Roofing Options
Subject: More Than Shelter: Roof Choices
Preview: Shingles, metal, polycarbonate — three paths, three very different outcomes.
Hi [First Name],
Once you have settled on a structure type — pergola, pavilion, gazebo — the next decision is the one that changes the way the whole thing feels: what goes on top.
Roofing is not just about keeping rain off. It affects the weight the structure has to carry, the engineering required to support it, the look from every angle, and the long-term maintenance you are signing up for. There are three main paths, and each one leads to a different place.
01
Three Roofing Paths
Shingles
Asphalt or composite shingles over plywood sheathing. The most familiar roofing material — widely available, easy to match to your home, and installed by virtually any roofing contractor. Requires a solid roof deck underneath, which adds weight the structure must support.
Metal
Standing seam or corrugated steel, aluminum, or copper panels. Lighter than shingles per square foot, longer lifespan, and sheds snow and rain more efficiently. Can be installed over purlins without full sheathing in some designs, reducing dead load.
Polycarbonate
Translucent or tinted multi-wall panels that let light through while blocking rain and UV. The lightest option by far. Creates a bright, airy feel underneath — but does not provide full shade and retains more heat than opaque roofing.
The roofing material does not just sit on top of the structure — it changes what the structure underneath needs to be.
02
Shingles: The Familiar Choice
Most people start here because it is what they know. Shingles match the house, every roofer in town can install them, and the material itself is the least expensive of the three per square foot.
But shingles require a solid roof deck — typically plywood or OSB sheathing — underneath. That deck adds significant dead load to the structure. The beams, posts, and connections all have to be sized to carry that weight plus snow, wind, and the roofing itself. Shingles also have the shortest lifespan of the three options — typically 20–30 years before replacement.
Best fit: When matching the home’s existing roof is the priority, or when working with a local roofer who specializes in shingle installation.
03
Metal: The Long Game
Metal roofing has moved well past the barn-and-warehouse look. Standing seam panels in particular give pavilions and covered structures a clean, modern profile that ages well.
The engineering advantages are real. Metal is lighter than shingles, which can reduce the timber sizes needed below. It sheds snow more effectively, which matters in heavy-snow climates. And the lifespan is 40–70 years depending on the material — steel, aluminum, or copper each have different performance profiles.
The tradeoff is cost and sound. Metal roofing costs more per square foot than shingles, and rain on a metal roof is not quiet. Insulation or a solid deck underneath can dampen the sound but adds cost and weight back into the equation.
Best fit: When longevity and low maintenance matter more than upfront cost. Especially strong in snow country where shedding load quickly is an engineering advantage.
04
Polycarbonate: Light Without the Open Sky
Polycarbonate panels split the difference between an open pergola and a solid-roof pavilion. You get rain protection and UV filtering while still letting natural light flood the space underneath.
Because the panels are extremely lightweight, the structure below can sometimes be lighter too — though wind uplift becomes a bigger factor since polycarbonate acts like a sail in high winds. The panels come in clear, tinted, and opal finishes with varying levels of light transmission and heat management.
The real tradeoff: polycarbonate does not look like a traditional roof. It has a distinctly modern, almost commercial aesthetic. Some clients love that. Others want the warmth of wood and shingles overhead. It also does not provide full shade — on a hot day, the space underneath will be warmer than under an opaque roof.
Best fit: When you want weather protection but do not want to lose the natural light. Common on covered patios, pool areas, and commercial walkways.
05
Side by Side
| Shingles | Metal | Polycarbonate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Heaviest (requires full deck) | Moderate | Lightest |
| Lifespan | 20–30 years | 40–70 years | 15–25 years |
| Light | Full shade | Full shade | Filtered natural light |
| Snow | Holds until melted or cleared | Sheds efficiently | Sheds well (watch for wind uplift) |
| Sound | Quiet | Louder in rain (can be dampened) | Moderate |
| Aesthetic | Traditional, matches most homes | Clean, modern, ages well | Modern, bright, commercial feel |
| Upfront cost | Lowest material cost | Higher | Moderate |
06
The Real Question
The roofing choice is not just about what you like the look of. It feeds back into the entire structure. A heavier roof means heavier beams, larger posts, and more robust connections. A lighter roof can sometimes mean a lighter structure — but wind engineering becomes more critical.
The best approach is to decide on roofing early in the design process, not after the structure is engineered. Changing the roof material late changes the load calculations, which can change the timber sizes, which changes the cost.
One Thing Most People Miss
Roofing is sourced and installed locally — it is not part of the timber frame kit. That means your local roofing contractor handles the material and labor. We engineer the structure to support the roofing you choose, and your roofer finishes it on site.
This is actually an advantage. Local roofing always costs less than shipping roofing materials cross-country. Your roofer knows local codes, local weather, and local pricing — and they warranty their own work.
The Questions to Ask Your Builder
“What roofing material is this structure engineered for? If I change the roofing later, does that change the engineering? Is the roofing included in the kit price or sourced locally?”
A builder who has thought through the roofing question will have clear answers. If the roofing is an afterthought in the quote, it may be an afterthought in the engineering too.
We spend a lot of time thinking about timber, engineering, and outdoor living, so from time to time we like to share things that people often find interesting once they start exploring outdoor structures.
Reply with your project details and I will walk you through which roofing option makes sense for your structure, your climate, and your budget.
To great outdoor living,
[Name]
Western Timber Frame
[Phone] | [Email] | westerntimberframe.com
Western Timber Frame, Inc.
2026 U.S. Small Business Administration
Utah Manufacturing Small Business of the Year
