Standing seam is the crisp, modern metal roof you see on extensions, dormers, garden buildings, barns and new builds: long metal trays running from ridge to eaves, joined by raised seams that are folded together on site. There are no exposed fixings through the surface, so nothing to rust or work loose, and the clean lines suit both contemporary and traditional buildings.
The Specialist Roofing Company is a family firm based in Old Windsor. We have been fitting standing seam roofs since 2007 across London, Berkshire, Surrey, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, and every roof is installed by our own team. We never subcontract. We are approved installers for VMZINC, RHEINZINK and PREFA.
Call 01753 867288 or send us your drawings for a free quote.
Which metal? Zinc, copper or aluminium
| Material | Best for | Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| Zinc (VMZINC, RHEINZINK) | Houses, extensions, dormers and cladding | Natural bright zinc, or pre-weathered blue-grey and dark grey finishes, plus coloured options |
| Copper | Statement roofs, bays, canopies, heritage buildings | Bright copper that darkens to brown and, over many years, green |
| PREFA aluminium (PREFALZ) | Lightweight roofs and projects where colour matters | A wide range of factory colours |
Not sure which suits your building or budget? Our materials guide compares them, and we’ll give you a straight answer on site. For aluminium, see PREFA aluminium roofing: PREFALZ standing seam can be laid from a pitch of about 3°.
Where standing seam works
- Pitched roofs, and low-pitch roofs down to the minimum the chosen system allows. We check this against your drawings.
- Curved and barrel roofs: the trays can be curved to follow the roof.
- Rear and side extensions, where the low weight of metal suits lighter structures.
- Dormers and mansards.
- Walls: standing seam can run vertically or horizontally as cladding.
Warm roof or cold roof: the build-up underneath
The build-up is where most metal roofs succeed or fail. We install on both warm deck and cold deck roofs:
- Warm roof: the insulation sits above the structural deck, under the metal. The VMZINC standing seam warm roof on rigid insulation is one example of a manufacturer-approved build-up we work with.
- Cold roof: the insulation sits between or below the rafters, with a ventilated void and deck beneath the metal.
Ventilated and compact warm-roof systems are not interchangeable. The right choice depends on the roof design, pitch, substrate and how the building is used, and it should follow the manufacturer’s guidance and the designer’s condensation-risk assessment. Zinc in particular must not be left with trapped moisture beneath it. We explain why in why ventilation matters beneath VMZINC standing seam roofing.
How we install a standing seam roof
- Survey or drawings. We look at structure, pitch, falls, rooflights, abutments and drainage.
- Written quote. Itemised, stating the material, finish and build-up.
- Setting out. We plan seam positions so the lines look right from the ground and work around windows, rooflights and valleys rather than fighting them.
- Forming and fixing. Trays are profiled and secured with fixed and sliding clips so the metal can expand and contract. Read why standing seam roofs need movement allowance.
- Details. Ridges, eaves, verges, abutments, gutters and rooflights are all formed by us. Rooflights need proper kerbs and back gutters: see detailing rooflights in VMZINC standing seam.
- Handover. We clear up and give you your guarantee paperwork.
Guarantees and credentials
- A 20-year guarantee on all our work.
- Approved installers for VMZINC, RHEINZINK and PREFA.
- Fully insured, with all work done by our own team.
Standing seam roofing FAQs
How long does a standing seam roof last?
A well-detailed metal roof lasts for decades; our guide to zinc roofing costs explains why that long life helps it pay back. The detailing and build-up underneath decide whether a roof reaches its full life, which is why we spend so much time on them.
Is a metal roof noisy in the rain?
Not when it is laid on a proper deck and insulated build-up. The structure underneath absorbs most of the sound.
Can you put rooflights in a standing seam roof?
Yes. Their position should be agreed before the seam layout is fixed, so water is directed around the opening without awkward narrow trays.
What does a standing seam roof cost?
It depends on area, material, finish, access and build-up. We give a written, itemised quote after a site visit or from drawings.
Do you work in London?
Yes, across Greater London as well as Windsor, Berkshire, Surrey, Bucks and Oxon. See zinc roofing in London.
Talk to us
Call 01753 867288 or 07941 011336, email info@thespecialistroofingcompany.co.uk, or send us your drawings.