Skyridge Ricky's Guide: Why Architectural Metal Roofing Is the Ultimate Utah Protection

Here is something that catches a lot of people off guard. When you get a quote for a "metal roof," you need to know exactly what kind of panel they're talking about. There are two main types: Standing Seam and Exposed Fastener. Exposed fastener roofs are those "AG panels" you see on barns or sheds. Every panel is held down by hundreds of screws that go straight through the metal. Each screw has a little rubber washer. In the Utah sun, those washers dry out and crack in about ten years. Then, you've got a thousand tiny holes in your roof just waiting to leak!

Standing Seam is what I recommend for houses. There are zero holes in the panels! They use a "cleat" system that's hidden underneath. The panels "snap" or "fold" together over the seams. Because the fasteners are hidden from the sun and rain, they never fail. Plus, standing seam panels are built to "float." They can expand and contract as the temperature changes without pulling on the screws. It's a much smarter design for our crazy temperature swings.

I remember a job in Park City where the homeowner was so proud of their new metal roof. It looked sharp! But they didn't want to spend the extra money on snow guards. That winter, they had a "roof avalanche." About three tons of snow slid off the metal all at once and crushed their expensive BBQ grill and their front porch railing. It sounded like a bomb went off!

On a shingle roof, the granules act like sandpaper and hold the snow in place. On a metal roof, it's like a giant slip-and-slide. Once the bottom layer of snow melts just a tiny bit, the whole slab comes down. Snow guards are those little metal clips or rails we install to break up the snow and hold it until it can melt slowly. If you have a metal roof in Utah and you have a walkway, a driveway, or a deck underneath your eaves, you *must* have snow guards. I've seen them save gutters from being ripped off and, more importantly, they keep your family safe from a surprise snow dump.

I know, I know—the price tag on a metal roof can be scary. It's usually double or even triple what a shingle roof costs. But you have to look at the long game. A standard asphalt roof in Utah lasts maybe 20 to 25 years if you're lucky. A standing seam metal roof can easily go 50, 60, or even 70 years. I tell my custom home builders to think about the "cost per year." If a shingle roof costs $12,000 and lasts 20 years, that's $600 a year. If a metal roof costs $25,000 and lasts 60 years, that's only $416 a year. You're actually saving money in the long run!

Plus, there are the "hidden" savings. Metal roofs are way more energy-efficient because they reflect the sun instead of soaking it up. Your attic stays cooler, and your AC doesn't have to work as hard in July. And don't forget your insurance! Many companies in Utah give you a discount for having a "Class 4" impact-rated roof. Since metal handles hail better than almost anything else, it pays you back every single month on your premium.