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. The noise people remember usually comes from metal over open framing, like a barn or shed. Over a home, the deck, underlayment and insulation absorb most of it. Solid sheathing, a quality underlayment and attic insulation all help. Panels installed over spaced boards without a solid deck tend to be noisier.

Does a metal roof attract lightning?

No. Metal does not make a strike more likely. If lightning does hit, a metal roof is noncombustible and spreads the energy, which is not a fire hazard the way some materials are. Ask an electrician if you want a lightning protection system. Metal roofs are also noncombustible, which is one reason some owners in wildfire-prone areas consider them.

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. Because metal usually lasts longer, many owners compare the cost over the years they plan to stay rather than the installed price alone. Insurance premiums for metal roofs vary by insurer; some offer discounts and some treat cosmetic hail dents differently. What drives metal roofing price: Panel type: Standing seam vs. exposed-fastener vs. stone-coated. Gauge and metal: Thicker steel or aluminum costs more. Finish: Premium paint systems cost more but hold color longer. Roof shape: Valleys, dormers and penetrations add trim work. An itemized quote for the exact panel and finish is the only way to compare fairly.

Can metal be installed over my existing shingles?

Sometimes, but we generally recommend removing the old roof first. A tear-off lets the deck be checked and repaired, and some panel manufacturers and building codes have rules about installing over existing layers. Removing the old roof also lets the installer add the right underlayment and fix any deck issues before panels go on.

Will hail dent a metal roof?

Large hail can dent metal panels. Many dents are cosmetic and do not cause leaks. Thicker gauges and impact-rated panels resist denting better. Some insurance policies exclude cosmetic damage to metal roofs, so ask your agent how yours handles it. Thicker gauges and textured or striated panels also hide small dents better than smooth, flat panels.

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. Avoid letting copper or treated lumber drain onto steel panels, keep debris from sitting on the roof, and touch up scratches with the manufacturer's paint.

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. Installers walk on the flat areas over supports, not on the ribs or seams. Wet, frosty or dusty panels are especially slick.

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. Exposed-fastener and stone-coated roofs need different mounts. Coordinate the roof and solar plans early. How solar mounts differ by metal roof type: Standing seam: Clamps attach to the seams with no roof penetrations. Exposed-fastener: Brackets fasten through the panel into the structure, with sealed mounts. Stone-coated steel: Requires mounts designed for that system. Timing: Installing the roof before the solar avoids removing panels later. If you plan to add solar within a few years, mention it before choosing a panel type.

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. Simple roofs may take a few days, while complex roofs with valleys, dormers and penetrations take longer. Panel lead times can also affect the start date.

Metal Roofing in Denver by Peak to Peak Roofing

Denver & Front Range Roofers

Metal Roofing 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.

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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.

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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 sealing washers need periodic checking for looseness, deterioration and leaks as metal expands and contracts.
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?

Homeowners choose metal for long service life, lighter weight than tile, snow shedding and reflective finishes, although 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 427 Google reviews.

Peak to Peak Roofing crew completing metal roofing in Denver

What Details Matter Most on a Metal Roof?

Metal roof performance depends on thermal movement at clips and fasteners, compatible underlayment, fitted flashing and snow retention. 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.

Metal Panel, Finish and Warranty Options Compared

Two metal roofs that look alike can perform very differently depending on thickness, coating and the coverage behind them. Compare these alongside the product data sheet for the exact panel being quoted.

Field guidance informed by the roofing standards and service approach of JJ Hedden, owner of Peak to Peak Roofing & Exteriors. About JJ

Metal roofing questions compared by panel behavior, finish, warranty and owner guidance

How thick should the metal panels be?

How the options compare: Gauge is the thickness measure, and a lower number means thicker metal, which resists denting and the wavy look called oil canning better than thin panels.
Why it matters: Thicker panels cost more but hold up better to hail and to foot traffic during maintenance.
JJ Hedden's guidance: Ask JJ which gauge is quoted on your estimate and why it fits your roof.

Should I choose coated steel or aluminum?

How the options compare: Coated steel is the most common residential choice and stands up to hail better, while aluminum resists corrosion but dents more easily.
Why it matters: Metal type changes hail tolerance as much as price does, so the two are not interchangeable choices.
JJ Hedden's guidance: Discuss steel and aluminum trade-offs with JJ for your exposure and budget.

Will the color fade in high-altitude sun?

How the options compare: High-performance PVDF finishes hold color and resist chalking longer than basic paint systems, which is the difference that shows first on a south-facing slope.
Why it matters: At Denver's altitude a weaker finish can look worn years before the panel itself fails.
JJ Hedden's guidance: Ask JJ for the finish warranty terms on each color option before you pick.

Will hail dent it, and will the insurer treat the dents as damage?

How the options compare: Some panel assemblies carry impact ratings tested to UL 2218, but even rated panels can take cosmetic dents from large hail.
Why it matters: Insurers often treat cosmetic dents differently from functional damage, so a rating alone does not settle a claim.
JJ Hedden's guidance: Ask JJ for the test standard behind any rating, then confirm cosmetic coverage with your insurer.

What covers the roof if something goes wrong later?

How the options compare: Panel, paint and installation coverage are usually three separate warranties with different terms and different transfer rules.
Why it matters: Knowing who covers what avoids a gap if a problem appears years after install.
JJ Hedden's guidance: Ask JJ to walk through each warranty and whether it transfers when you sell.

The question homeowners ask	How the options compare	Why it matters	JJ Hedden's guidance
How thick should the metal panels be?	Gauge is the thickness measure, and a lower number means thicker metal, which resists denting and the wavy look called oil canning better than thin panels.	Thicker panels cost more but hold up better to hail and to foot traffic during maintenance.	Ask JJ which gauge is quoted on your estimate and why it fits your roof.
Should I choose coated steel or aluminum?	Coated steel is the most common residential choice and stands up to hail better, while aluminum resists corrosion but dents more easily.	Metal type changes hail tolerance as much as price does, so the two are not interchangeable choices.	Discuss steel and aluminum trade-offs with JJ for your exposure and budget.
Will the color fade in high-altitude sun?	High-performance PVDF finishes hold color and resist chalking longer than basic paint systems, which is the difference that shows first on a south-facing slope.	At Denver's altitude a weaker finish can look worn years before the panel itself fails.	Ask JJ for the finish warranty terms on each color option before you pick.
Will hail dent it, and will the insurer treat the dents as damage?	Some panel assemblies carry impact ratings tested to UL 2218, but even rated panels can take cosmetic dents from large hail.	Insurers often treat cosmetic dents differently from functional damage, so a rating alone does not settle a claim.	Ask JJ for the test standard behind any rating, then confirm cosmetic coverage with your insurer.
What covers the roof if something goes wrong later?	Panel, paint and installation coverage are usually three separate warranties with different terms and different transfer rules.	Knowing who covers what avoids a gap if a problem appears years after install.	Ask JJ to walk through each warranty and whether it transfers when you sell.

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. Confirm the chosen panel system is approved by its manufacturer for the roof slope, especially on low-slope sections.
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.

Roofing Colorado since 2008
Sets panel and flashing standards
Details reviewed before material is ordered
Family owned, Denver based

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Credentials You Can Check Yourself

BBB Accredited, A+ rating
Peak to Peak Roofing and Exteriors, LLC has been BBB Accredited since January 2010.
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Colorado Roofing Association member
Listed as a contractor member, with JJ Hedden named as owner.
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Liability and workers' comp on file
General liability and workers' compensation are two separate policies. Ask for a current certificate of insurance before work starts.
See coverage dates on the CRA listing
Local contractor licensing
Colorado has no statewide roofing license. Licensing and permits are set by each city or county, so ask which applies to your address.

Standing Seam And Metal Since 2008

A Metal Roof Built For Colorado Weather.

Standing seam, exposed fastener, and metal accent roofing engineered for hail, wind uplift, and decades of Front Range sun.

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