Shake, Shingle, Tile, and Slate Profiles
Even though standing seam profiles have always been a popular choice for commercial applications, they tend to be somewhat lackluster on the home. The somewhat simplified commercial style certainly gets the job done and will last a long time, but new metal roof profiles such as shake, shingle, tile, and slate are a much more stylish option for the home. When you opt for one of these options, you will not only receive the long-lasting benefits of a metal roof, but you’ll also enjoy the timeless look of wood, tile, or slate.
Shake, shingle, tile, and slate are all considered “modular” panels, but they vary significantly when it comes to their look and application. Metal shakes are manufactured to look like hand-split cedar shakes. Many homeowners are instantly attracted to metal shakes because of the rustic, classic look it adds to their home. However, unlike wood, metal shakes aren’t susceptible to cracking, splitting, or rot. By opting for metal shakes, homeowners can easily extend the life of their roof by 60 years or more as opposed to traditional cedar.
The panels are modular and they come in a range of sizes — most commonly 2’ x 1’ or 4’ by 1’ — and they are usually installed in a staggered fashion to avoid the look of uniform vertical rows. Panels are secured to the roof deck with a nailing flange or hidden clip system. Shakes are generally more textured than shingles, giving the roof added dimension, meaning that it can often be installed right over the current roof.
Metal shakes are typically fabricated from 26-28-gauge steel or 0.019” to 0.024” thick aluminum. Steel shakes generally get treated with Kynar powder or a post-forming stone coat to seal the edges and where there are tight bends. This adds an extra layer of protection on top of the zinc or the alloy glaze. Many quality manufacturers also offer aluminum shakes with premium post-forming coats, not because aluminum requires added protection, but because the coating lends an impressive overall look to the metal shakes.
For a more cohesive look, most metal shake systems will include all the necessary flashings pre-formed, which typically includes everything from sidewall flashing, ridge and hip caps, gable trim, eave starter, and valley. The flashings are often universal, which means they will work well with a range of roof pitches. Some of the more high-end metal shake options will include an open valley system, which is designed to keep debris like leaves, ice, moisture, etc. out of the valley.
Similar to metal shakes, metal shingles mimic split wood, but last a lot longer and require less maintenance. Shingles lend a lower-profile appearance than shakes, and they have a more modest overall look, which means they can match the general look of the other homes in the community. However, that doesn’t mean your roof will be boring. Metal shingles can be manufactured to look like wood, but they can also be crafted to look like Spanish barrel tiles, scalloped, or even diamond-shaped tile.
Regardless of the profile of the tile, most metal shingles are fastened to the roof deck in the same way shake profiles are, which is with a hidden clip configuration or with a nailing flange at the top of the shingle. Some tile systems are secured with fasteners that are exposed rather than hidden, and some use a batten grid to attach the panels. Many of the popular tile roofing systems are manufactured in big sheets, which stretch from the roof’s ridge to the eaves. This results in a faster installation with fewer seams.
Slate roof profiles are crafted using steel, copper, and aluminum to mimic the look of natural slate tiles at about 30-50% of the cost. Additionally, these metals are exponentially lighter than slate which is a benefit when installed on older buildings that may not be able to handle the excess weight.