Which Metal Roofing Style is Right for My Home?

Choosing the right metal roof can feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to.

With this quick guide, you’ll learn the main differences between metal roofing styles… and how to choose the right one for your home!

Let’s go.

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What Are the Basic Metal Roof Styles?

Metal roofs come in a variety of styles, colors, and materials—each with its own set of pros and cons. We’ll dive into the specifics in the following sections, but for now, here are the most popular options for metal roofing in Illinois.

Popular metal roofing styles include:

• Standing Seam Metal: Long vertical panels with raised seams running from roof ridge to eaves.
• Corrugated Metal: Wavy or ribbed metal panels running horizontally across the roof deck.
• Metal Shingles: Metal pieces designed to mimic asphalt shingles, slate, or wood shakes.
• Stone-Coated Metal: Long, horizontally-run panels covered with stone granules and glaze.

Each of these options carries the basic benefits of metal: from long lifespans to incredible durability. However, the best choice for your home will come down to material specifics like installation, upfront costs, and aesthetic preferences.

Which we’ll explore now.

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Standing Seam Metal: America’s #1 Metal Roofing Option

When it comes to metal roofs versus shingles, standing seam metal roofs are the most popular residential roofing system—and rapidly gaining on traditional asphalt shingles.

Advantages of standing seam metal:

• Lifespan: Standing seam systems last 40–70+ years with very little upkeep due to their unique hidden fasteners.
• Hidden Fasteners: Panels interlock with concealed clips and are fixed to the roof deck using hidden fasteners—eliminating leakage points, UV wear on washers, and rusting screws.
• Thermal Movement: Interlocking panels can contract and expand without stress fractures or loosening fasteners.
• Low Maintenance: An annual rinse and checkup is all that’s required to keep standing seam metal roofs in excellent condition for half a century.

Standing seam metal roofs make an excellent choice for most homeowners—especially if you value low-maintenance systems, a trendy, modern look, and intend to stay in your home for over ten years.

That said, standing seam metal roofs do have the highest upfront costs of all metal roofs. But due to their increased lifespan and low maintenance requirements, those costs offset themselves after roughly 15 years.

One of the main reasons homeowners are favoring metal roofs vs asphalt. 

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Corrugated Metal Roofs: Perfect for Rustic Thriftiness

While a slightly less popular choice for metal roofing for a house, corrugated roofs are making a splash—especially in more rural areas.

These roofing systems are made from ribbed or wavy metal panels fastened directly to the roof deck. While generally higher maintenance, they are still popular in rural communities for the following reasons.

Benefits of corrugated metal roofs:

• Lifespan: Similar to other metal roofs, corrugated systems can last 40–70 years
• Lowest Cost: Corrugated systems cost 30%–50% less upfront than standing seam metal

It should be noted, however, that lower installation costs do come with a drawback: greater maintenance requirements.

Since fasteners are screwed directly through the metal panels into the roof deck, corrugated roofs are at greater risk of leakage, be it from rubber washers degrading under UV radiation or fasteners loosening as the metal contracts and expands. 

Additionally, corrugated roofs are traditionally used for barns and garages—and may not be every homeowner’s preference for home aesthetics. That said, they can be an economical choice if you don’t mind a few chores, won’t be staying in your home as long, or value a low installation cost.

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Metal Shingles: An Upgraded Shingle Roofing Material

Metal roofs versus shingles? That is the question. Or is it?

Metal shingles are metal slates designed to resemble the appearance of asphalt shingles, cedar shakes, or slate roofs—while maintaining the full benefits of metal roofing.

Choose metal shingles for:

• Traditional Appearance: Metal shingles carry the benefits of metal (lifespan, durability) but maintain the traditional shingle, slate, or shake aesthetic
• Lifespan: Like other metal roofing systems, metal shingles have a service life of 40–60 years
• Customization: Metal shingles are manufactured to resemble slate, wood shake, clay or Spanish tile, and even Victorian shingle—with many colors to choose from
• Price Point: Metal shingles are easier to install than standing seam metal—putting them in the mid-price range for metal systems

While not as popular as standing seam metal options, metal shingles are a good fit for homeowners desiring the long-term benefits of metal while keeping a traditional look. Just know that the greater number of seams and some exposed fasteners make them higher maintenance than standing seam systems.

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Stone Coated Metal Roofing: Old Meets New

Stone-coated metal roofing systems are constructed from steel panels covered with natural stone chips. These panels are manufactured to resemble traditional shingles, wood shakes, or clay tiles—but use long, continuous panels rather than individual shingles.

The benefits of stone-coated metal roofs include:

• Traditional Look: Textured panels resembling shingles, shakes, or tile blend better into traditional neighborhoods than vertical seamed panels
• Lifespan: Similar to other metal roofing systems, stone-covered metal panels last 40–70 years
• Sound Dampening: Stone granules absorb noise from rain and hail much better than smooth or bare metal panels
• Reduced Glare: The granule coating eliminates shiny reflections and protects the steel from UV fading

Stone-coated panels are fantastic roofs if you want to maintain a traditional look. However, they can lose granules over time, become dented if improperly walked on, and may be difficult to match style and color if a panel needs to be replaced years down the line.

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Four Questions for Choosing the Right Metal Roof for Your Home

To make an informed decision on your next roof, ask yourself:

1. What’s My Budget? If low upfront cost is important, choose corrugated metal. If you’re willing to invest in a system that pays off over 10–20 years, go with standing seam, metal shingles, or stone-coated paneling.
2. What’s My Preferred Aesthetic? Explore pictures online of all four metal roofing types to get a feel for which you prefer. As a quick reference point, choose standing seam for a sleek, modern look, corrugated for rustic farmhouse vibes, and metal shingles/stonecoated for traditional aesthetics.
3. How Long Will You Be in Your Home? If you’re planning to stay in your home for decades, a higher upfront investment may be more appealing—especially when you consider the depreciative costs of low-maintenance standing seam panels.
4. How Important is Maintenance? For the lowest maintenance option, choose standing seam every time.

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But Most Importantly—Choose the Right Illinois Roofing Company

While metal roofs are designed to outperform traditional shingle systems, metal does not necessarily mean better. Here’s why.

A great product installed improperly can perform worse than a less expensive product installed correctly. Panel systems, fasteners, underlayment, ventilation, flashing, and attention to detail all deserve consideration, and when it comes down to it, you have to choose a reputable contractor for installation and metal roof repairs.

If you’d like some assistance choosing the right metal roof for your home—or going through the available colors to match your home—reach out to Kingdom Home Exteriors today. 

Our team is ready to get you the information you need while providing a free initial consultation and quote on your potential roof. And whether we end up installing your new metal roof or simply help you find another option, you can rest assured you’re in good hands with our caring team.

Ready to learn more? Get Your Free Quote Today!

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Kingdom Home Exteriors operates on a simple belief: do the job right the first time. And since day one, our trusted Illinois roofing company has focused on delivering honest, dependable service with workmanship you can rely on—with every metal roof installed, siding panel we cut, and client conversation reflecting our core values of integrity, quality, and compassion. Reach out for your free quote today!

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