In This Article
Metal roofing has gained a lot of popularity in Florida, but some people still don’t care for the aesthetics of a metal roof. This creates a problem where homeowners have to choose between the aesthetic they want and the durability they need. But thanks to new stone-coated steel roofing technology, you don’t have to choose between performance and your aesthetic vision.
Many Floridians have questions about stone-coated steel roofing, from costs to longevity. And today, Classic Roofing and Construction is going to answer all of those questions. With two decades of roofing experience in Tampa Bay, we’re your local experts on stone-coated steel roofing. So let’s start with the two biggest questions: What is it, and how does it work?
What Is Stone-Coated Steel Roofing?
Despite the name, stone-coated steel roofing isn’t quite as simple as covering sheets of metal in stone. In fact, there is a lot of variety in the composition of different types of stone-coated steel. Like other types of metal roofs, the steel roofing component will likely be made of several types of metals. This composition can greatly affect the strength and resilience of your new roof.
For example, at Classic, we use reputable Tilcor roofing products. That means that our stone-coated steel roofing materials are made from ZINCALUME®, a special type of galvanized steel. This stone-coated steel roofing product is made of galvanized steel that has been coated in an alloy made up of zinc and aluminum in order to create the best, most long-lasting protection.
CLASSIC ROOFING – FAMILY OWNED AND SERVING THE COMMUNITY FOR OVER 20 YEARS
In this way, a good stone-coated steel roofing system creates multiple layers of protection. The core protective layer is the steel itself, which forms a strong, resilient foundation for your roof. Then the manufacturers apply the protective alloy, which improves corrosion resistance and durability. Finally, they add a layer of protective stone over top, which improves physical resistance to things like windborne debris. And the end result is a strong, resilient roof that you can count on.
Of course, there is no such thing as the “perfect roof,” and stone-coated steel isn’t the right material for everyone. To see if it’s right for you, let’s look at the pros and cons of stone-coated steel roofing.
Pros and Cons of Stone-Coated Steel Roofing
Every roofing material has both pros and cons, and stone-coated steel roofing is no exception. After installing and working on this material for 20 years, we know all the ins and outs. So we’re going to share our favorite and least favorite things about this new roofing technology. Read on below to learn about the reasons for and the disadvantages of stone coated metal roof.
Pro: Unmatched Durability
Because of the various protective layers of stone-coated steel roofing, this is among the strongest roofing materials on the market. Where metal roofs can be dinged and dented by hail or debris, stone-coated steel stands strong.
Stone-coated steel is also extremely resistant to damage from high winds, which makes it perfect for hurricane-proofing your home. And with its protective alloy coating, Tilcor roofing products have unmatched corrosion resistance. All of these protective factors result in a roofing system that can reliably last 40 to 70 years—much better than the 20-25 years of shingles.
Con: Regular Maintenance
All roofs need maintenance to keep them in top shape. But stone-coated steel roofing does have one particular weakness that requires regular fixing: its paint. The paint helps bind the stone coating together, but it can weaken over time, especially when exposed to Florida’s harsh sunlight. And when the paint starts to chip, it can interfere with both the aesthetics and your roof’s protection.
However, this issue can be prevented with regular inspections and as-needed maintenance. We find that following the general advice of biennial roof inspections can keep your roof looking and performing at its best.
Pro: Wide Variety of Aesthetics
While more and more homeowners are warming up to metal roofing aesthetics, not everyone is on board. And if you want high-quality protection without sacrificing your ideal roofing aesthetic, stone-coated steel is the perfect solution.
This roofing material comes in many different forms, and it can reliably replicate the look of:
- Asphalt shingles
- Roof shakes
- Roofing tiles
In this way, stone-coated steel roofing allows you to create any look that you want for your home.
Con: High Costs
Stone-coated steel roofing costs are far from low. In fact, metal roofs are among the higher end of roofing materials, and stone-coated steel often costs even more.
But without knowing the specifics of what you need, it’s hard to estimate stone-coated steel costs. This is because a lot comes down to the manufacturer of your roofing materials, the type of stone-coated steel you want, and who installs your roof. But getting a reliable estimate for your roof can be as simple as filling out a form for an express roofing cost estimate. This removes all the guesswork from finding out how much a stone-coated steel roof could cost you.
Pro: Lowers Energy Costs
Although it’s expensive, stone-coated steel roofing can still be a good financial decision. In addition to being strong and adding value to your home, this is still a metal roofing product. And like all metal roofing materials, it will reflect heat away from your home. This means lower temperatures inside, so your air conditioning won’t have to work as hard in the summer months.
While your lower monthly energy bill may not ever equate to the up-front costs of a stone-coated steel roof, you should still consider this factor when looking at the pros and cons of stone-coated steel.
Florida’s Top Roof Replacement Company
Ultimately, only you can decide if the pros outweigh the cons for stone-coated steel. But if you do decide to go with this exciting new roofing material, then you’ll need the best crew to install it properly. And we know that Classic is the best of the best when it comes to roofing in Florida. And judging by our reviews, Florida agrees!
Why are we Florida’s top roofers for stone-coated steel roofing? There are two big factors, and the first is our crew. Where our competitors use inexperienced subcontractors to cut corners, we only use our in-house teams of experienced professionals. This guarantees that every job has a crew of people who know exactly what they’re doing. And if there’s a problem, we can hold our crews accountable because we know them, whereas subcontractors are never guaranteed to return to a job site the next day.
The other big factor that sets us apart is our 100% happiness guarantee. This means that from your roofing cost estimate to the final inspection, we’ll make sure you’re completely content with what you’re getting. We know that investing in your home with a new roof is a big decision, and every step of the way, we make sure that you know that you made the right call by choosing Classic.
If you want to see why we’re Florida’s top roof replacement experts, you can schedule your free roofing estimate online. Once we’ve prepared your estimate, we’ll be happy to walk you through our stone-coated steel roofing options and make sure you get the roof of your dreams. So give us a chance and see why after 20 years, we haven’t changed our Classic way of doing business.
Stone-Coated Steel Roofing Pros and Cons Video
