Choose the panel for the building
Hidden clips or exposed screws?
Both are real metal roofs. The right answer comes down to the building, roof shape, budget, and how long you plan to keep it.
Standing seam
For the house you plan to keep.
Our standing seam is 24-gauge steel in 16-inch panels with 1.5-inch seams. Hidden clips hold the panels down while letting them move through Black Hills temperature swings.
- No face holesFasteners stay beneath the panel, not through it.
- Rolled to full lengthWe form panels in your driveway, with no end laps on runs up to 60 feet.
- Kynar 500 finish40-year paint warranty from the coil maker.
Exposed fastener
For a clean, hard-working roof at a lower cost.
Ribbed 26-gauge panels are fastened through the face with screws and rubber washers. It is a proven choice for simple gable roofs, shops, garages, barns, sheds, and porches.
- Wide 36-inch panelsEfficient coverage for straightforward roof lines.
- Plan for screw serviceCheck screws around year 15 and replace them around year 20 to 25.
- Budget-minded choiceLower installed price without pretending it is maintenance-free.
See the difference at a glance
| What matters | Standing seam | Exposed fastener |
|---|---|---|
| Steel | 24-gauge | 26-gauge |
| Where the screws are | Hidden under the panel, held by clips | Through the panel face with rubber washers |
| Expected life | 40 to 60 years | 30 to 40 years |
| Upkeep | Very little | Check screws around year 15, replace around year 20 to 25 |
| Lowest roof pitch | 2:12 | 3:12 |
| Installed price | $14 to $20 per square foot | $7 to $11 per square foot |
| Best for | Homes, long-term cabins, valleys and dormers | Shops, barns, garages, sheds, porches, simple gables |
Why every house gets 24-gauge.
Thin 29-gauge panels from farm stores can dent in a hailstorm. A house deserves thicker steel that takes a harder hit and stays looking like a roof.
