Metal roofing has grown more popular in Colorado, from mountain cabins to Front Range suburbs. It's light, sheds snow and resists fire. Its main trade-off here is hail: metal often survives a storm that would ruin shingles, but it may come out dented.
Three kinds of metal roof
Standing seam
Standing-seam panels run continuously from ridge to eave. Neighboring panels lock together at raised seams, and the fasteners are hidden underneath, so no screws pierce the weather surface. It's the premium residential option.
Exposed-fastener panels
These are ribbed or corrugated sheets screwed straight through the face into the roof. They cost less and go on fast, which is why you see them on barns and outbuildings. The rubber washers under each screw age in the sun and need checking and replacing over the years, as a general rule of thumb.
Stone-coated steel
Stone-coated steel is pressed into shapes that look like tile, shake or shingles, then coated with stone granules. The texture hides small dents better than smooth metal. DECRA, one manufacturer, offers a lifetime limited warranty that covers hailstones up to 2.5 inches and wind up to 120 mph, transferable within 20 years of installation. Warranty terms differ by brand, so read the one you're offered.
Life expectancy
InterNACHI's guideline for metal roofs is 40 to 80 years. That's a national estimate, not a promise. Finish quality, panel thickness, installation and storm history all matter.
Hail and cosmetic dents
Metal can dent while still working perfectly. IBHS notes that even metal roofs built to its FORTIFIED standard may show cosmetic damage after hail. A dented roof that keeps water out may be fine functionally, but it can hurt resale and bother you every time you look at it.
Some homeowners policies include a cosmetic damage exclusion. It's an endorsement that excludes dents and marks that don't affect function. We couldn't find a Colorado statute or Division of Insurance rule addressing these exclusions, so the wording in your policy controls.
Before choosing metal, read your declarations page and endorsements for a cosmetic damage exclusion, and ask your agent how dents would be handled. See our insurance guide for what to ask.
Fire
Metal doesn't burn, and metal roofing systems can earn a Class A fire rating. The rating applies to the tested assembly, so ask for documentation. In mapped wildfire hazard areas under the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code, a Class A roof covering or assembly is required, along with ember blocking at gaps under the covering. Metal panels with open profiles at the eaves need closures to block embers.
Snow shedding and snow guards
Smooth metal sheds snow well, which reduces load and helps prevent ice dams. The catch is that snow can slide off all at once. A sheet of snow and ice dropping off a roof can injure someone or crush plants, gutters and lower roofs.
Snow guards are small brackets or rails fixed to the roof to hold snow in place so it melts off gradually. As a rule of thumb, they go above entries, walkways, decks, driveways and lower roof sections. Gutters on metal roofs also take a beating from sliding snow. For more on snow loads by elevation, see Colorado's climate.
Is metal a good fit for you?
Metal makes the most sense if you want a long-lived roof, live in a fire-prone or heavy-snow area, and can accept some risk of cosmetic dents. It costs more up front; This Old House puts the Colorado average around $9.43 per square foot, versus $4.68 for asphalt, as rough averages. Check your HOA covenants too, since some limit metal. If you're weighing options after a storm, the free Roof Report shows your area's hail history. You can compare everything on the materials overview.
Sources
Common questions
Will hail dent a metal roof?
It can. Dents are common after large hail, and they're often cosmetic, meaning the roof still sheds water. Whether insurance pays for cosmetic dents depends on your policy.
What is a cosmetic damage exclusion?
It's a policy endorsement that excludes dents and marks that don't affect how the roof works. Look for it in your declarations page and endorsements, or ask your agent directly.
Do metal roofs need snow guards?
Often, as a rule of thumb. Metal sheds snow suddenly, so guards are commonly installed above doors, walkways, decks and lower roofs. Your roofer can lay them out for your roof.
How long does a metal roof last?
InterNACHI's guideline range is 40 to 80 years. Product, finish, installation and storms all affect where a given roof lands.
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