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TOPIC: Standing Seam roof

Standing Seem v Shingle Style Metal Roof

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We were wanting to get a stansing seem roof for our ranch style house but when we started getting quotes we were told standing seem is outdated and does not hold up that it will need to be replaced in 10 years even with residential quality materials because it will look so bad. The product they were offering comes in 5 ft pannels and of course is double the price. Any truth to this?
Guest User

8/6/2007
There appears to be some misunderstandings afoot here. There are quality standing seam products available and there are also other products which maybe are best for other less demanding applications. I have a guide to metal roofing I will be glad to email to you if you drop me an email at [email protected] Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

8/6/2007
I've been installing standing seam for the last 20yrs. If its a Concealed fastener system. it allows for movement of the panel. If it is a Exposed fastener system, it needs to allow for movement of the panel. If the Exposed fastener system is installed on purlins the purlin allows for the movement of the panel. Most of the problems we see with Exposed fastener, are that they screw the panel onto plywood decking (which is rigid) and doesnt allow for panel movement. this senario works the screw out. Most of the work we do is replacing exposed faster metal roofs applied to plywood. Most of them are 10 to 15 years old. we call exposed faster roofs craplap. but if it is installed with a system that allows for metal movement they work good.
Guest User

8/19/2007
J.S., I understand about the plywood, but how do purlins allow movement? Aren't they more rigid than the movement required by expansion and contraction of metal panels? Or is there a way to install purlins to "ride" along underlying perpendicular framing at the same expansion rate as the metal? Thank you for clearing this up for me.
Stephen Colley

8/21/2007
For the record, I do not agree with J.S. on that point. I also do not know who J.S. is. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

8/31/2007
to Todd Miller, I've been trying to get a quote for standing seam for my 40sq home here in Orange, California. Every contractor I've interviewed has tried to persuade me to go with a different style roof saying how labor intensive standing seam is, will not last long and finally when they feel they can't sell me on another roof they tell me it will cost 1000 dollars per sq and in the end it will not last very long, but they all want to sell me "metro shake" or "metro shake 11". whats the deal? Can it be that they have never installed standing seam before so they have a huge learning curve and want to pass that cost on to me. please advice. I have a simple roof. thats what they say, no dormers, no round areas. whats the best way for me to get an installer for standing seam with experience. Also what should be or what is a approximate percent that the contractor should make on a job. If materials are 8 thousand dollars, what should they be charging me for the job (approx)?? this would be very helpful information. thank you again respectfully i remain Cecilia [email protected] I've attached pic of house
Guest User

9/27/2007
I do not know why you have run into what you have. However, I would contact Custom Bilt Metals, based in Chino but with several other CA offices, and see who they suggest as a standing seam contractor and get a bid from them. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

9/28/2007
To ipolady, As a roofing contractor in Texas, Todd gave you a good lead. Standing seam, the floating roof system with clips, is labor intensive if installed correctly. There are many good metal products out there if the standing seam is too expensive, Classic makes a standing seam panel (clipped) which is a little less labor intensive than mechanically seamed, but still a lot of labor and tools. Wade. P.S. I would find another contractor.
Guest User

9/28/2007
Thanks Wade. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

9/29/2007
Todd, I'd like a copy of the guide for metal roofs that you are referring to in your email. thanks.
Guest User

7/18/2008
Please email me at [email protected] and I will send it to you. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

7/21/2008
could you please give me an estimate on 72 sq standing seam roof- i have been given three prices way off from each other- Just an estimate so i know which is closer?????
Guest User

8/12/2008
Linda, It is hard to give an estimate in this kind of circumstance. Look at the bids that you have. Examine all of the details (if any). What kind of panel are they using, what gauge is it and so on. If it's not on paper, make them put it on paper so that you can compare apples to apples. A lot of roofers use a 26 gauge concealed fastener (a panel with a nail flange) and call it a standing seam. I am an old roofer and old roofers don't consider that a standing seam even though a standing seam is a concealed fastener panel. To us, a true standing seam uses clips and the panels do not fasten directly to the deck or purlins except at the ridge and in some cases the bottom 2 or 3 rows with fixed clips if the roof is engineered for it. Just get all the information you can. Then when comparing one bid to another and you have a question, someone on this forum can answer it for you. [email protected]
Guest User

8/12/2008
Thanks. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

8/26/2008
Linda, It is impossible to give even a ballpark price without seeing at least a picture of the roof. I guess you either need to post more info or get more estimate. I recommend the first one.
Leo B

9/12/2008
Todd, I'd like a copy of the guide for metal roofs that you are referring to in your email Thanks. P.S. We are in process of remodeling (contemporary style) and are going to need a 3000sft standing seam metal roof. Any recommendations for good products and roof contractors that do a good job for a fair price is welcome. We are living in Laguna Beach (CA) and there are unfortunately a lot of contractors that just do "zip code"-quoting... Also since our new roof will be exposed to the salty ocean climate, are there some metal roof products/brands that would be more durable than others? Kind regards Reno
Guest User

9/23/2008
hi reno, did you ever find a roofing contractor for laguna beach? i'm in a different situation - my home is a classic cape cod, but we've had a fire and need to replace the entire roof - i like the standing seam metal roof, but am having trouble finding a contractor that i trust ... did you have any luck?
Guest User

1/4/2009
I'm looking for a standing seam contractor as well and I'm having the same problem. I have also been told that even though the price of metal has gone down, they have huge inventories and have not yet reduced their material prices. What have you found out.
Guest User

1/9/2009
If you use the Find a Contractor feature on this website, you should be able to find a qualified contractor easily.
Guest User

1/9/2009
Thanks Wade. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

1/14/2009