Metal Roofing
Metal roofs handle Texas sun, wind and rain well and can outlast several shingle roofs. GemSco installs and repairs metal and stone-coated steel roofs on homes and commercial buildings.
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Types of metal roofs
Standing seam
Panels joined by raised seams with the fasteners hidden underneath. Clean lines and fewer exposed points where water can get in.
Exposed fastener panels
Ribbed panels screwed through the face. Common on barns, shops and commercial buildings. The screws and washers need periodic checks.
Stone-coated steel
Steel panels with a stone-chip finish that look like shingles, tile or shake. A way to get metal performance with a traditional look.
Metal on low slopes
Some metal systems are designed for lower pitches, which makes them an option on certain commercial and accessory buildings.
Why Texas owners choose metal
A well-installed metal roof can last decades, often well beyond the life of a typical asphalt roof. Metal sheds rain quickly, does not rot, and resists wind when it is fastened correctly. Light or reflective finishes bounce back part of the sun's heat, which helps an attic run cooler in a Texas summer.
Metal has trade-offs. The upfront cost is usually higher than asphalt shingles. Large hail can dent panels, even when the roof still keeps water out, and dents are a cosmetic issue that some insurance policies treat differently from functional damage. Read your policy and ask your insurer how it handles cosmetic damage on metal before you decide.
Metal is also lighter than tile and many other materials, which can matter on older structures, and most metal panels contain recycled content and can be recycled again at the end of their life.
Metal or shingles: questions to ask yourself
How long do you plan to stay in the home or keep the building?
Is your area hit by hail often, and would dents bother you?
Does your HOA or deed have rules about roofing materials or colors?
Are you planning solar? Some metal roofs make panel mounting simpler.
What is your budget today versus your cost over the life of the roof?
Do you want the look of shingles or tile? Stone-coated steel may be the middle ground.
How GemSco installs a metal roof
Inspection
We inspect the existing roof, decking and attic, and measure the roof for the panel layout.
Photos and written estimate
You get photos and a written estimate with the metal system, finish, trim and scope of work.
Preparation
Removal of the old roof where needed, decking repairs and underlayment suited to metal.
Installation
Panels, trim, flashing and fasteners installed to the manufacturer's instructions. Details at ridges, valleys and penetrations decide how the roof performs.
Cleanup
We remove scraps, old materials and fasteners from the property.
Metal roof repair
Metal roofs rarely fail across the whole surface. Problems tend to show up at the details: loose or backed-out screws, worn washers, failed sealant at trim, flashing that moved, and penetrations added after the original installation. Many of these are repairable without replacing panels.
If your metal roof leaks, an inspection finds where the water enters before anything is replaced. Our roof leaks and roof repair pages explain how we trace leaks. For hail on metal or shingles, see hail damage roof repair.
Older metal roofs can also lose their protective finish and start to rust at seams, edges and fasteners. Caught early, surface rust can be treated and the area protected again. Left alone, it spreads and thins the metal until panels need replacing.
Metal roofing from GemSco
GemSco is family owned, fully licensed and insured, with more than 20 years of experience. We work on metal and stone-coated roofs for residential and commercial properties in Houston, DFW, Austin, San Antonio and surrounding areas, including Fort Worth and Austin. Estimates are free and financing is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a metal roof louder in the rain?
Over solid decking with underlayment and an insulated attic, most homeowners find a metal roof about as quiet as a shingle roof. Noise is more noticeable on open-frame buildings such as barns and shops, where panels sit over purlins without decking. Installation method matters more than the metal itself.
Does a metal roof attract lightning?
No. Metal does not make a strike more likely; lightning tends to hit the highest point in an area regardless of material. If a strike happens, metal is not combustible, which is one reason it is used where fire resistance matters. Ask an electrician if you want a lightning protection system.
Can a metal roof be installed over shingles?
Some metal systems can go over an existing roof, but it depends on the condition of the decking, the number of existing layers and local requirements. We usually recommend removing the old roof so the decking can be inspected and repaired. We explain the options in the written estimate.
Will hail damage a metal roof?
Large hail can dent metal panels. In many cases the roof still keeps water out and the damage is cosmetic, but sharp impacts can also damage seams, trim or coatings. Thicker panels and some textured finishes show dents less. An inspection after a storm tells you which kind of damage you have.
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GemSco Roofing & Solar serves Houston, DFW, Austin, San Antonio and surrounding areas. We’re family owned and fully licensed and insured.