Another spring storm has come and gone, roofing signs are popping up in yards down the street, and you’re wondering if your next roof should be metal. You’ve heard it lasts longer and shrugs off hail. You’ve also heard it’s loud, it dents and it costs a fortune, and you’d like someone to sort out what’s true before you sign anything.
Metal roofing in Shawnee, KS can be a very good fit. It isn’t right for every house or every budget, though, and you should hear that up front.
APC Roofing is GAF Certified, licensed and insured, and has been working on homes since 2017. Your inspection and estimate are free. Call 913-398-5020 and we’ll look at your roof and talk through whether metal makes sense for it.
The main kinds of metal roofing
“Metal roof” covers several different systems, and they don’t behave the same way.
Standing seam
Long, flat panels joined by raised seams and held down by clips hidden under those seams. Nothing is screwed through the face of the panel, so there are fewer places for water to get in. It’s the clean, modern look most people picture. Our standing seam metal roofing page goes into more detail.
Corrugated and ribbed panels
Wavy or square-ribbed sheets screwed straight through the face into the framing. You’ll see them on shops, barns, garages and porch roofs, and some homeowners pick them for a farmhouse look. The rubber washers under the screw heads wear out with time and eventually need replacing. See corrugated metal roofing for how that works.
Metal shingles and stone-coated steel
Steel or aluminum pressed to look like shingles, shakes or tile. Stone-coated steel has granules bonded to the surface, which gives it texture and softens the sound of rain.
Most metal on houses is coated steel. Aluminum is lighter and won’t rust, but it dents more easily. Our steel roofing page covers panel thickness and paint finishes.
How metal holds up to Shawnee weather
Hail is what most people ask about first. Metal panels rarely crack or start leaking after a hailstorm the way bruised shingles can, but big hail can leave dents. Thicker panels dent less, and some products carry an impact rating. Ask about that rating when you compare options. It’s also worth asking your insurance agent how your policy treats a metal roof and cosmetic dents, since policies differ.
Wind comes next. Kansas City straight-line winds look for a loose edge to get under. On a well-installed metal roof, the trim along the eaves and rakes hooks onto a continuous cleat, and fasteners sit closer together at the corners, where wind pulls hardest.
Snow acts differently on metal. It slides off painted steel, sometimes all at once, and that’s a problem over a walkway, a deck or the front door. Snow guards hold it in place until it melts. Freeze-thaw cycles are easier on metal than on shingles, but the flashing and seams still have to be right, or meltwater will find a way in.
Summer heat makes metal grow. A long panel can move a noticeable amount between a cold morning and a hot afternoon. Standing seam clips let the panels slide. On screw-down panels, that daily movement slowly works at the screw holes, which is why the washers loosen with age.
Common worries about metal roofs
Noise. On a house, metal goes over solid decking, underlayment and an insulated attic. Most people can’t hear much difference from shingles in a normal rain. The loud metal roofs people remember are usually on barns, where sheets sit over open framing.
Heat. Light colors reflect a lot of summer sun, and a metal roof cools off fast after sundown. Dark colors soak up heat much like dark shingles do. Attic insulation matters as much as the color you pick.
Wavy panels. That slight rippling you sometimes see in the flat part of standing seam panels is called oil canning. It doesn’t cause leaks. Thicker metal, narrower panels and small ribs rolled into the flat area all reduce it.
Lightning. A metal roof doesn’t draw lightning any more than a shingle roof does.
Is metal right for your house?
Start with how long you plan to stay. Metal costs more up front than shingles and pays you back over the years, so it makes the most sense if you’re staying put. Roof pitch matters too. Screw-down panels need more slope than standing seam, and very low sections, like some porch roofs, may do better with a flat roof membrane. If you’re in an HOA, check the rules on materials and colors early.
If metal isn’t a good fit, we’ll tell you, and we’ll walk you through shingle roofing options instead. We also work on metal roofs for commercial buildings in Shawnee.
Metal roofing in Shawnee, KS with APC: how it works
- Book your free inspection. Call 913-398-5020 or request a free estimate online.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. We look at your current roof, the decking and the attic, then go over panel styles and colors with you. You’ll get a written estimate. Financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.
- Your roof gets done and the site gets cleaned up. You get a finished roof and a clean yard.
Already have a metal roof with a problem? Our metal roof repair page covers leaks, loose trim, worn screws and storm damage.
Metal roofing questions from Shawnee homeowners
Will hail ruin a metal roof?
Hail can dent metal, especially thinner panels and larger stones. Many dents are cosmetic, and the roof keeps shedding water. A hit hard enough to crack the paint or bend a seam needs a closer look, so have the roof checked after a big storm.
Can metal go over my old shingles?
No. We always tear the old roof off down to the deck first. Soft decking or extra layers get fixed before the metal goes on, and you’ll see what we found.
How long does a metal roof last?
A well-installed metal roof can last for decades. The metal, the paint finish, the installation and the upkeep all play into it, so treat any number you hear as an estimate.
Do you put metal roofs on businesses?
Yes. Metal works well on shops, warehouses and other light commercial buildings, and the same inspection-first process applies.
A roof you don’t have to watch every storm season
Call 913-398-5020 or start your free estimate online. We’ll give you an honest read on whether metal fits your home and your budget. Then, the next time a hail warning pops up on your phone, you can stay inside and let the roof do its job. Trust matters.
