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Metal Roofing: A Smarter Choice for Minnesota Homes

When it’s time to replace your roof in Minnesota, choosing the right metal roofing system can impact appearance and durability.

But here’s the reality: Your roof has a major impact on your home’s performance, long-term costs, and even the environment. Standing seam metal roofing is an upgrade that pays off over years of ownership.

At Sheridan Sheet Metal, we work with homeowners and contractors across Minnesota who are looking for roofing solutions that actually hold up to our weather and over time. With decades of experience fabricating and installing metal roofing systems in Minnesota, we enjoy helping homeowners sort out roofing options. If you’re planning a project, the team at Sheridan Sheet Metal can help you evaluate the right solution.

And more often than not, that conversation leads to one material: Metal roofing, especially steel and copper standing seam metal roofs.

Why Metal Roofing Performs Better in Minnesota

Asphalt shingles are still the most common roofing material in Minnesota, but they come with real downsides.

  • Short lifespan (often 15–25 years, less with hail damage)
  • Frequent repairs and replacements
  • Millions of tons ending up in landfills each year
  • Performance issues in extreme weather

In a state like Minnesota, where roofs take a beating from hail, snow loads, freeze-thaw cycles, and ice dams, those weaknesses show up fast.

Why More Minnesota Homeowners Are Choosing Metal Roofing

Standing seam metal roofing isn’t just a premium upgrade. It’s a long-term solution.

1. Built for Minnesota Weather

Steel and copper roofing systems are designed to handle:

Unlike asphalt, they don’t break down the same way under stress.

2. Long-Term Durability (50+ Years)

A properly installed standing seam metal roof can last 50 years or more.

That means:

  • Fewer replacements
  • Lower lifetime cost
  • Less disruption to your home or project

For contractors, it also means fewer callbacks and better client satisfaction.

3. Energy Efficiency That Matters

Steel and copper metal roofs reflect solar heat instead of absorbing it.

That can:

  • Reduce attic temperatures
  • Lower cooling costs in summer
  • Improve overall comfort

Some systems qualify as “cool roofs,” helping reduce heat buildup by significant margins.

4. Low Maintenance

Compared to asphalt:

  • No algae or moss buildup issues
  • No annual chemical treatments
  • Simple cleaning when needed

In Minnesota’s climate, that’s a major advantage.

Steel Roofing vs. Copper Roofing: Key Differences

At Sheridan, we specialize in both.

Steel Roofing

Best for:

  • Residential homes
  • Contractor builds
  • Budget-conscious long-term solutions

Benefits:

  • Strong and impact-resistant
  • Cost-effective over time
  • Available in multiple profiles and finishes

Copper Roofing

Best for:

  • High-end homes
  • Architectural features (chimneys, valleys, flashing)
  • Custom builds

Benefits:

  • Extremely long lifespan
  • Naturally corrosion-resistant
  • Develops a unique patina over time

Copper also holds one of the highest recycling values of any building material, making it both premium and sustainable. Copper is often also used for architectural accents on homes, and our team at Sheridan Sheet Metal specializes in copper craftsmanship.

A More Sustainable Roofing Choice

If sustainability matters to you (or your clients), standing seam metal roofs stand out:

  • Fully recyclable at end of life
  • Often made with recycled content
  • Requires fewer replacements over time
  • Works seamlessly with solar systems

Compare that to asphalt, where only a small percentage is reused and most ends up in landfills.

Smart Questions to Ask Before You Choose a Metal Roof

Whether you’re a homeowner or contractor, ask:

  • What type of metal (steel vs. copper) fits this project?
  • What coatings or finishes are used?
  • Can it be installed over the existing roof?
  • What’s the long-term maintenance expectation?
  • Who is fabricating the metal components?

That last one matters more than most people realize. It’s important to make sure the team performing your metal roofing installation has the right experience.

Why Fabrication Matters (And Where Sheridan Comes In)

A roof is only as good as the details:

  • Flashing
  • Valleys
  • Chimney work
  • Custom trim

At Sheridan Sheet Metal, we fabricate precision metal components for roofing systems across Minnesota, including:

  • Copper and steel flashing
  • Chimney and reglet flashing
  • Valleys and saddles
  • Custom architectural metalwork

At Sheridan Sheet Metal, we work directly with contractors and builders to ensure everything fits right and performs the way it should.

Make Your Roof Work For Your Home, Not Against It

If you’re planning a re-roof in Minnesota, it’s worth thinking beyond the short term.

A metal roof, especially in steel or copper, can give you:

  • Better performance in extreme weather
  • Lower lifetime costs
  • Less maintenance
  • A more sustainable solution

Is Standing Seam Metal Roofing Right for You?

Whether you’re a homeowner planning a roof replacement or a contractor looking for reliable fabrication support, Sheridan Sheet Metal can help.

Call us today at 763-537-3686 to talk through your project or get a quote on custom copper or steel roofing system components.

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