If your traditional asphalt shingle or wood-shake roof is ready for replacement and you’re considering a steel roof, you might be wondering what the advantages of metal or steel shingles, shakes, or tiles are. Traditional asphalt shingles have some advantages, such as low short-term cost.
However, their downside is their high long-term cost. Metal shingles have their own advantages. You may feel they outweigh the advantages of traditional shingles and wood shakes.
What Are Steel Shingles and Shakes
Steel shingles closely resemble traditional asphalt shingles in that they both have a layer of granules that are adhered to a base with asphalt. However, it’s that base that’s the difference. Traditional shingles have a fiberglass base, which makes them flexible. Steel shingles utilize a steel base, which makes them stronger. This steel base is why steel shingles, shakes, and tiles have so many advantages over other roof coverings.
Steel shakes comprise the same layers. The difference between steel shingles, shakes, and tiles is their appearance. Steel shingles visually resemble traditional shingles. Steel shakes closely resemble natural wood shakes. Steel tiles closely resemble clay roofing tiles. They all have granules on top, adhered to a base with asphalt. It’s just the profile or shape that differs.
Who Makes Metal Shingles and Shakes
The number of manufacturers that make stone-coated metal shingles, shakes, and tiles is growing. However, they’re not all the same. We only offer stone-coated steel roofing products from the top manufacturers, such as Decra and Westlake Royal Roofing. In fact, Consumer Reports agrees that Decra makes one of the best steel shingles on the market today.
According to Decra, their stone-coated metal roofing products originated in World War II Britain, when a bituminous emulsion coating was developed to camouflage reflective corrugated metal roofs and protect buildings from air raids. The company was officially trademarked in 1978 and gained U.S. popularity in the 1980s due to California wildfire bans on shake roofing, becoming known nationwide for fire-resistant roofing.
Westlake Royal Roofing also has a long history as a leading provider of roofing products in the U.S., with a focus on innovation and durability.
Stone-Coated Metal Roofing Styles
Today, there are 3 main styles of stone-coated steel roof coverings: shingles, shakes, and tiles. Westlake Royal Roofing offers its Granite-Ridge Shingle, Cottage Shingle, Pine-Crest Shake, Pacific Tile, and Barrel-Vault Tile. Their Granite-Ridge steel shingles have a low profile, just like traditional laminated asphalt shingles. Their Cottage steel shingles have a unique offset, multi-grooved, deep weather side-lap that creates a classic cottage look. Their Barrel-Vault steel tiles resemble the authentic look of traditional clay Spanish roofing tiles. Their Pacific steel tiles feature a Mediterranean style.
Decra offers its Shingle XD, Shake and Shake XD, Village Tile, and Decra Tile. Decra’s stone-coated steel shingles come in only one profile and have the depth and dimensions of traditional architectural shingles, but with the durability of steel. Their Shake XD has the appearance of rustic hand-split shake and comes in a small variety of rustic tones. Their Village Tiles have the look of barrel-style Spanish tiles, while their Decra Tiles have the style of scalloped Mediterranean tiles.
What Are The Advantages of Steel Shingles
There are several advantages of steel/metal shingles, shakes, and tiles.
Durability – Steel is more durable and stronger than fiberglass, which is used in traditional asphalt shingles. Steel is also stronger than wood shakes. Although steel roofing products share the same Class-4 impact rating as many traditional asphalt shingles, steel shingles are stronger and resist hail like no other roofing product. They’re also more resistant to strong winds, insects, and more.
Longevity – Steel shingles often last 70 years or more. Regular asphalt shingles only last 15-25 years. So-called ’50-year shingles’ don’t usually last that long. That just refers to the warranty, not the expected lifespan of the shingles.
Low Long-Term Cost – Because steel shingles last so long, they have a low long-term cost. In the lifespan of one steel shingle roof, you would have replaced a traditional asphalt shingle roof 2 or 3 times.
Energy-Efficiency – Although steel roofing products are not the most energy-efficient, they are more energy-efficient than traditional asphalt shingles. Stone-coated steel shingles, shakes, and tiles reflect more heat from the sun than regular asphalt shingles. The result is a cooler home and a lower summer utility bill.
Eco-Friendly – Regular asphalt shingles are not recyclable in Northern Colorado. Therefore, they go to the landfill. Steel shingles, shakes, and tiles, however, are recyclable in our area.
Fewer ReRoofs – A longer-lasting roof also means fewer reroofs. We can reroof most homes in a day or two. And although this is a relatively short amount of time, the reroofing process is still somewhat of a hassle, with strangers on your property and roof, a roll-off dumpster in your driveway, etc. Imagine having to go through that less frequently with a steel roof.