ServicesMetal Roofing
Metal Roofing in St. Augustine, Shown to You Panel by Panel
A metal roof can outlast several shingle roofs, but only if the deck, underlayment and fasteners under it are right. We install standing seam and 5V crimp roofs and photograph each layer before the next one covers it, so you see what your home is getting.
When Metal Is the Right Roof for Your Home
Metal is a good fit if you expect to live in your home for many years and would rather not go through another reroof down the road. It also suits owners who want a roof that sheds wind-driven rain and bounces back summer heat. It costs more up front than shingles, and we will say so plainly at the estimate.
It is not the answer for every house. A low-slope section, a roof with many valleys and dormers, or a tight budget can point toward a different choice, and we will lay out roof replacement with shingles alongside metal so you can compare. If metal fits, we explain which panel and which metal suit your house, and why.
We have been roofing homes here since 1995. In that time we have learned that most metal roof problems trace back to things hidden underneath, which is exactly why we photograph them before they disappear.
What Your Metal Roof Installation Includes
- Tear-off and deck check
- We remove the old roof down to the wood and look over every sheet of decking. Soft or delaminated plywood is pointed out to you before we replace it, never added quietly to the bill.
- Re-nailing to current code
- Florida's wind code calls for specific nail spacing on the deck. We re-nail where needed so the sheathing holds when the panels above it are pulling in a storm.
- Heat-rated underlayment
- Panels sitting in a Florida summer sun run hot enough to break down ordinary felt. The layer beneath them is a synthetic or self-adhered membrane built for that kind of heat, laid fully before the first panel goes on.
- Panels matched to your exposure
- Standing seam hides its fasteners under raised seams. 5V crimp uses exposed screws with sealing washers and costs less. Close to the ocean we talk about aluminum, which handles salt spray better than steel.
- Trim, flashing and ridge
- Drip edge, valley flashing, pipe boots and the ridge cap are where water gets in on a poorly built metal roof. We check each of these details closely before they are closed in.
- Cleanup and a record of the job
- We sweep the yard with a magnet for screws and metal shavings, which can stain other surfaces if left behind. You keep the full set of photos from tear-off to final panel.
Signs It May Be Time to Consider Metal
Your shingle roof is near the end
Curling, bald spots where granules have washed off, or repeated leaks mean a new roof is coming. That is the natural moment to price metal against shingles.
You lose shingles in every big blow
If tropical storms keep lifting tabs, a properly fastened metal system holds up better in high wind.
Your attic runs hot
Metal with a reflective finish sends back more sun than dark shingles, which can take some load off your air conditioning.
An existing metal roof is rusting or leaking at screws
Older exposed-fastener roofs often fail at worn washers and rusted trim. Sometimes roof repair will do, and sometimes the panels themselves are done. We show you which, up close, before you decide.
You want to stop thinking about your roof
Many owners pick metal because they plan to stay put and would rather not reroof again for decades.
What Moves the Price of a Metal Roof
Metal roofing is priced on more than square footage. The panel style and the shape of your roof matter as much as size. Your estimate lists each of these so you can see where the money goes and choose where to spend it.
Standing seam or 5V crimp
Standing seam takes more material and labor because of its concealed clips and seams. 5V crimp costs less and is a solid choice for many homes.
Steel or aluminum
Painted Galvalume steel is the common choice. Aluminum costs more but is worth weighing for homes that take regular salt spray.
Roof shape and pitch
Every valley, hip, dormer and skylight means more cutting and flashing. A steep roof also needs extra safety setup.
Condition of the deck
Rotted plywood found at tear-off is replaced by the sheet. We show it to you and agree on it before the work.
Old layers and permit work
Removing more than one old layer adds labor and disposal. Permit and inspection steps are built into the estimate.
How a Metal Roof Job Runs
- 1
Free estimate on your roof
We measure, look at slope, valleys and penetrations, and check the attic. You get a written estimate with options for panel type and metal, and financing is available if you want to spread out the cost.
- 2
Permit and materials
We pull the permit and order panels to your roof's measurements. Many standing seam panels are cut to length, so ordering takes a little time and we tell you the realistic start window.
- 3
Tear-off, deck and underlayment
Your yard and plants are covered, the old roof comes off, and we send photos of the deck and any repairs, then the dried-in underlayment. We plan each day so your home is dried in before we leave.
- 4
Panels, trim and inspection
Panels and flashing go on, then the building inspector signs off. We walk the finished roof with you and hand over the full job record.
Metal Roofing Questions We Hear
Is a metal roof loud when it rains?
Not on a house built the usual way. Fastened to a full wood deck with a membrane between, the panels make about as much noise in a downpour as shingles do. The rattling roofs people remember are usually bare panels over a barn or carport with nothing under them, and your attic insulation quiets things further.
Will a metal roof rust near the ocean?
Coated steel holds up well in most of the area, but salt spray works on cut edges and scratches over time. For homes close to the water, such as St. Augustine Beach or Butler Beach, we often suggest aluminum panels and trim. We will explain the tradeoff in cost at your estimate.
Can you put metal over my existing shingles?
It can be done in some cases, but we usually advise against it. A tear-off lets us see the deck, fix soft wood and re-nail to code. Covering old shingles hides any rot underneath.
Does metal attract lightning?
No. Lightning seeks out the highest point around, not a certain material, so switching to metal does not change the odds of your home being hit. Metal also cannot burn, so there is no roofing material up top to catch and spread flame.
How long does installation take?
Most homes take several working days once materials arrive, depending on size, shape and weather. We send a short update as each stage finishes, so you always know where things stand.
See What a Metal Roof Would Look Like on Your Home
We will measure your roof, talk through standing seam and 5V, and show you the numbers side by side with shingles. The estimate is free and there is no obligation.