Paying once for a roof that outlasts the mortgage
Metal costs about twice what shingles do on day one. The trade is time: 40 to 60 years in Florida against 15 to 22 for architectural shingles. An owner who puts metal on at 45 may never pay for another roof.
There is also less to wear out. Metal does not shed granules or rot, the interlocking panels leave no screws for wind to loosen, and light finishes bounce back sunlight that a dark shingle would soak into the attic.
How standing seam differs from barn metal
Each standing seam panel runs in one piece from the ridge to the eave. The seams where panels meet rise above the flat of the roof, and clips hidden under those seams hold the panels down. Nothing pierces the face of the roof.
The cheaper metal you see on barns and sheds is screwed straight through the panel. Each of those screws has a rubber washer that ages in the sun and can leak. We do not put that kind on homes. We use 24-gauge standing seam, measured to your roof and cut to fit.
Metal against shingle and tile
| Feature | Standing seam metal | Concrete tile | Architectural shingle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical home price | $26,000 to $48,000 | $28,000 to $50,000 | $12,000 to $22,000 |
| Florida lifespan | 40 to 60 years | 30 to 50 years | 15 to 22 years |
| Weight on the framing | Light | Heavy | Light |
| Upkeep | Very low | Moderate (underlayment) | Low |
Each price is for that same typical one-story house. Our material comparison guide goes deeper, and the metal roof cost guide explains what moves a standing seam price in Florida.
Seven steps on a metal job
- Permit and inspections with your city or county.
- Tear-off to the plywood.
- Plywood repairs, then re-nailing to today's code.
- Underlayment sealing the deck as the backup water barrier.
- Custom-bent trim and flashing at eaves, rakes, valleys, walls and every pipe.
- Panels locked down on concealed clips.
- Cleanup and a walk around the finished roof with you.
When the roof is done, we arrange a free wind mitigation inspection for your insurer.
Who metal suits, and who it does not
Metal fits owners who plan to stay, want little upkeep or are tired of re-roofing every couple of decades. If you expect to sell within a few years, or your HOA rules it out, shingles usually make more sense. At your free inspection we can price both side by side.
Metal from a family-run Orlando roofer
Our installers are on our payroll, and no metal roof goes to a subcontractor. One of the owners checks the job on site. We have roofed from East Orlando since 2004 under license CCC1326792. To spread the cost of a metal roof, see financing.
Start with a free roof inspection, or call (407) 970-9746.
