Metal roofs have become increasingly popular with homeowners over the last few years, due to their cost-effectiveness and durability in even the harshest weather conditions.
While the benefits of metal as a sturdy roofing material are fairly intuitive, it’s not always obvious to homeowners which type of metal roof they should choose.
Two commonly used types of metal roof are standing seam and screw-down roofs. Both have their place in the market, so the right choice for your home depends on your budget, design preferences, and how long you want the roof to last.
In this article, we’ll provide an overview of both types of roof, so you can decide which one suits your needs better.
What is a Standing Seam Roof?
A standing seam roof consists of multiple metal panels, each between 12 and 24 inches wide, locked together using seams that stand above the roof surface. The seam is the raised area on each panel that runs from the ridge of the roof down to the edge. Each seam contains a one-inch-high bend, designed to be locked onto the panel next to it.
As well as being connected to adjacent panels, each panel is attached to the roof deck in its own right. This fastening takes place below each panel using a system of clips. Since the clips are invisible from the outside, this creates a sleek, clean, modern aesthetic.
The interlocking seams mean that the metal panels can expand and contract without stressing the seals or the rest of the roof structure. For this reason, standing seam roofs are often used in environments where the temperature fluctuates back and forth.
The fact that the fasteners are hidden makes standing seam roofs both visually appealing and easy to maintain. The raised seams create a seal that’s resistant to water, hail and other extreme weather conditions.
The downside of standing seam roofs is that they’re complex and expensive to install, especially compared against screw-down roofs. They’re also often noisier than other types of roof.
What is a Screw-Down Roof?
A screw-down roof consists of a series of rigid metal panels that are fastened to the roof deck using screws. The panels come in various designs: they can be corrugated, ribbed (vertically or diagonally) or box-shaped.
Unlike with standing seam roofs, the fastening of a screw-down roof is visible from the outside. The screws are simply driven through pre-drilled holes in the flat areas of the metal panels into the roof deck below. To prevent future water damage, screws are typically fitted with rubber or neoprene washers.
The main advantage of a screw-down roof is that it’s incredibly cheap and easy to install, to the point that you could even do it without a contractor, if you so chose. The design is so simple that it makes maintenance and retrofitting a breeze.
That being said, although maintenance is easy, there is a greater need for maintenance than with a standing seam roof, just because the seals are exposed to the elements. If screws corrode, or if panels expand and contract due to temperature fluctuations, leaks can sometimes develop over time.
Key Differences between Standing Seam and Screw-Down Roofs
The following table summarizes the main differences between these two types of roofs:
| Standing Seam | Screw-Down | |
|---|---|---|
| Installation process | Long, complex, requires specialized labor | Simple, can be DIY |
| Installation costs | More expensive | Cheaper |
| Design | Modern, aesthetically pleasing | Utilitarian, industrial |
| Resistance to the elements | Highly resistant to water, wind and heat | Somewhat resistant |
| Maintenance | Almost none | Regular, at least every 5-10 years |
Installation process
It’s easier, faster and cheaper to install a screw-down roof than a standing seam one.
Installing a standing seam roof requires specialized tools. You’ll typically need panel benders and cutting tools for manipulating the panels, and seamers to make the seams. Aligning the metal panels and attaching the clips correctly can also be fiddly. You’ll need to work with experienced laborers who have training in the right tools.
Installing a screw-down roof can be done with standard equipment like screw guns, shears and drills. All you need to do is to screw each panel to the deck. This is so straightforward that some homeowners decide to do it themselves to save money.
Installation costs
When it comes to the cost of installing a roof, the screw-down roof is the clear winner.
A screw-down roof doesn’t require much in terms of materials: just some metal panels, some screws, rubber washers and the tools we listed above. Because the installation process is so simple, you won’t need to hire a master craftsman either. That will keep the labor costs down.
By contrast, the metal panels for standing seam roofs need to be specially made and pre-drilled before they’re ready to use. The panels are a thicker gauge of metal than for screw-down roofs, which likewise drives material costs up. Standing seam roofs require clips and a whole array of specialized tools that you just don’t need to think about if you’re installing a screw-down roof. And because the equipment is so specialized, you’ll also need to hire expert help.
Design
Both standing seam and screw-down roofs are made of metal and available in a variety of different styles, colors and finishes. Imagine everything from a silvery metallic sheen to a corrugated design that’s finished in bright red.
Nonetheless, stylistically, these two roofs are quite different.
Standing seam roofs are arguably more aesthetically pleasing overall, since the roof fasteners aren’t visible from the outside. This gives standing seam roofs a sleek look, with clean lines that complement most modern design styles.
On the other hand, there is definitely a place for the screw-down roof aesthetic. With their visible screws, screw-down roofs have a more utilitarian, industrial vibe, which makes them work well in certain neighborhoods.
That being said, if you want to resell the property in the future, it’s likely that a buyer will perceive a standing seam roof as the more valuable of the two.
Resistance to the elements
Both standing seam and screw-down roofs are professional-grade roofs that are resistant to the elements. However, the standing seam roof is the more durable of the two.
Screw-down roofs perform well in moderate climates that lack severe weather conditions. In climates with persistent or heavy rain, screw-down roofs sometimes start leaking over time, since the exposed fasteners and overlapping metal panels create numerous entry points for water. As fasteners weaken, panels can also become vulnerable to being lifted off the roof by heavy winds. And since screw-down roofs have rigid metal panels that don’t have the option to expand and contract, they’re not ideal for climates that are susceptible to fluctuating temperatures.
Standing seam roofs can handle all types of climates, even those prone to storms, hail and snow. The interlocking seams in these roofs create an impermeable barrier against water, preventing leaks. Since the fasteners are hidden under the metal panels, they’re less likely to be exposed to water and start rusting. The fact that the metal panels are attached to both each other and to the roof deck makes them less likely to fly off if a tornado strikes. And the interlocking seams allow the panels to expand and contract as temperatures fluctuate, without affecting the clips or the structural integrity of the roof.
Maintenance
Standing seam roofs require much less maintenance than their screw-down counterparts.
Since the fasteners on screw-down roofs are exposed to the elements, they will eventually start to corrode. If you own a property with a screw-down roof, it’s advisable to clean your roof regularly to remove debris, and conduct maintenance of fasteners every 5-10 years. Maintenance is fairly straightforward because the panels and fasteners are visible from the outside. If your roof is not maintained, it could lead to leaks, or even the whole roof coming off during a storm.
Standing seam roofs need less maintenance because the fastenings are hidden underneath the panels themselves. It’s still a good idea to inspect the clips occasionally, just a precaution, but in general, you can expect a standing seam roof to last for 30-50 years with almost no maintenance.
As a result of needing more maintenance than standing seam roofs, screw-down roofs also cost more to look after, even though they’re cheaper to install initially.
Considerations for Choosing Between Them
Before you decide which type of roof to commit to, take some time to think it over. We know you’ll be thinking about price – as you should be. But make sure you consider the following questions as well.
What climate are you in?
If you’re in a climate that’s prone to storms, heavy rain, hail, and/or tornadoes, a standing seam roof will be a better fit for your needs. This is because the screws are shielded from the elements by the metal paneling.
By contrast, screw-down roofs are prone to corrosion, making them weaker in a storm unless you’re really vigilant about maintenance.
How long do you want your roof to last?
Homeowners generally fall into two categories:
- Those who are buying a house in order to do it up and then flip it
- Those who intend to stay in their property forever
If you’re in the former category, it will be less important to you that your roof lasts for a long time. Since a screw-down roof is cheaper and easier to install, it might be a better fit.
On the other hand, if you want to stay in your property forever, a standing seam roof is a better option. These roofs last a minimum of 30 years, up to a maximum of 50 years. If installed correctly, this will likely be the last roof you ever need.
Are you retrofitting or building a roof on a new property?
If you’re retrofitting a roof onto an older property, there’s a good chance that a screw-down roof will be a better choice.
It’s possible to retrofit a standing seam roof, but things can rapidly get complex and expensive. You’ll rarely need to tear off the old roof altogether, but you’ll likely need to install additional substructure to support the clips, such as a grid system.
By contrast, retrofitting a screw-down roof is as simple as fastening the metal panels to the existing roofing material.
Building a roof on a new property means you don’t have the extra layer of complexity of thinking about how to deal with the old roof, so feel free to ignore this section if that’s you.
How important is curb appeal to you?
If curb appeal is important to you, a standing seam roof is going to be a better choice in most instances.
This is because standing seam roofs, with their hidden fasteners, have a clean, sleek look, whereas screw-down roofs are somewhat marred by the visible screws.
It’s also worth saying that standing seam roofs lend themselves better to premium metals like copper and zinc. After all, you’re not going to spend a small fortune on fancy panel panels, only to drive screws through them!
But a caveat: if you like a retro, industrial style, or you live in a neighborhood where that’s the norm, a screw-down roof could also pack some serious curb appeal. It’s all up to your subjective design preferences.
Wrapping Up
To summarize, both standing seam and screw-down metal roofs have their place.
Standing seam roofs are more expensive and harder to install, but more aesthetically pleasing and more resistant to the elements.
Screw-down roofs are cheap and easy to install, but degrade more quickly in adverse weather conditions and require more maintenance.
Would you like help with choosing a roof for your family home or getting one installed? At Presidio Roof, it’s our mission to defend your home from the elements.
Call (210) 660-3682 to speak to an expert today!
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