Which Metal Roofing Style is Right for My Home?
Standing seam, corrugated, metal shingles, oh my! Here’s how to choose the right metal roofing system for your home.
Replacing your siding is a big deal. Installation costs, material choices, colors, styles… It seems the choices are endless.
But Kingdom Home Exteriors is here to narrow it down. In this guide, we’ve compiled the most common questions our team receives about metal siding in Illinois.
Give it a read to learn why metal siding is our favorite exterior product to install, the pros and cons of metal siding versus vinyl siding and fiber cement, and everything you need to know about ROIs, maintenance, and energy efficiency!
Let’s break it down. ↓
Metal siding for a house is an exterior cladding system that protects your home’s exterior sheathing from pests, moisture, and UV rays.
Metal siding functions in the same way as vinyl, engineered wood, and fiber cement siding materials. However, it carries a few distinct advantages as a result of its material makeup (keep reading).
Most metal siding panels are manufactured from steel or aluminum. These materials are naturally durable, resistant to fire and extreme weather, and are low-maintenance—making them a popular choice for homeowners who value longevity.
Modern metal siding panels, properly installed, can easily last 60–70 years.
This is twice as long as vinyl panels, and decades longer than both fiber cement and engineered wood paneling.
No. of all siding materials, metal panels require the least amount of maintenance.
In fact, all that’s required to keep metal siding in tip-top condition is a yearly wash. When compared to vinyl siding (which requires occasional panel replacement due to warping and cracking), and fiber cement and engineered wood that need repainting every 15 years or so, metal is as low-maintenance as it gets.
Yes, metal siding is more expensive than options like vinyl and fiber cement.
Here’s what you can expect to pay:
While the cost of metal siding can be more than other options (prices are roughly comparable to fiber cement), the benefits are well worth it for homeowners planning to stay in their homes and those preferring low-maintenance materials.
Contrary to what many homeowners believe, metal siding (and roofs) provide excellent energy efficiency.
In the summer, solar refraction/reflection bounces the sun’s rays away from your home. This reduces the load on your HVAC and helps keep your home at a consistently cool temperature for less.
And while metal does not have a high R-Value on its own (how well a material resists the flow of heat), when paired with a built-in foam backing, metal panels create an airtight seal with minimal thermal bridging—keeping your home warm all winter with lower costs than both wood and vinyl.
Steel siding can rust if the protective paint, zinc, or aluminum coating gets chipped, scratched, or is improperly installed. Additionally, steel siding is not a good option for coastal regions, as salt in the air accelerates the rusting process.
That being said, modern steel products are highly protected from rust and corrosion. Most will not rust over their 50- to 70-year lifespans in non-corrosive environments. Additionally, aluminum panels are not subject to rust damage—ever.
Short answer: no.
While metal has been a popular siding material in agricultural settings and “barndominiums” for decades (mainly due to the minimal upkeep requirements and extreme durability), modern siding materials give your home a sleek, modern look.
The key is to work with an Illinois siding company that can help you choose the right material and color options for your aesthetic.
It depends.
Raw metal siding—or metal siding with a glossy finish—reflects the sun like a mirror. However, the solution to this problem is simply choosing the right finish color.
Darker colors actually absorb the sun. However, if your area is subject to warmer weather, we often recommend satin or eggshell finishes. Here’s why.
Some solar reflection is actually beneficial. By bouncing the sun away from your home (satin and eggshell produce a gentle “glow” vs a reflective mirror effect), the sun’s rays won’t absorb into your siding and heat your home as traditional siding does—keeping your bills lower and your HVAC in good working condition.
When handling raw metal panels, the cut edges are razor sharp and dangerous to pets, children, and homeowners. However, once installed, these edges are concealed beneath specialty trim pieces that both hide sharp ridges and prevent rain and moisture from getting behind panels.
While metal siding is a fantastic siding choice, there are a few caveats.
Here are the “downsides” of metal siding—and what they may mean for you:
Metal siding makes the most sense if you plan to stay in your home long term and you value a material that’s long-lasting, low-maintenance, and durable in variable climates.
If you’re curious if metal siding is right for your home, reach out for a free consultation and quote today. Our metal siding experts are ready to meet you at your home, answer any questions you may have, and cover everything you need to know about this fantastic product!
With onsite consultations and quotes absolutely free, there’s no reason to wait. Get your free quote today and see if you don’t start loving the idea of metal siding.
Kingdom Home Exteriors believes in doing 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 siding repairs, standing seam metal roof, or metal siding today!
Standing seam, corrugated, metal shingles, oh my! Here’s how to choose the right metal roofing system for your home.
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