Answering the 8 Most Common Questions about Stone-Coated Steel Roofing
Whether you are building a new home or replacing a roof on an existing one, you want to install a high-quality roof that lasts. But nobody wants an industrial-looking roof on their family home - even if it’ll last a lifetime!
Enter the stone-coated steel roof - the roof that lasts and looks great!
Does that sound too good to be true? You’re not alone.
As stone-coated steel metal roofs grow in popularity, so do the questions.
As a contractor with experience installing stone-coated steel roofs, the team here at K Graber Construction cares about answering your questions so you can be confident in your roofing decisions.
Ready to have your questions answered?
Let’s dive in!
What is stone-coated metal roofing?
Let’s start with the basics. Stone-coated metal roofing combines the attractiveness of other roofing styles with the longevity of steel roofing.
Here’s what this combination gets you:
- A roof that lasts up to 70 years
- Low maintenance, like a traditional metal roof
- A warm, aesthetically pleasing appearance
- Customization
Made from steel sheets and coated with stone granules, this approach to metal roofing has significant design versatility. The stone coating aspect enables texturing and vivid coloring. Each steel sheet can be stamped to look like anything from asphalt shingles to clay tiles to wood shakes.
Pros and cons of stone-coated metal shingles
It's almost amazing no one thought of it before:
Roofing materials like wood shakes and asphalt shingles have an attractive, homey look about them -- but they aren't extremely durable.
Steel roofing lasts incredibly long -- but lacks the beautiful, residential charm that comes with other types of roofing.
So why not combine the two?
That is exactly what stone-coated metal roofing does. In its most simple form, stone-coated metal roofing is steel roofing, coated with stone granules.
Stone-coated metal shingles are an amazing product. But, like anything they aren't quite perfect.
Thankfully, there is only one real drawback to stone-coated steel roofing: the price tag. Metal shingles cost roughly twice as much as traditional shingle roofs, running between $800-$1200 per 100 square feet.
So why would a person even consider a stone-coated metal roof?
Well, there are at least seven reasons why.
Let’s take a quick look at the pros of stone-coated metal roofing.
1. Durability: Metal shingles are very durable - some manufacturers even give a lifetime warranty! In tests, stone-coated metal shingles held together in winds with gusts reaching up to 170 mph.
2. Safety: Unlike traditional shingles, stone-coated metal shingles are not flammable. This diminishes the areas of fire risk in your home. They would also be more resistant to falling tree limbs and debris.
3. Adds value: Stone-coated metal shingles add value to your home because 1) they are durable, 2) they don’t succumb to aesthetic flaws as quickly, and 3) they are energy efficient.
4. Environmentally friendly: Meal roofs can be made from recycled materials. After they wear out, they don’t need to end up in the landfill but can be recycled!
5. Energy-efficient: Stone-coated metal shingles are energy efficient, especially in the summer. The building remains cooler by reflecting the sun’s UV rays, decreasing cooling bills.
6. Low maintenance: Besides removing branches and leaves that tend to collect in valleys and gutters, a metal shingle roof doesn’t require any maintenance.
7. Lightweight: It's logical to think something made of stone and metal will be very heavy. Thankfully though, stone-coated metal shingles are actually the opposite. Weighting less than 2 pounds per square foot, metal shingles are lighter than asphalt shingles and tile.
Now that we’ve covered the basics of stone-coated metal roofing and some of its pros and cons let's address some commonly asked questions.
Stone-coated metal shingles FAQ's
Can you walk on a stone-coated steel roof?
Yes. Make sure you wear soft-soled shoes to avoid accidentally damaging the shingles. Above all, make sure you exercise safety precautions. Don’t try to walk on your roof when it's wet. When navigating a stone-coated steel roof, walk along the shingles’ connecting ridges when moving across the roof and in the shingle trough when moving up or down. If your roof has a steep slope, it's best to stay off of it.
Can you paint stone-coated steel roofing?
Yes. However, it's a bit more challenging than painting a standard metal roof. Minor fixes with paint aren’t tricky, but if you want to paint the entire roof, it takes several steps.
- First, the roof needs to be power washed to remove loose stones. Power washing must be done carefully, so the roof isn’t damaged in the process (e.g., by the power washing equipment).
- Second, an appropriate primer is applied, and the roof is painted.
Are stone-coated steel roofs noisy?
The first thing that may come to mind is the familiar trope “rain on a tin roof.” No one wants to have roof noise interfering with conversation and the general peace of their home!
Thankfully, stone-coated metal roofs are quieter, sometimes even more silent than asphalt shingles. Often, when people think of metal roofs and noise, they think of sheds, industrial buildings, and pole barns - and these buildings are often loud during rainstorms!
However, stone-coated metal roofs appropriately installed on a home differ from those types of roofs in three crucial ways.
- The stone coating: the stone coating on a stone-coated shingle disperses the sound of falling rain and acts as a sound insulator.
- Installation: Metal roofs on homes are installed in multiple layers and on a roof deck. This differs from sheds and warehouses, where the metal roof is installed on the roof frame. These numerous layers effectively muffle the sound.
- Insulation: A properly insulated attic will diminish sound even further, making your home virtually soundproof from roof noises.
Can you put solar panels on a stone-coated steel roof?
Yes! It is pretty easy to install solar panels on stone-coated steel roofs. These metal roofs are already energy efficient, but adding solar panels increases this efficiency and opens the door to incentives and tax benefits.
Do metal roofs affect wifi?
It depends. If your internet/TV connection is provided via a satellite dish and cable, a metal roof won’t affect it. However, if your connection is wireless and your phone service or wifi connection is already weak, a metal roof could have a slight interfering effect. Wifi issues are usually complex, and it's unlikely that connectivity issues will result from your metal roof.
Do stone-coated metal roofs increase home value?
Yes! As we mentioned earlier, a stone-coated metal roof will increase your home’s value in at least three ways.
- Metal roofs last a long time, meaning any prospective buyers know they will not need to replace the roof anytime soon.
- Stone-coated metal roofs are also durable aesthetically. Since they won’t fade or wear away quickly, they help maintain the beauty of your home and diminish cosmetic costs.
- Finally, stone-coated metal shingles deflect UV rays and lower cooling costs in the summertime.
What color metal roof is best?
This is largely a matter of preference. However, it is generally better to stick with muted earth tones like blacks, browns, and grays. These colors tend to complement natural surroundings and create a more cohesive aesthetic. Lighter colors (e.g., grays, whites, tans) will be more energy efficient.
What are the best stone-coated metal roofing brands?
DECRA is recognized as the top manufacturer of residential and commercial stone-coated metal roofing.
Founded in 1939, Decraspray Co. was contracted to find a way to camouflage British homes and buildings from German bombers effectively. After the war, they realized they had inadvertently discovered a new and highly effective roofing system. In 1978, the first plant opened in Belgium under the trademark Decra. In 1989, Decra opened a U.S. plant in California to meet the growing demand in the States.
With 65 years of experience, Decra offers the most comprehensive lifetime guarantee for stone-coated metal roofing.
Conclusion
At K Graber Construction, we care about integrity and quality results. Stone-coated steel roofing fits well within that vision as one of the best roofing systems available.
If you are trying to decide if a metal roof is right for you, be sure to check out our free e-book, The 3 Main Styles of Metal Roofing (and their pros and cons), and our blog post Choosing The Best Metal Roof For Your Home Or Business – Everything You Need To Know.
We also offer a wide variety of services beyond metal roofing. These include:
- Concrete contracting
- ICF construction
- Pole barn homes
- New home construction
- Additions and remodeling
- And more!
If you have any questions or are ready for a roofing estimate, give us a call!
We look forward to hearing from you!