ROOFING COLUMN By Meredith England, MS, CSI, CDT, LEED AP BD+C


Not Your Ordinary Metal Roof Stone-coated steel can weather any storm


“At least I’ve got a roof over my head …” Ever heard that? After a bad day, have you ever caught


yourself saying that same thing? As the largest part of your home’s exterior, the roof provides safety and security. Developed over 50 years ago, stone-coated steel has been used heavily in the residential market, but it is making its way into the commercial market because of its versatile look and steel substrate. The composition of stone-coated steel varies by manufacturer. DECRA Roofi ng Systems Inc., Corona, Calif.,


manufactures its structural grade steel panels to include several protective layers: an aluminum-zinc alloy coating applied to both sides of the panel, an acrylic priming coating, an acrylic resin basecoat, stone granules to provide an attractive fi nish, and an acrylic overglaze. As the original stone-coated steel roofi ng system, DECRA understands what it takes to produce a product strong enough to perform exceptionally well under the harshest circumstances as each season passes. Earthquakes and hurricanes can wreak havoc


on a home or building. But, the weather conditions don’t have to be drastic to compromise the integ- rity of a roofi ng system. Heavy rain, snow and high temperatures can also contribute to the breakdown of a roofi ng product or system. Lightweight, durable and malleable: these are


important characteristics if earthquakes are a con- cern. Structural movement is a result of seismic ac- tivity which causes the most common damage to a


52 Metal Home Digest December 2013


home during an earthquake. Unlike clay tile, which weighs upwards of 800 pounds per square, metal roofs weigh anywhere from 125 to 150 pounds per square. This is considerably less weight placed on the structure as it bends and twists through the seismic activity. A metal roof is more likely to bend with the twists, and less likely to collapse. While earthquakes can happen during any


season, hurricanes are most prevalent from June 1 to November 30. Wind is a major concern during a hurricane or strong storm. Stone-coated steel panels have an interlocking system, and some of the profi les have a horizontal fastening pattern. This interlock- ing characteristic aids in the prevention of blow-offs and water intrusion, and the panels are less likely to become fl ying objects during high winds. And, stone- coated steel comes with a 120 mph wind warranty— added protection against blow-offs. Hail can accompany high winds and heavy rain.


Golf-ball sized hail stones can penetrate a roof creat- ing large holes leading to further damage within the home. Stone-coated steel has a class 4 impact re- sistance per UL 2218—the highest rating available. With the onset of winter, freeze-thaw cycles


begin to occur and weaken the roof system because water seeps into cracks and expands when it forms into ice; the cracks become larger with each cycle. Unlike composition and tile roofi ng materials, stone-coated steel does not absorb moisture so it is not affected by the cycle. Snow comes with freezing temperatures. Homes, especially in mountain resorts, endure snow loads through the winter season.


Heavy snow loads cause stress on the roofi ng


system. Stone-coated steel is durable enough to withstand heavy snow loads, yet it is lightweight so it does not add additional stress to the building structure. The stone-coated fi nish also prevents snow from dangerously sliding from the roof. If the freeze/thaw cycle and snow are not


enough, spring and summer bring hotter tempera- tures, which can potentially cause injury. which have a tendency to dry out products such as wood shakes and composition (asphalt) shingles. Asphalt takes a beating during the hotter months of the year, and can begin to harden and crack with age. As the asphalt hardens and cracks, the granules will come off the product and cause it to degrade quicker. Stone-coated steel is beginning to make some


high-profi le appearances. Yearly since 2005, Next- Gen Home has chosen a stone-coated steel roof for its project home at the International Builders Show. And, on NextGen Home TV, follow Jillian Harris as she features DECRA Shake XD in transforming a recently purchased home from “nightmare to dream home.” For an in-depth look at a “fi rst to the future home,” join NextGen Home TV and Ty Pennington; DECRA Shingle XD will be the featured roofi ng product. With amazing curb appeal, stone-coated steel is not your ordinary metal roof.


Meredith England, MS, CSI, CDT, LEED AP BD+C, is the builder/architectural specialist at DECRA Roofi ng Systems Inc., Corona, Calif. Visit www.decra.com for more information.


www.metalhomedigest.com


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