Is a metal roof loud in rain or hail?

Usually not much louder than shingles when installed over a solid deck with underlayment and an insulated attic.

Does a metal roof attract lightning?

No. Metal does not make a strike more likely.

How much more does a metal roof cost than shingles?

Metal costs more up front, and the gap depends heavily on the panel type. Exposed-fastener panels are closer to shingle pricing, while standing seam costs considerably more.

Can metal be installed over my existing shingles?

Sometimes, but we generally recommend removing the old roof first.

Will hail dent a metal roof?

Large hail can dent metal panels. Many dents are cosmetic and do not cause leaks.

Will a metal roof rust?

Coated steel panels are protected by a metallic coating and paint, so rust is uncommon on a properly installed roof. Scratches, cut edges and incompatible metals are where it can start.

Can you walk on a metal roof?

Yes, carefully, but it is slippery and some panels can dent underfoot. Leave roof access to professionals when you can.

Can solar panels go on a metal roof?

Yes. Standing seam roofs are especially well suited because panels can mount to the seams with clamps instead of drilling through the roof.

How long does a metal roof installation take?

Usually longer than a shingle roof of the same size, because the trim and flashing are custom-fitted.

Metal Roofing in Denver by Peak to Peak Roofing

Denver & Front Range Roofers

Metal Roofing in Denver Built to Shed Snow, Shrug Off Hail, and Last 40 to 70 Years

Metal roofing is a long-term choice that comes in more forms than most people expect: standing seam, exposed-fastener panels and stone-coated steel, each with different looks, costs and details. Peak To Peak Roofing in Denver installs residential metal roofing and helps you compare panel types, finishes and accessories so the roof fits the house and how long you plan to stay.

Owens Corning Platinum Award Winner
4.9-star rating across 415 Google reviews
Active member of the Colorado Roofing Association (CRA)
Better Business Bureau A+ rating
Member of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)

(720) 893-3823

4.9/5 average rating from 500+ locals

Certified, Accredited, And Reviewed

Peak to Peak Roofing certified contractor badge

Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor badge

Metal Roof Panel Types Compared

Metal is not one product. The difference between a panel that lasts fifty years and one that leaks in fifteen is usually where the fasteners go and how thick the steel is.

Metal roofing panel types with gauge, fastening method and hail and snow behavior

Standing seam

How it fastens: Concealed clips. No fasteners penetrate the weather surface.
Common steel gauge: 24 or 26 gauge (24 is thicker)
Hail and snow behavior: Sheds snow well. Can show cosmetic denting from large hail, though function is usually unaffected.
Best fit: Long term residential and architectural commercial roofs.

Exposed fastener, also called R panel or Ag panel

How it fastens: Screws driven through the panel face into washers.
Common steel gauge: 26 or 29 gauge
Hail and snow behavior: Sheds snow well. Washers degrade over time and become the leak point.
Best fit: Barns, shops and budget conscious low slope to steep slope applications.

Stone coated steel

How it fastens: Interlocking panels on battens or direct to deck.
Common steel gauge: 26 gauge with stone chip surface
Hail and snow behavior: The stone layer hides minor denting. Many products carry a UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating.
Best fit: Homes where hail cosmetics matter and a tile or shake look is wanted.

Corrugated

How it fastens: Exposed fasteners through the ribs or valleys.
Common steel gauge: 26 or 29 gauge
Hail and snow behavior: Lightweight, dents more readily than heavier gauge panels.
Best fit: Utility structures and accessory buildings.

Aluminum standing seam

How it fastens: Concealed clips, same as steel standing seam.
Common steel gauge: 0.032 or 0.040 in thickness
Hail and snow behavior: Will not rust, but is softer than steel and dents more easily under hail.
Best fit: Coastal or high corrosion settings. Less common inland in Colorado.

Panel type	How it fastens	Common steel gauge	Hail and snow behavior	Best fit
Standing seam	Concealed clips. No fasteners penetrate the weather surface.	24 or 26 gauge (24 is thicker)	Sheds snow well. Can show cosmetic denting from large hail, though function is usually unaffected.	Long term residential and architectural commercial roofs.
Exposed fastener, also called R panel or Ag panel	Screws driven through the panel face into washers.	26 or 29 gauge	Sheds snow well. Washers degrade over time and become the leak point.	Barns, shops and budget conscious low slope to steep slope applications.
Stone coated steel	Interlocking panels on battens or direct to deck.	26 gauge with stone chip surface	The stone layer hides minor denting. Many products carry a UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating.	Homes where hail cosmetics matter and a tile or shake look is wanted.
Corrugated	Exposed fasteners through the ribs or valleys.	26 or 29 gauge	Lightweight, dents more readily than heavier gauge panels.	Utility structures and accessory buildings.
Aluminum standing seam	Concealed clips, same as steel standing seam.	0.032 or 0.040 in thickness	Will not rust, but is softer than steel and dents more easily under hail.	Coastal or high corrosion settings. Less common inland in Colorado.

Gauge numbers run backward: a lower number means thicker metal, so 24 gauge is heavier than 29 gauge. Minimum slopes follow International Residential Code R905.10 for metal roof panels, generally one half unit in 12 for standing seam with sealed laps and three units in 12 for lapped, nonsoldered seam panels. Impact ratings reference UL 2218. Confirm specific ratings on the manufacturer product data sheet for the panel selected.

Customer Testimonials

What Types of Metal Roofing Are There?

"Metal roof" covers several very different systems. These are the ones most often used on homes. Each type has a different price point, look and maintenance routine, so the right one depends on the house and how long you plan to stay.

Standing seam: Panels joined with raised seams and attached with hidden clips. Clean lines, no exposed screws, and room for the metal to expand and contract.
Exposed-fastener panels: Ribbed or corrugated panels screwed through the face. Lower cost, but the screws and washers need periodic checking.
Stone-coated steel: Steel panels with a granular coating shaped to look like shingles, shakes or tile.
Metal accents: Metal used on porches, bay windows or low-slope sections alongside a shingle roof.

Panel type drives appearance, cost and maintenance more than any other choice.

Metal Roofing project in Denver by Peak to Peak Roofing

Why Do Homeowners Choose Metal Roofing?

Metal costs more up front than shingles. These are the reasons owners decide it is worth it. The trade-off is cost. Metal makes the most sense for owners who plan to stay long enough to benefit from its life span.

Long service life, often well beyond a typical asphalt roof when properly installed and maintained.
Snow slides off smooth panels more readily, which can reduce ice buildup at the eaves.
Light weight compared with tile and many other premium materials.
Reflective finishes can reduce heat gain in summer.

Peak to Peak holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, is an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, and has a 4.9-star average across 415 Google reviews.

Peak to Peak Roofing crew completing metal roofing in Denver

What Details Matter Most on a Metal Roof?

Most metal roof problems come from the details, not the panels. These are the parts to ask about. These details are also where installation experience shows. Good panels can still leak if the trim and flashing are rushed.

Clips and Fasteners

Clips that let panels move with temperature, or screws installed to the correct depth with sound washers.

Underlayment

A high-temperature underlayment suited to metal, since panels can get much hotter than shingles.

Trim and Flashing

Ridge, eave, rake and wall trim formed to fit, where most leaks on metal roofs start.

Snow Guards

Placed above doors, walkways and lower roofs where sliding snow could cause damage or injury.

How Do You Choose Panel Gauge and Finish?

Two metal roofs that look alike can perform very differently depending on thickness and coating. Thicker metal and better finishes cost more, so compare these alongside the warranty terms.

What to Compare

Gauge: Lower numbers mean thicker metal. Thicker panels resist denting and oil-canning better but cost more.
Metal: Coated steel is the most common choice for homes. Aluminum resists corrosion but dents more easily.
Finish: High-performance paint systems, such as PVDF finishes, hold color and resist chalking longer than basic paints.
Hail rating: Some panels carry impact ratings. Even rated panels can dent cosmetically, so ask how your insurer treats cosmetic damage.

Ask for the product data sheet and warranty for the exact panel, gauge and finish being quoted.

Denver home served by Peak to Peak Roofing

What Should You Expect When Switching to Metal?

Moving from shingles to metal changes a few things beyond the look of the house. Many owners say the biggest adjustment is snow sliding off all at once, which is why snow guard placement matters.

A different estimate: Metal is priced by panel type, gauge, finish and trim, so compare those line by line between bids.
Approvals: Some HOAs restrict metal roofing or specific colors and profiles, so check before you choose.
Installation: Metal takes more custom trim work than shingles, so installation usually takes longer.
Living with it: Plan for snow sliding off, check exposed fasteners periodically if you have them, and keep gutters clear.

Keeping a few spare panels and trim pieces after installation makes future repairs easier, since colors and profiles change over time.

Peak to Peak Roofing crew working in Denver

Service Area Coverage

Peak To Peak Roofing serves homeowners throughout Denver and surrounding areas, providing metal roofing repair, replacement, and insurance claim support directly at their properties. The service area covers Denver, Aurora, Littleton, and Castle Pines, accessible via I-25, I-70, and C-470, and serving communities including Cherry Creek, Highlands, Central Park, and Greenwood Village. Technicians respond quickly to requests throughout the area, offering convenient scheduling that works around customers' availability in Denver and beyond.

Serving Denver, Aurora, Littleton, Castle Pines, and surrounding communities across the metro area
Accessible throughout the region via I-25, I-70, C-470, and local arterial routes
Mobile service reaching customers across the entire Denver metro area and foothills communities
Providing metal roofing services directly at customers' homes

Peak To Peak Roofing offers flexible scheduling throughout Denver and surrounding areas, with prompt response times and appointments arranged directly at your property.

Frequently Asked Questions

JJ Hedden

Founder & Owner

Meet The Owner

JJ Hedden, Founder & Owner

JJ Hedden founded Peak to Peak Roofing & Exteriors so Front Range property owners would have a roofer who is still reachable after the truck pulls away. He came up through inspections, claims and installations, so the standards our crews work to are the ones he set on roofs himself.

Metal is unforgiving, so he sets the details before a panel is ordered: panel profile, fastener pattern, expansion, and the flashing and pitch transitions that decide whether a Front Range metal roof stays tight for decades.