Facts checked September 22, 2026
The most important question on a metal roof isn't the color or even the gauge. It's where the fasteners are. Standing seam hides them in the seams on clips that let the panels move. Exposed-fastener panels are screwed through the face, and every screw has a rubber washer that eventually wears out. The two systems age completely differently, and bids for them can be far apart for good reason.
Metal also changes how snow behaves. A metal roof sheds snow in heavy sheets, so snow retention has to be designed in over doors, walkways and gutters. And a metal roof over a badly vented attic will still form ice at the eaves.
We looked for contractors with a Grand Rapids-area office that say on their own websites which metal systems they install. Some list only metal roofing, some do metal alongside shingles, and some are exterior remodelers. Get two or three bids and compare the systems, not just the prices.
What We Looked For in a Metal Roofing Contractor
Stated Systems
Standing seam, metal shingles, stone-coated or exposed-fastener panel, named plainly so you know what you're being quoted.
Snow Retention
Snow guards or rail sized to the roof, because a sheet of wet snow sliding off a metal roof can take the gutters with it.
Trim and Flashing Fabrication
Every edge, valley and penetration on a metal roof is a hand-formed detail. Crews that fabricate their own trim control that work.
Attic Ventilation
Metal doesn't cure an attic problem. The contractor should check intake and exhaust on every job.
Metal Experience
A crew that's great with shingles can still get the expansion, flashing or seam detail wrong on metal. Ask how much of their work is metal.
7 Metal Roofing Contractors in the Grand Rapids Area
1. Stellar Roofing Company
Kentwood, MIBest for: Standing seam on a house, with snow retention and attic ventilation designed in
We install snap-lock standing seam in 24-gauge steel with a Kynar 500 finish, using panels from Metal Sales and Central States. Snow retention is designed into every metal roof we build, sized to the pitch and panel length, and we fix the attic ventilation on every metal job, because ice dams start in the attic.
We also install metal shingles and shakes for homeowners who want metal without changing the look of the house, and exposed-fastener panel for pole barns, garages and outbuildings. On a house we'll tell you honestly what an exposed-fastener roof will need over time.
- In business since 2012
- Michigan Residential Builder license #262000779
- GAF Certified Plus (residential) and GAF CoatingsPro (commercial coatings)
- Just over 4,000 homes and 1,600 commercial properties roofed
- Craftsmanship warranty kept separate from the manufacturer's, 5 to 10 years and up to 20 on qualifying full replacements
2. Alcor Home Improvement
Jenison, MI (Chicago Dr)Best for: Metal that mimics slate or shake, from a company whose website lists only metal roofing
Alcor is a family-owned Jenison company that has been in business for more than 70 years. Metal is its only roofing line: standing seam, metal slate and metal shake, with a dedicated page for standing seam installation in Grand Rapids.
It also installs siding, windows and porch enclosures, and serves West Michigan from Hart to South Haven. The slate and shake profiles are the draw for homeowners who want metal's life span with a traditional look.
- In business more than 70 years
- Website lists metal roofing only
- Standing seam, metal slate and metal shake
3. Summit Point Roofing
Ada, MI; also Metro Detroit and Northern MichiganBest for: Standing seam with custom-fabricated trim and details
Summit Point is a multi-office Michigan roofer with its West Michigan location on E Fulton Street in Ada and other offices in Metro Detroit and Northern Michigan.
It installs standing seam metal on homes and commercial buildings and does custom metal fabrication, which helps on roofs with complicated trim and flashing. It also does shingle roofs, commercial flat roofs and roof coatings.
- Standing seam for homes and commercial buildings
- Custom metal fabrication
- Offices in West Michigan, Metro Detroit and Northern Michigan
4. Moore & Sons Roofing
Walker, MIBest for: Comparing standing seam against stone-coated metal with one roofer
Moore & Sons is a family-owned roofer on Calann Avenue NW in Walker. Its metal roofing options include standing seam, which it describes as vertical panels with hidden fasteners, stone-coated metal, and corrugated and ribbed panels.
Having all three on the table makes it easy to compare the look and the long-term upkeep of each system with the same company.
- Family-owned and operated
- Standing seam, stone-coated, corrugated and ribbed panels
- Based in Walker
5. Montell Construction
Caledonia, MI (Broadmoor Ave SE)Best for: Bundling a metal roof with windows, siding or a deck
Montell is an exterior remodeler on Broadmoor Avenue SE in Caledonia that has served the region since 2010. It installs metal roofing for Grand Rapids homes in shake, shingle and standing seam styles.
It says its installers are factory-trained. Because it also does windows, siding and decks, it suits a homeowner planning several exterior projects at once.
- Serving the region since 2010
- Shake, shingle and standing seam styles
- Windows, siding and decks
6. Premier Roofing & Exteriors
Grandville, MI (Fairlanes Ave SW); also Cadillac and KalamazooBest for: Standing seam, corrugated, tile and panel metal from one installer
Premier has been in West Michigan since 2006, with its Grand Rapids-area office in Grandville and more offices in Cadillac and Kalamazoo. It says it installs standing seam, corrugated, tile and panel metal roofing systems throughout West Michigan.
On the commercial side it lists standing seam metal and metal roof coating systems, alongside single-ply membranes.
- In business since 2006
- Standing seam, corrugated, tile and panel metal
- Residential and commercial
7. Allied Roofing
Grand Rapids, MI (McKendrick St SW)Best for: Owners weighing metal against asphalt with a long-established family roofer
Allied has roofed in West Michigan since 1926, works from McKendrick Street SW in Grand Rapids and is family-owned. It installs both asphalt and metal residential roofs and says it offers long-term warranties on either.
On commercial buildings it applies metal roof coatings, and it also offers snow and ice removal, which is worth knowing on any West Michigan roof.
- Founded 1926, family-owned
- Residential metal and asphalt
- Commercial metal roof coatings
Standing Seam vs. Metal Shingles vs. Exposed Fastener
| Standing Seam | Metal Shingles and Shakes | Exposed-Fastener Panel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fasteners | Concealed clips inside the seam | Concealed | Screws through the panel face, each with a rubber washer |
| Panel movement | Panels float on clips | Interlocking pieces | Pinned rigid by the screws |
| Typical lifespan | 40 to 70 years | 40 to 60 years | 25 to 45 years, depending on fastener maintenance |
| Upkeep | Very low | Low | Periodic fastener checks; washers start failing around years 10 to 20 |
| Best fit | Most houses | Homes where you want a shingle, slate or shake look | Pole barns, garages, outbuildings, budget projects |
| Installed cost | Starts around $12 per sq ft | Priced on inspection | Priced on inspection |
Lifespans and pricing are Stellar Roofing's published figures for West Michigan; see our metal roof cost page for the full breakdown. Every contractor prices differently.
What to Ask on a Metal Roof Bid
01. Where are the fasteners?
If one bid is far cheaper than another, this is usually why. Exposed-fastener panel is a legitimate roof, but it needs fastener maintenance that standing seam doesn't.
02. What gauge and what finish?
Ask for the steel gauge and the paint system in writing. Thinner panels and lesser finishes cost less and don't last as long.
03. How is the snow handled?
Metal sheds snow in heavy sheets. The bid should show snow guards or rail over doors, walkways, decks, gutters and lower roofs, sized to the pitch and panel length.
04. What's being done in the attic?
Ice dams start with heat escaping into the attic. A metal roof over a poorly vented attic still ices at the eaves, so ventilation belongs in the scope.
05. Tear-off or over the shingles?
Going over old shingles can trap moisture and hide rotted decking, and Michigan's residential code caps a roof at two layers. A tear-off lets the crew fix the deck and install ice and water shield first.
Thinking About a Metal Roof?
We'll look at the roof and the attic, explain which metal system fits your house and budget, and give you a written estimate with the snow retention and ventilation included.
Schedule a Free InspectionMore Roofing Resources
Metal Roofing in West Michigan
Standing seam, metal shingles and exposed fastener, explained.
Learn MoreMetal Roof Cost
What a metal roof costs in West Michigan and what drives the price.
Learn MoreBest Snow Guards for Metal Roofs
The snow retention options that keep sliding snow off your gutters.
Learn MoreBest Roof Replacement Companies in Grand Rapids
Our roundup of Grand Rapids roofers for full replacements.
Learn MoreBest Metal Roofing Contractors in Grand Rapids: FAQ
Is a metal roof worth it in Grand Rapids?
If you plan to stay in the house a long time, often yes. Standing seam costs more up front than asphalt, but it can last 40 to 70 years, sheds lake-effect snow and resists ice dams when the attic is vented properly. If you're moving in a few years, asphalt usually makes more financial sense.
Do metal roofs need snow guards in Michigan?
In most cases, yes. Snow comes off a metal roof in heavy sheets that can tear off gutters and land on anyone below. Snow retention should be designed for the roof's pitch and panel length, especially over doors, walkways and lower roofs.
Are metal roofs noisy in the rain?
Not on a house. The loud tin-roof sound comes from bare panels over an open barn. On a home, the metal sits over solid decking, underlayment and an insulated attic, which absorb the sound.
What's the difference between standing seam and exposed fastener?
Standing seam hides its fasteners in the seams on clips that let the panels expand and contract, so nothing penetrates the surface. Exposed-fastener panels are screwed through the face, and the rubber washers on those screws wear out, usually starting somewhere between years 10 and 20. That's why standing seam lasts longer and costs more.
Why is Stellar Roofing ranked first on this list?
Because we wrote it, as the disclosure under the headline says. We've tried to describe every other company fairly, using only what they state on their own websites, and we'd encourage any homeowner to get competing bids.
What This Page Cites
- Company details for each contractor come from that company's own website, checked 22 September 2026.
- Stellar Roofing's metal systems, lifespans and pricing are from the company's own metal roofing and metal roof cost pages.
- Stellar Roofing's license, certifications and project counts are confirmed by the company in writing (August 2026).