Five Steps to Specify Stone-coated Steel Roofing on Your Next Project

by Marcy Marro | April 1, 2021 12:00 am

Stone-coated steel roofing is extremely lightweight at 1.5 pounds per square foot and offers weather resistance, specifically in the areas of wind, fire and hail. Compared to other roofing systems, stone-coated steel is cost competitive and use of it in residential applications for both new construction and retrofit roofing projects is increasing. When reviewing stone-coated steel for your projects, there are five key areas of consideration.

Durability

Stone-coated steel roofing has been marketed globally since the early 1960s, thus most leading manufacturers are able to provide extensive data to support their products’ performance claims, evidence of the product’s durability, and examples of roofs that survived severe climatic conditions.

The heart of stone-coated steel starts with the high-quality steel typically treated with primers to enhance adhesion of the base coat acrylic polymer used to bond stone granules to the steel. The result is a roof system built to help withstand the test of time no matter the climate, and stone-coated steel systems are typically backed with a 50-year limited warranty.

Design Flexibility

Today’s stone-coated steel roofing is offered in multiple styles. The numerous profiles and colors are able to mimic traditional shake, slate, tile and shingle roofing, and it is easy to complement any architectural style or aesthetic desired by architect, builder or homeowner.

Many stone-coated steel panels can be installed either on a batten or direct-to-deck, usually when the existing sub-deck is solid or spaced sheathed, thereby eliminating the need for a batten to act as the support for the panel. Today’s panel designs also allow for either exposed or hidden fastening systems.

Optimizing Energy Efficiency

Stone-coated steel roofing may be used as part of a cool roof system to reduce the structure’s energy consumption and to achieve long-term energy savings. A stone-coated steel cool roof system will encompass a high-performance underlayment, an elevated batten system, and a variety of hip and ridge ventilation products. Additionally, the cool roof incorporates above-sheathing ventilation. As hot air rises, it creates a natural convection effect and then is exhausted through ventilation with continuous air flow across the roof deck. The cool roof system elements work in concert to create a cooler attic and living space below.

Code Requirements and Product Testing

Due to the popularity of stone-coated steel roofing panels across so many climate zones, most manufacturers have tested their products extensively to obtain some of the most stringent construction product ratings available for a variety of conditions including high wind uplift, hail impact and fire.

When specifying the product, make sure your selection has been tested to withstand the conditions of the region. For example, code in a market like Miami-Dade includes high velocity hurricane zone (HVHZ) criteria. Stone-coated steel’s modular design and increased fastening points should meet that criteria, and many manufacturers offer warranty coverage for wind speeds up to 120-mph with standard fastening. The product is non-combustible, and some options carry a Class A fire rating by using a specialized underlayment. Some offer optimized protection from hail with ASTM Class 4 impact ratings and are warranted to withstand penetration of the steel panel from up to 2-inch hail stones.

Manufacturers should have their products listed with reputable third-party organizations that validate their testing, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Additionally, the ICC Evaluation Report system covers most stone-coated steel manufacturers and addresses all aspects of their respective product installation details in their reports.

Installation and Contractor Training

As any construction professional knows, a product’s performance is directly tied to the quality of installation. Reputable manufacturers understand the benefit of training installers in the proper techniques.

Many manufacturers offer virtual training sessions or in-person guidance free of charge at centralized regional locations to encourage best practices. Using trained installers will provide assurances to the architect, builder and homeowner that the installation is one of quality.

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Pete Croft is brand manager for Boral Steel, Irvine, Calif. For more information, visit www.boralroof.com[1] or contact Croft at pete.croft@boral.com[2].

Source URL: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/articles/five-steps-to-specify-stone-coated-steel-roofing-on-your-next-project/

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