Vertical, Boxed-Eave or Regular Roof: Which Style Does Your Metal Building Need?

Every metal building we sell comes with a choice that affects its lifespan, its resistance to weather and its price: the roof style. There are three, and picking the right one depends mostly on your climate and how long you plan to keep the building. Here's the honest breakdown.

Regular roof: the economical option

The regular (or rounded-corner) roof is the classic carport style. Its panels run horizontally, from front to back, and it has no ridge cap. It's the most affordable of the three because it uses less steel and less labor.

• Best for: mild climates, smaller structures, tight budgets.
• Watch out for: horizontal panels drain water sideways, so in areas with heavy rain or snow, water and debris can sit longer on the roof.

Boxed-eave roof: the residential look

The boxed-eave (or A-frame horizontal) roof has the classic house-style A shape, but the panels still run horizontally. You get the clean residential appearance — great if the building sits next to your home — at a mid-range price.

• Best for: matching your home's roofline, moderate climates.
• Watch out for: same horizontal drainage limitation as the regular style. Fine for moderate weather, not ideal for heavy snow country.

Vertical roof: built for weather

The vertical roof is the A-frame shape with panels running vertically, from the ridge down to the eaves — plus a ridge cap and extra framing. Rain, snow, leaves and debris slide straight off instead of sitting on the panels. It's the strongest and longest-lasting style, and the one we recommend for any building over 32 feet long.

• Best for: heavy rain or snow, high winds, large buildings, and anyone planning to keep the structure for decades.
• Watch out for: it's the highest-priced of the three — though the added lifespan usually pays for the difference.

See the difference before you buy

Every building on our site starts as a 3D design, so you don't have to imagine the roof styles — you can see your exact structure rendered in the style, size and color you want before we build it. That's included with every quote, at no cost.