Are you considering solar panels for your home but unsure if your roof is compatible? Are you worried about potential leaks, improper installations, or costly mistakes if you pair solar with the wrong roofing material?
At Roof Smart, we’ve guided countless homeowners through the process of pairing solar panels with the best roofing materials, ensuring leak-free, durable solutions that maximize energy savings on your Seattle home.
Our SmartMatch Needs Analysis process pairs you with the best roof for your home based on your needs, preferences, and budget.
In this article, we’ll break down the following:
- The best roofing options for solar
- Why standing seam metal is the ideal choice
- The pros and cons of using other roof types
By the end of this article, you’ll be able to decide whether standing seam metal is the best roof choice for your solar panel installation.
Can You Put Solar Panels on a Metal Roof?
Yes, you can install solar panels on your metal roof. In fact, we recommend converting to a metal roof when installing solar panels because it often provides several advantages over other roofing materials.
There are two main types of metal roofs:
- Standing Seam Metal Roofs: Standing seam metal roofing features long, vertical metal panels with raised seams that interlock, allowing for secure, clamp-based solar panel installations without penetrating the roof surface.
- Stamped Metal: Stamped metal roofing mimics the look of traditional roofing materials like shingles, tiles, or slate, offering aesthetic versatility. However, solar panel installations often require more specialized hardware.
With a stamped metal roof, you lose some of the benefits of installing solar panels on a standing seam metal roof. This will be explored later on.
What Are the Benefits of Installing Solar Panels on a Metal Roof?
Solar power is a popular home upgrade in the Seattle area, but few homeowners pause to consider the best type of roof for their installation. They don’t consider how the panel mounts will affect their roof or what can happen from the reduced exposure to the sun and wind.
Metal roofs have many qualities that make them an ideal choice for solar panel installation and help avoid problems you didn’t even know existed.
Here’s an overview of all the advantages of choosing metal:
1.) Long-Term Savings
Say, for example, that you spend thousands of dollars to install solar panels (that are good for 20 to 30 years) on your 10 to 20-year-old asphalt shingle roof. This is fine for a while, but when it’s time for a new roof you’d have to pay the solar company to remove the solar system for your new roof to be installed.
Then, once the roof is completed, you’d spend another $10,000 to install your old panels back onto the new roof.
If you convert to a metal roof first, you’ll likely go through two generations of solar panels long before your roof even hints at nearing the end of its lifespan.
Metal roofs can last 40-70 years and solar panels last 20 to 30 years. So, putting solar panels on a metal roof (especially if it’s new) means that you avoid the expensive dilemma of needing to replace your roof before your solar panels need to be replaced.
Plus, if you install solar panels on your roof in the Seattle area, you’re eligible for a 30% federal tax credit based on the price of the solar panel installation.
| Roof Type | Avg. Lifespan | Solar Panel Lifespan | Replacement Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt Shingles | 20-30 years | 20-30 years | $10,000+ to reinstall solar panels |
| Standing Seam Metal | 40-70 years | 20-30 years | No additional costs (panels stay put) |
2.) Enhanced Green Benefits
Combining metal roofing and solar panels for a sustainable home is the ultimate eco-friendly move. Metal roofs last 40 to 70 years on average, meaning that they create less waste. In addition, when it’s time to replace your metal roof, you can recycle it!
3.) Low Maintenance
Mold, mildew, and moss all love dark and quiet places to grow. Modern solar panels mount close to the roof surface, blocking the sun and most of the wind from your roof’s surface, making this the ideal spot for things to grow.
On any other roof, this would be a problem, but metal does not grow mold, mildew, or moss. You won’t have to worry about constantly cleaning off your roof or deterioration from debris build-up with metal.
4.) Leak-Free Installation
Standing seam metal roofs make solar panel installation easier and less invasive. With a standing seam metal roof, the rack system for your solar panels is clamped to the seams. There’s no need for drilling a bunch of holes into the roof could potentially end up being leak points.
In a rainy, wet area like Seattle, any step you can take to avoid or prevent leaks is a huge advantage because they are so common here. When installed properly, metal roofs provide an excellent water-resistant barrier that protects your home from damage and decay.
Putting holes in the roof would open up the risk of leaks.
What Are the Disadvantages of Installing Solar Panels on a Metal Roof?
It’s important to understand the pros AND cons of using standing seam metal roofing for your solar panel installation so that you can make a well-informed decision.
1.) Expensive Costs Upfront
Metal roofs are initially more expensive (usually $55,000 to $65,000) than asphalt shingles, so installing a new metal roof and solar panels at the same time is a significant investment.
2.) Metal is Difficult to Repair
Standing seam metal panels are difficult and inconvenient to repair because if one panel gets damaged then the whole panel must be replaced. This can be extra difficult if the damaged area is near the solar panels.
How Do Other Roof Types Compare for Solar Panel Installations?
Although we strongly recommend installing a standing seam metal roof before you get new solar panels, we understand that this might not be the right move for everyone.
Comparing standing seam metal to other roof types will help you figure out which material is best for your solar panel installation.
1.) Asphalt Shingle Roofs (Most Common but Less Ideal)
Pros:
- Lower Initial Cost: The most affordable roofing option, typically costing $20,000 to $30,000 to install.
- Easy to Install Solar Panels: Solar racking systems are widely available for shingle roofs, making installation straightforward.
- Widely Used: Most homes already have asphalt shingles, meaning no need for an immediate roof replacement before solar installation.
Cons:
- Shorter Lifespan: Lasts 20-30 years, meaning that homeowners might need to replace the roof before the solar panels reach the end of their lifespan.
- Requires Roof Penetration: Solar panels must be drilled into the roof, which creates holes in the shingles and underlayment, increasing the risk of leaks over time—especially in a rainy climate like Seattle.
- Frequent Maintenance: Susceptible to moss, algae, and rot in damp environments, requiring regular cleaning and possible early replacement.
Best For: Homeowners who want a lower-cost roofing option and are okay with some maintenance and potential leak risks.
2.) Tile Roofs (Durable but Complicated for Solar)
Pros:
- Longevity: Tile roofs last 50-100 years, sometimes even longer.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Comes in styles that mimic traditional clay, concrete, or slate tiles.
Cons:
- Difficult Solar Installation: Tiles are brittle, requiring specialized mounting brackets to avoid breakage. Improper installation can lead to cracks and leaks.
- Expensive Repairs: If tiles break during solar installation, they must be replaced, adding to costs.
- Heavier Weight: Not all homes can support the added weight of tile roofing and solar panels together, requiring structural reinforcement in some cases.
Best For: Homeowners who prioritize aesthetics and longevity but are willing to invest in specialized solar mounting solutions.
3.) Stamped Metal Roofs (Looks Great, But Less Solar-Friendly)
Pros:
- Aesthetic Versatility: Mimics the look of shingles, slate, or tiles while offering the durability of metal.
- Fire and Weather Resistant: Like standing seam metal, stamped metal is highly durable and holds up well against wind, rain, and fire.
Cons:
- Requires Roof Penetration: Unlike standing seam metal, stamped metal does not have raised seams for clamp-based solar panel attachment. Instead, solar mounts must be drilled into the roof, increasing the risk of leaks.
- Limited Installer Experience: Because stamped metal is less common than standing seam, not all solar installers are familiar with proper mounting techniques, which can lead to installation errors.
Best For: Homeowners who want the look of traditional roofing materials but don’t mind penetrative solar installation methods.
Comparison Summary Table
Here’s a quick comparison guide to help you see the best and worst options for solar panel installations.
| Roof Type | Installation Ease | Longevity | Solar Panel Compatibility | Maintenance Needs |
| Standing Seam Metal | ✅ Easiest | ✅ 40-70 years | ✅ Best (No Drilling) | ✅ Low |
| Asphalt Shingles | ✅ Easy | ❌ 20-30 years | ❌ Requires Roof Penetration | ❌ High (Moss, Leaks) |
| Tile Roofs | ❌ Difficult | ✅ 50-100 years | ❌ Fragile Tiles Can Break | ✅ Low |
| Stamped Metal | ❌ Moderate | ✅ 40-70 years | ❌ Requires Drilling | ✅ Low |
How Do I Know Which Roof Type Is Best For My Solar Panel Installation?
Since Seattle has a wet climate, the following factors should play a major role in choosing a roofing material for solar panels:
- Leak Resistance: Standing seam metal is best because it avoids roof penetrations.
- Moss & Mold Prevention – Metal roofs resist moss growth, unlike asphalt shingles, which require frequent maintenance.
- Long-Term Savings: Although metal roofs have a higher upfront cost, they eliminate the need for solar panel removal when replacing the roof later.
Be sure to consider how well the different roof types fit with your needs, preferences, and budget.
Choosing the Right Roof for Solar: What’s Next?
Installing solar panels on a metal roof is not just possible—it’s the ideal setup for durability, savings, and sustainability.
Many Seattle homeowners worry about leaks, improper installations, or expensive panel reinstallation when their roofs need replacing. But with a standing seam metal roof, you eliminate these risks.
Worried that a metal roof will not fit with your budget? Check out our article “How Much Should I Budget for a Metal Roof Replacement Job?” to explore the potential costs of installing a metal roof and decide if it fits within your solar panel installation budget.
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