Roof replacement
Standing seam metal roofs for Rhode Island houses
Concealed fasteners, interlocking seams and panels that run eave to ridge: a roof built to shrug off wind-driven rain.
Why standing seam suits the coast
A standing seam roof has no exposed screws. Each panel locks to the next along a raised seam, and hidden clips hold the panels to the deck while letting them expand and contract. That leaves very few places for wind-driven rain to get in, and nothing for wind to catch along the face of the roof. Edges, ridge caps and trim are where the installation details matter most.
Material and coating
- Aluminum resists corrosion and is often chosen for houses facing the water.
- Painted steel is the most common choice inland. Ask which coating the panels carry and what the maker says about coastal exposure.
- Copper and zinc are specialty roofs for particular houses, bay windows and porches.
Under the panels
Metal roofs need a high-temperature underlayment, and an ice-barrier membrane at the eaves is still standard practice. Most roofers prefer to tear off the old roof first so they can inspect the deck. Fasteners and clips should be compatible with the panel metal to avoid corrosion where they meet.
Planning metal in a local historic district? Approval usually comes before the permit; see historic district roofs.
Considering metal for your next roof? Talk it through with a roofer who installs it.
Mon–Fri 8:30 am–7 pm · Sat 9 am–4 pm (Eastern)
Common questions
+Is aluminum better than steel near the ocean?
Aluminum does not rust, which is why many roofers suggest it for houses directly exposed to salt spray. Painted steel with a quality coating is widely used a little farther inland. The panel maker's guidance on distance from salt water is the place to start.
+Do metal roofs need snow guards in Rhode Island?
Over doors, walkways, decks and lower roofs, yes. Snow slides off metal in sheets, and snow guards hold it until it melts.