The Pros and Cons of Stone Coated Metal Roofing (plus – is it right for you?)
You’ve probably heard rumors about stone-coated metal roofing and how it's gaining popularity with homeowners.
You’ve probably also heard people complaining about how expensive it is and commenting that it isn’t worth putting on your roof.
Are these people right?
Is stone-coated metal roofing a complete waste of your money?
At K Graber Construction, we understand that you want to be well-informed before making a significant decision like installing a new roof.
That's why we're here! We want to give you an honest look at stone-coated metal roofing so you can decide if it's a good option for you.
Ready to find out if stone-coated metal roofing is worth the money?
Let’s get started!
What is Stone-Coated Metal Roofing?
Let’s start with the basics:
What is stone-coated metal roofing, and how is it different than traditional roofing materials like shingles and metal?
Well, metal roofing is a durable, long-lasting, low-maintenance option for homeowners. It takes very little maintenance and can sometimes last for 40-70 years.
However, metal roofing can look somewhat cold and industrial—it’s not the most attractive available roofing material.
People tend to find shingles more attractive than metal since they have a warmer. homier look. However, they break down faster and don’t last as long, having a life expectancy more in the range of 20 years or so.
Stone-coated metal roofing combines the best of both worlds!
Stone-coated roofs are made of metal shingles coated in paint and stone granules. They have the classic look of traditional shingles, but like metal roofs, they are low maintenance and last a long time.
Besides all that, there are even more benefits to using stone-coated metal shingles.
Stay tuned! We’ll explore these extra benefits later.
Types of Stone-Coated Metal Roofing
One perk that sells people on stone-coated roofing is that (unlike plain metal roofing) it comes in many different styles.
It can be made to look like:
- traditional shingles
- roof shakes
- roofing tiles
Stone-coated metal roofing also comes in a variety of colors.
With all this versatility, you can make your roof a perfect fit for your personal tastes and style.
For example: Do you dream of having a Cape Cod house with shutters and wooden roof shakes? Or maybe you envision a villa with beautiful terra cotta roofing tiles.
Either way, you can get stone-coated metal roofing that looks just like the style you want!
At this point you might be asking yourself: Ok, but how realistic does this actually look?
Pretty realistic!
It’s not going to fool anyone who's looking at it closely, but who is taking a magnifying glass to your roof?
From the ground, it looks very close to the real thing.
Look up some pictures on Google, and see how stone-coated roofing can give you the specific look you want.
Cons of Stone-Coated Metal Roofing
Stone-coated roofs have the beauty of traditional materials and the durability and longevity of metal.
What’s not to love?
Well, for many, the main downside of stone-coated roofs is the price tag. Stone-coated metal roofing isn’t exactly the cheapest option out there.
Pricing varies depending on many factors, such as your roof layout and roof pitch. Quotes also vary by the installer and the products they use, but below are some general pricing estimates.
Asphalt shingles will typically cost between $300 to $500 per 100 square feet.
On the other hand, stone-coated metal roofing can cost more in the range of $800 to $1200 per 100 square feet.
That’s right, a metal shingle roof can cost roughly double the price of a standard shingle roof.
Ouch!
So why even consider metal shingles?
There are in fact quite a few reasons. Let’s get into it.
Advantages of a Stone-Coated Metal Roof
Stone-coated metal roofing is expensive. We won’t deny that.
But it comes with some remarkable benefits as well.
Let’s find out what they are.
Stone-Coated Metal Roofing is Durable
Standard asphalt shingles have warranties of 20-30 years, but stone-coated metal roofing goes far beyond that.
In fact, some manufacturers have lifetime warranties on their stone-coated products!
Part of this is because it's a metal roof. This means you won’t have to worry about cracking, curling, warping, or other things that cause problems on a shingle roof.
Due to the way the roofing locks together, it is also resistant to strong winds. Tests have been done with gusts of wind in the 120-170 mph range and the stone-coated metal roofing held together!
Other tests have been done with earthquakes, hail, and other natural disasters, and stone-coated roofing has always lasted longer than standard asphalt shingles.
Of course, longevity is not the only factor you should consider when choosing a roofing material. If you want to get an in-depth picture of everything you should consider, read our blog: 7 Factors To Consider When Getting A New Roof.
Stone-Coated Metal Roofing is Safe
Not only will your stone-coated metal roof last longer than a standard shingle roof, but it is also safer.
Because the construction materials of the roof are metal and steel, you do not need to worry that your roof is a fire hazard. Asphalt shingle roofs, on the other hand, are highly flammable.
Some insurance companies will even lower your annual premiums if you install a metal roof! You will need to check with them on the kind or style of metal roof they require, but you may be able to pay for part of the roof with your insurance savings.
This is simply another benefit of stone-coated metal roofing!
Stone-Coated Metal Roofing Adds Value to Your Home
Stone-coated metal roofs add resale value to your home for 3 main reasons:
- First, since stone-coated metal shingles last longer than standard shingles, they drive up value because the new owner knows she won’t have to replace the roof as quickly.
- Second, because they are made of metal, they don’t show wear or fade as quickly. This keeps the roof looking nicer for a longer period of time and helps the aesthetics of your property.
- And third, metal roofs do a better job of reflecting sun rays. This means that houses with metal roofs tend to be more energy efficient during summer months, especially in areas with a lot of direct sunlight.
However, one downside of stone-coated metal roofing is that it is more difficult to install than other roofing materials like asphalt shingles.
That means you should put extra effort into finding and hiring a reliable contractor! After all, stone-coated metal shingles won't add value to your home if they aren't installed properly.
Stone-Coated Metal Roofing is Environmentally Friendly
One of the best features of a metal roof is that it can be constructed with recycled materials.
Unlike asphalt shingles, when a metal roof is replaced or removed from a building, you don’t need to haul everything to the nearest landfill.
Instead, you can simply take the metal shingles and components to your nearest recycling center to be melted down and used again!
So not only will you rarely have to replace your metal roof, but when you do have it replaced, you can rest knowing that the old roof is being recycled.
Stone-Coated Metal Roofing is Energy Efficient
Due to the build of stone-coated roofing, it does a better job of reflecting UV rays from the sun.
The result?
Energy bills are often less for buildings with stone-coated metal roofing, especially in warmer climates where you need to use a lot of AC. Attics and buildings in homes with stone-coated roofs stay cooler because not as much sunlight and heat are entering the building’s structure. That means you don’t have to use as much energy to cool it down.
If you are interested in building an energy-efficient home so you can help the environment, you may want to read our blog post: Net Zero Homes & New Energy Homes - The Benefits And Differences.
Stone-Coated Metal Roofs are Low Maintenance
One of the most beautiful things about stone-coated roofs is that they require very little maintenance.
Any homeowner knows exactly how valuable this is!
When you don't have to worry about repairing your roof, you have more time to spend on the things you truly care about.
Who wouldn't want to have more time for family and friends, and more brain space to tackle the problems that really matter in life?
Of course, like with any other structure, don’t let large clumps of leaves, branches, or other debris gather in the corners or gutters of your house roof.
But that's pretty much the only maintenance issue you'll have to worry about!
Stone-Coated Metal Roof is Lightweight
When you hear about a roofing material made from metal and stone, the thought may pop into your head:
Isn’t that incredibly heavy?
Thankfully, the answer is no!
Stone-coated metal roofing weighs less than 2 pounds per square foot. To put that into perspective, asphalt shingles typically weigh 2.3 to 4.5 pounds per square foot, and tile can weigh 8 to 12 pounds per square foot.
Because it is lightweight, stone-coated metal roofing can save you money in two ways:
First, you may be able to install it on top of your old roof. This means you will save the time and labor it would take to tear your old roof off.
And second, it will save you money on dumping fees for your old shingles, as well as possibly saving you from dumping them in a landfill.
If you're debating the pros and cons of different types of metal roofing, you may be interested in our blog post on Choosing The Best Metal Roof For Your Home Or Business - Everything You Need To Know.
Is Stone Coated Metal Roofing Noisy?
Before we go further, let's address this question you've probably thought of as you've considered metal roofing.
Because stone-coated roofing is made of metal, is it noisy when it rains?
The answer is actually "no." Stone-coated metal roofs are not particularly noisy when it rains.
Many people assume a metal roof on a house will be noisy because of their experience with metal roofing on sheds or barns. But those metal roofs are typically installed over a frame, with no insulation. Of course, they will be loud!
However metal roofs on houses are installed over a wooden roof deck, layers of insulation, and possibly an attic, all of which help absorb the sound.
Studies by The Acoustic Group from the University of Lulea showed that rain on a metal roof measures about 52 decibels. That’s about the equivalent of a quiet conversation.
Most people don’t find a sound disruptive until it reaches about 70 decibels, so at 52 decibels, rain on a metal roof probably won’t annoy most people.
Is Stone Coated Metal Roofing Right For You?
Ultimately, the question of whether you should go for stone-coated metal roofing is up to you. You know your situation and needs better than anyone else.
Our verdict is this: If you can afford it, stone-coated metal roofing is a good buy. It’s attractive, low maintenance, and lasts forever. And you can customize it however you like!
So if you have the budget for it, stone-coated metal roofing is worth it.
However, if you need to save money now rather than in the long run, you may want to invest in a cheaper kind of roofing such as asphalt shingles.
Conclusion
There you have it!
Stone-coated metal roofing comes with some great benefits, and it is worth the investment if your budget is up to it.
Now you know more about what those benefits are and whether stone-coated metal is the right roofing material for you.
If you think you would like to replace your roof, or if you are ready to install the roof on a new house, give us a call at K Graber Construction!
It’s easy to work with us:
- Get a quote
- Approve the estimate and design
- Watch as we install your new roof
- Love your home!
At K Graber, it doesn’t stop at roofs, either. We offer a variety of services such as:
Whatever your building project is, we'd love to help.
Don't hesitate...contact us today!