Standing seam steel: the roof you put on once
A metal roof costs more on day one and less over the next forty years. It sheds snow, handles wind, and resists most of the hail central Iowa throws at it. The trick is in the trim, the clips and the underlayment beneath.
There are two kinds of metal roof, and they shouldn't be confused.
Standing seam
Panels joined by raised seams that lock together, fastened with hidden clips that let the steel expand in July and shrink in January. No exposed screws to loosen. The right choice for a house.
Exposed-fastener panels
Ribbed panels screwed straight through the face. Cheaper and quick, and fine on a machine shed or a barn, but the rubber washers on thousands of screws need attention every 10 to 15 years.
Most of the metal we install on homes is 24-gauge standing seam steel with a factory-baked finish. On acreages around Norwalk, Bondurant and the edge of Waukee, owners often match the house to a shop or barn, and we'll quote both buildings together.
Details that matter in Iowa
- Snow guards. A metal roof sheds snow in one slide. Over a walkway, a deck or a door, snow guards break it up so it doesn't land on someone.
- A high-temperature underlayment under the panels, plus ice barrier at the eaves, because condensation and ice can still find their way under steel.
- Clip spacing and fasteners to the manufacturer's wind rating, which matters when a derecho-strength gust comes across open ground.
- Hail. Steel resists the punctures and bruises that ruin shingles, but large hail can dent it. Dents are usually cosmetic, and some panels carry impact ratings; we'll show you which.
Thinking about cost over time? Our metal roofing cost guide lays standing seam and architectural shingles side by side over 40 years.
Metal roofing prices around Des Moines
| Work | Typical range | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Standing seam steel, per square installed | $1,100 – $1,700 | Gauge, finish, roof complexity |
| Typical home, standing seam | $24,000 – $42,000 | Size, valleys, dormers |
| Exposed-fastener steel panels, per square | $650 – $950 | Outbuildings and simple roofs |
| Snow guards, per run | $300 – $900 | Length, style |
| Tear-off of old shingles before metal | Included | Part of every metal quote |
Ranges are typical for Des Moines-area homes in 2026 and are here to help you plan. Your real price comes after the free inspection, written down, before any work starts.
On the roof
Questions about metal roofing
Is a metal roof loud in the rain?
Over solid decking and underlayment, as we install it, it's no louder inside than shingles. The noisy metal roofs people remember are panels on open purlins over a barn.
Will hail dent it?
Large hail can dent steel. Dents on a standing seam roof are usually cosmetic and don't leak. Ask your insurer how cosmetic damage is handled on metal; policies differ.
Does metal attract lightning?
No. A metal roof doesn't make a strike more likely, and if lightning does hit, steel doesn't burn.
Can metal go over my old shingles?
It can in some cases, but we recommend a tear-off so we can see the deck and install the ice barrier correctly.
How long does it last?
Standing seam steel with a quality finish commonly lasts 40 years or more. The finish warranty is often 30 years or more.
Do you do metal on porches only?
Yes. A low porch roof is a great place for standing seam even if the main roof stays shingle.
