Metal definitely sheds snow and ice faster, which seems to help with ice dams.
That’s been my experience too—after a big storm, the metal roof clears itself while the neighbor’s shingles are still buried. One thing I’d add: metal can dent from hail, even if it doesn’t leak. Not a huge deal structurally, but it bugs me visually. Composite hides that better, but like you said, those seams can be trouble if water gets in and freezes. Maintenance is less with metal overall, but repairs are trickier and usually not a DIY job unless you’re pretty handy.
metal can dent from hail, even if it doesn’t leak. Not a huge deal structurally, but it bugs me visually.
Yeah, the cosmetic dents are annoying—my panels have a few from last spring’s hail, and you really notice them in certain light. Curious if anyone’s tried those “impact resistant” metal panels? Wondering if they’re actually worth the extra cost.
Curious if anyone’s tried those “impact resistant” metal panels? Wondering if they’re actually worth the extra cost.
I’ve wondered the same thing, honestly. My neighbor went with the “impact resistant” panels after a bad hailstorm trashed his old roof, but from what I can see, they still got a couple of dings last year—just maybe not as many as mine. Hard to say if it’s really worth the markup unless you’re in a spot that gets hammered with hail every season.
The cosmetic dents drive me nuts too. Structurally, yeah, it’s fine, but when the sun hits just right you see every little spot. I’ve heard some folks say the textured or matte finishes help hide dents better than the glossy stuff, but I haven’t tried that myself.
One thing I noticed: insurance companies around here (central KS) sometimes give a small discount for “impact rated” roofs, but it barely offsets the higher price tag. And if you’re thinking resale value, I’m not convinced buyers care about a few dings unless it looks really beat up.
I do like how metal holds up to wind and rain compared to shingles—my old asphalt roof lost tabs every spring. But with hail, seems like you’re trading leaks for dents. Not sure there’s a perfect answer unless you want to shell out for standing seam steel or something even pricier.
Anyone else notice that after a few years you just stop seeing the dents? Or maybe I’m just getting used to them...
I’ve managed a few buildings with both shingle and metal roofs, and honestly, the impact-resistant panels do seem to take less of a beating, but they’re not magic. You’ll still get some dings if the hail’s big enough. One thing that’s helped is going with a darker, matte finish—it hides the dents way better than the shiny stuff. If you’re in a spot where hail is just a once-in-a-while thing, I’m not sure the extra cost is worth it. But if you’re replacing roofs every few years, it might pay off in the long run. The insurance discount is nice, but like you said, it barely makes a dent (pun intended). At a certain point, I just stopped worrying about the little cosmetic stuff... as long as it’s not leaking, I call it a win.
At a certain point, I just stopped worrying about the little cosmetic stuff... as long as it’s not leaking, I call it a win.
Honestly, I hear this a lot and can’t say I blame you. I’ve seen plenty of metal roofs with more dimples than a golf ball after a bad hailstorm, but if the water’s staying out, does it really matter? On the other hand, I’ve run across a few folks who got stuck with “cosmetic” damage that turned out to be more than skin deep—dents that eventually led to rust or even popped fasteners. It’s rare, but worth keeping an eye on over the years.
I’m curious if you’ve noticed any noise differences during storms? Some people swear metal is way louder, but in my experience, it depends a lot on what’s underneath—solid decking vs. open framing makes a big difference. And you’re right about the insurance discount being underwhelming. Around here (Midwest), it barely covers the cost of a pizza per year.
I do wonder if those darker finishes make things hotter in summer, though. Ever notice any temp difference after switching?
