Xactimate Valley Metal (RFG VALMTL): Closed vs. Open Valley and When Each Is Owed

You pulled the adjuster's estimate, scrolled down to the roofing scope, and the valleys are nowhere to be found. No RFG VALMTL line item. No valley flashing of any kind. The adjuster just counted shingles and moved on. Your roof has 84 linear feet of valley, the manufacturer spec calls for W-profile valley metal on an open valley installation, and the carrier paid zero dollars toward it.

This is one of the most commonly missed line items in residential roofing claims. Adjusters skip it because they assume a closed-cut valley (where shingles are woven across the valley) doesn't need metal. That assumption is wrong about half the time and it costs homeowners real money on every single storm claim.

This guide breaks down exactly when valley metal is owed, how to calculate the linear footage, what the Xactimate line items look like, and the supplement language that gets adjusters to add it without a fight. If you install roofs and handle insurance claims, valley metal supplements should be automatic on every job that has open valleys or any manufacturer spec that requires a metal lining.

Closed-Cut vs. Open Valley: The Install Difference

Before you can argue valley metal on a supplement, you need to be clear about what valley configuration is actually on the roof. There are three common valley types in residential asphalt shingle roofing, and each has different material requirements.

Open Valley (Requires Metal)

An open valley leaves a visible strip of metal flashing running down the center of the valley. Shingles are cut back a few inches from the centerline on each side, exposing the metal. The metal is typically W-profile (with a raised center rib) or V-profile galvanized or painted steel. This is the install style that absolutely requires RFG VALMTL.

Closed-Cut Valley (May Still Require Metal)

A closed-cut valley has shingles from one side extending fully across the valley. Shingles from the opposite side are cut along a line a couple of inches off the centerline. The valley appears fully shingled with no exposed metal. Many roofers and adjusters assume no metal is needed here, but most manufacturer specs still require a valley liner (either metal or self-adhered membrane) beneath the shingles.

Woven Valley (Legacy Install)

A woven valley alternates shingle courses from both sides across the valley. This used to be common with three-tab shingles but is almost never used on laminated or architectural shingles because the thicker profile doesn't lay flat through the weave. If the existing roof has a woven valley, a like-kind-and-quality replacement typically transitions to closed-cut or open with metal per modern manufacturer specs.

What RFG VALMTL Actually Covers in Xactimate

The Xactimate line item code RFG VALMTL is the standard entry for valley metal flashing on asphalt shingle roofs. Understanding what this line item includes and excludes is critical to writing accurate supplements.

What's Included in RFG VALMTL

• Galvanized or painted steel valley metal (typically 24 gauge or similar, W or V profile)
• Fasteners for securing the valley metal to the roof deck
• Standard labor to install the metal in the valley prior to shingle installation
• Normal waste factor for field cuts and laps

What's Not Included in RFG VALMTL

• Ice and water shield beneath the valley metal (separate line, typically RFG IWS)
• Removal of the existing valley metal (that's RFG VALMTL with the R&R flag, not RFG VALMTL+)
• Upgrades to copper or painted architectural-grade metals (those require separate line items or user-defined entries)

Xactimate treats valley metal as a linear foot item. The LF quantity should match the total measured valley length on the roof, not the diagonal or the roof slope length. Measuring correctly is where most mistakes happen, and we cover that in the linear foot math section below.

Why Adjusters Skip Valley Metal (And When It's Wrong)

There are three recurring reasons valley metal gets omitted from adjuster estimates, and each one has a standard counter-argument that works when you write it into your supplement.

Reason 1: "The Existing Valley Was Closed-Cut"

The adjuster looks at the roof, sees no visible metal, and assumes the new install won't need metal either. The problem: even a closed-cut valley typically requires a metal or self-adhered membrane liner beneath the shingles per most manufacturer installation instructions. And if the roof is being replaced with a different shingle line that mandates open valley, the install style changes regardless of what was there before.

Reason 2: "The Shingle Manufacturer Doesn't Require Metal"

Some adjusters will point to a generic manufacturer spec and claim metal is optional. In practice, most major shingle manufacturers (GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed, Malarkey, Atlas) allow either open valley with metal or closed-cut with specific underlayment protection. If your scope is open valley (which is what many contractors and homeowners prefer for longevity), the metal is not optional.

Reason 3: "It's Just Not on the Estimate"

The most common reason. The adjuster wrote the sketch, clicked through Xactimate's standard roof template, and the valley metal line item simply didn't populate. No malice. Just an incomplete estimate. This is where a quick review finds money in almost every claim.

For a full catalog of line items adjusters routinely miss, see our line items adjusters miss roundup.

Valley Linear Foot Math: How to Measure Correctly

Valley metal is priced per linear foot. Getting the LF quantity right is the single biggest factor in whether the supplement dollars match reality.

Method 1: Direct Measurement from the Sketch

If the adjuster produced an EagleView, Hover, or in-app sketch, the valley measurements are usually listed in the report under valleys. Pull the total valley LF directly from that report. Don't trust the Xactimate auto-populated number if the sketch report gives you a measured total.

Method 2: Pitch-Adjusted Calculation

If you only have plan-view measurements, you need to convert to true slope length. The valley runs at roughly 45 degrees in plan view and matches the roof pitch on elevation.

Example: A 40-foot plan-view valley on a 7/12 pitch roof.

Slope multiplier for 7/12 pitch: approximately 1.158

Valley LF = 40 ft x 1.158 = 46.3 LF per valley

Two valleys on the roof = 92.6 LF total

At $11.50 per LF (regional average): 92.6 x $11.50 = $1,064.90 for valley metal alone.

Method 3: Tape the Roof

If you're on site and the sketch is missing or wrong, pull a tape measure down each valley from ridge to eave. Add up the totals. This is the most defensible measurement because it's field-verified and you can document it with a photo.

Typical Valley Counts by Roof Type

On a complex cut-up roof with 150 LF of valley and no valley metal line on the estimate, the supplement opportunity is easily 1,700 dollars plus O&P. That's a line item worth the ten minutes it takes to review.

Unit Pricing and Regional Xactimate Ranges

Xactimate unit prices for RFG VALMTL vary by region, metal type, and labor market. Here are the ballpark ranges you'll see in most residential markets as of 2026.

Don't just accept the Xactimate default. If the original roof had painted valley metal to match drip edge color, the replacement should be the same. Default galvanized on the estimate means the carrier is paying for a lower-grade material than what was actually there. That's a like-kind-and-quality violation and grounds for a supplement.

Real-world supplement example: 92 LF of valley on a cross-gable roof, adjuster wrote zero valley metal.

Supplement: 92 LF x $11.75 (painted steel, W-profile) = $1,081.00

Plus O&P at 20%: $216.20

Total supplement value for this one line: $1,297.20

Code and Manufacturer Spec Arguments

When an adjuster pushes back on a valley metal supplement, the winning argument almost always comes from the shingle manufacturer's installation instructions combined with local code requirements.

Manufacturer Installation Instructions

Every major asphalt shingle manufacturer publishes detailed installation instructions that specify acceptable valley configurations. These documents are publicly available on the manufacturer's website and are considered the authoritative standard for warranty-compliant installation.

• GAF: Allows open valley with metal, closed-cut with ice and water shield liner, or specific woven methods. Warranty requires one of these three.
• Owens Corning: Specifies valley underlayment (WinterGuard or equivalent) under all valley types. Open valley requires metal over the underlayment.
• CertainTeed: Requires valley liner (metal or self-adhered membrane) in every valley installation for warranty coverage.
• Malarkey and Atlas: Similar requirements. Valley liner mandatory, open valley with metal is a common installation method.

Code Requirements

The International Residential Code (IRC) Section R905.2.8.2 addresses valley flashing for asphalt shingle roofs. The code requires valleys to be lined with metal flashing not less than 24 inches wide, or with a minimum of two plies of mineral surface roll roofing, or with a self-adhering polymer modified bitumen sheet. The code doesn't let the adjuster off the hook. Something must line the valley.

When you write your supplement, cite the specific manufacturer document and the IRC section. This gives the adjuster a defensible reason to approve the supplement without kicking it upstairs.

For more context on how code citations strengthen supplements, see how to supplement a roofing claim.

Supplement Language That Gets Approved

Here's the exact format and wording we see work on valley metal supplements. Adapt this template with your specific measurements and manufacturer.

Supplement Request: Valley Metal Flashing (RFG VALMTL)

The current estimate does not include valley metal flashing. The roof has 92 LF of open valley per the attached sketch and field measurements. The specified replacement shingle is GAF Timberline HDZ, which per GAF installation instructions (current revision) requires either open valley with metal flashing or closed-cut valley with continuous ice and water shield liner.

Scope calls for open valley installation per homeowner preference and manufacturer recommendation. Open valley requires painted steel W-profile valley metal, 24-inch width, installed over ice and water shield underlayment.

IRC R905.2.8.2 also requires valley flashing on asphalt shingle roofs, consistent with this supplement.

Requested addition: RFG VALMTL, 92 LF at regional unit price, plus O&P as applicable to the overall claim.

Supporting documents attached: sketch with valley measurements, manufacturer installation spec (page reference), field photos of valleys.

What Makes This Supplement Work

• Specific LF quantity tied to a measurable document
• Named manufacturer and document version
• Code citation for independent verification
• Clean, short, and professional tone
• Supporting documents attached so the adjuster doesn't have to request them

Supplements that get rejected usually fail one of these four tests. Supplements that get approved almost always cover all four.

Supplements on Closed-Cut Valleys (Yes, It Happens)

One of the most common objections you'll hear from an adjuster is that the roof has closed-cut valleys, so no metal is needed. This is where a lot of contractors walk away. They shouldn't.

When Closed-Cut Still Requires Metal

Even on a closed-cut valley, certain manufacturer specs and local code amendments require a metal liner beneath the woven shingles. Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and other high-wind and hail regions sometimes adopt amendments that push valley metal requirements further than the base IRC. Always check local code before accepting a closed-cut without metal.

When the Scope Changes to Open Valley

If the homeowner is paying for a roof upgrade (say, moving from a 30-year shingle to a 50-year architectural with enhanced warranty), the install method frequently shifts from closed-cut to open valley with metal. The new shingle line may require or strongly recommend open valley for the warranty to apply. If that's the case, valley metal is owed under the insurance claim's like-kind-and-quality obligation because the restored roof must meet manufacturer install standards.

Ice and Water Shield as a Substitute

If the adjuster insists the closed-cut valley doesn't need metal, ask them to add ice and water shield in the valleys at a minimum. Most manufacturer specs accept self-adhered membrane as an alternative to metal on closed-cut valleys. Either way, something is going in the valley, and the estimate should reflect that line item. Getting ice and water shield added is still a win even when the metal itself isn't approved.

For more examples of Xactimate-specific line items to watch for during estimate review, see our Xactimate supplement list and how to read an Xactimate estimate.

The Step Flashing Connection

Valleys often intersect with walls, chimneys, and dormer cheeks. If the roof has cricket valleys running into walls, you need both valley metal and step flashing at those transitions. The step flashing line item (RFG FLASH) is a separate supplement opportunity that commonly gets missed on the same roofs where valley metal gets missed. Our guide to Xactimate step flashing (RFG FLASH) covers that scope in detail.

Putting It All Together: Your Valley Metal Supplement Workflow

Here's the step-by-step process for catching and supplementing valley metal on every claim that has it.

1. Pull the sketch. Identify total valley LF from the sketch report or field measurement.
2. Scan the estimate. Search for RFG VALMTL. If it's missing, flag it immediately.
3. Identify the install method. Open valley or closed-cut. If open, metal is mandatory. If closed-cut, check manufacturer spec for liner requirement.
4. Pull the manufacturer installation document. Note the specific page and revision that requires valley flashing.
5. Calculate the supplement dollars. LF x regional unit price, then apply O&P.
6. Write the supplement. Use the template above with your specific measurements, manufacturer, and code citations.
7. Attach supporting documents. Sketch, manufacturer spec page, field photos.
8. Track the response. If denied, escalate with the specific manufacturer and code language in writing.

This workflow turns valley metal from a missed line item into a consistent 800 to 1,500 dollar supplement on every storm claim that has open or multi-valley roofs. Over 20 to 30 claims a year, that's 20,000 to 40,000 dollars in supplement revenue tied to one line item that takes ten minutes to find.

For a broader review framework to catch more than just valleys, see our adjuster estimate review checklist.