ServicesMetal Roofing
Metal Roofing in Palatka
A metal roof can outlast two or three shingle roofs, but only if the panel system, fasteners and underlayment suit your home. We explain each choice in plain terms, show you what it changes in cost, and install it with careful detail at every edge.
When metal is the right roof, and when it isn't
Metal makes the most sense when you plan to stay in your home for a long time, when you are tired of replacing shingles after every hard summer, or when an older metal roof has started to leak at its screws and laps. It sheds rain quickly, reflects a good share of the afternoon sun and holds up well to the wind and humidity of a Florida summer.
It is not the right answer for every house. A metal roof costs more up front than shingles, and on a home you may sell in a few years that extra spend can be hard to recover. If your current roof only needs a repair, we will say so and point you to roof repair instead. If a shingle roof fits your plans better, our roof replacement work covers that too.
What a metal roof from us includes
- 01
A panel system you understand
We walk you through standing seam, where the fasteners hide under raised seams, and exposed-fastener panels such as 5V crimp, which cost less but rely on screws with rubber washers that age over time. You choose with the tradeoffs in front of you.
- 02
Tear-off and a deck check
We remove the old roof so we can see the wood underneath. Soft or delaminated sheathing is replaced and the deck is fastened to current nailing requirements before anything new goes on.
- 03
High-temperature underlayment
Metal runs hot in the sun, so we use a synthetic or peel-and-stick underlayment rated for that heat. It is the layer that keeps water out if a panel is ever damaged.
- 04
Trim and flashing made to fit
Drip edge, rake trim, ridge cap with foam closures, and flashing at walls, chimneys and pipes are cut and bent to your roof. Most metal leaks start at these details, not in the open panels.
- 05
Clean cuts and a clean yard
We cut panels with shears rather than abrasive saws, because hot metal filings can embed in the finish and leave rust specks. At the end of each day we sweep the yard and drive with a magnet for screws and offcuts.
Questions about Metal Roofing?
Call(904) 789-5019Signs a metal roof may be your next step
Backed-out or rusted screws
On an older exposed-fastener roof, screws loosen as the metal expands and contracts, and the washers crack. Rust streaks below the screw heads usually mean water is getting in.
Leaks at panel laps
Water that shows up along a seam or where two panels overlap often points to failed sealant or panels that have shifted. Patching these can work for a while, but repeated leaks suggest the system is near the end.
A chalky, faded finish
When the paint rubs off on your hand and bare spots appear, the protective coating is wearing through. Once the steel underneath starts to rust, replacement is usually more sensible than coating.
Shingles that keep failing
If you have replaced shingles more than once, or keep losing tabs in summer storms, it may be time to compare what a longer-lasting roof would cost over the years you plan to stay.
How a metal roof job runs
- 1
Technician visit and measurements
We look at the roof, the attic and the current deck from below, measure every plane, and note pipes, vents and walls that need flashing. You get a straight answer on whether metal fits your home.
- 2
Written estimate and choices
Your estimate lists the panel type, metal gauge, finish, underlayment and trim line by line, so you can see what each choice costs. Financing is available if you would like to spread the cost.
- 3
Permit and scheduling
As a licensed general contractor, we pull the permit and order panels to your measurements. We set a start date and let you know what to move from the driveway and the walls near the house.
- 4
Installation
Tear-off, deck repairs, underlayment, then panels and trim, working a section at a time so your home stays dry. The building inspector checks the work as the permit requires.
- 5
Walk-through and cleanup
We walk the finished roof with you, point out the flashing details and sweep the property one last time. Our 5-year workmanship warranty covers the installation itself.
What moves the price of a metal roof
Two metal roofs of the same size can differ widely in price. Most of the difference comes from the panel system and the shape of the roof, not just the square footage. Each of the items below gets its own line on your written estimate, so nothing is folded into one lump figure.
- Panel system
- Standing seam takes more material and labor than exposed-fastener panels. It also needs far less upkeep, since there are no screws through the face of the roof to recheck.
- Gauge and finish
- Heavier metal and premium paint systems cost more and hold their color longer. Bare Galvalume costs less but has a plainer, industrial look.
- Roof shape
- Hips, valleys, dormers and skylights each need custom trim and more cutting. A simple gable roof is the least expensive to cover.
- Deck condition and old layers
- Extra layers of old roofing add disposal time, and soft sheathing has to be replaced. We cannot price the deck exactly until the old roof is off, so we explain how any repairs would be counted before work starts.
Metal roofing questions
Is a metal roof loud when it rains?
Over a solid wood deck with underlayment and an attic below, most people hear little more than with shingles. The loud rain sound people remember comes from metal fastened over open framing, like a barn. That is not how we install on a home.
Can you put metal right over my shingles?
We generally tear off instead. Removing the old roof lets us find soft decking and fasten the deck properly, and it keeps the new panels from sitting on an uneven surface. We will explain the tradeoffs on your roof at the visit.
Does a metal roof attract lightning?
No. Metal does not make a strike more likely, and if lightning does hit, a metal roof will not catch fire the way some materials can. It is a common worry, and an easy one to put to rest.
How long will a metal roof last?
A well-installed standing seam roof can last decades, and exposed-fastener roofs last a long time as well if the screws are checked and replaced as the washers age. The finish, the underlayment and how close you are to salt air all play a part. We give you an honest estimate for your home rather than a single number.
What warranty comes with the installation?
Our work is backed by a 5-year workmanship warranty. Panel and paint manufacturers offer their own coverage on the materials, and we go over what applies to the product you choose.
Find out if metal suits your home
We will look at your roof, measure it and give you a free estimate that lays out each panel and finish option. No pressure, just the facts you need to decide.