Metal roof types we install
Standing seam steel. Long vertical panels joined with raised, concealed-fastener seams. Clean modern look, very few fastener penetrations, excellent for low-slope sections and contemporary homes. Heavier gauges resist denting better.
Steel shingles and shakes. Stamped steel panels that look like shingles, slate or cedar shake. The textured surface hides minor dents better than flat panels, and many carry a Class 4 impact rating.
Exposed-fastener panels. Lower cost, suited to garages, shops and acreage outbuildings. We use them on homes only when the owner understands the long-term fastener maintenance.
Why Calgary homeowners choose metal
- Hail. Metal does not bruise or crack the way shingles do. Many products are Class 4 rated.
- Lifespan. Quality steel roofs are commonly warranted for 40 years or more.
- Wind. Interlocking panels and concealed clips handle chinook gusts well.
- Snow and ice. Snow sheds, reducing ice-dam risk at the eaves.
- Fewer claims. Over several hail seasons, fewer claims can mean better insurability.
The honest drawbacks
- Upfront cost is higher than asphalt.
- Cosmetic dents from large hail are possible. Check your policy for a cosmetic damage exclusion on metal roofs.
- Repairs mean replacing panels, which takes more matching than shingles.
- Sliding snow needs to be managed with snow guards.
How we install metal roofs
- Tear-off and deck inspection, with sheathing replaced where needed.
- Ice and water shield at eaves, valleys and penetrations; high-temperature underlayment under metal.
- Trim, flashings and closures fabricated to fit your roof lines.
- Panels fastened with the manufacturer’s clips and fastener spacing for wind uplift.
- Snow guards above entries, walkways and lower roofs.
- Final walk-through with photos and warranty documents.
Gauge, profile and finish: what matters for hail
Not all metal roofs handle hail the same way. Three choices make most of the difference:
- Gauge. Lower numbers are thicker steel. A 24-gauge panel resists denting noticeably better than a 26- or 29-gauge panel. Thin, low-cost panels are the ones that come out of a Calgary storm looking like golf balls.
- Profile. Stamped steel shingles and shakes have texture that hides small dents. Flat standing seam pans show every mark, which is why many standing seam panels have small stiffening ribs (striations) that also reduce “oil canning”, the wavy look flat metal can have.
- Finish. Calgary sits above 1,000 metres with strong summer UV. Premium PVDF (often sold as Kynar 500) finishes hold their colour and chalk resistance much longer than cheaper polyester-based coatings. Ask which finish is quoted and how long the fade warranty runs.
A Class 4 rating applies to a specific product installed a specific way, usually over a solid deck. Ask for the listing for the exact panel and gauge you are buying.
Metal roofs and hail insurance claims
If you already have a metal roof, a hail claim turns on the difference between functional and cosmetic damage. Punctures, split seams, cracked coatings and damaged trim are functional. Dents that don’t affect water-shedding may be treated as cosmetic, and some Alberta policies exclude cosmetic damage to metal roofs entirely through an endorsement. We document both types separately so your adjuster sees exactly what is there.
If you are switching from shingles to metal after a claim, your insurer pays to replace the asphalt roof you had. You pay the difference for metal. Tell your broker about the new roof type at renewal, because it can change how your home is rated.
Low-slope roofs, porches and additions
Asphalt shingles need a minimum slope, typically 4:12 for standard installs and no lower than 2:12 with special double underlayment. Many Calgary homes have low-slope sections over porches, bay windows and rear additions where shingles leak at the edges of that limit. Standing seam systems are rated for much lower slopes, so we often recommend metal on those sections even when the main roof stays asphalt. We check the manufacturer’s minimum slope for the specific system before quoting it.
Is metal worth it for your Calgary home?
Metal makes the most sense when:
- you plan to stay ten years or longer
- your area has needed more than one shingle roof since 2020
- your roof has low-slope sections that keep leaking
- your community’s architectural guidelines allow it (some newer Calgary communities restrict roof materials and colours, so check first)
It makes less sense if you are selling soon, if your budget only covers a like-for-like insurance replacement, or if your policy excludes cosmetic hail damage to metal and dents would bother you.
Compare metal with Class 4 asphalt shingles before deciding. For a quote on your home, book a free inspection or call [403-XXX-XXXX].