Over the past few years, metal roofs have become exceedingly popular for residential and commercial buildings in North America. While there are many types, corrugated metal and standing seam roofs are two of the most popular types of metal roofing styles. Both offer all the same benefits of metal roofs – including durability, economically friendly, longevity and energy efficient. While both metal roofing types are excellent choices, when it comes to performance and style, there are a few key factors to consider. The main difference between the two is standing seam has concealed fasteners where as corrugated has exposed fasteners.
Standing Seam Metal Roof
A standing seam metal roof is a type of metal roofing panel that locks together with other metal panels using a concealed fastener. The appearance of standing seam roofing is a wide flat area of panel situated between vertical legs, also known as raised seams. The fasteners are looped together and concealed underneath the raised seam, which gives the roof a clean appearance. The roof panels can be clipped to the roof decking or attached directly to the standing seam fastener.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Less likely to leak – Since the fasteners lock together underneath a concealed seam, water has a difficult time seeping through. | Expensive – One of the main drawbacks for standing seam metal roofing is the price, as it is far more expensive than the average roofing material. |
| No exposed fasteners – None of the standing roof fasteners are exposed to outside elements which means the roofing system will last longer and need less maintenance. | Labour-intensive installation – Since the fasteners are hidden in a standing seam roof, this makes for a complicated and labour-intensive installation process. |
| Tested and performed to industry standards – Standing seam metal roofs are engineered to adhere to industry testing standards that protect against the strongest climates. | |
| Allows room for thermal movement – The metal panels in standing seam roofing allows for natural expansion and contraction, meaning the roofing system will perform better over time. |
Corrugated Metal Roof
Corrugated metal roofing is made from metal sheets that have been rolled and formed into metal panels. The panels are fixed in place with exposed fasteners. The traditional shape of a corrugated metal roof sheet is round and wavy. By corrugating the sheets of metal, instead of leaving them straight, increases the tensile strength making a corrugated metal roof resistant to breaking under tension.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Most affordable metal roofing type – A corrugated metal roof is the same price as asphalt shingles and about half the price of a standing seam metal roof. | Require more maintenance – Since corrugated metal roofs have exposed fasteners, the screws are exposed to the elements and need regular maintenance. |
| Easy installation process – Corrugated metal roofing panels are far less difficult to install than standing seam roofs, requiring fewer skills and less labour. | Thinner material – When compared to a standing seam metal roof, corrugated metal roof panels are considerably thinner which means they aren’t able to withstand severe weather conditions. |
| Less weathertight – With exposed fasteners, there are thousands of screws penetrating the roof panels which is an opportunity for moisture to seep through. |
