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Metal Roofing

A Longer-Lifespan Option, With a Clear Look at the Cost

Metal roofing costs more upfront than asphalt. The math changes depending on how long you plan to stay in the home, and this page walks through what goes into that decision.

Standing seam metal roof on a New Mexico home
GAF Certified ContractorNM Lic. #426379 · GB-98Enviroshake Factory Trained InstallerFree Roof Report · No obligation
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What We Install: Zia's Five Metal Roofing Profiles

Timberwolf installs metal roofing panels from Zia Metal Roofing Supply, an Albuquerque manufacturer we partner with. Zia roll-forms five roofing profiles. The right one depends on your roof's slope, whether you want hidden or exposed fasteners, and the look you're after. Zia designs all five profiles for open structural framing, and all are compatible with solid decking. For homes, Zia recommends solid decking with underlayment, and the recommended substrate for each profile is listed in the specs below.

Zia profileFastenersPanel coverageGaugesMinimum slope
1-1/2" A-Lock Standing SeamConcealed clip15"24 ga1:12
Zia Rib / AG PanelExposed36"24, 26, 29 ga2:12
PBR / R-PanelExposed36"24, 26 ga1:12
PBU PanelExposed36"24, 26 ga3:12 (mostly siding and soffit)
7/8" CorrugatedExposed32"24, 26 ga1:12

Standing seam is the usual pick for homes that want clean lines with no screws showing. Exposed-fastener panels like Zia Rib and PBR cost less and work well on homes, garages, shops and patio covers. Corrugated gives a rustic or modern look that some homeowners choose on purpose. For the full side-by-side, see Metal Roofing Profiles Explained.

Material partner

Timberwolf × Zia Metal Roofing Supply

Zia roll-forms its panels right here in Albuquerque. Timberwolf installs them. Here are the five Zia roofing profiles we work with, each shown installed and in cross-section so you can see how it looks and how it is shaped.

  • Made in Albuquerque
  • UL 2218 Class 4 impact rated
  • Installed by Timberwolf
Dark gray A-Lock standing seam metal roof with concealed fasteners at a brick-wall eave
Photo: Zia Metal Roofing Supply

1-1/2" A-Lock Standing Seam

Concealed fastener

Coverage
15"
Gauge
24 ga
Min. slope
1:12
Lengths
From 1'6"

Best for: Homes that want clean lines and no exposed screws.

Charcoal Zia Rib exposed-fastener metal roof on a white board-and-batten farmhouse with a gable dormer
Photo: Zia Metal Roofing Supply

Zia Rib (AG Panel)

Exposed fastener

Coverage
36"
Gauges
24, 26, 29
Min. slope
2:12
Lengths
3'2" to 45'

Best for: Budget-friendly homes, garages, shops and patio covers.

Gray PBR ribbed metal roof panels on a main roof and dormer
Photo: Zia Metal Roofing Supply

PBR / R-Panel

Exposed fastener

Coverage
36"
Gauges
24, 26
Min. slope
1:12
Lengths
3'2" to 45'

Best for: Low-slope roofs and steel-frame buildings.

Dark green PBU ribbed metal panels used as siding on a modern multi-level building
Photo: Zia Metal Roofing Supply

PBU Panel

Exposed fastener

Coverage
36"
Gauges
24, 26
Min. slope
3:12
Lengths
3'2" to 48'

Best for: Siding and soffit, and occasional roofing.

Black 7/8 inch corrugated metal siding on a modern two-story building
Photo: Zia Metal Roofing Supply

7/8" Corrugated

Exposed fastener

Coverage
32"
Gauges
24, 26
Min. slope
1:12
Lengths
3'2" to 45'

Best for: A modern or rustic look, and longer spans.

Not sure which profile fits?

Slope, budget and the look you want all play a part. We'll measure your roof and walk you through the Zia options side by side.

Request a free inspection

Or call 505-226-1101

Product photos courtesy of Zia Metal Roofing Supply. Cross-section illustrations by Timberwolf, drawn from Zia's published dimensions. Rib heights are exaggerated for clarity. Official specs, colors and spec sheets are at Zia Metal Roofing Supply. For a deeper side-by-side, see Metal Roofing Profiles Explained.

What Rust Staining Looks Like

Drag the slider to compare a clean standing-seam panel against one showing rust staining. This is why coating integrity and panel-edge inspection matter over time.

Same style standing-seam metal roof panel showing rust staining along a seam Clean standing-seam metal roof panel with no rust Rust Staining No Rust
Installation examples

Examples of Zia Metal panel installations

Standing seam metal roof on a New Mexico home
Standing seam, whole-home view
Zia A-Lock standing seam metal roof installed
Zia A-Lock standing seam
Zia PBR R-panel metal roof installed
Zia PBR R-panel
Zia Rib ag panel metal roof installed
Zia Rib panel
Zia PBU metal roof panel installed
Zia PBU panel
Zia 7/8 corrugated metal roof panel installed
Zia 7/8 corrugated

Why It Holds Up in Albuquerque's Climate

Metal handles Albuquerque's large day-to-night temperature swings well because standing-seam panels are engineered to expand and contract along their length without stressing the seams, unlike shingles that rely on individual fasteners and seals to absorb that movement. Metal also reflects UV rather than absorbing it the way asphalt does, which reduces attic heat gain during Albuquerque's high-altitude, high-UV summers. The tradeoff is upfront cost. Long-term durability isn't the concern, and metal is one of the most climate-appropriate materials available here.

Considering stone-coated steel instead? It offers steel strength with a shingle or tile look, but the granule surface can shed over time and most systems install over battens. Zia’s smooth-finish panels have no granules to lose, and every panel we install is UL 2218 Class 4. See how our materials compare.

The Technical Specs

ManufacturerZia Metal Roofing Supply, Albuquerque. Paint systems by Sherwin-Williams (WeatherXL).
Ratings (all five Zia profiles)UL 2218 Class 4 impact, UL 790 Class A fire, UL 580 Class 90 wind uplift, UL 263 fire resistance
Paint warranty40 years against cracking, flaking and peeling; 30 years against chalking and color change. Bare Galvalume carries a 25-year warranty.
Decking and underlaymentPer Zia's specs, all five profiles are designed for open structural framing and compatible with solid substrates. Recommended: 5/8" plywood with 30 lb underlayment for A-Lock Standing Seam; 7/16" OSB with synthetic underlayment for Zia Rib; 5/8" plywood with 30 lb felt or synthetic underlayment for PBR, PBU and 7/8" Corrugated.
Panel lengthsZia Rib, PBR and 7/8" Corrugated run from 3' 2" to 45'; PBU from 3' 2" to 48'. A-Lock Standing Seam starts at 1' 6"; ask us about maximum run lengths for your roof.
FasteningConcealed clips on A-Lock Standing Seam, so panels move with temperature swings without screws through the face. Zia Rib, PBR, PBU and corrugated use exposed fasteners; Zia Rib adds an anti-siphon groove at the side lap to help keep wind-driven water out.
Best suited forHomeowners planning to stay long-term, and anyone prioritizing longevity and reflectivity over the lowest upfront cost

Good Fit / Not a Good Fit

  • Good fit if you're staying in the home long-term and want to minimize future replacements
  • Good fit for reducing attic heat gain during Albuquerque summers
  • Not the right call if minimizing upfront cost matters more than long-term lifespan

Metal Roof Colors

Timberwolf sources metal roofing through Zia Metal Roofing Supply, with 18 finishes: 11 standard (including bare Galvalume) and 7 premium. Standard colors come in 26 and 29 gauge; premium colors in 26 gauge only. Availability and lead time can vary by profile, so your inspector will confirm what's in stock for your project.

Color affects heat. In Sherwin-Williams testing of Zia's colors, Ivory reflects 66% of sunlight (SRI 80) and Polar White 65% (SRI 78), while Charcoal reflects 36% (SRI 38) and Gallery Blue 26% (SRI 24). A lighter color keeps more heat out of your attic in an Albuquerque summer.

Colony Green metal roof color swatchPremiumColony Green
Hawaiian Blue metal roof color swatchHawaiian Blue
Matte Black metal roof color swatchPremiumMatte Black
Gloss Black metal roof color swatchPremiumGloss Black
Light Stone metal roof color swatchLight Stone
Ash Gray metal roof color swatchAsh Gray
Charcoal metal roof color swatchCharcoal
Cocoa Brown metal roof color swatchCocoa Brown
Rustic Red metal roof color swatchRustic Red
Galvalume metal roof color swatchGalvalume
Polar White metal roof color swatchPolar White
Evergreen metal roof color swatchEvergreen
Saddle Tan metal roof color swatchSaddle Tan
Ivory metal roof color swatchIvory
Crimson Red metal roof color swatchPremiumCrimson Red
Copper Penny metal roof color swatchPremiumCopper Penny
Gallery Blue metal roof color swatchPremiumGallery Blue
Burnished Slate metal roof color swatchPremiumBurnished Slate

Colors marked "Premium" carry an additional material cost. Ask about pricing during your Free Roof Report.

Colors supplied by Zia Metal Roofing Supply Inc. Actual panel color can vary slightly from on-screen swatches; a physical sample is available at your inspection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is metal roofing worth the extra cost over asphalt shingles?

It depends on how long you plan to stay in the home. Metal costs more upfront, but Zia's painted panels carry a 40-year finish warranty, so the math favors metal the longer you own the home and works against it if you plan to sell within a few years.

Does metal roofing make a house louder in the rain?

Not when it's installed correctly over solid decking and underlayment. The noise myth comes from panels fastened over open framing with no solid sheathing underneath. A properly installed residential metal roof is not noticeably louder than asphalt.

Is metal roofing a fire or lightning risk?

No. Metal roofing is noncombustible and does not attract lightning any more than other roofing materials. All five Zia profiles carry a UL 790 Class A fire rating, the highest class in that test.

Is a metal roof good for hail?

Yes. All five Zia profiles are rated UL 2218 Class 4, the highest class in that impact test. The test checks for cracks and punctures, not cosmetic dents, so a big hailstone can still dent a panel. Heavier gauges resist denting better, so ask about gauge if hail is your main concern.

Which metal roof colors stay coolest?

Lighter colors. In Sherwin-Williams testing of Zia's colors, Ivory (SRI 80) and Polar White (SRI 78) rated highest, and dark colors like Charcoal (SRI 38) and Gallery Blue (SRI 24) rated lowest.

Can a metal roof go over my old shingles?

Yes, if there's only one layer of shingles and it's sound, with a permit and installed to the panel maker's instructions. Two or more layers, or a water-soaked or deteriorated roof, means a full tear-off first. Our roof permits guide has the details.

Does insurance cover hail dents on a metal roof?

It depends on your policy. Many policies exclude cosmetic hail damage, meaning dents that don't affect how the roof works. Ask your agent before you choose metal. Our metal roofing pros and cons guide explains the cosmetic damage exclusion.

Ready for a Free Roof Report?

It's free, and you're under no obligation. You'll know exactly where your roof stands.

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