Metal Roofing
Mule-Hide · Johns Manville Certified
The longest-lasting roofing investment available. Standing seam systems and recover applications that create positive drainage slope over existing flat roofs without full tear-off.
Serving the Chicagoland Tri-State AreaPanel Systems Engineered for Decades of Service.
Commercial metal roofing uses interlocking steel or aluminum panels fastened to structural framing or sub-framing over an existing roof. The most common commercial profile is standing seam: panels with raised vertical ribs joined by a concealed clip, allowing the panel to float with thermal expansion.
A complete metal roof system includes:
- Metal panels: steel (galvalume) or aluminum; 22-24 gauge typical
- Underlayment: synthetic or self-adhered beneath panels
- Clips or fasteners: concealed clips or exposed fasteners
- Insulation: rigid board or batt, sized to hit energy code
- Flashings: ridge, eave, rake, valley, and penetration boots
Three Ways to Specify a Commercial Metal Roof
Profile and attachment drive performance, aesthetics, and cost. We match the system to the building and hold period.
Standing Seam
Concealed clips, raised-rib seams, no exposed fasteners through the panel face. The commercial standard. Longest service life, highest weather resistance, premium appearance.
Exposed Fastener
Through-fastened R-panel or corrugated. Lower upfront cost; fastener gaskets require re-service every 15-20 years. Common on agricultural, warehouse, and budget-driven projects.
Metal Recover
Standing seam installed over existing flat roof using structural sub-framing. Creates positive drainage without tear-off. One of the most cost-effective long-term specifications when the deck is sound.
Why Metal Wins on Long Hold Periods
- 40-70 year service life: eliminates cyclical roof replacement from CapEx
- Fire resistance: Class A rated; meets most insurance underwriting requirements
- Energy efficiency: reflective finishes reduce HVAC cooling loads
- Snow shedding: sheds snow and ice cleanly, reducing ice dam risk
- Aesthetic range: multiple profiles, finishes, and colors for visible roofs
When We Recommend Metal
Best for long-hold assets, recover candidates, and visible roofs that demand presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
A properly installed standing seam metal roof routinely delivers 40 to 70 years of documented performance. When amortized over that service life, metal often produces a lower annualized cost than two successive single-ply membrane replacements covering the same timeline.
A metal recover installs a new standing seam system over an existing flat roof using structural sub-framing that creates positive drainage. The existing assembly stays in place, eliminating tear-off cost, disposal cost, and the weather-exposure risk of an open deck.
Standing seam uses concealed clips that allow panels to float with thermal expansion. No fastener penetrations through the panel face. Exposed fastener systems cost less upfront but require periodic re-gasketing. For commercial buildings on a long hold, standing seam is the standard specification.
Metal wins when the hold period is 20+ years, when eliminating cyclical roof replacement is a priority, or when a metal recover over an existing flat roof avoids the cost of full tear-off. We model cost-per-year against single-ply options before any specification decision.