A roof is the first line of defense against the elements. Therefore, it’s an important consideration when building, renovating or moving into a home. Some things to consider when choosing the right roof for protecting your home include:
- What is the regional climate?
- What seasonal weather events like hurricanes, tornados, hail or fire occur in the region?
- Are there roofing requirements in the region that need to be met, such as Title 24 in California or HVHZ requirements in Miami-Dade county?
- What aesthetic or design requirements need to be factored in to maintain the look and feel of the area?
Let’s examine the factors that impact each region to give you a better understanding of how DECRA Metal Roofing provides the strength and style you’re looking for.
Metal Roofing for Every Region
The way climate impacts the roof varies greatly from region to region. Homes in tropical regions need a corrosion-resistant roof that can withstand the humidity, rain and salty ocean air, whereas homes in snow-prone regions need a freeze/thaw resistant roof with weight-bearing strength since snow and ice can place extreme loads on the roof deck.
From Hawaii to Canada and everything in between, including Miami-Dade, Florida which has the toughest requirements for roofs in the nation, DECRA protects homes from regional climate conditions, including:
- Salt Air and Humidity: All DECRA roofing products are precisely formed from structural quality sheet steel complying with ASTM Designation A 792/A 792‑10; grade 37, modified with a minimum elongation of 22%, and with an AZ50 coating class. This ensures our steel is protected from the environment and better resists rust and oxidation in moist and humid salt air environments.
- Rain: DECRA has performed extensive wind-driven rain testing at speeds up to 110 mph to protect its roofing profiles against water penetration under the most extreme wind conditions.
- Earthquakes: DECRA roofs provide extra reinforcement to the roof deck to withstand tremors in seismically active regions like Costa Rica. Conventional materials, such as heavy asphalt shingles and clay tiles only add dead weight, resulting in a top-heavy home with minimal extra roof reinforcement. At just 1.4 to 1.6 pounds per square foot, DECRA roofs are one of the lightest roofing materials available, averaging just 3,700-4,500 pounds as compared to clay tile at 18,000 to 45,000 pounds and architectural shingles at 7,500-12,000 pounds.
- Snow and Ice: DECRA products are non-porous, making them an ideal roofing solution for winter homes because they resist snow and ice that can freeze and thaw.
Metal Roofing for Seasonal Weather Events
Protection from seasonal weather events is equally important to consider when deciding on a roofing material, especially if you’re located in hurricane or tornado-prone areas. As these severe weather events occur more frequently and expand beyond historical boundaries, a metal roof can provide the protection you need. Here’s how:
- Hurricanes and Tornadoes: DECRA roofs meet the high-velocity hurricane zone requirements of Miami-Dade, Florida which has the toughest building codes in the nation. Additionally, DECRA roofs have a unique interlocking system with high-strength fasteners that help the profiles remain firmly in place and are backed by a Lifetime Limited Warranty for winds up to 120 miles per hour.
- Hail Damage: DECRA roofs have the highest possible UL2218 Class 4 impact rating and are warrantied for hail up to 2.5 inches in diameter. Traditional materials, like clay tile roofs, are so vulnerable to hail that many aren’t rated for impact at all.
- Fire: DECRA products carry the highest Class A Fire rating to protect homes from the threat of fire.
Bridge the Gap Between Strength and Style with Stone-Coated Metal Roofing
No matter what region you’re in, a DECRA metal roof can provide protection against nearly anything Mother Nature has to offer. But the strength of DECRA’s stone-coated steel roofing products doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style.
Take traditional clay tile, for example. While a critical design component of Mediterranean and Spanish style themes, clay tiles are incredibly fragile and require ongoing maintenance (which is a challenge in and of itself because something as simple as walking on clay tile for routine maintenance can cause damage). Additionally, clay tiles absorb up to 15% of their weight in water which can cause structural challenges, particularly for snow-prone regions since water absorption can lead to ice dams that form at the roof’s edge. Consequently, pooled water can back up and go under the roofing system to cause cracks, leaks, and other issues.
With DECRA, homeowners can achieve the classic look of tile without sacrificing performance.
- DECRA Villa Tile
- DECRA Tile
For homeowners looking for the aesthetics of heavy-cut wood shingles or distinctive shadow lines of cedar shakes, DECRA Shake XD and DECRA Shake provide the rustic look and feel of wood without turning gray after a few months.
- DECRA Shake XD
- DECRA Shake
For designs that rely on the look of asphalt shingles, DECRA Shingle XD effortlessly provides the same colors and texture as asphalt roofing, but with a lifespan that lasts two to three times longer.
- DECRA Shingle XD
DECRA’s stone-coating manufacturing process involves adhering natural stone granules to the top of base steel sheets to provide a wide range of design options that can achieve the design requirements of any style.
>>>Related Resource: Learn more about DECRA’s stone-coated granules.
DECRA Metal Roofing for All Regions and Seasons
If you’re looking for a roofing material that can withstand nearly anything Mother Nature has to offer without sacrificing style, then you’re looking for a DECRA metal roof.
As the original manufacturer of stone-coated metal roofs since 1957, DECRA products have withstood the test of time and set the industry standard for durability.
With a wide variety of styles, textures and colors (even custom colors), you’ll find the right roof for your home with DECRA. Contact us today to learn more.
