Metal Shingles vs. Standing Seam: Which Metal Roof Style Is Right for Your Home?

You’ve decided on metal roofing. Great choice. But now comes another decision: what style? The two most popular options for residential homes in Western North Carolina are standing seam and metal shingles. Both deliver metal’s durability and longevity, but they look different, perform slightly differently, and cost different amounts.

Here’s what you need to know to choose between them.

The Basic Difference

Standing Seam

Standing seam metal roofing features long vertical panels that run from ridge to eave, connected by raised seams that stand 1-2 inches above the panel surface. Fasteners are concealed beneath the seams, invisible from outside.

The look is clean, linear, and modern. Vertical lines create a distinctive appearance that says “metal roof” clearly.

Metal Shingles

Metal shingles are individual pieces stamped from steel or aluminum, designed to mimic traditional roofing materials. They install in overlapping courses like conventional shingles but are made of metal.

Styles include:

  • Shingle profile (looks like asphalt architectural shingles)
  • Shake profile (looks like wood shake)
  • Slate profile (looks like slate tiles)
  • Tile profile (looks like clay or concrete tiles)

The look is traditional rather than modern. From a distance, metal shingles can be nearly indistinguishable from the materials they mimic.

Appearance Comparison

Standing Seam Aesthetic

Standing seam suits:

  • Contemporary and modern homes
  • Mountain and cabin architecture
  • Agricultural and barn-style buildings
  • Mid-century modern homes
  • Homes where the roof is a design feature

The clean vertical lines complement angular, geometric architecture. Standing seam makes a statement. It doesn’t try to look like something else.

Color options: Wide range, from natural metallics to virtually any painted color. Most homeowners choose charcoal, black, dark bronze, forest green, or galvalume (natural metallic).

Metal Shingle Aesthetic

Metal shingles suit:

  • Traditional and colonial homes
  • Craftsman and bungalow styles
  • Tudor and European-influenced architecture
  • HOA communities with style requirements
  • Neighborhoods where standing seam would look out of place

Metal shingles let you get metal durability while maintaining a conventional appearance. Neighbors may not even realize you have a metal roof.

Color options: Depends on style. Shingle profiles come in typical shingle colors. Slate and shake profiles mimic natural material variations.

Neighborhood Considerations

In some WNC neighborhoods, standing seam fits perfectly. Mountain communities, newer developments, and areas with diverse architecture readily accept standing seam’s distinctive look.

In more traditional neighborhoods where shingle roofs dominate, standing seam stands out more noticeably. This isn’t necessarily bad, but it’s worth considering. Metal shingles blend more easily.

Some HOAs restrict roofing styles. If you’re in an HOA community, check regulations before committing to standing seam. Metal shingles often pass where standing seam doesn’t.

Performance Comparison

Both options deliver metal’s fundamental benefits: longevity, durability, fire resistance, and recyclability. But some performance factors differ.

Lifespan

Standing seam: 40-70 years typical Metal shingles: 30-50 years typical

Standing seam generally lasts longer because its concealed fastener system eliminates a common failure point. No exposed fasteners means no fastener deterioration to worry about.

Metal shingles use various attachment methods. Some have concealed fasteners (longer-lasting); others have exposed fasteners (require eventual attention). Check the specific product’s attachment system.

Wind Resistance

Standing seam: Up to 140 mph ratings Metal shingles: Typically 110-120 mph ratings

Standing seam’s interlocking panels and clip attachment create superior wind resistance. The continuous panels can’t lift and peel the way individual shingles (of any material) can.

Quality metal shingles still significantly outperform asphalt shingles in wind, but standing seam has the edge.

Water Management

Standing seam: Panels run continuously from ridge to eave with raised seams channeling water down.

Metal shingles: Multiple overlapping pieces create more seams and potential water paths. Quality products manage this well, but there’s inherently more complexity.

Both perform well when properly installed. Standing seam’s simpler water path gives it a theoretical advantage.

Installation Complexity

Standing seam: Requires precise measurements, custom panel lengths, and skilled installation. Panels must align perfectly. Flashing details demand experience.

Metal shingles: Install more like traditional shingles. Still requires skill and experience, but the process is more familiar to roofers who primarily work with shingles.

Complex roofs with many valleys, dormers, and penetrations may be easier to execute with metal shingles than standing seam.

Maintenance

Standing seam: Minimal maintenance. No individual pieces to come loose. Occasional sealant touch-up at penetrations.

Metal shingles: Slightly more to monitor. Individual pieces could potentially shift or become damaged. More seams to inspect over time.

Both require far less maintenance than asphalt shingles.

Cost Comparison

Installed Cost

For a typical 2,000 square foot roof in Western NC:

Standing seam (steel): $18,000 – $32,000 ($9-$16/sq ft)

Metal shingles: $14,000 – $28,000 ($7-$14/sq ft)

Metal shingles typically cost 15-25% less than standing seam, depending on the specific products compared.

Why the Price Difference?

Material costs: Standing seam panels are often custom-fabricated to roof dimensions. Metal shingles are mass-produced in standard sizes.

Installation labor: Standing seam requires more precise work and takes longer. Metal shingles install faster.

Waste: Standing seam minimizes waste through custom sizing. Metal shingles generate more trim waste on complex roofs.

Value Consideration

Standing seam’s longer expected lifespan and slightly better performance metrics justify its higher cost for many homeowners. But metal shingles deliver most of metal’s benefits at lower upfront cost.

If budget is a factor but you want metal, metal shingles offer a middle ground between standing seam and asphalt.

Roof Geometry Considerations

Your roof’s shape affects which style works better.

Simple Roofs

For straightforward gable or hip roofs with few penetrations, either style works well. Standing seam’s long, clean lines show to advantage on simple roofs.

Complex Roofs

Roofs with multiple dormers, valleys, varying pitches, and numerous penetrations present challenges for standing seam. Each transition requires custom flashing work. Installers must plan panel layouts carefully to avoid awkward cuts and alignments.

Metal shingles handle complexity more easily. Their smaller individual pieces wrap around transitions and penetrations more simply.

Low Slope Roofs

Standing seam works on lower slopes (as low as 1:12 or 2:12 with mechanical seam). Metal shingles typically require minimum 3:12 or 4:12 pitch.

If you have low-slope sections, standing seam may be your only metal option.

Curved Roofs

Neither handles curves elegantly, but metal shingles can follow gentle curves better than rigid standing seam panels.

Climate and Weather Factors

Snow Performance

Standing seam: Snow slides off readily. Requires snow guards to control release over walkways and entries.

Metal shingles: Textured surface and overlapping courses slow snow release somewhat. Still sheds snow better than asphalt but more controlled than standing seam.

In heavy snow areas at higher elevations, standing seam’s efficient shedding may matter more. Plan for appropriate snow guards.

Heat Reflection

Both can incorporate cool roof coatings for energy efficiency. Standing seam’s simpler surface may reflect slightly more efficiently, but the difference is minor.

Hail Resistance

Both achieve Class 4 impact ratings when specified appropriately. Standing seam’s continuous surface may show dents less obviously than metal shingles’ textured surfaces.

Product Quality Variations

Quality varies significantly within both categories.

Standing Seam Quality Markers

Good indicators:

  • 24-gauge steel minimum (26-gauge acceptable for residential)
  • Kynar 500 or Hylar 5000 paint system
  • Factory-formed panels with consistent dimensions
  • Quality clip systems (stainless steel fasteners)

Warning signs:

  • 29-gauge or lighter steel
  • SMP paint only (acceptable but less durable)
  • Site-formed panels from portable roll former
  • Cheap clip systems

Metal Shingle Quality Markers

Good indicators:

  • Minimum 26-gauge steel or .019″ aluminum
  • Multi-coat paint system with warranty
  • Concealed fastener attachment
  • Established manufacturer with track record

Warning signs:

  • Very thin metal
  • Unknown manufacturer
  • Exposed fastener attachment only
  • Limited or no warranty

Price often reflects quality. Budget products in either category may underperform significantly.

Making Your Decision

Choose Standing Seam If:

✓ Your home suits modern, clean-lined aesthetics

✓ Maximum lifespan and durability matter most

✓ Your roof is relatively simple

✓ You have low-slope sections

✓ Budget allows for the premium

✓ You want the distinctive metal roof look

Choose Metal Shingles If:

✓ Your home has traditional architecture

✓ Neighborhood or HOA requires conventional appearance

✓ Your roof is complex with many details

✓ Budget is a factor but you want metal

✓ You want metal benefits without metal appearance

✓ Faster installation timeline matters

Either Works If:

  • Your home and preferences don’t strongly favor one style
  • Both products under consideration are quality options
  • You’re deciding primarily on appearance preference

Our Experience with Both

Secure Roofing installs both standing seam and metal shingles throughout Western NC. We can help you evaluate which style suits your home, your budget, and your priorities.

During your free consultation, we’ll assess your roof’s geometry, discuss your aesthetic preferences, and provide quotes for both options if you’re undecided.

Call 828-888-ROOF to schedule your consultation.

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