Valued for its long-lasting performance and resistance against extreme climate conditions, from high winds and hefty hailstones to rippling earthquakes and raging fires, metal has been the choice roofing product in many cultures across the globe for millennia. As the practical and versatile alternative to the pitfalls of other materials, namely clay, concrete, asphalt composition and wood, those who opt for metal benefit from their durability, longevity and aesthetic appeal.
Since their first appearance around 970 BC, metal roofing systems have undergone several innovations, the World War II marking one that would prove vital for architects and homeowners alike. The British government was determined to find materials that would serve as camouflage against potential German air strikes while withstanding the harsh climate. Their solution was to coat military buildings’ corrugated steel roofing panels with air-sealing bitumen and course materials, such as sand or stone.
Upon visiting Britain after World War II’s end, New Zealand industrialist Lou Fisher spotted the benefits of the technique. Taking the idea back home, he expanded upon it, introducing the first stone-coated metal roofing production line, developing compact roofing tiles pressed from galvanized steel and then coated with a layer of bitumen and crushed rock granules. The product immediately gained wide acceptance in New Zealand. Other manufacturing firms followed suit, bringing competing stone-coated metal roofing products to light with innovations that would prove increasingly beneficial to architects and homeowners the world over for the next 50 years.
The next notable step in the refinement of stone-coated metal roofing products came in 1971, when Gerard Roofing Technologies, Brea, Calif., revolutionized the industry by substituting for tar-like bitumen with an environmentally friendly substitute, acrylic resin. This replacement paved the way for sustainable stone-coated metal roofing products.
Today, polyester-acrylic basecoats are generously applied to dye-stamped 26-gauge galvanized steel panels that, unlike standing seam alternatives, are more manageable in size. The basecoats are then topped with pre-sized and -colored granite stone chips before being sealed with durable UV-protective coatings. This intricate process works to produce steel roofs of unparalleled beauty, adaptability, functionality and efficiency.
The lightweight (1.4 pound per square foot) stone-coated steel roofing panels from Gerard and sister company Allmet Roofing Products continue to be an excellent choice for builders and homeowners alike. “With the authentic looks on offer, architects’ needs are met, including protection against extreme climate conditions such as high winds, hailstones and fire, all of which are reinforced with our extensive warranties,” Allmet representative Kevin Martin explains. What’s more, as Gerard and Allmet have recently joined the innovative South Jordan, Utah-based Headwaters Inc. team, a company dedicated to improving lives through advancements in construction materials, these top-quality products will only become more widespread.
Stone-coated metal roofs are the best choice for roof replacements, home renovations and new building constructions alike. The options available give builders the flexibility to opt for easy installations over existing roofs, which consequently eliminate labor-intensive tear-offs and trips to landfill. Choosing stone-coated metal roofs with new building constructions has shown to substantially reduce overall costs. Both Brian Khoury Engineering Structures and H.I.S.inc. Design & Build have confirmed this by comparing the cost of a new building construction using Gerard’s lightweight tiles against those using traditional roofing tiles. Their findings conclude that choosing Gerard saves enough money on both structural materials and labor to offset the cost of the roof itself. Read the story and see the letters of testimonial in www.gerardusa.com.
What’s more, stone-coated metal roofing systems provide the longevity and durability of steel while allowing architects to offer their clients extensive selections of profiles and colors, ultimately creating their ideal homes from the top down. Clients can choose from any architectural style to achieve any look, as stone-coated steel roofing panels are factory-crafted to simulate the leading residential roofing alternatives, from asphalt shingles and wood shake to clay and concrete tiles. In fact, as Martin points out, “Allmet products mimic other roofing options so accurately and effectively that they are not immediately recognizable as steel products.”
As these structures stand the test of time, architects can be sure they are recommending the best, thus growing their businesses with satisfied clients. The ongoing savings that clients receive from stone-coated metal roofs-through reduced maintenance costs, energy bills and more-will further reinforce the expertise of the recommending architect, who they will deem to be the only one suitable for future projects, including their own and those of neighbors, friends and family. That is, lifetime roofs translate to not only lifetime customers but to referrals as well.
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Melanie Albright is a content writer and editor for DK Network Media Group, Tampa, Fla. Brea, Calif.-based Gerard Roofing Technologies and Allmet Roofing Products provide architects with many resources for furthering their knowledge, including CE approved online, voice and live seminars, hands-on factory training programs and a vast array of online resources. To learn more, sign up in the architect sections of www.gerardusa.com or www.allmet.com for a free architect package of informational material, and to keep abreast of the latest trends in metal roofing.