DECRA Metal Roofing has been protecting homes and other buildings with unparalleled durability and style for nearly 70 years. But you may not know that DECRA has a fascinating origin story that dates back to the World War II Blitz of the United Kingdom.
DECRA’s earliest version stems from efforts to protect vital structures during the bombings. This innovative roofing material has evolved since then under different names and formulations.
In this blog, we tell the story of how DECRA came to be, including:
- How DECRA technology safeguarded key buildings during World War II
- Post-war developments that made DECRA a top residential roofing choice
- Why homeowners today trust DECRA for outstanding weather resistance
- The many long-term financial benefits of investing in DECRA roofing
DECRA continues to stand the test of time, protecting homes across North America. Read on to learn how it got its start in the 1940s and why that was crucial to the durability it still offers in 2026.
A Groundbreaking Coating Saved Buildings During the Blitz
During the bombing raids over the UK in World War II, many of the country’s major cities were devastated for months. You’re probably aware that London was repeatedly hit, but other English cities like Liverpool, Birmingham, and Sheffield were targeted, as well as Cardiff in Wales, Glasgow in Scotland, and Belfast in Northern Ireland.
People lived for years behind blackout curtains. Those who weren’t evacuated built shelters in their yards or took refuge in Tube stations underground. The Blitz became a life-changing event for British residents because of its widespread devastation of infrastructure.
Many crucial buildings were damaged or destroyed and needed to be rebuilt as quickly as possible. Because of the urgency of the situation, whatever materials were available were put to use.
One of the most common rebuilding elements was corrugated metal panels. But they came with a problem: they were highly reflective, which made them easy targets for the Axis Powers, who lit up cities before dropping their payloads.
The Allied Command needed a non-reflective coating to defend against this. And it had to be durable and easily produced despite wartime shortages. Decraspray Co. came to the rescue. The chemists at this bituminous emulsion manufacturer developed a groundbreaking coating that offered two benefits. First, it successfully shielded buildings from air raids. And it also resisted the harsh climate of Great Britain, which combined heavy rain with salt air from the sea.
In fact, the Decraspray coating was so effective that it was nearly impossible to remove after the war. This drew the attention of developers and contractors across Europe who wanted the same long-term approach to building protection in their countries. Eventually, it also caught the eye of Lou Fisher, a New Zealand entrepreneur. He acquired the rights to manufacture the coating outside the UK and trademarked it in 1955 as Decramastic.
Fisher’s contribution to DECRA’s development was adding crushed stone granules to the material, which prevented roof panels from sticking together and also enhanced their appearance. With this change, stone-coated metal roofing was introduced to the residential market, laying the foundation for DECRA Metal Roofing today.
DECRA Took Off with Homeowners in the 1980s
DECRA Metal Roofing was officially trademarked in 1978. By this time, several decades of innovations added to its durability, aesthetics, and installation method, including its signature interlocking panel system.
In the 1980s, though, DECRA really accelerated in popularity. A prime catalyst was the surge of catastrophic wildfires in California, which resulted in a ban on traditional shake roofing. DECRA’s noncombustible stone coating was an ideal solution for homeowners seeking fire-resistant roofing alternatives. DECRA metal roofing provided a level of protection against fire that other traditional materials couldn’t match. Soon, DECRA was known nationwide, especially as the frequency and intensity of wildfires continued to rise across the West and beyond.
With drought and brush fires now a common concern even in regions like the Northeast, fire resistance is no longer a problem only for Western property owners. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is an independent organization that tests home and construction products. It has awarded DECRA the highest fire rating possible. Homeowners everywhere in the US enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing their roof resists combustion and stays in place during fires originating outside the home.
Homeowners don’t have to sacrifice curb appeal to capitalize on DECRA’s exceptional safety performance. It comes in a variety of profiles and attractive hues that replicate traditional roofing materials, such as shingles, shakes, and tiles. You can match a DECRA product to any style of home and any paint color, as well as brick, stone, and stucco.
Stone-Coated Metal Roofing Offers All-Around Severe Weather Protection
DECRA roofing has evolved to provide more than only fire resistance. It offers comprehensive weather protection, whether you live in the hurricane-prone Southeast, the snowy Midwest, or the rainy Pacific Northwest.
And those weather threats are predictable. Homeowners also have to contend with unusual severe weather events, like heatwaves in Washington state, tornadoes in New England, and deep freezes in Texas. DECRA stone-coated steel roofing can handle it all, from coast to coast.
When you install a DECRA roof, you can count on these advantages:
- A high UL impact resistance rating and a warranty against hail damage from hailstones as large as 2.5 inches in diameter, which can otherwise cost thousands to repair
- Engineering to endure hurricane-force winds at speeds up to 120 miles per hour without uplift, meeting standards set for Miami-Dade, Florida, an epicenter of tropical storms
- Resistance to penetration from rain driven by winds as high as 110 miles per hour—rain that would normally cause leaks and damage to the roof decking and the home’s interior
- The ability to hold up under heavy snowfalls without sagging, due to its sturdy but lightweight hollow-core construction, which also discourages the formation of ice dams
DECRA Helps Homeowners Save Money
DECRA metal roofing doesn’t just protect a homeowner’s property; it protects their bank account as well:
- Longevity - lasts 2-3 times longer than traditional roofing materials, thereby reducing roof remodels to once or twice in an owner’s lifetime
- Potential insurance discounts - reductions in premiums at a time when many homeowners are paying more or losing coverage
- Increase in home value - gain up to 6% in value, which is great for both building homeowner equity or selling the property
- Energy efficiency - cooling costs reduced by up to 25%, thanks to DECRA’s reflective surface, which doesn’t absorb the sun’s heat
- Low maintenance - saves time and money on repairing cracks and cleaning for rust, oxidation, moss, and mushrooms
- Strength to hold solar panels - further reduce energy expenses without the disruption of frequent roof remodels, thanks to its longevity
See DECRA’s Unique Stone Coating Up Close
Ready to see the metal roofing and stone coating that made history? Just request a complimentary sample of DECRA stone-coated metal roofing. We’ll send one to your home, so you can see for yourself how unique and protective it is to benefit from its 68 years of historic technology.
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