Three things every homeowner asks before going metal
These are the questions we get asked the most. The answers are: no (proper underlayment and attic insulation quiet it), no (modern metal looks beautiful), and the two main types are hidden fastener (standing seam) and exposed fastener, each suited to a different budget and building. Worth understanding before you decide.
With metal roofs, the install matters as much as the panel
In short: A metal roof can last 50+ years or fail in 10. The metal itself doesn't decide. The install does. Proper flashings, the right fastener choice, proper underlayment, and the small details around eaves and ridges are what make the difference.
Most metal roof failures we get called to fix aren't material failures. They're install failures. Exposed fasteners with degraded screw grommets letting water in. Flashings that weren't done properly at the eaves. Hidden-fastener panels that weren't interlocked correctly. None of that is the metal's fault.
The biggest issue we see is contractors who put metal right over old shingles without using 1x4 purlin strips. As soon as those shingles underneath start to deteriorate, it creates unevenness, the screws come loose, and water gets in. We've replaced a dozen metal roofs under 15 years old because of that one shortcut. The homeowner saved a few thousand dollars on the original install and ended up paying for a full replacement.
A metal roof installed properly is the closest thing to a permanent roof you can put on a house. Get the install right and it can outlast you. Get it wrong and you're replacing it in fifteen years.
“Metal moves. It expands in the heat and contracts in the cold, every single day. That’s why a hidden-fastener standing seam panel that’s free to slide will outlast an exposed-fastener panel that’s pinned down with screws. On the exposed-fastener jobs we do, we use screws with a molded cap over the rubber grommet, because that grommet is the part that gives out first once the sun has been working on it for 20 years.”
Built by people who've been doing metal roofing for generations
In short: Better Way's metal roofing crew works out of Shipshewana, in the heart of Northern Indiana's Amish community. Metal roofing has been part of the trade tradition here for generations.
Northern Indiana sits in the heart of one of the largest Amish communities in the United States. Metal roofing has been done here for generations. It's part of the trade tradition.
Better Way's metal crew works in that tradition. Hidden fastener panels are formed on site with our machine. Everything else is manufactured and delivered to site. The seams interlock the way they're supposed to, the flashings are done properly, and the result is a roof that looks the way a metal roof should look and performs the way one should perform.
I founded Better Way in 2015 with my business partner Keith. Keith is Amish. Most of our metal crew is too. That doesn't make us better roofers automatically. What it does is make the standard non-negotiable. If a piece is slightly off, it doesn't get a pass. It gets replaced.
The metal roofing systems we install
In short: Standing seam (hidden fastener), exposed fastener, and Decra stone-coated. All come with Galvalume protection and a durable paint finish. Each suits a different home, budget, and timeline.
Standing seam (hidden fastener)
The premium choice. Vertical panels with no visible screws. Each piece interlocks with the next, creating a seamless finish. Sleek, modern, and the longest-lasting of the three. If you look at older farmhouses around Northern Indiana, many have had hidden fastener metal roofs for 40 or 50 years and they're still going strong.
Lifespan: 50+ years. Paint warranty 40 years.
Best for: Homeowners who want a clean, modern look and a roof that won't need replacing in their lifetime.
Exposed fastener
The budget-conscious choice. Flat panels screwed to 1x4 purlin strips over the roof deck. You can see the screws from the ground. Faster to install, less expensive, still a serious roof. Our exposed fastener screws have a molded cap over the grommet and are rated for 40 years, but UV exposure will eventually degrade them.
Lifespan: 20 to 30 years. The screw grommets eventually degrade from UV exposure.
Best for: Outbuildings, agricultural buildings, additions, and homeowners on a tighter budget who still want metal's durability. Our exposed fastener system is typically in the same price range as an asphalt shingle roof.
Decra (stone-coated metal)
Looks like an asphalt shingle. Performs like a metal roof. Each panel is a metal substrate coated with stone granules in a shingle pattern. This is the most expensive of the three systems, starting around $14 per square foot.
Lifespan: Limited lifetime or 50-year manufacturer warranty.
Best for: Homeowners who want metal's longevity without the metal aesthetic. Often chosen by homes in HOAs that don't permit hidden fastener.
Read the full guide to metal roofing costs →
“If you’re putting metal on the house you plan to retire in, go hidden-fastener standing seam and never think about your roof again. If it’s a pole barn, a garage, or an addition, exposed fastener gives you most of metal’s toughness for close to the price of shingles. Match the system to the building, not to whatever has the biggest markup.”
Dive deeper into the questions Indiana homeowners ask most about metal roofing:
The Better Way Difference: applied to metal roofing
In short: The same things we do on every roof, applied to metal: insurance support, property protection, dedicated project management, and a written price guarantee.
Policy Guard
If your old roof was damaged by hail or wind, we take the photos, document the scope, and support your adjuster interactions. Many insurers offer a discount on Class 4 impact-rated metal panels too.
Property Protection Promise
If we break it, we buy it. No claims process, no negotiation. Damage to your home, landscaping, or driveway is on us to fix.
Dedicated Project Manager
Senior project manager Wayne coordinates scheduling and communication. On site, your day-to-day project manager (Mark, Alex, or John) runs the job and is your single point of contact for everything happening on your roof.
Photo Documentation
Photos at every key stage: decking condition, underlayment install, panel forming, flashing detail, cleanup.
Price Guarantee
The number on the proposal is the number on the invoice. The only thing that can change the price is if we discover bad sheathing during tear-off. If that happens, we stop, document it, and notify you to discuss before any additional cost goes on.
What you'll actually pay for a metal roof in Northern Indiana
In short: Metal roofs in Indiana run $6 to $18 per square foot installed. A 2,000 sqft home typically lands between $15,000 and $30,000 depending on the system, gauge, and complexity.
| System | Cost per sqft | 2,000 sqft example |
|---|---|---|
| Exposed fastener | $6 to $12 | $12,000 to $24,000 |
| Standing seam (hidden fastener) | $10 to $17 | $20,000 to $34,000 |
| Decra (stone-coated) | $14 to $18 | $28,000 to $36,000 |
What can change your price
- Gauge. Thicker metal lasts longer and costs more. For residential, we typically use 29 gauge on exposed fastener and 26 gauge on hidden fastener. 24 gauge is used on commercial buildings where purlins are four feet apart, or for homeowners who want the thickest option available.
- Roof complexity. Multiple planes, valleys, dormers, and steep pitches all add labor.
- Penetrations. Skylights, chimneys, vent pipes, and HVAC stacks all need proper flashings, adding labor and material.
- Tear-off. Removing the existing roof adds labor and disposal cost.
- Decking. New sheathing if the old deck is rotted: $50 to $85 per 4×8 sheet, depending on pitch.
- Ice and water shield. We need at least 24 inches inside the living area. Most houses have a foot overhang, so one roll covers it. If the overhang is greater than a foot, we need two rows, which adds cost.
- Color and finish. Lighter colors reflect heat. Textured finishes cost slightly more and are easier to walk on.
See the full pricing breakdown →
Our metal roofing process: from inspection to final walkthrough
In short: Six steps. One project manager throughout. Photos at every stage.
- The call. We listen, ask about your house and what you're hoping for, and book a time that works for you.
- The assessment. Full inspection including attic (upon availability), decking, and ventilation. We measure, take photos, and explain your options.
- The estimate. Itemized, fixed-price, with the system, gauge, color, and timeline all spelled out. Valid 30 days.
- Forming and prep. Panels and flashings are manufactured and delivered to site. Hidden fastener panels are formed on site with our machine. Underlayment and ice-and-water shield go down first.
- Installation. Your dedicated project manager runs the job. Photos at every key stage.
- The walkthrough. When the work is done, your project manager reviews photos of the completed work with you and does a walk-around to make sure you're satisfied with everything.
“A lot of folks worry a metal roof will be loud every time it rains. Over a solid deck with proper underlayment, which is how we install them, you’ll barely notice it. The loud metal roofs people remember are usually old barns with bare panels over open framing and nothing underneath to quiet them down.”
What 302 Google reviewers say about working with us
In short: 302 five-star Google reviews. The same words come up: clean, honest, professional, would recommend.
"Great people to work with from quoting, communication and detailed workmanship. Friendly work crew that were mostly concerned with our happiness with the job. They did excellent work and cleaned up beautifully. Exceeded our expectations and highly recommend."
"All the guys were exceptional to work with. I can't recommend them enough. Quality work at a competitive price. Extremely prompt and professional."
"Couldn't ask for better service. Outstanding communication throughout the entire job. Great quality material and workmanship."
"Very efficient, polite and professional team. Cleaned up the area well. Very happy with the job, roof, employees and management."
Better Way Roofing may not be the right fit if...
In short: We're upfront about who we're not the right contractor for.
- You're looking for the cheapest possible quote. Cheaper bids usually mean thinner gauge metal, lower-grade paint, skipped purlins, or corners cut on flashings. We don't do any of those, so we won't be the cheapest.
- You don't value seeing what goes on your roof and how it's done. We document every stage with photos. If a contractor doesn't show you what was done, you'll never know what's under those panels. We think that matters.
- You're looking for a slate roof. We don't install slate roofs. If that's what you're after, we can point you to someone who does.
If any of that sounds wrong to you, there are contractors who'll fit better. We can usually point you to one.
Common metal roofing questions from Indiana homeowners
Is a metal roof really loud when it rains?
In short: It's a big question, but most homeowners say it's not as bad as they expected. If you have an attic with proper insulation, you won't hear it much. An upgraded sound-barrier underlayment helps further. Cathedral ceilings are louder (I have one at home and can hear rain more in the living room), but in bedrooms with attic space above, very little if any. It won't be silent like shingles, but it's nowhere near what people make it out to be.
Will my metal roof attract lightning?
In short: No. A metal roof doesn't attract lightning, and if lightning does strike, the metal disperses the charge across the surface and grounds it safely. Metal roofs are arguably safer in a lightning strike than asphalt.
How long does a metal roof last?
In short: Standing seam (hidden fastener): 50+ years. Exposed fastener: 20 to 30 years. Decra: limited lifetime or 50-year manufacturer warranty. The paint warranty on our panels is 40 years.
Will a metal roof dent in hail?
In short: It depends on the hail size, speed, and direction. 29 gauge metal is a Class 3 impact rating and is easier to dent. 26 gauge is Class 4 and holds up much better. We install Class 4 where the budget allows, and many insurers offer a homeowner's policy discount for Class 4 panels. Worth asking your insurer.
How much does a metal roof cost in Indiana?
In short: $6 to $18 per square foot installed depending on the system. A typical 2,000 sqft home runs $15,000 to $30,000.
Is metal more expensive than asphalt?
In short: Our exposed fastener metal roofing system is typically in the same price range as an asphalt shingle roof. Hidden fastener is about 40% more than that. Over the lifetime of the roof, metal usually wins because an asphalt roof you replace twice in 50 years often costs more than a metal roof installed once.
Can I install metal over my existing asphalt roof?
In short: Sometimes, yes. It depends on the deck condition, the age of the existing roof, and local code. We assess that during the inspection. We won't recommend an overlay if it'll create problems later.
Are you licensed and insured?
In short: Yes. Fully licensed and insured in Indiana and Michigan. We can show you the paperwork on request. See our credentials →
Book a free metal roof assessment
A free assessment is the easiest way to find out which system fits your home and your budget.
We'll come out, look at your roof, talk you through your options on which would be the best fit for you, and put together a written proposal with the system, gauge, color, and timeline spelled out. No pressure.
If you want the work, we book it. If you want to think about it, you've got a clear baseline to compare against anyone else.
— Lyle Lehman, Founder