Why Stone-Coated Steel Roofing?

Stone-coated steel roofing has been in use for more than half a century and has one of the longest life cycles of any roofing material ever developed. Some additional benefits of stone-coated steel roofing besides longevity are lightweight construction (only 1.5 lbs per square foot), and California metal roofs are so durable you can walk on them (only trained professionals should walk on their roofs).

Western Roofing Systems prefers Boral’s stone-coated steel roof panels because they are the best stone-coated steel roofing product on the market. There are other quality panels, but none can match the appearance and performance of the Boral stone coated steel panels.

Yes, you can walk on stone-coated steel roofs!

The most walkable stone coated steel roof design is Metro Shake 2. Metro shake roofs are now part of the Boral Roofing product line. For more information please give us a call or contact us to discuss the Boral Roofs product line-up.

Through years of manufacturing steel panels, Metro (now under Boral Roofing), developed a unique process of engineering the strongest stone coated steel available in the market. The Boral Shake 2 panel (previously by Metro Roofs), can be installed either directly to the deck or on battens. If installed directly to deck, the Boral Shake 2 panel is nailed or screwed into the skip or plywood sheathing. Although an air gap still exists, allowing for a thermal movement of air, the direct to deck method provides for the strongest installation and therefore the most walkable of any other method of installation.

Most stone coated steel panel roof assemblies require the steel panels to be fastened with nails or screws to a 2 x 2 wood batten. When walking on a steel roof with battens, only walk where the 2 x 2 battens are. Do not walk or step in the middle of the panel. The middle is not supported by battens and will dent if walked/stepped on.

Options exist to provide a sturdier steel panel by installing either a foam insert or a mid batten. These are options only and are not a requirement of a quality installation.

Standing Seam panels can be walked on because they lay flat onto the plywood deck. Yet, wear soft-soled shoes to walk on the panels and be extra careful to have clean shoes. The painted finish on most steel standing seam panels will scratch easily, so exercise care when walking on the panels.