Metal roofs built for the Gulf Coast.
Bowab installs three kinds of metal roofs: standing seam, exposed fastener metal, and DECRA stone-coated steel. We'll help you choose the right one for your house, your budget, and how long you plan to stay.
Three kinds of metal roofs, each with a different purpose
All three stand up to wind, heat and humidity better than a typical shingle roof. The differences are how they look, what they cost, and how much upkeep they need.
Standing seam
This is the premium metal roof. Long panels run from the ridge to the eave and lock together at raised seams, and the fasteners are hidden underneath. With no exposed screws, there's nothing to back out or leak, and the panels can expand and contract through South Alabama summers.
- Best for: forever homes, coastal properties, and a clean modern look
- Upkeep: very low
- Price: highest of the three
Exposed fastener metal
This is the classic ribbed metal roof you see on farmhouses, shops and barns. The panels are screwed through the face into the deck with sealing washers. It's a tough, affordable roof and the lowest-cost way to get metal on your house.
- Best for: getting metal on a tighter budget, rural homes, shops and outbuildings
- Upkeep: the screws and washers need to be checked, and some replaced, as the roof ages
- Price: lowest of the three
DECRA stone-coated steel
DECRA panels are steel coated with stone granules, so they look like shingles, shake or tile but have the strength of metal. They're a good fit when you want metal but your neighborhood or your taste calls for a traditional look.
- Best for: neighborhoods with an HOA, and homeowners who want metal without the "metal look"
- Upkeep: low
- Price: mid to upper range
How they compare
| What matters | Standing seam | Exposed fastener | DECRA stone-coated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Clean, modern vertical lines | Classic ribbed farmhouse look | Looks like shingles, shake or tile |
| Fasteners | Hidden under the seam | Exposed screws with sealing washers | Fastened through overlapping panels, covered by the panel above |
| Upkeep | Very low | Screws and washers need checking over time | Low |
| Rain noise over a solid deck | Quiet | Quiet | Quietest of the three |
| Cost | $$$ | $ | $$–$$$ |
| Good fit if you… | Plan to stay for good and want the least upkeep | Want metal at the lowest price | Want metal that looks like a traditional roof |
Every house is different. Pitch, roof shape, how close you are to salt water, and HOA rules all affect which option makes sense. We'll walk you through it at the estimate.
Why homeowners on the coast choose metal
- It holds up in high wind. Properly fastened metal panels resist the wind uplift that tears shingles off during tropical storms.
- It handles the heat. Metal doesn't dry out and crack in the sun, and lighter colors reflect heat away from the attic.
- It resists algae. Metal doesn't hold the moisture that causes black streaks on so many roofs along the coast.
- It lasts. Installed right, a metal roof can outlast two or more shingle roofs.
- It can be FORTIFIED. We install the same sealed deck, edge details and fastening schedule under metal that we use on every FORTIFIED job.
Is metal the right choice for you?
Not always, and we'll be upfront about it. A metal roof costs more up front than a shingle roof. If you plan to sell in a few years, or you want to get the most out of the Strengthen Alabama Homes grant, a FORTIFIED shingle roof may be the better value.
At your estimate, we'll price the metal options you're considering next to a shingle roof. Then you can decide with real numbers in front of you. See our shingle roofs →
Metal roofing questions
Is a metal roof louder in the rain?
Not much, over a solid roof deck. We install metal over a solid deck with underlayment, not over open framing like a barn. Most homeowners say rain sounds about the same as it did on shingles. DECRA's stone coating makes it even quieter.
Can a metal roof be FORTIFIED?
Yes. The FORTIFIED Roof standard allows metal and stone-coated steel. It sets requirements for the deck, the underlayment, the edges and the fastening, not just the roof covering. Tell us you want FORTIFIED and we'll make sure the system you choose is built to meet it.
Does the Strengthen Alabama Homes grant cover metal?
It can. The grant pays toward a roof built to the FORTIFIED standard, and the evaluator and the program rules decide what qualifies. If you're applying for SAH, tell us you're interested in metal at the estimate. We'll show you how the price compares with a shingle roof and how much would be out of pocket.
Will metal attract lightning?
No. Metal doesn't make a house more likely to be hit. If lightning does strike, metal won't burn, so it's actually a safer roof in a fire.
Exposed fastener or standing seam — which should I get?
It comes down to budget and how long you plan to stay. Exposed fastener metal costs less up front, but the screws and washers need to be checked and some replaced over the years. Standing seam costs more, but it hides the fasteners and needs very little upkeep, which is why it's the best choice for a forever home near the water. DECRA fits people who want the strength of steel with the look of shingles or tile.
How long does a metal roof last?
Much longer than a shingle roof when it's installed right and cared for. How long depends on the panel, the coating, how close you are to salt water, and upkeep like the fasteners on an exposed fastener roof. We'll give you the manufacturer's warranty for your exact product in writing with your estimate.
No pressure. No storm-chaser games. Just a straight answer about your roof.
We'll look at the whole roof system — deck, flashing, ventilation — and tell you exactly what it needs, what it costs, and whether the SAH grant can help pay for it.