Overview
- Corrugated metal roofing has an ‘s’ shape or wave-like design that makes them stronger metal materials.
- Standing seam metal has a wider and flatter look and is generally costlier.
- Annual maintenance on your metal roofs is important for its durability.
The roof is an important structure in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings all over the world. They are integral parts of building a structure. They play a part in structural integrity as well as security, safety, insulation, and privacy.
Metal is one of the common materials in roofing systems. They are durable and cost-effective materials that add value to properties. In this article, we look at the two common metal roofing types and explore the corrugated metal roofing vs standing seam metal roofing discussion.
From functional design and cost to overall appeal and maintenance, read on to learn more about how these metal roofings differ.
Corrugated Metal Roofing

Corrugated metal roofing is a roofing system that has curves or a wave-like design. Corrugated is usually labeled for anything with an ‘S’ shaped style. They are prefabricated construction materials that undergo a cold-form process. They start as flat metal sheets and are then pressed into 3D corrugated patterns that result in their signature design.
Apart from the aesthetic this design can give in various structures, they are also practical decisions to make the metal stronger. That is the main reason why many builders use corrugated metal roofing. Their design forming grooves and ridges makes a series of trapezoids and triangles, which are the two strongest shapes in geometry.
This functional style makes this type of metal roofing tensile stronger. They can withstand tensions better because the curves act as stiffeners, leading to a more even distribution of weight across the surface.
Standing Seam Metal Roofing
Standing seam metal roofing is flatter than corrugated metal roofing. They are relatively leveled metal panels that are 12 -24 inches wide with vertical ribs or legs at each end. These ribs or legs are often how this material can lock or attach, creating the roofing system of different buildings.
They are known to conceal fasteners that can add to their generally seamless look. Hidden or concealed fasteners can reduce leaking because they are not exposed to natural elements.
The two main types of standing seam metal roofing are symmetrical and asymmetrical panels. The symmetrical type has both legs or ribs facing each other while the asymmetrical panels have them facing the same direction. This makes the first type easier to install and the former has a more complicated procedure.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Metal Roofing

If you are looking to buy for your home or your commercial space, it is important to understand the factors before making this big decision. Roofs, after all, are necessary parts of your building because they are our protection from the rain, sun, and more.
Cost
Cost is one of the major factors to think about when choosing your metal roofing. This ensures that you can manage your budget, making good cost-efficient decisions for your construction project.
Between the two types of metal roofing, the standing seam is the pricier material. They are more labor intensive because they are difficult to install, and they require special skills or professionals.
Corrugated roofing, on the other hand, is easier to install which makes it good for home DIYers who are on a budget. They are about fifty percent less costly than the prior roofing type.
Maintenance
Another detail to examine in this process is the maintenance of the metal roofing. A hassle-free maintenance contributes to the longevity and sustained performance of your roof.
Metal roofs are often easy to maintain, but an annual inspection to check fastener tightness is needed to ensure no leaking. With the right resources, proper corrugated roof maintenance can extend your roofing investment for more than fifty years. This is through regular gutter and drain clearing, corrosion checking, and minor scratch buffing.
Look
People who want a more seamless look on their roofs can opt for the standing seam option. Meanwhile, people who prefer a quirky detail on their houses would lean towards corrugated metal.
Considering oil canning of metal is also a key detail to satisfy your aesthetic preferences. It is a visible wrinkling of any type of metal. This is often due to tension or stress and is most obvious on a wider and flatter metal surface like the standing seam metal.
Key Takeaway
To make our buildings safer and more secure, understanding the corrugated metal roofing vs standing seam metal roofing discussion is important. Roofing materials influence how long we live well in the space. By exploring the two common types of metal roofing, you can make informed decisions on the durability of your construction project.
You can secure the longevity of your building with Metal Exponents. We offer quality corrugated roofing sheets and other metal products for all your construction needs. We use the best steel imported from all over the world to produce materials that will last you a lifetime. Contact us to get your durable roofing sheets.