Standing seam metal roofing and stamped metal roofing are two popular metal roofing options – and both are excellent options for Winkler homes.
Here at IroSteel, we manufacture standing seam metal roofing that’s designed with Winkler’s climate in mind; our roofs can withstand sleet, snow, hail, and windstorms. We offer an incredible selection of colours and textures, so our roofs can be customized to fit your aesthetics. Best of all, you’ve probably seen our building before; we manufacture everything right here in the city of Winkler!
With all that being said, we acknowledge that stamped metal roofing has its advantages and that it can be a great choice for Winkler homes, too. Let’s dive in and compare the two!
The Core Difference: Panels Vs. Shingles
Standing seam metal roofing is made up of interlocking panels with raised legs (which lock together using hidden fasteners); between these legs, the panels are broad and flat.
Stamped metal roofing is made up of much smaller metal panels; these panels are manufactured to resemble traditional roofing materials like shingles, slate, or tile. These stamped metal shingles are also interlocking; they typically feature four-way interlocks (one on each side of the shingle), as opposed to the two-way interlocking systems used in standing seam roofing.
Aesthetic Appeal (Modern Vs. Traditional)
Choosing between a stamped metal shingle roof and a standing seam roof is mostly a choice between two aesthetics, so let’s compare the two:
Stamped metal roofing offers a more traditional aesthetic; it’s designed to emulate popular roofing styles, giving you many of the advantages of metal roofing while mimicking tile or shingles.
Modern is the best way to define a standing seam’s aesthetic. Though standing seam is highly customizable (we have a number of different colours and textures available), the design will always be raised legs and flat panels; it’s not a traditional look, but it can be an exceptionally beautiful one.
In Winkler, we’re fortunate enough not to have to deal with HOAs and other organizations that might resist the modern look of standing seam roofs. You get to choose your home’s aesthetics, and you’ll find homes and buildings in our city that feature standing seam metal roofing.
Performance In Winkler’s Climate
Wind Resistance
Both standing seam and stamped metal roofing offer excellent wind resistance, and either roofing system is likely to stand up to the wind we see in Winkler, even during a blizzard.
Standing seam metal roofing does offer better wind resistance than stamped metal roofing; in other parts of the world, standing seam roofing is used to resist hurricane-force winds! There are fewer possible failure points with standing seam metal roofing because there are fewer panels and fewer sections that lock together.
This means that if you’re extremely concerned about wind resistance, standing seam is usually the better fit; it’s why so many commercial and industrial buildings with large roofs opt for standing seam. Don’t be too worried, though; the wind resistance on stamped metal roofing is still excellent.
Snow & Ice Management
The logic we applied above is true again for snow and ice management; stamped metal roofing is more than good enough for most homes in Winkler, but standing seam metal roofing is even better; fewer connection points and fewer panels mean there’s less risk of a panel lifting and allowing water to infiltrate into the underlayment of the roof. Standing seam metal roofing is also much better suited to low-slope applications.
The high, interlocking legs (sometimes called ribs) of standing seam panels make it difficult for water to infiltrate into the underlayment as it slowly drains away. Proper sealant (and sometimes a double-locking system) may be needed on low-slope roofs.
Standing seam metal roofs do require snow guards, which gives a slight advantage to stamped metal roofs. Snow guards prevent snow and ice from creating miniature avalanches off the flat panels of standing seam roofs.
Durability And Maintenance Comparison
Durability and maintenance for standing seam and stamped metal roofing are both excellent; either roofing system may be the last one you ever need to install on your home. Once again, however, standing seam slightly edges out stamped metal – and once again, the reason is the sheer number of panels needed for a stamped metal roof.
More panels mean more points of failure. You may have to replace stamped metal roofing panels in the same way that you’d have to replace missing shingles on a traditional asphalt shingle roof; that means more maintenance over time (though they are less prone to damage than asphalt shingles).
One point in favour of stamped metal roofing is that failure on a single panel is less costly, because the panels are so much smaller. When a standing seam roof panel fails, you have to replace a lot more metal.
A final point in favour of stamped metal is the lack of oil canning. Oil canning creates a wavy, distorted look on some standing seam metal roofing; it does not affect the integrity of the panels, but some people don’t like the aesthetic. Proper installation and manufacturing can significantly reduce the risk of oil canning, but sometimes it happens regardless, even if you do everything right.
Cost Investment And ROI
Both standing seam and stamped metal roofing systems can deliver an incredible ROI; they are:
- Long-lasting
- Durable
- Energy-efficient
Stamped metal roofing is, however, more expensive to install than standing seam roofing. As such, if you’re looking for a better ROI, standing seam metal roofing is usually the way to go.
The only exception to this rule is if you’re in a market where people highly value the traditional look of stamped metal panels. We are not realtors, but in our experience, Winkler does not have that problem. Buildings like the Winkler Mennonite Brethren Church have standing seam metal roofing, as do houses across the city.
Which System Is Right For Your Home?
While standing seam metal roofing edges out stamped metal roofing systems in all of the categories we’ve listed, we want to emphasize that either system can be a good fit for your home; you’ll get excellent wind resistance, durability, and longevity from a stamped metal roof, even if a standing seam metal roof is slightly better.
This means your main concerns should be aesthetics and price. Want a more traditional look? You might want to opt for stamped metal roofing – though it will be more expensive.
Want a more modern look at a lower cost? We think standing seam is an excellent, versatile fit for homeowners; it can be designed and manufactured to match almost any aesthetic.
We also want to take a moment to plug ourselves here; if you get standing seam metal roofing, you can buy it from a manufacturer that designs and creates it right here in Winkler. That’s us: IroSteel.
Is Your Roof Ready For The Next Prairie Storm?
With our standing seam metal roofing, your roof will be ready for anything; it outperforms other roofing materials in high winds, rain, and snow, all while offering excellent energy efficiency.
Give us a call! We’ll go over the metal roofing options we have available and help you find the best system for your home. Looking for roofing companies Winkler residents trust? Choose the company that’s right in your backyard: IroSteel.
FAQ About Roofing In Winkler
Do I really need snow guards on a standing seam roof in Winkler?
Absolutely. Winkler sees an average of about 47 inches (120 cm) of snow each year; that snow will end up on your roof. Over time, it will slide down the sleek, flat metal panels – and without snow guards, it could fall on your car, or worse yet, on a person. Snow guards prevent serious damage!
Is stamped metal roofing noisier than asphalt during rain or hail?
Yes, so is standing seam metal roofing. People have very different opinions on the noise created by metal roofing systems; some people absolutely love it and find it quite comforting, while others, quite frankly, hate it.
No matter which category you fall into, you may still benefit from a metal roof. There are techniques we can use to provide greater sound insulation, mitigating the noise created by precipitation on your metal roof.
Can standing seam roofing withstand the wind gusts near 15th Street?
Our standing seam metal roofing is manufactured right here in Winkler to handle the weather we see here – and across the Prairies. We could even manufacture roofs that withstand hurricane-force winds; the wind gusts we see on 15th Street are no problem. You can actually spot some metal roofing at #880-15th Street (home to businesses like Clarity Vision Centre, Winkler Pizza, and Tiny Luxury Spa)!
