Metal Roofing: what to expect
Metal is a strong fit for a lot of Northeast Florida homes. It sheds water fast, it does not host algae, it reflects a meaningful amount of solar heat, and a properly detailed standing seam roof with concealed clips has no exposed fasteners to back out over time.
Near the coast: Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, Jacksonville Beach, St. Augustine Beach, Flagler Beach, salt exposure changes the specification. Panel coating and, more importantly, the fasteners and flashings need to be selected for a marine environment. Mixing incompatible metals in a salt-air environment is one of the most common ways a good metal roof gets ruined early.
Metal costs more up front than asphalt and it demands a more skilled installer. The trade-off is service life and wind performance. If you plan to keep the house, ask contractors to quote both so you can see the numbers side by side rather than being steered.
Typically included
- Standing seam and exposed-fastener systems
- Coastal-appropriate fasteners, coatings and flashings
- Side-by-side comparison against an asphalt re-roof
- Proper underlayment beneath the panels, not just the panels
Before you sign
Verify the contractor's licence at myfloridalicense.com, ask for a certificate of insurance sent directly by their insurer, get the full scope of work in writing, confirm that a permit will be pulled, and never pay a large cash deposit. If the work is connected to an insurance claim, read anything that assigns your benefits to a contractor very carefully, and speak to your carrier, not to us, about your policy.