St. Louis Metal Roofing

Often, no—and this is the conversation most contractors skip. Many insurers writing policies in Missouri hail country now attach cosmetic-damage exclusions or endorsements to metal roofs. That means hail that dents your metal roof but doesn't cause a functional leak may not be a covered claim. Functional damage (actual leaks, penetrations) is typically still covered, but cosmetic dents may not be. Before you buy a metal roof, pull up your policy language or call your carrier—we'll help you understand what applies. If keeping cosmetic hail covered matters to you, a Class 4 shingle may be the better choice.

It depends on your priorities. Metal resists the punctures and granule loss that destroy shingles and lasts 40-70 years, so for homeowners staying long-term it can be an excellent value. But large hail can dent metal cosmetically, and if your policy excludes those dents, you absorb that cost. In many St. Louis cases, a Class 4 impact-resistant shingle is the smarter value—lower cost, possible premium credit, and cosmetic hail stays covered. We install both and give you honest guidance for your specific situation.

Yes, and that's mostly a benefit. Metal sheds snow far better than shingles—it doesn't hold heavy loads or form ice dams the same way, which reduces winter stress on the structure. The one catch is that shedding snow can slide off in a big load, so we install snow guards over entries, walkways, driveways, and landscaping to let snow release gradually and safely instead of all at once. It's an essential St. Louis detail that out-of-market installers often overlook.

It can look excellent. Standing seam complements the brick foursquares, gingerbreads, and rowhouses that define South City, Soulard, and Lafayette Square, and flat-lock metal works on low-slope sections. In fact, metal is often historically appropriate on these older homes. In historic districts we match suitable profiles and finishes and handle any review requirements so the roof fits both the house and the neighborhood.

Roughly double. A typical St. Louis metal roof runs $18,000-$33,000 installed, versus about $14,000-$22,000 for architectural or Class 4 shingles on the same home. Because the upfront gap is significant, metal makes the most financial sense for homeowners planning to stay long-term and spread that cost over a 40-70 year lifespan. If you're likely to move within 15 years, a quality shingle usually pencils out better.

For a primary residence, standing seam. Its concealed clips let the metal expand and contract through St. Louis freeze-thaw cycles without stressing fasteners, and there are no exposed screws to loosen or leak. Exposed-fastener (screw-down) systems cost less and suit garages, outbuildings, and simple roofs, but the gasketed screws age and need periodic maintenance, and they handle freeze-thaw movement less gracefully. Standing seam is the premium, low-maintenance choice for the home itself.

Properly installed, a metal roof lasts 40-70 years in St. Louis—versus roughly 15-20 years for asphalt shingles that get worn down by hail and freeze-thaw cycling. The keys are a quality Kynar 500 / PVDF finish, appropriate gauge, ice-and-water shield at the eaves and valleys, snow guards where needed, and correct flashing for thermal movement. Get those right and metal is very often the last roof you'll buy for that home.