DECRA Metal Roofing Conducts Higher Testing Standards

Whether you’re a homeowner or a contractor, choosing a roofing material means balancing durability and curb appeal. Unfortunately, not every product on the market today can deliver on both.  

That’s why DECRA sets itself apart with rigorous testing standards for its stone-coated metal roofing. Before starting your next roof remodel, here’s what you should know:

• Extreme Weather & Fire Resistance: DECRA undergoes intensive testing to ensure performance against severe storms and wildfires, two growing concerns across the country.
• Meeting Canadian Standards: DECRA also complies with Canada’s stricter roofing requirements, providing peace of mind for homeowners in both the U.S. and Canada.
• Long-Term Durability: Additional testing ensures every DECRA product is built to last, delivering strength, style, and reliability for decades.

We’re confident you’ll find that DECRA’s testing goes well beyond other roofing choices. And when it comes time to install a DECRA roof, you’ll be glad it does. 

Testing for Weather and Fire Resistance

Severe weather is a growing concern for homeowners across the entire country. Government data confirm that extreme weather events are becoming far more frequent and more intense, creating risks in regions that previously saw little disruption. Examples of unusual incidents include: 

• Heavy rain from the Southeast to New York City that has resulted in repeat flooding
• Snow and ice storms in Texas that crippled the state and damaged homes
• Recent heatwaves in the Pacific Northwest, including Seattle and Vancouver
• Deadly wildfires across the West, Hawaii, and even parts of the Northeast
• Wind damage from Hurricane Helene as far inland as Indiana and Ohio
• Tornadoes outside the Plains states, including Cape Cod in Massachusetts
• Snowstorms in Southern California that caused roof collapses 

Despite these trends, many homeowners remain underprepared. The best defense is to strengthen the home itself — starting with the roof.

That’s why DECRA subjects its stone-coated metal roofing to rigorous testing for both weather and fire resistance. These products consistently earn the highest ratings from organizations like Underwriters Laboratories (UL), giving property owners peace of mind that their roof is built to endure.

Hail and Impact Resistance

Hail damage can leave homeowners with thousands of dollars in repair costs, and in some cases, jeopardize their insurance coverage. Left unrepaired, hail damage accelerates roof deterioration, shortening its lifespan. This is especially common with traditional materials such as asphalt shingles, wood shakes, and ceramic tile, which are prone to cracking, chipping, or breaking under impact.

DECRA is warrantied against damage from hailstones as big as a tennis ball (2.5 inches across). DECRA also carries UL’s highest impact resistance rating. That means even in storms with large hail or wind-driven debris, DECRA roofs are designed to withstand the impact and minimize, if not completely prevent, costly damage. 

Wind Resistance

High winds are one of the most common, and costly, threats to roofs across the U.S., even in regions that are otherwise dry. Lighter wind events can tear away individual shingles, shakes, or tiles, particularly on older or poorly installed roofs. In stronger storms, roofs are vulnerable to “uplift,” a phenomenon where powerful gusts can peel entire sections or the entire roof away.

A DECRA metal roof, however, can withstand winds of up to 120 miles per hour. That’s what Miami-Dade, Florida residents endure with hurricanes. That means homeowners can trust DECRA to deliver lasting protection even in the face of extreme wind events.

Wind-Driven Rain Resistance

When high winds and heavy rain combine, the damage can be significant. Warning signs of wind-driven water intrusion include:

• Rotting wood on the roof decking or structural supports
• Mold or mildew odors inside the home or on exterior surfaces
• Mushrooms, moss, lichens, or other plant matter growing on the roof
• Brown stains on ceilings, upper walls, or in the attic

These issues could mean that rainwater is being forced through tiny openings in the roof, where it can cause costly, hidden damage over time.

DECRA stone-coated roofing is tested to resist wind-driven rain at speeds up to 100 miles per hour. Thanks to its unique interlocking panel system and secure installation method, DECRA provides a tight, weather-resistant barrier against rain, melting snow, and moisture, protecting both the roof structure and the home beneath it.

Fire Resistance

With wildfires always a risk in the West—and a growing problem for drought-ridden spots in the East—it’s ideal to have a roof that is fire resistant. DECRA’s stellar fire rating from UL means it will stay in place and resist combustion from fires originating outside the home.

Metal roofing in general is less conducive to burning, and insurance companies like it for this reason at a time when many homeowners are losing coverage because of their roofs. In fact, many DECRA customers enjoy insurance discounts because there are fewer claims associated with metal roofs. 

DECRA Meets Canadian Standards Too

Many roofing products never make it to Canada because they can’t meet the country’s stringent requirements for extreme weather performance. DECRA is different. For decades, DECRA stone-coated metal roofs have been protecting homes across Canada, where durability isn’t optional, it’s essential.

DECRA is also the only stone-coated metal roofing manufacturer to meet or exceed all of the following rigorous standards:

• APA PRP-108: American Plywood Association – Engineered Wood Systems
• ASTM: American Society for Testing and Materials International
• CAN/CGSB: Canadian General Standards Board (Version 93.3: Prefinished Galvanized and Aluminum-Zinc Alloy Steel Sheet)
• IRC and IBC: International Residential Code and International Building Code

Lifetime roofing endurance requires much more than that. 

This is why DECRA is the only stone-coated steel roofing manufacturer to conduct exhaustive 13-point independent laboratory testing to ensure our products provide a lifetime of protection. 

A DECRA Tile Roof in Ottawa, Canada installed in 1978

More DECRA Testing for Performance and Curb Appeal 

Editor’s Note: This blog was originally published in November, 2020 but has been updated with relevant information.