Metal Roofing: Pros, Cons, and Cost
A metal roof is the closest thing to a permanent one that most homes can carry. It handles the Southeast’s heat, rain, and storm season better than almost anything else, and it does it for decades longer than asphalt. This page covers the systems available, what each one costs in Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee (where metal is worth the premium), and the handful of trade-offs worth knowing before you commit.
What Metal Roofing is Made Of
“Metal roofing” isn’t a single product. It covers a few different systems, all built to outlast the basic asphalt roof. Steel is the most common material, usually coated to resist rust and corrosion. While aluminum, copper, and zinc are available as premium or coastal-specific options. The system matters as much as the metal:
- Standing seam panels are The Gold Standard that interlock at raised vertical seams with the fasteners hidden underneath, giving a clean, modern look and the best protection against leaks.
- Exposed-fastener (corrugated) panels are more budget-friendly, with visible screws holding wavy sheets in place. Common on outbuildings and increasingly popular for farmhouse-style homes.
- Metal shingles or tiles are shaped and coated to resemble traditional shingles, shake, or tile, giving you a familiar look with the strength and lifespan of steel underneath.
Not sure which system fits your home? We can walk you through the options during a free inspection, or compare it against the other residential roof types we install.
Metal Roof Trade-Offs
Metal earns its reputation on lifespan and storm performance, and for a lot of homeowners here that is the whole argument. It also costs more upfront than asphalt and depends more heavily on the crew that installs it than any other material we work with. Here is what you get for the premium, and where the material asks something back.
How Do Metal Roofs Out-Perform Asphalt?
Standing Seam Systems
- Are typically rated for 40 to 70 years, and even budget-friendly exposed-fastener panels run 30 to 50 years, well beyond the 15 to 30 years you’d get from asphalt.
- Stand up to severe weather and are independently tested to the highest uplift rating under UL 580 (Class 90) and are commonly rated for winds above 140 mph. Most metal roofing also carries a Class 4 impact rating, the highest hail-resistance grade available.
All Metal Roofs
- Reflects solar heat instead of absorbing it, which matters through a hot Atlanta August. Reflective finishes are commonly credited with cooling savings in the range of 10 to 25%, though your actual number depends on your attic ventilation, insulation, and the finish you choose.
- Properly installed metal roofs are no louder in a storm than an asphalt one with solid decking, underlayment, and insulation. The noisy tin roof reputation comes from old, poorly installed systems, not today’s modern ones.
- Doesn’t crack, rot, or feed algae growth.
- Is fully recyclable at the end of its service life.
Metal Roof Maintenance
- Exposed-fastener systems need periodic upkeep. The rubber washers under each screw degrade from UV exposure and heat cycling over time, typically needing attention around the 15 to 20 years mark.
- Large hail can leave cosmetic dents. This mostly affects thinner-gauge panels and is a cosmetic issue rather than a structural one, but it’s worth knowing going in if dents would bother you.
- Standing seam, in particular, requires precise panel alignment and crimping. An inexperienced crew is the most common cause of the leaks and noise complaints that give the material a bad name.
- Repairs can be harder to color-match as panel finishes vary slightly between production runs, and patching a section years later isn’t always a perfect match.
Metal Roofing Performs the Best
Metal suits the Southeast’s climate well. It sheds heavy rain fast, reflects summer heat instead of trapping it, and stands up to the wind and hail that come with our storm season. Which system is right depends on the property:
- Standing seam is the better call for homes in heavy rain areas, or anywhere weather-tightness and long-term value matter more than upfront cost.
- Exposed-fastener panels make sense for outbuildings, workshops, and budget-conscious projects where the farmhouse or industrial look is part of the appeal.
- Homeowners planning to stay long-term get the most out of either system, since the higher upfront cost pays off over a lifespan that can outlast two or three asphalt roofs.
What Metal Roofing Costs
Metal covers a wide price range because the system and the metal itself both move the number. Standing seam in steel or aluminum, the most common choice for homes, typically runs $10 to $18 per square foot installed. Copper and zinc sit well above that, often costing $20 to $40 per square foot, which is why they show up more often on accent roofs and historic work than on whole houses. Exposed-fastener panels run roughly 30 to 50% less than standing seam, which makes them the entry point into metal for most budgets.
| State | Avg. Roof Surface | Exposed-Fastener Range (~$5–$12.50/sq. ft.) | Standing Seam Range (~$10–$18/sq. ft.) | Premium Copper/Zing Range (~$20–$40/sq. ft.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | ~2,000 | ~$10–$25K | ~$20–$36K | ~$40–$80K |
| Alabama | ~3,200 | ~$16–$40K | ~$32–$58K | ~$64–$128K |
| Tennessee | ~2,500 | ~$10–$37K | ~$20–$53K | ~$40–$118K |
Standard asphalt shingles run about $3 to $5 per square foot installed, so the upfront gap is real. It closes over time. A standing seam roof rated for 40 to 70 years covers the same span as two or three asphalt roofs, which means a homeowner staying in the house long-term often spends less per year on metal than on the cheaper option bought twice.
If the upfront number is the sticking point, our financing options can turn it into a monthly payment that works with your budget.
How Metal Fits Into a Full Roof Replacement
If a quick patch job won’t save it, it’s time to look at the whole system. Our breakdown of residential roof replacement covers the entire process, tear-off to final inspection. We’ll help you weigh your options before committing to the type of roof that is right for your home.
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