The biggest problem with metal roofs isn’t the roof itself — it’s finding a qualified installer. Poor installation causes more metal roofing failures than any material defect. Secondary concerns include oil canning (a cosmetic waviness), thermal expansion noise, and the higher upfront cost. Most commonly cited “problems” like noise and denting are largely myths when the right gauge and underlayment are used.
At Lifetime Construction Builders LLC, we’ve been installing metal roofing across Arkansas since 2009. As an Atlas Preferred Contractor and licensed contractor, we’ve also repaired plenty of metal roofs installed by others — giving us direct insight into what actually goes wrong. Here’s an honest accounting of the real issues.
The Real #1 Problem: Unqualified Installation
Metal roofing is a specialty trade. The skills that make someone a competent shingle contractor don’t automatically transfer to metal roofing. Proper metal installation requires specific knowledge of thermal expansion accommodation, panel clip systems, underlayment compatibility with metal, seaming techniques, and flashing fabrication.
We’ve inspected metal roofs in the Central Arkansas area where fasteners were driven through standing seam panels (completely defeating the concealed-fastener design), underlayment incompatible with metal off-gassed acids that corroded the underside of panels within a few years, and flashings were too short to provide adequate coverage.
None of these are material failures. They’re installation failures — and they’re entirely preventable with the right contractor. When evaluating metal roofing quotes, verify: active Arkansas contractor license, manufacturer authorization (like our Atlas Preferred Contractor status), and actual metal roofing experience — not just shingle work.
Oil Canning: A Cosmetic Issue, Not a Structural One
Oil canning refers to the slight waviness or ripple that appears in flat metal panels under certain lighting conditions. It’s a visual phenomenon inherent to thin metal sheets and affects all types of metal panels to varying degrees.
Importantly, oil canning is cosmetic only. It doesn’t indicate a structural problem, doesn’t compromise weather resistance, and doesn’t get worse over time. Many homeowners notice it in early morning or late afternoon light and worry it signals a defect — it doesn’t.
Steps that minimize oil canning visibility: choosing panels with striations or ribs (which break up flat surface areas), using 24-gauge instead of thinner gauges, specifying panels with a low-gloss finish, and ensuring proper tension during installation. Our complete metal roofing guide covers these specifications in detail.
Noise: Mostly a Myth with Proper Installation
One of the most persistent concerns about metal roofing is that it will be excessively loud during rain. This concern is largely a myth for properly installed residential metal roofs — but it’s not entirely without basis.
The key factor is what’s beneath the metal panels. When metal is installed over open framing (like a barn with no attic), rain on the roof is loud. When installed over solid decking with quality underlayment and attic insulation below, the noise difference between metal and shingles is minimal to nonexistent. Most homeowners who live under properly installed metal roofs report they barely notice rain more than they did with shingles.
During severe hail events, larger hailstones will be audible on any roof material — metal included. But the same hail that sounds dramatic will cause minimal or no damage to quality 24-gauge metal, versus the granule loss and impact damage that shingles sustain silently.
Thermal Expansion and Panel Noise
Metal expands and contracts with temperature changes. In a standing seam system specifically designed for this movement (panels float on clips), thermal expansion is accommodated without stress or noise. In systems where thermal movement isn’t properly planned for — or where panels are over-fastened — you can hear ticking or popping sounds as panels move against fixed attachment points.
This is again an installation quality issue more than a material inherency. Our standing seam systems use clip attachment designed specifically to allow thermal movement. The result is a roof that handles daily temperature cycling silently.
Denting: Gauge-Dependent, Not Universal
Metal roofing can dent — but the degree of vulnerability depends entirely on gauge and material. 29-gauge steel is susceptible to denting from significant hail events. 24-gauge Galvalume is dramatically more resistant.
Arkansas homeowners frequently ask about this after hail seasons. Our 24-gauge standing seam installations have performed without visible denting through hail events that left shingle roofs requiring full replacement. The same events have visibly dimpled exposed-fastener 29-gauge panels on nearby outbuildings.
If hail resistance is a priority — and in Central Arkansas, it should be — specify 24-gauge. See our post on metal roof gauge comparison for the full breakdown.
Higher Upfront Cost: Real, but Often Overstated
Metal roofing does cost more upfront than asphalt shingles — typically 2-3x for quality standing seam. This is a real consideration, not a myth. But in the context of 40-70 year lifespan, lower maintenance, energy savings, and potential insurance discounts, the long-term economics often favor metal significantly.
Our post on metal roof cost vs shingles runs the 30-year numbers honestly. For Arkansas homeowners planning to stay in their homes long-term, the upfront premium often looks different when spread across the full ownership period.
Finding a Qualified Metal Roofing Contractor in Arkansas
The most effective way to avoid metal roofing problems is to hire a contractor who installs metal roofing as a primary trade — not as an occasional addition to a shingle-focused business. Ask for: active Arkansas contractor license, manufacturer training authorization, specific metal roofing references, and evidence of $1M+ liability insurance and workers’ comp coverage.
Lifetime Construction Builders LLC brings all of these: Atlas Preferred Contractor credentials, BBB A+ accreditation, 5.0-star rating, and $1M GL / $2M workers’ comp coverage. Call (501) 307-1440 or visit our metal roofing page — or schedule a professional roof inspection to discuss your specific situation.