You’ve decided you want a metal roof, and then the questions pile up. Galvanized or Galvalume? 24 gauge or 26? Which paint holds up? Every quote for steel roofing in Overland Park seems to use different words, and it’s hard to tell whether you’re comparing the same thing.
You shouldn’t need a metallurgy degree to buy a roof. A few plain facts about steel will help you read any estimate and ask better questions.
APC Roofing is a GAF Certified roofing contractor, licensed and insured, in business since 2017, and your inspection and estimate are free. Call 913-398-5020 and a roofer will look at your house and help you sort out which steel roof fits it.
Why steel is the usual metal on Kansas homes
Most metal roofs on houses around Kansas City are steel. It’s strong, it’s widely available in dozens of profiles and colors, and it holds up well against the wind and hail that roll through Johnson County each spring. Aluminum gets used more along coastlines, where salt air is hard on steel. Inland, steel is the practical choice for most homes, and it’s less prone to denting than aluminum of the same thickness.
What protects steel from rust
Bare steel rusts, so roofing steel leaves the mill with a metallic coating, then a baked-on paint finish on top.
The metallic coating. Galvanized steel is coated in zinc. Galvalume (an aluminum-zinc blend) is the more common choice for painted roof panels today, and it generally holds up longer in normal weather. Ask which one is in your quote.
The paint system. Premium finishes, often called PVDF or Kynar-type paints, hold their color and resist chalking for a long time. Lower-cost polyester-type paints (SMP) fade and chalk sooner. Both protect the steel, but if you care how the roof looks in 15 years, the finish matters.
Scratches that only go through the paint aren’t a problem. A cut edge or a gouge that reaches bare steel is where rust starts, which is why careful handling and proper trim matter during installation.
Steel thickness (gauge)
Steel roofing is sold by gauge, and a lower number means thicker steel. Residential panels are usually 26 or 24 gauge. Farm buildings often use 29 gauge, which is thinner and dents more easily.
Thicker steel resists hail dents better, holds a flatter look across wide panels and handles foot traffic during repairs. It also costs more. For a home in a hail-prone area, it’s worth asking what gauge you’re getting and whether a heavier option is available. From the ground, thick and thin steel look the same, so the product sheet is the only way to know.
The forms steel roofing comes in
The same steel can go on your house in very different ways.
Standing seam
Smooth panels with raised seams and hidden clips. No exposed screws, low upkeep and a clean, modern look. See standing seam metal roofing in Overland Park.
Ribbed and corrugated panels
Screwed through the face with washers at each screw. Common on shops, barns and some homes. The screws need checking as the washers age.
Steel shingles and stone-coated steel
Pressed to look like shingles, shake or tile. Stone-coated steel has a granule finish that hides small dents and quiets rain, and it often passes HOA review more easily than a panel roof. If you live in an HOA, get approval before you choose.
Steel roofing and Overland Park weather
Hail. Steel holds up better than most materials, but big hail can dent it. Dents are often cosmetic. Cracked paint over bare steel or a split seam is a real repair. Impact-rated steel products are available if hail is your main worry.
Snow and ice. Snow slides off steel more easily than off shingles. That’s good for ice buildup at the eaves, but a whole slope can let go at once, so snow guards over doors, decks and walkways are worth considering.
Summer heat. A light or cool-pigment finish reflects a lot of the sun, which keeps your attic cooler than a dark roof would.
Temperature swings. Steel expands and contracts every day. A good installation gives it room to move so screws and seams aren’t stressed.
Mixing metals
Some metals don’t get along. Water running off copper onto steel will eat through the steel’s coating, and steel fastened with the wrong screws can corrode around each one. Flashing, trim and fasteners on a steel roof should be compatible with the panels. It’s a detail you’ll rarely see in a sales pitch, and it shows up as rust stains a few years later when it’s done wrong.
How it works
- Book your free inspection. Call 913-398-5020 or request a free estimate online.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. You’ll see photos of your current roof and deck and get a written estimate that spells out the steel, gauge and finish, so you can compare quotes fairly. Financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.
- Your roof goes on and the site gets cleaned up. You’ll get a realistic timeline up front, and the crew leaves the property clean.
For a closer look at the install itself, from the deck to the trim, see metal roof installation in Overland Park.
Steel roofing questions
Will a steel roof rust?
A properly coated and painted steel roof resists rust well. Trouble spots are cut edges, deep scratches, incompatible metals and places where debris holds moisture against the panels.
Is steel heavier than shingles?
No. Steel panels weigh less than most asphalt shingle roofs, so most houses don’t need any added framing.
Can a steel roof go over my old shingles?
No. We always tear the old roof off down to the deck first. Soft decking or extra layers get found and fixed before the steel goes on.
What gauge should I choose?
For most homes, 26 or 24 gauge. If hail is a concern, ask about 24 gauge or an impact-rated product, and compare how each one fits your budget.
Get straight answers about steel roofing in Overland Park
Call 913-398-5020 or book your free inspection online. You can compare every metal option on our Overland Park metal roofing page.
You’ll know what you’re buying, why it fits your house, and that the quote in your hand describes the roof you’ll actually get.
