More people turn to stone-coated steel roofs now as a great option for any style home. These roofs combine the durability of metal and sleek look of stone. However, if you’re considering a new roof, you’ll want to know that this roofing material also has its fair share of problems.
Learn the pros and cons of stone-coated steel roofing below so that you can make an informed decision.
Advantages of Stone-Coated Steel Roofs
Firstly, let’s acknowledge that a stone-coated steel roof has plenty of advantages to offer your home. A few prominent ones include the following:
- Longevity: A home with a stone-coated steel roof may see that roof last decades longer than a neighbor’s asphalt shingle roof.
- Durability: These steel and stone roofs stand up to quite a beating. A hail storm or falling tree branches might not be a problem.
- Less maintenance: Metal roofs require a lot less upkeep than most other materials.
- Aesthetics: The stone granules in these roofs make them look sleek and refined. They also come in a variety of colors and designs.
- Heat reflection: Since these roofs are metal, they reflect rather than absorb heat from the sun. The home’s indoor temperature shouldn’t fluctuate as much.
Common Problems with Stone-Coated Steel Roofs
We’ve mentioned the benefits, but unfortunately, stone-coated steel roofs aren’t perfect. Common problems with these roofing products include the following:
Installation Challenges
Stone-coated steel roofs are tricky to install, and not many contractors have experience with this material yet. If something goes wrong during the installation process, it will impact the durability and longevity of the roof going forward.
High Cost
Stone-coated metal roofing costs significantly more than standard roofing, plus the value they add to the home may lead to increased insurance premiums. Some people argue that this type of roof saves money in the long run since it requires less maintenance and can reduce your cooling bills. Still, these long-term savings may not cover the high initial cost.
Too Much Noise
Many homeowners find stone and metal roofs more noisy than the alternatives. For example, these materials may amplify the sound of wind and precipitation.
Weight Problems
It’s extremely important to realize that a stone-coated steel metal roof weighs a lot more than some other traditional alternatives. Your roofing contractor will need to be extra careful that the increase in weight isn’t too much for the structure if they don’t want the roof installation to end in catastrophe. This roof may necessitate the construction of additional supports within your house, which will add to the total bill.
Visual Issues
These roofs come in a wide variety of beautiful colors, but these tones don’t last very long. A constant stream of UV radiation causes a breakdown of the colors in these roofing materials. Over time, expect the original color to fade.
Improper Ventilation
Lastly, roofing manufacturing often emphasizes durability and strength, and both of these characteristics are present with stone-coated metal. However, this also insulates the home a little too well in some cases, which may not allow the attic to properly ventilate heat. If this happens, you’ll need additional ventilation measures, which will drive up the total cost of the roofing job.
So, Are Stone-Coated Steel Roofs a Good Choice?
For some homes, the advantages of stone-coated steel roofs are undoubtedly worthwhile, but the common problems rule out many others. If you’re interested in a roof like this, you’ll want to consider all of these factors and talk to a local expert about how exactly it will work for your home.
Are you curious whether stone-coated steel roofs are a good choice for your home? Call Gotcha Covered Contracting in Carnegie, PA, at (724) 581-8147 for professional advice and installation service.
