Metal roofing
Metal roof installation for Atlanta homes
A metal roof costs more up front and can outlast several shingle roofs. It is worth it on the right house, and we tell you plainly when it is not.
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- Standing seam and panel
- Atlanta service office
Quick answer
A metal roof in Atlanta typically runs $550 to $1,500 per square installed in 2026, depending on the system, according to published regional pricing. Standing seam panels hide their fasteners and can last 50 years or more, while exposed-fastener panels cost less but need screw maintenance. Inside city limits, the finish must meet the cool-roof reflectance standard.
The work
Is metal right for your house?
Metal makes the most sense when you plan to stay a long time, when the roof shape is simple enough for long panels, or when the design calls for it. It sheds pine straw and rain fast, handles wind well when fastened correctly, and reflects more heat than dark shingles.
It is harder to justify on a cut-up roof with many valleys and dormers, where trim and labor drive the price up, or on a house you plan to sell soon.
Updated September 2026
We install shingle, metal and membrane systems from GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed, Carlisle and Firestone.
Options
Standing seam or exposed-fastener metal
| Factor | Standing seam | Exposed-fastener panels |
|---|---|---|
| Fasteners | Hidden under the seam | Screws through the panel face |
| Movement | Panels float with heat | Fixed; screws can loosen |
| Upkeep | Minimal | Screw and washer checks over time |
| Look | Clean vertical lines | Ribbed, agricultural look |
| Cost position | Higher | Lower |
Both need solid underlayment and careful trim at walls, valleys and eaves; that is where metal roofs leak if they leak.
Cost
What moves the price of a metal roof
Metal is priced by the square, and the system, roof shape and trim drive the number more than size alone.
Planning range from published Atlanta and Georgia market data: $550 to $1,500 per square. That is 2026 installed pricing across metro Atlanta and North Georgia, depending on the system; published Georgia figures put metal at $7 to $14 per square foot. Every roof measures differently; this is a planning band, not a quote.
- System
Standing seam or exposed-fastener.
- Roof complexity
Valleys, dormers and hips add trim.
- Tear-off or overlay
Removing shingles adds labor and disposal.
- Gauge and finish
Heavier steel and rated finishes cost more.
- Pitch
Steep roofs need more safety setup.
- Deck repair
Soft sheathing replaced first.
What is included
What a metal roof installation includes
- Tear-off or overlay decision. Made after checking the existing roof.
- Deck repair. Soft sheathing replaced first.
- High-temperature underlayment. Rated for the heat under metal.
- Panels made to length. Measured and formed for your roof.
- Trim and flashing. Eaves, rakes, valleys, walls and ridge.
- Vented ridge. Vented closure matched to soffit intake.
- Fastener check. Every clip or screw checked at closeout.
Standing seam metal
Standing seam panels run from eave to ridge with raised seams that lock together over hidden clips, so no fasteners go through the weather surface. The clips let panels expand and contract through Georgia summers without working screws loose. We measure the roof, form or order panels to length, install over high-temperature underlayment, and detail every wall, valley and penetration with matching trim. It is the premium metal system, and the one behind the long-life claims made for metal roofs.
Exposed-fastener metal panels
Exposed-fastener panels, often called ribbed or R-panel, are screwed through the face into the deck or purlins with gasketed screws. They cost noticeably less than standing seam and install faster, which makes them popular on garages, barns, workshops and budget-minded homes. The trade-off is maintenance: screws and washers loosen and dry out with heat cycles, so the roof needs periodic checks. We place screws in the correct flat or rib, drive them to the right depth, and keep a clean line.
Metal over existing shingles
Where the code and the existing roof allow it, metal can go over one layer of shingles, saving tear-off cost and landfill waste. It only works when the decking is sound and dry, so we check from the attic and walk the roof first. Battens or a slip sheet go over the shingles, then the metal. If there are already two layers, soft spots, or moisture in the attic, we recommend a full tear-off instead and explain exactly why before you decide.
Metal roofs across the metro
Interest in metal has grown fastest across North Atlanta and Alpharetta, where homeowners planning to stay put weigh a roof that can last 50 years or more against another shingle cycle, and a reflective finish helps through Georgia summers. Inside Atlanta city limits the finish is not just a style choice: the cool-roof ordinance covers every building type, so a new steep-slope metal roof needs a coating rated to its aged reflectance standard, and the color has to come from that rated list.
How it runs
How a metal roof installation runs
- 1
Inspect and measure
Deck, attic and roof shape checked.
- 2
Choose the system
Panel type, finish and color confirmed.
- 3
Permit and order
Permit filed; panels made to length.
- 4
Prep the deck
Tear-off or overlay, repairs, underlayment.
- 5
Panels and trim
Clips or screws, trim at every edge.
- 6
Closeout
Fasteners checked, site cleaned, walk-through.
FAQ
Metal roof questions
Standing seam can last 50 years or more with little upkeep. Exposed-fastener panels last long too, but need screw checks over time.
Over solid decking and underlayment, most homeowners find it little louder than shingles.
Over one sound, dry layer where code allows, yes. Two layers or soft decking mean a tear-off.
No more than any other roofing material. A metal roof is not a lightning risk by itself.
Reflective finishes absorb less heat than dark shingles, which helps the attic. Insulation and ventilation matter too.
Only in a finish that meets the city's reflectance rating. We check the rated color chart before ordering.
Related
Other roof installation options
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Panel removal before a re-roof, mount flashing and reinstallation and more.
Learn moreCopper Roofing
Covers copper gutters and downspouts and copper flashing and accents.
Learn moreSlate & Tile Roof Installation
Synthetic slate and tile, plus natural slate roofs.
Learn moreConsidering metal?
Call and we will look at the roof and tell you straight whether metal makes sense for your house and your plans.