A well-installed metal roof can outlast two or three shingle roofs and stand up to Brandon’s summer storms. Tidewell Roofing installs, converts and repairs metal roofs across Brandon, Valrico, Seffner and Dover, from standing seam on subdivision homes to 5V crimp on rural properties.
Quick Answer
For many homes, yes. A standing seam metal roof often lasts 40 years or more, sheds wind-driven rain well and reflects more of the Florida sun than dark shingles. It costs more upfront, so it makes the most sense if you plan to stay in the home for many years.
40+ yrs
typical life of a standing seam roof
~140 mph
design wind speed for most of Brandon
1 layer
of old shingles is the most a metal roof-over can go on
Metal Roof Types
Three kinds of metal roofs are common in the Brandon area. They differ most in how the panels are fastened.
| Type | How it looks | Typical life | Upkeep | Common on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exposed-fastener (5V crimp, R-panel) | Ribbed panels with visible screw rows | About 20 to 40 years | Check and replace screws and washers over time | Rural homes, barns, porches, mobile homes |
| Standing seam | Smooth panels with raised seams and hidden clips | 40 years or more | Very little; no exposed screws | Subdivision and custom homes |
| Stone-coated steel | Steel shaped and coated to look like shingles or tile | 40 years or more | Low; touch up chipped coating | Homes in HOAs that want a shingle or tile look |
Every metal roof installed in Florida must use panels with Florida Product Approval or local approval for wind uplift. Ask to see the approval number on your quote.
Our Metal Roofing Services
Installation, conversion and repair, for houses, rural properties and mobile homes.
New standing seam, 5V crimp or R-panel roofs, with sealed underlayment, approved fasteners and trim made for Florida wind.
Switching from shingles? We tear off and inspect the deck, or install over a single sound layer when that makes sense.
Leaking screw lines, open seams, loose trim and rusted flashing. We fix the source of the leak, not just the stain.
On exposed-fastener roofs, sun and heat dry out the rubber washers. Fresh, larger screws and sealant stop those leaks for years.
A new metal roof built over an old, leaking mobile home roof, often with added pitch so water runs off instead of sitting.
After high wind we look for lifted panels, loose ridge caps and backed-out screws, and document each with dated photos.
Metal vs Shingles
Neither is right for every house, and Tidewell Roofing installs both. Metal costs more now and lasts longer; shingles cost less now and get replaced sooner. Here’s how they compare in Florida conditions.
| Metal | Architectural shingles | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical life in Florida | About 20 to 40+ years, depending on type | About 15 to 25 years |
| Wind | Interlocking panels; strong when fastened to the approved pattern | Good when sealed; older shingles can lift and crease |
| Heat | Light colors reflect more sun and can keep the attic cooler | Dark shingles absorb more heat |
| Upfront cost | Higher | Lower |
| Noise | Over a solid deck and underlayment, rain noise is close to shingles | Quiet |
| HOA approval | Sometimes limited; stone-coated steel often passes | Usually approved |
Tear-Off or Roof-Over?
Sometimes. Florida code allows a metal roof over one sound layer of shingles, but a tear-off is often the better choice.
It saves tear-off and disposal costs, but the deck stays hidden under the old roof.
On older homes, a tear-off lets us re-nail the deck and add the secondary water barrier Florida requires on replacements.
Metal Roof Problems
Most metal roof leaks start small and in the same few places.
FAQ
What Brandon-area homeowners ask most before switching to metal.
Panel type matters most. Exposed-fastener panels cost the least, and standing seam costs the most. Roof size, pitch and deck repairs also change the total, so we measure before we quote.
Standing seam and stone-coated steel often last 40 years or more. Exposed-fastener roofs usually last 20 to 40 years, as long as the screws and washers are checked and replaced over time.
A metal roof installed to its Florida Product Approval holds up well in high wind because the panels interlock and are fastened to a tight pattern. The installation matters as much as the material.
Not automatically. Insurance discounts come from a wind mitigation inspection, which looks at how the deck is nailed, roof-to-wall connections, a secondary water barrier and roof shape. A new metal roof can help on several of those.
Yes, if there is only one layer and it’s in sound condition. If there are two layers, or the deck is wet or damaged, the old roof must come off first. On many older homes, tearing off is the better choice.
Not much on a house. Installed over a solid wood deck and underlayment, rain sounds close to a shingle roof. Metal installed over open framing, like a barn or carport, is louder.
No. Metal doesn’t make a roof more likely to be struck. If lightning does hit, metal isn’t flammable, so it won’t catch fire the way some other materials can.
Quality panels have a zinc-aluminum (Galvalume) coating and a baked-on paint finish that resist rust for decades. Rust usually starts at scratches, cut edges and old screws, which is why upkeep matters.
It depends on your community’s architectural rules. Some Brandon-area HOAs limit metal roofs or colors, while stone-coated steel that looks like shingles or tile is often approved. Check before you sign a contract.
Yes. A new metal roof needs a Hillsborough County roofing permit and inspections. We handle the paperwork and schedule the inspections for you.
We’ll look at your roof, your attic and how long you plan to stay, then tell you whether metal makes sense or whether shingles are the smarter spend.
Thinking About a Metal Roof?
Call Tidewell Roofing for a straight answer on whether metal fits your home and budget, or to stop a leaking metal roof before the next storm.
