What Metal Roofing Involves
Metal roofing for a residential home is not one product—it’s a family of systems with different performance profiles. The premium choice is standing-seam steel: interlocking vertical panels with concealed fasteners that eliminate exposed screw heads and the leaks they cause over time. We typically install 24-gauge or 22-gauge galvanized steel (thicker gauge = greater dent resistance) with a PVDF coating, which carries a 35-year finish warranty from the mill. For homeowners on a tighter budget, exposed-fastener panels (often called “screw-down” or “R-panel”) use the same steel but with visible screws and neoprene washers; they’re still a huge upgrade over asphalt shingles but require fastener re-torquing after 10–15 years. A third option gaining traction in Hillsborough is stone-coated steel—Decra panels that replicate the look of tile or shake but weigh half as much and install over standard plywood decking. Aluminum is also available for coastal-grade corrosion resistance, though we rarely recommend it inland unless the home is near a saltwater pool or heavily wooded area where acid rain is a concern.
Signs You Need Metal Roofing
Your existing roof is likely telling you it’s time to switch to metal. Look for these specific symptoms: shingle tabs that are curling or missing entirely after a spring thunderstorm; dark granular deposits in your downspouts or gutters (that’s the protective coating wearing off); daylight visible through the attic decking or along ridge lines; and ice dams forming along the eaves in winter, which indicate poor ventilation and an aging roof surface that can’t shed snow. In Hillsborough’s humid summers, black algae streaks or moss patches on asphalt shingles are also a sign the roof is past its prime—metal’s smooth surface resists biological growth naturally. If your home is 20 years old or older and you’re replacing the roof for the first time, the incremental cost to upgrade to metal is far less than paying for two shingle replacements over the next 40 years.
Our Metal Roofing Process
- Site measurement and material selection. We climb onto your roof to take exact field measurements, noting any valleys, dormers, skylights, or chimney flashings that require custom fabrication. We bring color swatches and gauge samples so you can see and touch the difference between 26-gauge and 24-gauge steel.
- Deck preparation and underlayment. We strip the old shingles down to the plywood deck, inspect for rot or soft spots, and replace damaged sheathing with 5/8-inch CDX plywood. A synthetic underlayment (e.g., Grace Ice & Water Shield on the first 6 feet of eave) is installed to handle condensation and ice dam backup.
- Flashing and trim fabrication. Our crew forms custom flashing for valleys, ridge caps, pipe boots, and sidewalls on-site using a portable brake. This ensures a perfect fit rather than relying on pre-formed pieces that may leave gaps.
- Panel installation. Standing-seam panels are run continuous from eave to ridge, mechanically seamed with a powered tool that creates a weather-tight interlock. For exposed-fastener panels, we pre-drill every screw hole to prevent metal distortion and use stainless-steel fasteners with EPDM washers.
- Cleanup and final inspection. We perform a magnetic nail sweep of the entire property to pick up any stray fasteners, then walk the roof with you to verify seam alignment, flashing seals, and finish quality. Manufacturer warranty registration is submitted the same day.
Cost Considerations in Hillsborough
For a typical 2,000-square-foot home in Hillsborough, a standing-seam metal roof runs between $12,000 and $22,000 depending on gauge, finish, and roof complexity. That’s roughly $600 to $1,100 per square (100 square feet). Exposed-fastener panels are about 15–20% less, and stone-coated steel lands in the middle. The higher upfront cost is offset by a 40- to 50-year service life, no maintenance beyond gutter cleaning, and lower home insurance premiums in some cases. We provide a firm, line-item estimate before any work begins—no surprises for dump fees, permit pulls (Hillsborough Township requires a building permit for reroofing), or disposal of your old shingles.
Warranty & Insurance
McElroy Metal offers a 35-year finish warranty on PVDF-coated panels against chalking, fading, and peeling, plus a 25-year substrate warranty against rust perforation. ATAS provides similar coverage with a 30-year paint warranty. We back our installation with a 10-year workmanship warranty that covers seam separation, flashing leaks, and fastener failure. Our company carries $2 million in general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage—proof is included with every estimate. If you’re filing an insurance claim for storm damage, we provide detailed photo documentation and line-item estimates that match carrier requirements, and we coordinate directly with your adjuster so you don’t have to.
Why Choose Hillsborough Roofing Pros for Metal Roofing in Hillsborough?
We’ve been installing metal roofs in Somerset County for over a decade, and we know the specific conditions that matter here: Hillsborough’s elevation range of 50 to 300 feet means homes in Clover Hill and Neshanic Station face different wind and snow loads than those near the Sourland Mountain foothills. The township’s ZIP codes—08844 and 08807—span everything from 1950s ranch houses in Manville Manor to new colonial subdivisions in Country Club Estates, and each style requires a different flashing detail and panel profile. We’ve handled ice dam repairs on Victorian-era farmhouses near Blackpoint and standing-seam installations on modern homes in Hillsborough Village. Our crew lives and works in this area, so when we say we’ll be there for a warranty callback, we mean within 48 hours, not two weeks.
Signs You Need Metal Roofing
Missing or Curling Shingles
After a spring thunderstorm in Hillsborough, check for shingle tabs that have lifted or torn away entirely. Exposed fasteners and bare decking accelerate water intrusion and signal that the roof surface is no longer protecting your home.
Granules in Gutters
Dark, sand-like granules collecting in your downspouts mean the asphalt coating is eroding. This happens fastest on south-facing slopes in Hillsborough’s humid summers and leaves the fiberglass mat vulnerable to UV degradation.
Attic Moisture Stains
Brown water rings on attic rafters or insulation indicate a slow leak that has been active for months. Metal roofing eliminates the porous surface that traps moisture, preventing the rot and mold that often follow shingle failures.
Ice Dams Along Eaves
Hillsborough’s heavy snow and freeze-thaw cycles cause ice dams that back water under shingles. A standing-seam metal roof’s smooth surface sheds snow naturally, and the hidden fastener system leaves no gaps for ice to pry open.
Daylight Through Decking
If you can see slivers of daylight from inside the attic, the roof sheathing has gaps or the shingles have worn through entirely. This is an immediate risk of water entry and structural rot—metal panels bridge these gaps and provide a continuous weather barrier.
Algae or Moss Growth
Black streaks and green moss patches are common on north-facing roofs in Hillsborough’s humid climate. Metal’s non-porous finish resists biological growth, so you won’t need annual cleaning or chemical treatments to keep the roof looking clean.
What's Included
- ✓ Free on-site roof inspection with written damage report and photo documentation
- ✓ Custom fabrication of standing-seam or exposed-fastener panels to your exact roof dimensions
- ✓ Full deck replacement of rotted or damaged plywood sheathing (if needed)
- ✓ Synthetic underlayment with ice-and-water shield at eaves and valleys
- ✓ Manufacturer warranty registration with McElroy Metal or ATAS
- ✓ Magnetic nail sweep, debris haul-off, and dump fee included in estimate
- ✓ Building permit pull and coordination with Hillsborough Township inspections
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