Standing Seam vs Other Metal Roofs, and What Drives the Cost

The Three Main Kinds of Residential Metal Roof

Most metal roofs on homes fall into three families. They share a material, but they are built differently, they look different from the street and they suit different houses.

Standing Seam

Standing seam is long panels joined at raised seams, with the fasteners hidden inside. It suits modern homes, farmhouse and ranch styles, and any house where a calm, linear roof helps the architecture. Because water runs past the seams and nothing is screwed through the face, it is a strong choice for long roof runs and for homeowners planning to stay. It is our specialty, and the rest of this site goes deep on it, starting with the standing seam metal roof in Los Angeles.

Corrugated Metal

Corrugated metal roofing uses wavy sheets fastened straight through the face with screws and sealing washers. It has a distinct look that suits rustic, industrial and some modern designs, as well as patio covers, studios and outbuildings. Its material and labor are usually simpler than standing seam. The tradeoff is the exposed fasteners: the washers age in the sun, and the screws have to handle the panel's daily movement, so they need checking over the life of the roof.

Metal That Imitates Shake, Tile or Slate

Metal roofing that imitates shake, tile or slate is stamped into shapes that echo traditional roofs. It suits homes in neighborhoods where a Spanish, Tudor or Craftsman look is expected, and homeowners who want the benefits of metal without the look of panels. The pieces are smaller and interlock, which spreads expansion across many joints.

What Drives the Cost of a Standing Seam Roof

We do not publish prices, because two standing seam roofs of the same size can be very different jobs. These are the factors that actually move the number on a Los Angeles home.

• Size and complexity. Square footage is only the start. Hips, valleys, dormers, turrets and short roof planes all add cutting, trim and labor.
• Penetrations. Each skylight, chimney, vent and solar mount needs its own flashing detail.
• Metal and thickness. Steel or aluminum, and the gauge chosen. Aluminum is often the better choice near the coast.
• Finish. Premium PVDF type finishes, special colors and textures change material cost.
• Seam type. Mechanically seamed systems take more labor than snap-lock, and some roofs need them for slope or exposure.
• Tear-off and deck. How many layers come off, and how much sheathing needs repair once the deck is open.
• Underlayment and fire assembly. High-temperature underlayment, and the specific Class A assembly required in fire hazard zones under Chapter 7A of the California Building Code.
• Access. Steep hillside lots in Bel-Air or the Hollywood Hills, narrow streets and limited staging all add time.
• Permits and energy rules. Permit fees vary by building department, and Title 24 cool roof rules can affect which finishes qualify.
• Extras. New gutters, chimney shrouds and custom trim add to the scope when they are part of the job.

A written scope that names each of these is how to compare bids fairly. If one quote is far below the others, check which of these items it leaves out.

How to Choose for Your House

Start with the house. A modern home in Venice or a ranch house in Woodland Hills often looks right in standing seam. A Craftsman in a historic pocket of the city may suit a shake-look metal better. A detached studio or patio cover might be a natural fit for corrugated. Then think about how long you plan to stay, how close you are to the ocean and whether you sit in a fire hazard zone. We are glad to talk through all three options during an estimate, and if standing seam is the right call, our standing seam roof installation in Los Angeles guide shows exactly how we build it.