Standing Seam vs Exposed Fastener: The Key Differences

Metal roofing is an excellent choice for many homeowners, as the roofing material offers many benefits. Whether you’re looking for longevity, style, or protection against the elements, it has you covered. There are two major types of metal roofing: standing seam roofing and exposed fastener. Which one is the right one for you? Here are all the key differences that you need to know about standing seam vs exposed fastener.

What Is Standing Seam Roofing?

Standing seam roofing is defined by the seams that hold the different sections together. When these are installed on a home, there are no exposed fasteners, which many people prefer as they don’t like the look of them. However, it’s worth being aware that there are some flashing materials that do need exposed fasteners to work well. 

There are several benefits to using standing seam roofing, including:

• No holes punched into your roof: One of the most important things you should know about this roofing type is that there will be no fasteners that need to be drilled into the roof at all. That’s something that’s very important if you live in a wetter climate. The more holes that are in the panels, the more chance there is that water will be able to get in. If you’re concerned about leaks, that’s something to consider. 
• Standing seams allow for thermal movement: Another big benefit of standing seams is that because they aren’t fastened tightly into place, they can expand and contract much more easily. That avoids many issues, such as oil canning, fastener withdrawal, etc. 
• Less maintenance required: With a standing seam roof, they need less maintenance overall. You will still need to regularly inspect your roof, but fewer parts mean there’s less to go wrong over time. That’s especially true if your roof is held with clips or a snaplock system, as there’s no checking for damaged or worn out fasteners. 
• Lots of colors and metal types available: A standing seam roof can be bought in all kinds of different metals, colors, and styles. That gives you a lot of options that you can use to ensure your roof matches the overall look of your home. 

There are some disadvantages that you need to be aware of with standing seam roofing too. These include: 

• More costly: If budget is a concern, then you’ll see that standing seams are going to be the more costly roofing option. However, the reduced maintenance and increased protection against the elements can make it worth it, so you’ll want to keep this in mind. 
• Not as many contractors are available: Contractors need to be trained and experienced in installing standing seam roofs, and you’ll see fewer contractors are for this roofing type. Depending on your area, you may find it harder to find an expert to help you with this project. 

What Is Exposed Fastener Roofing?

The other option you’ll have for metal roofing is exposed fastener roofing. As the name implies, these roofing panels are attached to the roof with fasteners that are driven directly through them into the roof deck. 

This is a common metal roofing style used on residential and commercial buildings. There are a lot of reasons that you may want to consider it for your home, including:

• More economical: Of these two metal roofing choices, this one is much more affordable overall. It’s often cheaper as you’ll get wider panels, so you’ll need less to cover your roof. You’ll also have thinner gauge panels and fewer accessories, bringing down costs. You’ll be able to afford more roof for your budget, making it the best choice for many homeowners. 
• More contractors available to install the roof: While you may not find many roofers qualified in standing seam roofing, you’ll find lots that are qualified to handle an exposed fastener roof. With more roofers available, you have more choices and pick the right roofer to help you. 
• Less labor intensive to install: Another good reason to consider exposed fastener roofing is that it’s much less labor intensive to install. That makes it a quicker option if you need the roof to be installed as soon as possible. Plus, this is another factor that makes the roof cheaper. 
• Unique look: Exposed fastener roofs have a unique look that many homeowners are starting to take advantage of. It goes well with traditional styled homes, so if that’s something you’re interested in, then you’ll be able to use it in your own home. 

As you would imagine, there are some disadvantages too that you should be aware of. These include:

• Lots of holes needed for attachment: As many fasteners are used in installing an exposed fastener roof, many holes need to be punched through it. The problem is that this can open the roof to water if not done correctly, which is a real risk. It does make leaks more common on these roofs, so you need to be aware of this. 
• Will need more upkeep: One of the issues with an exposed fastener roof is that there’s much more maintenance needed. The inspections you do will need to include inspections of the fasteners to ensure that they’re not experiencing problems, as well as checking on the overlapped spots to ensure that they’re still watertight. 

Standing Seam vs Exposed Fastener

With all this in mind, which roofing system should you choose? It really does come down to which system makes more sense for you and your home. Your home style, budget, and needs will all affect the kind of metal roof you choose, so you’ll need to use the info here to help you decide which roof is right for your home. 

Conclusion

Now you know the basics of both standing seam and exposed fastener roofs. They both have benefits, so you’ll want to consider which option is right for you. Talk to your local roofer to see which roof style meets your needs.