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Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material in Nova Scotia, but metal roofs are changing that. They’re familiar, widely installed, and cheaper to put on upfront. They’re also replaced every 15 to 20 years, absorb moisture, and struggle with the specific conditions Atlantic Canada throws at a roof.

Metal roofing, and standing seam in particular, is a different category of product. Here’s how they compare across the factors that matter in this climate.

Lifespan

Asphalt shingles in Atlantic Canada typically last 15 to 25 years depending on exposure, ventilation, and the quality of the shingle. In coastal areas or locations with heavy wind and salt air, the lower end of that range is more realistic.

Standing seam metal roofing carries a 50-year warranty. With proper installation it routinely outlasts that. Over the life of a building, a homeowner with asphalt shingles may replace their roof two or three times before a metal roof requires any significant attention.

Performance in Atlantic Canada’s Climate

The Maritimes are hard on roofs. The specific challenges:

Freeze-thaw cycles.

Water gets under asphalt shingles, freezes, expands, and accelerates deterioration. Metal roofing has no granules to shed, no seams for water to infiltrate at the surface, and no material that degrades through repeated freeze-thaw.

Wind.

Asphalt shingles are mechanically fastened at the top edge, leaving the lower portion to lift in high winds. Standing seam panels interlock along the full seam length with concealed clips and carry a 150 MPH wind rating. Hurricane-track storms that move up the Eastern Seaboard are a real consideration in Nova Scotia, particularly on the South Shore.

Salt air.

Coastal properties face accelerated corrosion and material breakdown. KLAD’s panels are 24 or 26 gauge Galvalume steel, which combines steel with an aluminum-zinc alloy coating specifically engineered for corrosion resistance.

Snow load.

Metal roofs shed snow. The smooth surface doesn’t hold accumulation the way asphalt does, reducing structural load and ice dam risk.

Cost

Asphalt shingles cost less to install. That’s true. A standing seam metal roof costs more upfront.

The comparison changes when you look at the full picture. A homeowner who replaces an asphalt roof twice over 50 years, accounting for materials, labour, and disposal each time, will typically spend more in total than a homeowner who installs metal once. Metal roofing also adds resale value and can reduce home insurance premiums in some cases.

KLAD doesn’t install asphalt shingles. If a contractor is quoting you both side by side, make sure the comparison accounts for lifespan, not just installation cost.

Appearance

Asphalt shingles come in a wide range of styles and colours. So does standing seam metal roofing. KLAD offers [X] standard colours across SMP and PVDF finishes, with custom colour options available. [link to Colours page]

The clean vertical lines of standing seam suit contemporary, coastal, and farmhouse architecture well. It reads as a premium finish, which it is.

Environmental Impact

Asphalt shingles are petroleum-based and generate significant landfill waste at end of life. Most are not recyclable.

Steel is one of the most recycled materials on earth. KLAD’s panels are 100% Canadian-manufactured in Brooklyn, Nova Scotia, which means no overseas shipping, no cross-border tariff exposure, and a significantly lower transport footprint than imported products.

What KLAD Installs

KLAD manufactures and installs standing seam metal roofing panels using an Englert MetalMan Multi-Panel Roofing Machine. Panels are roll-formed to the exact length needed for your roof, with no horizontal seams. KLAD uses drone scanning for precise roof measurement before any quote is generated.

We do not install asphalt shingles. If standing seam is the right fit for your project, get a quote here. If you’re a contractor looking to supply panels, get in touch.

If you’ve been searching for metal roofing in Nova Scotia, you’ve probably seen “steel roofing” and “metal roofing” used like they mean the same thing. Sometimes they do. Often they don’t. And if you’re making a roofing decision, the distinction matters.

Here’s the breakdown.

Metal Roofing Is the Category. Steel Is One Option Within It.

Metal roofing is the umbrella term. It covers any roofing system made from a metal material, including:

• Steel (the most common in Atlantic Canada)
• Aluminum
• Zinc
• Copper
• Galvalume (a steel alloy coated with aluminum and zinc)

When someone says “metal roofing,” they could mean any of these. When someone says “steel roofing,” they mean one specific material within that category.

Most residential and commercial metal roofing installed in Nova Scotia is steel, which is why the terms get used interchangeably. But not all steel roofing is the same, and material is only one part of the picture.

The More Important Question: What Type of System?

The bigger difference isn’t steel vs. aluminum. It’s the panel system. There are two main categories:

Exposed fastener panels (corrugated, screw-down)

The panels are screwed directly through the face of the metal. Fasteners are visible. Less expensive to install, but the penetrations are a long-term vulnerability. Screws can back out, washers fail, and every penetration is a potential leak point.

Concealed fastener panels (standing seam)

Fasteners are hidden beneath the panels. Nothing penetrates the face of the metal. The panels interlock at raised vertical seams, creating a watertight surface with no exposed hardware.

Standing seam is the premium system. It’s what KLAD manufactures and installs.

What Is Standing Seam, Exactly?

Standing seam metal roofing gets its name from the raised seams that run vertically from ridge to eave. Adjacent panels lock together at those seams, and the fasteners clip beneath them, out of sight and out of the weather.

KLAD manufactures two standing seam profiles:

Mech-Lock (Mechanically Seamed)

The panel edges are mechanically folded and locked together with a seaming tool. This creates the most weather-tight connection available, with no exposed fasteners of any kind. Mech-Lock is recommended for low-slope roofs, coastal properties, and any application where maximum wind and water resistance is the priority.

Snap-Lock

Panels snap together without a seaming tool, making installation faster. Recommended for steeper pitches and residential projects. Still a concealed fastener system, still significantly more durable than exposed fastener alternatives.

Both are available in 12 to 24 inch widths, 24 or 26 gauge Galvalume steel, in single or double lock configurations. Both carry a 50-year warranty and are rated to 150 MPH wind resistance.

Why Does This Matter in Nova Scotia?

The Maritimes take a beating. Coastal salt air, freeze-thaw cycles, hurricane-track storms, and heavy snow loads are all factors that exposed fastener systems handle poorly over time. Every screw hole is a potential failure point in a climate that tests every weakness.

Standing seam panels have no exposed fasteners. They also use floating clips that allow the metal to expand and contract with temperature changes without stressing the panel or the connection points. That matters in a province where you can see a 50 degree temperature swing between seasons.

KLAD’s panels are manufactured right here in Brooklyn, Queens County. That means no tariff exposure, faster lead times, and panels made for the Maritime climate, not shipped from a distribution hub in the US or central Canada.

So When Someone Says “Steel Roofing,” What Do They Mean?

Usually they mean metal roofing generally, but they may not be thinking about the system type at all. The material (steel) is almost always the right call for Nova Scotia. The system type is where the real decision happens.

If you’re comparing quotes and one contractor is pricing exposed fastener panels and another is pricing standing seam, you are not comparing the same product. Standing seam costs more upfront. It costs significantly less over 30 years.

Ready to See What Standing Seam Looks Like on Your Building?

KLAD uses drone scanning for accurate roof measurement, so you can get a precise quote and render without anyone climbing on your roof.

Interested in ordering panels for your own installation? [Talk to us about contractor supply.] (link to contractor page)

If you’re researching the cost of a metal roof in Nova Scotia, price is probably your first question. The answer is that it depends on the system, the size of your roof, and whether you’re buying panels only or a full supply and install package. Here’s what you need to know.

Metal Roofing vs Asphalt Shingles: The Real Cost Comparison

A standing seam metal roof costs more upfront than asphalt shingles. There’s no getting around that. But asphalt shingles in Atlantic Canada typically last 15 to 25 years before they need replacing. A standing seam metal roof lasts 50 to 80 years with virtually no maintenance.

When you factor in two or three shingle replacements over the same period, plus the labour costs each time, standing seam metal roofing is almost always cheaper over the lifetime of the building.

What Affects the Cost of a Metal Roof in Nova Scotia?

Several factors affect the final price of a metal roof:

Roof size and complexity A simple gable roof on a small home costs less than a large roof with multiple valleys, dormers, and penetrations. More complexity means more labour and more custom trims and flashing.

Panel system KLAD manufactures two standing seam panel systems: Mech-Lock and Snap-Lock. Mech-Lock panels are mechanically seamed at every joint for maximum weather resistance. Snap-Lock panels are a cost-effective alternative for lower-slope applications. See panel options.

Gauge KLAD panels are available in 24 and 26 gauge Galvalume steel. 24 gauge is heavier and more durable, recommended for coastal properties and high wind areas. 26 gauge is suitable for most standard residential applications.

Finish SMP pre-painted finishes are high-performance and suited to most applications. PVDF finishes offer superior colour retention and are the premium choice for coastal and high-UV environments. See colour options.

Supply only vs supply and install If you’re a contractor or builder purchasing panels to install yourself, you pay for materials only. If you want KLAD to manufacture and install your roof, the full project cost includes labour, trims, flashing, and installation.

What Does a Standing Seam Metal Roof Cost in Nova Scotia?

[PLACEHOLDER: insert price ranges from KLAD once confirmed]

As a general guide, standing seam metal roofing in Atlantic Canada typically ranges from:

• Panels supplied only: $[X] to $[X] per square foot
• Full supply and install: $[X] to $[X] per square foot for a typical residential roof

For an accurate quote on your specific project, use KLAD’s online quote calculator for a quick estimate, or contact us to have a representative measure your roof.

Why Buy Direct from the Manufacturer?

Most metal roofing in Nova Scotia is sold through distributors who mark up the price before it reaches you. KLAD manufactures standing seam panels at our facility in Brooklyn, Queens County and supplies direct to homeowners and contractors across Nova Scotia and the Maritimes. No middleman, no markup.

We also use drone scanning technology to measure your roof accurately before we quote, so there are no surprises on your final invoice.

Is a Standing Seam Metal Roof Worth It?

For most Nova Scotia homeowners, yes. The combination of a [50-year] warranty, a 50 to 80 year lifespan, no exposed fasteners, and superior performance in Maritime weather conditions makes standing seam the highest-value roofing investment available in Atlantic Canada.

It’s also the only roofing system that genuinely improves the value of your home without needing to be replaced within your lifetime.

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Get a Quote on Your Metal Roof

KLAD supplies standing seam metal roofing and steel cladding across Nova Scotia and the Maritimes. Whether you’re a homeowner planning a new roof or a contractor looking to order panels, we can help.

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