Metal America vs Other Metal Roofing Companies: An Honest Comparison

Metal America may seem like the best place to buy metal roofing or siding panels in Idaho or Eastern Washington, but with so many options (regional distributors, national building supply chains, local roofing contractors who supply materials, and manufacturers like Metal America) how can you be sure you’re making the right choice of supplier? This page gives you a straight comparison so you can make an informed decision.

We’ll cover the metal america vs landscape honestly: what Metal America does better, where other suppliers may have an edge, and how to think about the decision for your specific project.

 

The Metal Roofing Supplier Landscape in the Pacific Northwest

When contractors and homeowners in Spokane, Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene, and the broader Inland Northwest look for metal roofing and siding panels, they’re typically choosing between four types of sources:

• Manufacturers who sell direct (like Metal America): Roll steel in-house, sell direct to contractors and property owners, typically offer the most competitive pricing and the deepest product knowledge
• Regional building material distributors: Purchase from multiple manufacturers, stock a broad range of products, often require contractor accounts or minimum orders
• National building supply chains (like ABC Supply, BlueScope, or Menards): Large inventory, wide geographic reach, but products are often sourced from variable third-party manufacturers and pricing reflects distributor markups
• Roofing contractors who supply their own materials: Convenient for turnkey projects, but materials are typically marked up and options are limited to what that contractor sources

Metal America occupies the first category. Understanding what that means in practice is the starting point for any honest comparison.

 

Metal America vs Competitors: Side-by-Side Comparison

The table below compares Metal America against two common alternatives: national building supply chains (such as ABC Supply) and regional distributors. Where traditional roofing (asphalt shingles) is relevant, it’s noted separately in the roofing section below.

 

Factor	Metal America	National Chains (e.g. ABC Supply)	Regional Distributors
Manufacturing	In-house in Post Falls, ID	Third-party sourced	Third-party sourced
Pricing	Direct-to-customer. No distributor markup	Distributor markup applies	Distributor markup applies
Walk-In Locations (ID/WA)	2 in Post Falls & Spokane Valley	Variable	Variable
Same-Day Pickup	Yes on standard stock items	Sometimes	Sometimes
Product Knowledge	Manufacturer-level deep spec knowledge	Sales-level	Sales-level
Wood-Look Finishes	11 exclusive prints only from Metal America	Not available	Rarely available
Color Selection	44+ colors	20–30 typical	20–30 typical
Standing Seam Options	4 profiles	1–2 typical	1–3 typical
Exposed Fastener Options	4 profiles	2–3 typical	2–4 typical
Custom Lengths	Yes — rolled to order	Limited	Limited
Paint Warranty	40-Year WeatherXL™ SMP	20–30 yr typical	20–30 yr typical
Recyclable Steel	Yes — 100%	Varies	Varies
Family-Owned / Local	Yes — Post Falls, Idaho	No	Varies
Contractor Accounts	Yes	Yes	Yes
Homeowner Sales	Yes — no license required	Sometimes	Sometimes

 

 

Metal America vs ABC Supply

ABC Supply is one of the largest roofing and building materials distributors in the United States. It’s a common point of comparison for contractors who work nationally or who have established accounts with national suppliers. Here’s how the two compare for buyers in the Inland Northwest:

Where Metal America Has the Advantage

• Pricing: ABC Supply purchases from manufacturers and sells at a markup. Metal America is the manufacturer. For buyers in the Inland Northwest, Metal America’s direct pricing is typically lower for comparable product.
• Local availability: Metal America has two walk-in locations specifically serving Idaho and Eastern Washington. ABC Supply’s nearest locations may require longer haul distances for project materials.
• Product knowledge: Metal America’s staff includes people with actual installation experience. ABC Supply is a distribution operation; staff expertise varies significantly by location.
• Finish selection: Metal America’s 44+ color palette and 11 exclusive wood-look finishes have no equivalent at ABC Supply. If your project requires Barnwood, Smooth Cedar, or specialty coatings like Cor-Ten, Metal America is the clear choice.
• Custom lengths: Metal America rolls panels to order. ABC Supply stocks standard lengths from third-party manufacturers.

Where ABC Supply May Have an Edge

• Existing account relationships: contractors may have long standing relationships and pricing with ABC supply that can make it hard to switch.
• Broader product categories: ABC Supply carries a much wider range of building materials beyond metal panels (shingles, HVAC, windows, etc.), which may simplify procurement for large general contractors

Bottom line: For metal roofing and siding projects in Idaho and Washington, Metal America offers better pricing, better selection, and better local support than ABC Supply. For contractors managing multi-category procurement, the calculus may differ.

 

Metal America vs Local Roofing Companies

Some homeowners compare Metal America vs local roofing companies, meaning contractors who both supply and install metal roofing. This is an apples-and-oranges comparison in one respect: Metal America is a manufacturer and supplier, not an installation contractor. But the comparison is worth addressing directly because it reflects how many property owners think about the decision.

When to Work Directly with Metal America

• You are a contractor or owner-builder sourcing your own materials
• You want to compare pricing before committing to a contractor’s quote
• You need a specific panel profile, color, or wood-look finish that a local contractor does not offer
• You are purchasing panels for a self-build project
• You want to understand the product before hiring someone to install it

When a Full-Service Roofing Contractor Makes Sense

• You want a single point of accountability for both materials and labor
• You are not in a position to manage material procurement separately from installation
• Your project requires warranties that bundle labor and materials together

Importantly, many of the best metal roofing contractors in the Inland Northwest source their panels from Metal America. Choosing Metal America as your supplier does not mean doing the work yourself, it means being informed about where your materials come from and potentially reducing the materials portion of your project cost.

Metal America can often refer you to experienced local installers who are already familiar with the product. Ask at either location.

 

Metal America Steel vs Traditional Roofing (Asphalt Shingles)

Metal america vs traditional roofing is one of the most common comparisons homeowners make when replacing a roof. Here’s how metal panels from Metal America stack up against standard asphalt shingles across the factors that matter most:

Factor	Metal America Panels	Asphalt Shingles
Lifespan	40–60+ years	15–25 years
Paint/Finish Warranty	40-Year WeatherXL™ SMP	10–15 years
Snow & Ice Performance	Excellent — sheds cleanly	Ice dams common
Fire Resistance	Class A rated	Class A–C (varies)
Wind Resistance	Up to 160 mph rated	60–130 mph typical
Recyclability	100% recyclable steel	Landfill waste
Maintenance	Minimal with no moss, rot, or granule loss	Regular inspection needed
Weight	Lighter with less structural load	Heavier per square
Upfront Cost	Higher than asphalt	Lower upfront
Lifetime Cost	Lower with fewer replacements	Higher. Multiple replacements
Aesthetic Options	44+ colors, wood-look finishes	Limited color range

 

The Cost Reality

Metal roofing costs more upfront than asphalt shingles. A typical asphalt shingle roof in the Inland Northwest runs $8,000–$15,000 installed. A comparable metal roof runs $15,000–$30,000 or more depending on profile and complexity. However, a metal roof will typically outlast two to three asphalt roofs, which means the lifetime cost advantage often favors metal, especially when you factor in the reduced maintenance, better energy performance, and the increasing cost of roofing labor with each replacement cycle.

For the Spokane and North Idaho climate specifically, with its heavy snowfall, wide temperature swings, and UV-intense summers, metal roofing outperforms asphalt on durability. Ice dams, granule loss, and shingle blow-off are recurring issues with asphalt in this region. Metal panels shed snow cleanly and are not susceptible to these failure modes.

 

What Makes Metal America Different from Other Metal Suppliers

Even within the metal roofing and siding category, not all suppliers are the same. Here is what distinguishes Metal America from other metal panel sources, including those that may appear in a search for the best metal roofing companies in Spokane or Idaho:

In-House Manufacturing

Metal America is one of the only metal panel sources in the Inland Northwest that manufactures its own panels on-site. Most regional suppliers, even those that present themselves as manufacturers, are actually purchasing pre-formed panels from third-party processors and reselling them. Metal America operates its own steel coil processing equipment in Post Falls, Idaho. That means:

• Consistent panel quality: same spec every order, not subject to third-party variability
• Custom lengths rolled on demand: not limited to standard stock dimensions
• Faster turnaround: no waiting for a manufacturer to fulfill a distributor order
• Lower pricing: no middleman margin between the factory and the buyer

25 Years of Installation Experience Behind the Product

Metal America was founded by brothers Shawn and Justin Sternberg, who spent 25 years installing metal roofing and siding before starting the company. That hands-on background shapes every product decision from panel geometry to trim design to the accessories that make installation cleaner and faster. This is not a company run by investors or logistics professionals. It is run by people who have been on the roof.

The Wood-Look Finish Difference

No regional competitor offers a wood-look metal finish collection comparable to Metal America’s. With 11 exclusive prints, including Smooth Cedar, Barnwood, Gray Oak, Walnut, Rough Cedar Gray, and Burnt Wood — Metal America serves a design segment that no distributor or national chain can match. These are exclusive finishes, printed in 8K resolution on steel panels. They are not available through ABC Supply, regional distributors, or any other supplier in the market.

Two Walk-In Locations in the Heart of the Market

Post Falls, Idaho and Spokane Valley, Washington are the geographic center of the Inland Northwest construction market. Metal America’s two walk-in locations, open to contractors and homeowners alike, no appointment required, creating a level of local accessibility that national suppliers cannot replicate. Same-day pickup on standard stock. In-person samples. Real product expertise on-site.

 

Best Metal Roofing Companies in Spokane: How to Evaluate

If you’re searching for the best metal roofing companies in Spokane, there are a few criteria worth applying to any supplier or contractor you’re evaluating:

• Do they manufacture or distribute? Manufacturers offer better pricing and more consistent quality. If a supplier can’t tell you exactly where and how their panels are made, they are likely a distributor.
• What is their finish and color range? A limited color selection often signals limited sourcing options. Metal America offers 44+ colors and 11 exclusive wood-look finishes.
• Can they provide custom lengths? Standard stock lengths don’t always fit real projects cleanly. A manufacturer who rolls to order eliminates waste and job site cutting.
• What is the paint warranty? Industry standard is 20–30 years. Metal America’s WeatherXL™ SMP coating carries a 40-year warranty, longer than most competitors in the region.
• Do they have local walk-in availability? For Spokane-area contractors and homeowners, being able to see product, take samples, and pick up same-day is a material advantage. Metal America’s Spokane Valley location at 13520 E Nora Ave provides exactly that.
• Who is behind the company? Metal America is family-owned, founded by people with 25 years of installation experience, and headquartered in Post Falls, Idaho. It is not a franchise, a national chain, or a private equity-backed distributor.

 Read Metal America Reviews Here

Frequently Asked Questions