Metal roofing makes a lot of sense in a city that gets more than ten feet of snow in an average year. The smooth panels shed snow, there are no laps for meltwater to back up under, and the concealed fasteners on standing seam panels aren't exposed to the weather. Farmhouses, camps on the lakes and plenty of suburban homes around Onondaga County have gone this way.
We install standing seam panels, where the seams stand up off the flat of the roof and lock together, with clips that let the metal expand in July and contract in January. Under them goes a solid deck, ice and water shield at the eaves and valleys, and a high-temperature underlayment. We don't screw exposed-fastener barn panels to a house; the rubber washers on those dry out and leak.
The one thing to plan for is the snow coming off. A metal roof can drop a winter's load all at once. Snow guards go above entries, walkways, decks, gas meters and anywhere a slide could hurt someone or tear off a gutter. We map those before we order the panels.
What the job covers
Standing seam panels
Concealed clips and raised seams, no exposed screws on the roof plane.
Solid deck
Sheathing checked and replaced where soft before any metal goes on.
Ice protection
Ice and water shield at eaves and valleys, high-temp underlayment over the rest.
Snow guards
Placed over doors, walks and decks so the snow comes off where it should.
Trim and flashing
Matching metal at rakes, eaves, chimneys and walls.
Color choice
Panel colors shown on samples before you commit.
Metal roofing cost in Syracuse
| Job | Typical range | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Standing seam, typical house | $24,000 – $42,000 | Roof area, complexity, panel gauge |
| Snow guard system | $600 – $2,500 | Number of runs needed |
| Tear-off of old shingles | $1,500 – $4,000 | Layers and debris |
| Metal porch or bay roof | $2,500 – $7,000 | Size and tie-in to the main roof |
Ranges are for budgeting on typical Onondaga County houses. Your number comes after we've seen the roof, written down with the materials named, and it holds for 30 days.
Standing seam or shingles, side by side
| Question | Standing seam metal | Architectural shingles |
|---|---|---|
| Snow | Slides off; needs snow guards over doors and walks | Holds snow; relies on ice and water shield at the eaves |
| Life span | Often 40 to 70 years | Often 20 to 30 years here |
| Up-front cost | Roughly two to three times shingles | Lower |
| Repairs | Fewer, but panels are specific to the system | Easy to patch and match |
| Noise in rain | Quiet over solid deck and underlayment | Quiet |
What the work looks like
Questions about metal roofing
Is a metal roof loud in the rain?
Not over a solid deck with underlayment, which is how we install it. The drumming people remember is from metal over open framing on barns.
Can metal go over my old shingles?
Some systems allow it. We prefer a tear-off so the deck can be checked and the ice and water shield goes on properly.
Does metal attract lightning?
No. It doesn't raise the chance of a strike, and it doesn't burn if one does.
Will snow slide onto my driveway?
It can, which is why we plan snow guards around the house before ordering. Tell us where you walk, park and shovel.
Does a metal roof need a permit?
A full replacement does, metal or shingle. We file it with the city, town or village.
How long does metal last here?
A good standing seam roof commonly lasts 40 years or more. The finish and the details at the edges decide how well it ages.