Commercial Metal Roofing and Restoration in Savannah, GA

Metal roofs are everywhere around Savannah: pre-engineered steel warehouses and truck terminals near the port, shops and service buildings, churches, marinas, and newer restaurants and retail with standing seam accents. Call (912) 513-1486 and we will connect you with an independent local commercial roofing contractor who installs, replaces and restores metal roofs. This site is a referral service; the contractor quotes and does the work.

Types of commercial metal roofs

• Standing seam. Concealed fasteners, with panels joined at raised seams. Fewer exposed screws means fewer leak points and fewer places for corrosion to start. It is the premium choice for long life.
• Exposed-fastener panels (R-panel, PBR). Common on steel buildings and shops. Lower cost, but the screws and washers need attention over time.
• Metal retrofit framing. A sloped metal roof built over an old flat roof using sub-framing. It fixes chronic ponding on some buildings.

Signs your metal roof needs attention

• Leaks around screws and at panel end laps
• Rust at laps, eaves, gutters, fastener heads and around rooftop units
• Red rust bleeding from cut edges, a common sign of salt exposure
• Loose, backed-out or missing fasteners
• Failed sealant at ridge caps and penetrations
• Panels or trim lifting after a wind event
• Condensation dripping inside, which in Savannah's humidity often points to insulation or vapor problems rather than a leak

Restore, retrofit or replace?

A metal roof with mostly surface rust and leaky fasteners can often be restored: the contractor cleans and treats rust, replaces or oversizes fasteners, seals laps and seams, and applies a coating system. When panels are rusted through over large areas, the structure has moved, or wind has damaged panels and trim, replacement is usually the better value. A retrofit metal roof over an old flat roof can make sense for buildings with chronic ponding.

How a metal roof project is done

1. Inspection of panels, fasteners, laps, gutters, trim and the structure below.
2. A written proposal: restore, retrofit or replace, with panel gauge, profile, finish, fastener type and clip spacing for wind.
3. Permit where required, plus staging, crane lifts and safety setup.
4. For replacement: remove old panels in sections, repair purlins, add insulation and vapor control, install new panels, trim and flashing.
5. For restoration: pressure wash, treat rust, replace fasteners, seal seams and apply primer and coating.
6. Final walk, inspection and warranty paperwork.

Metal roofing costs

Rough national-guide ranges. Building height, access and condition move these numbers, so get a written quote.

What drives the price

• Panel type, gauge and finish (galvalume, painted, aluminum or specialty coatings)
• Fastener material, such as upgraded coated or stainless fasteners near salt water
• Roof pitch, height and access
• Condition of purlins and structure
• Number of skylights, vents and rooftop units
• Insulation upgrades and vapor control
• Gutter and trim replacement

Salt air and metal

Salt is the enemy of steel. Buildings on Tybee Island, Wilmington Island, along the Savannah River and beside the marshes get salt deposits that speed up corrosion of panels, fasteners, gutters and flashing. Some metal finishes and manufacturer warranties have limits or exclusions for buildings close to salt water, so ask the contractor what the warranty says for your location. Options worth asking about include aluminum panels, higher-performance paint finishes, stainless or coated fasteners, and periodic rinsing of areas that do not get washed by rain, like the underside of eaves.

How long it takes

A restoration on a typical shop or warehouse often takes several days to two weeks, because coatings need dry weather and cure time. Panel replacement may take one to several weeks depending on size and lead time for panels and trim.

Metal roofs in Savannah's climate

Metal expands in the heat and contracts as it cools, and on a summer day a dark panel can get far hotter than the air. That daily movement slowly loosens exposed fasteners and wears their rubber washers, which is why many older steel buildings around the port corridor leak at the screws. Wind is the other big factor. Clip spacing, fastener pattern, ridge caps and eave trim all matter when a tropical storm passes nearby. Ask about the panel's wind uplift rating and the finish warranty.

Hiring checklist for Savannah commercial roofing

• Georgia contractor license. Georgia requires a state contractor license for many commercial construction jobs, and what applies depends on the type and size of the work. Ask for the license number and verify it with the Georgia Secretary of State's online license lookup before you sign.
• Permits. The City of Savannah, Chatham County and the surrounding cities usually require a permit for commercial reroofing. Ask the contractor to confirm what applies and to pull any permit in their own name.
• Historic district review. If the building is in downtown Savannah's National Historic Landmark District or another local historic district, roof changes visible from the street may need review. Check with the City of Savannah's historic preservation staff before materials are ordered.
• Insurance. Ask for certificates of general liability and workers' compensation insurance, sent directly from the insurance agent.
• Wind rating. Ask what wind uplift rating the roof system carries and how the attachment plan handles the corners and edges, where coastal wind pulls hardest.
• Written scope. The proposal should name the system, thickness, insulation, attachment method, flashing details, tear-off or recover, warranty terms and cleanup.

Maintenance tips

• Check fasteners and sealant every year or two, and after major storms.
• Keep gutters clear so water does not back up under trim during downpours.
• Do not let HVAC condensate drip onto panels.
• Touch up scratches before they rust, which happens fast in salt air.

Call (912) 513-1486 to reach a local metal roofing contractor.

Frequently asked questions

Areas we serve

We connect callers across Savannah, Pooler, Garden City, Richmond Hill and all of Chatham County, Georgia, including:

• Savannah
• Pooler
• Garden City
• Port Wentworth
• Richmond Hill
• Bloomingdale
• Thunderbolt
• Tybee Island
• Wilmington Island
• Isle of Hope
• Skidaway Island
• Georgetown
• Rincon
• Chatham County
• Bryan County

Local pages: Pooler, Richmond Hill, Garden City.

Related services

• Commercial Roof Replacement
• TPO & Single-Ply Roofing
• Roof Coatings & Restoration
• Commercial Roof Repair
• Hurricane & Storm Damage Inspection