricane season, keeps the attic cooler and gives you one less thing to think about every time the forecast turns.
