Completed: May 2026
Location: Lenoir City, Knoxville, TN 37772
Dream Home Build: Standing Seam Roof and James Hardie Siding
A local business owner retiring after years of work had a new goal: build the dream home he and his wife had always planned. Located in the heart of Loudon County near Fort Loudon Lake, the nearly 10,000-square-foot build was an ambitious project, though new construction gave the Smith Roofing crew a major advantage. It spared them the usual headaches of working on an existing house, meaning they didn’t have to spend time replacing rotten wood or dealing with the mess of tearing off old materials.
He wanted only the best materials and wasn’t interested in cutting corners. The vision for the exterior centered on a striking contrast of textures and tones: a 26-gauge 150 Series Standing Seam metal roof in rich black, James Hardie board and batten siding, and black J-channel gutters outfitted with RainDrop gutter guards. To seamlessly bridge the indoors with the back porch, the plans also called for two massive accordion doors.
Smith Roofing & Exteriors started by protecting the roof decking, rolling out a high-temperature ice and water shield across the surface as the base layer before the metal panels went on. The James Hardie board and batten siding went on select areas of the home and on the chimney. Because this particular unpainted Hardie board is designed to be custom color coordinated, the owner chose Smoked Truffle paint to complement the rustic setting. The soffits also received Hardie board for extra durability and visual consistency.
On the front porch, the team installed 1×8 trim around the entire perimeter of the ceiling and on the seams, with each panel and trim piece in a complementary accent color. The result is a ceiling that draws your eye the moment you approach the home. After the porch walls were done, the team installed the large accordion doors connecting the home’s interior to the outdoors via the back porch.
Then came the standing seam roof itself: 26-gauge panels with 1.5-inch vertical seams, extended eaves, and a concealed fastening system. To reduce oil canning, foam backer rods were placed under each panel before installation. The black color was chosen to complement the home’s brick and fit into the rural, wooded landscape near Fort Loudon Lake. Black J-channel gutters, round down spouts, and RainDrop gutter guards finished the job.
The homeowners now have a home built to last, with materials chosen specifically to handle whatever weather rolls in off the lake.
Project Specifications & Additional Upgrades
- Primary Roofing Material: 26-gauge 150 Series Standing Seam metal roof in Black
- Primary Siding Material: James Hardie Board & Batten siding
- Underlayment: QUIK-Stick HT Pro high temp ice & water shield
- Flashing: Lifetime Tool Ultimate pipe boots
- Gutters: 6″ K-style Gutters in Black
- Gutter Guards: RainDrop gutter guards
Dedicated Project Manager: Brad Tindell
Project FAQs
Q: Which is better for new constrction in East Tennessee, standing seam metal roof or shingles?
A: Standing seam metal roofing has a much longer expected lifespan than asphalt shingles, typically 40 to 70 years with proper installation, compared to 20 to 30 years for most shingle products. For a home near Fort Loudon Lake, where storms are frequent, the concealed fastening system and continuous panel design also reduce the points where water can get in. The higher upfront cost is usually offset over time by lower maintenance and the fact that you likely will not need to reroof during your lifetime.
Q: What is James Hardie board and batten siding, and why was it chosen for this project?
A: James Hardie board and batten is a fiber cement siding product made to replicate the look of traditional vertical wood siding, with wide flat boards alternating with narrow vertical strips covering the seams. It resists moisture, impact, rot, insects, and fire in ways that wood cannot match, which is especially relevant in humid East Tennessee. On this project, the product came from the factory unpainted because the homeowner wanted a custom color that coordinates with the brick and suit the rural Loudon County location.
Q: Does Smith Roofing & Exteriors work on new construction or only existing homes?
A: Both. While a bulk of their work is on existing homes, Smith Roofing & Exteriors takes on new construction projects as well. This Lenoir City home is a good example: one contractor handling the roof, siding, soffits, fascia, porch ceiling trim, accordion doors, windows, and gutters on a single nearly 10,000-square-foot build. The company has served new and existing homes in Loudon County and East Tennessee since 2016 and holds Tennessee General Contractors License BC-A #76231.
Building a home and need an experienced roofer?
Whether your home is new construction in Loudon County or was built in the 1800s and sits in the historic district of downtown Knoxville, we have you covered. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today.