As a roofing contractor, you’ll be well aware that there’s an increased demand for better roofing products. Traditional materials such as asphalt shingle and concrete panels are now being abandoned in favour of the more attractive and durable stone-coated steel.

Not only is steel considerably more durable than other materials, but it’s also a product that’s kind to the environment, and has a traditional look that homeowners love.
Consumers want to know what’s in the products that make up their homes while being assured they’ve chosen a material that’s going to last. Let’s have a look at some of the many benefits steel panels offer that traditional materials don’t.

Firstly, steel panels have a far longer lifespan than any other material. In fact, a homeowner who has their house reroofed with steel will most likely only need to do it once in their lifetime.

Steel panels come in a range of thicknesses and can withstand damage from harsh elements. They’re put through rigorous testing which enables them to meet harsh weather conditions without additional manufacturing requirements for specific areas. This accounts for snow, fire, heavy rain and hail - snow for instance will easily slide off the panels, preventing any potential damage from the ice.

STEEL PANELS VS. ASPHALT

· Steel panels are half the weight of the lightest asphalt shingle panels.

· According to the ARMA (Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association) the average life of asphalt shingles in the United States is around 16 to 20 years. Steel panels have a minimum lifespan of 50 years - 2.5 times that of asphalt.

· Testing shows that water collected off a steel roof can meet the World Health Organisation’s Clean Water Runoff Requirements. Asphalt does not.

· Steel can be installed in any weather condition. Asphalt on the other hand relies on seal strips to bond the panels together in high winds.

· Steel is 100% recyclable where asphalt can take up to 100 years to decompose in a landfill.

STEEL PANELS VS. CONCRETE 

· At around 150 pounds per square, steel panels are significantly lighter than concrete. Even concrete panels considered lightweight still weigh around 600 to 700 pounds per square.

· Steel panels are “water shedding” meaning they don’t rely on an underlayment to keep water out like concrete does. Most underlayments do not have a warranty.

· Steel panels are walkable, concrete panels are not.

· Even in extreme weather conditions steel panels are extremely durable. In areas where freeze-thaw occurs concrete panels are susceptible to cracking and breaking.

The advantages of steel coated panels far outweigh any benefit concrete or asphalt has to offer. This is why roofing contractors are making the shift towards a steel product that’s durable, sustainable, and looks phenomenal.