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TOPIC: General Discussion

Stone-coated steel vs. aluminum standing seam

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A contractor is telling me that stone-coated steel will last longer than aluminum standing seam. He wants to install Steelrock Pacific Tile. Link: http://www.steelrockroofs.com/pacific-tile.html His competitor wants to install Englert’s 1500 series 0.32 aluminum standing seam. Link: http://www.englertinc.com/roofing-panels.aspx?Page=6 The guy who told me this didn't know what kind of standing seam aluminum his competitor was offering to me. He just made that general statement about stone-coated steel vs. aluminum standing seam (based, I think, on the fact that the aluminum has a painted surface that could peel). He also pointed out that the warranty for the stone-coated steel is better, but I think warranties are often meaningless.
Guest User

1/21/2010
While it is difficult to make a blanket statement about various materials' longevity in all environments and applications, as a general rule aluminum is a better choice than steel near salt water. The issue of how long the stone coating will look good versus the paint is a tough one. Folks could argue that one for years.
Ken Buchinger
NCI Building Systems, Inc.

1/22/2010
Thanks! We're about 3 miles from the water, so I hadn't been thinking about the salt. Is that close enough for it to matter much?
Guest User

1/23/2010
3 miles is a good distance away. Unless you have an issue with salt fog, steel should work well.
Ken Buchinger
NCI Building Systems, Inc.

1/23/2010
No, we don't have salt fog as far as I know. So I'm back to the question of whether the guy who wants to install stone-coated steel was being accurate when he said it would last far longer than standing seam aluminum. If a blanket statement like that isn't accurate and the two materials are roughly equivalent, I would rather go with the standing seam aluminum because I understand better what that roofer plans to do (it is an unvented roof design, as opposed to the weird semi-vented design the steel guy came up with, apparently because he thought I wanted venting - I don't want him to put in venting just to please me, and to do so incompletely and ineffectively). So, new question: assuming I go with the standing seam aluminum, what gauge, coating, etc., are going to last the longest?
Guest User

1/24/2010
I think you will find the stone coated steel has better impact resistance when it comes to hail and dimpling. There are advantages to both roofing systems. I think that most people prefer the Standing Seam for the aesthetics when comparing the two metal options. I think that both will probably live comfortably to 35 years and maybe 50. Eric Novotny
Eric Novotny
An informed customer is the Best Customer!

1/27/2010
Do you mean dimpling caused by hail, or is there a separate thing called dimpling that I've never heard of? I'm surprised you say that most people prefer standing seam. Maybe you aren't picturing the particular stone coated steel that guy is talking about (Steelrock Pacific Tile)? The link I gave to that was: http://www.steelrockroofs.com/pacific-tile.html You might have to cut and paste this link - it might not be clickable. The Steelrock Pacific Tile style looks better to me than the standing seam (which to me resembles a Howard Johnson's or a Home Depot roof, and to my mother resembles a barn roof). But maybe what you're really referring to is how the surface of stone-coated steel ages (visually, not structurally), compared to aluminum standing seam?
Guest User

1/29/2010
Dimpling caused by hail. Although it is entirely likely that the gauge thickness on the two metals used most often in the two types of roofing application (Stone coated and Standing Seam) is the same (26 gauge), the flat and unbroken landscape of standing seam provides a better landing surface of hail. Standing seam is also usually of a more gloss or satin finish and will show imperfections more readily. I too prefer the look of the metal panel as well when compared to the Standing seam. As I mentioned, when you compare similar quality systems, I think the stone coated will weather the aging and look more like the day that it was installed. If you like the tile look, I would go with your tile option. Eric Novotny
Eric Novotny
An informed customer is the Best Customer!

1/29/2010
Stone coated roof looks great. Just had it done. I have been getting great complements from my neighbors. I received insurance discount from state farm for hail resistant roof. I have been happy with steel rock.
Guest User

3/6/2010