What Is Stone Coated Steel Roofing Tile?

Stone-coated steel roofing tile, also known as stone-chip roofing or stone-coated metal roof tile, is A roofing material that combines the durability of steel with the aesthetics of stone. It consists of a steel base coated with a layer of stone granules or chips, which are then fused onto the metal substrate using an adhesive. If you’re looking for a roof that can withstand nearly anything Mother Nature has to offer without sacrificing style, then you’re looking for a stone-coated metal roof.

In this article, we will cover the following:

1. What Is Stone Coated Steel Roofing Tile?

2. How does stone-coated metal roofing differ from industrial metal roofing?

3. Stones in stone coated steel roofing tiles.

4. Common Profile Designs.

5. Key features and benefits of stone-coated steel roofing tile.

6. How Long Does Stone-Coated Metal Roofing Last?

7. The stone-coated metal roofing manufacturing process.

8. Why Choose Wanzhi Stone Coated Metal Roofing?

9. Conclusion

What Is Stone Coated Steel Roofing Tile?

As mentioned, stone-coated metal roof tile is pressed into a tile with a galvalume sheet as substrate and then covered with colored sand as the surface layer. It consists of galvalume sheet, protective surface coating, acrylic resin adhesive, colored sand chips, and acrylic overglaze coating.

1. The core metal, galvalume steel (Al-Zn Alloy) is composed of 55% aluminum, 43.4% zinc, and 1.6% silicon. It provides excellent corrosion resistance. Also, it has high strength, good adhesion, and machinability, like galvanized sheets.
2. Color stone granules are made of basalt particles through the coloring process and high-temperature sintering. The stone chips on the surface serve as a decorative layer, which has vivid colors and distinct textures. Meanwhile, it can give further protection to your roof because it is resistant to ultraviolet rays.
3. Acrylic resin is the key material for bonding steel sheets and colored sand. While applied to the top of the material, it also acts as a protective layer of stone chips to prevent rainwater leakage and prolong the life of the sand color.

How does stone-coated metal roofing differ from industrial metal roofing?

Stone-coated metal roofing is made from steel sheets and then coated with stone granules.

The steel sheets make the perfect substrate since they can easily be “stamped” into a wide variety of shapes. The stone-coating process allows for a wide variety of vivid colors and textures that can replicate the look of traditional roofing materials like asphalt shingles, clay tiles, and wood shakes. This is what gives stone-coated metal roofing products, such as Wanzhi Metal Roofing, the design versatility to suit any style.

It’s important to note that the stone granules in stone-coated metal roofing products provide much more than design versatility. In addition to the long list of benefits that metal roofing provides, stone-coated metal roofing comes with its own additional benefits as well, including:

√ Enhanced Energy Efficiency: Infrared pigments embedded in the stone coatings increase the natural solar reflectance (aka energy efficiency) of a metal roof.

√ Noise Reduction: WanZhi stone-coated steel roofing profiles don’t require any extra soundproofing materials and are peacefully quiet in the rain thanks to the sound-absorbing cushion of granular stone coating.

Here’s how metal roofing weighs in compared to traditional roofing materials:

Metal Roofing: Weighs up to 1.6 lbs. per square foot

Wood Shingles/Shakes: Weighs up to 4.5 lbs. per square foot

Asphalt Shingles: Weighs up to 4.3 lbs. per square foot

Clay or Concrete Tile: Weighs up to 6 -11 lbs. per square foot

Don’t worry, even though metal roofs are one of the lightest roofing materials, the inherent properties of metal protect against nearly anything Mother Nature has to offer, including hail, hurricane-force winds, tornados, and fire.

Let’s dive deeper into what exactly the stone granules in stone-coated metal roofing are made of.

Stones in stone coated steel roofing tiles

The stones in Wanzhi stone-coated steel roofing tiles are called roofing granules. The granules are manufactured from natural stone which was mined at a quarry, then crushed and screened to various sizes. The granules are manufactured in such a way that when applied to and embedded in Wanzhi acrylic base coat, the particles fit together to provide the maximum coverage for our roof panel surface.

When analyzing and selecting suitable particles, the following points need to be noted:

• Hardness
• Opacity to solar ultraviolet light
• Chemical and physical inertness to provide resistance to acid rain and leaching
• Durability to freeze/thaw and wet/dry cycling
• Minimal oxidation and rusting (iron content)
• Low porosity
• Suitability for coating
• Particle shape

The granules achieve their vivid colors through a process where the stone particles are coated with a combination of pigments similar to paint. The pigment slurry mixture, once applied to the stone, is baked on at high temperatures causing the pigment mixture to coat the stone in a ceramic process. Pigment selection will determine the final appearance and color of the roofing granule.

Multiple color readings, using a spectrophotometer, are performed at different intervals during the manufacturing process.

Color fixation tests are also conducted to make certain that the pigmentation has adhered properly to the stone granule – ensuring that the color will remain stable over time. Given the intense solar UV exposure on a roof system, roofing granules must prove to be durable. WanZhi utilizes state-of-the-art computerized roofing granule blending and application machinery to ensure a quality stone coat manufacturing process.

Common Profile Designs

You can find different designs of stone coated metal roofing tiles on the market, such as:

1. Roman Profile

2. Bond Profile: low-profile design

3. Shingle Profile: bitumen shingle or slate plates style

4. Wood Shake Profile: wood-grain appearance, deep-ribbed profile

5. Classic Profile: the same appearance of traditional clay roof style

6. Modern Classical Profile

Key features & benefits of stone-coated steel roofing tile

1. Durability— The steel base provides excellent strength and durability, while the stone coating adds an additional layer of protection against weathering, corrosion, and impact.

2. Longevity— With proper installation and maintenance, they can last for decades, making them a cost-effective roofing solution in the long run.

3. Lightweight— The tile seems heavy but is lightweight in reality, less than 2 pounds per square foot, which greatly reduces the load-bearing of buildings.

4. Fire Resistance— The steel base of itis non-combustible, making it an excellent choice for areas with high fire risk.

5. Classic Profile–the same appearance as traditional clay roof style Aesthetic Appeal— The stone coating gives the roofing tile a natural, stone-like appearance that can complement various architectural styles.

6. Energy Efficiency— They can be designed to reflect heat and reduce the amount of solar heat absorbed by the roof, which can lead to lower cooling costs.

7. Ease of Installation— Many stone-coated steel roofing tiles are designed for easy installation, which can speed up the roofing process and reduce labor costs.

8. Environmentally Friendly— Stone-coated steel roofing tiles are recyclable, and the production process can be relatively environmentally friendly compared to some other roofing materials.

Most metal roofing products, including Wanzhi Metal Roofing, have achieved the highest UL2218 Class 4 Impact rating.

How Long Does Stone-Coated Metal Roofing Last?

Stone-coated steel roofing tile can last 40-70 years. As mentioned, it uses galvalume steel as base metal, which makes it very corrosion-resistant. So it provides high strength and durability of metal roofing. They will not crack, break, burn, split, curl, or rot in extreme climates. Besides, it can withstand harsh weather conditions. More than that, stone-coated metal roofing panels will keep colors for years. And more importantly, it will reduce the cost of roof maintenance. However, its service life has a lot to do with the installation method, product quality, maintenance, etc.

The stone-coated metal roofing manufacturing process

Steps	Detailed explanation
Material Selection	Metal sheets	Aluminum, steel, or zinc-coated steel sheets are typically used as the base material for stone-coated metal roofing.
	Stone granules	These are small, colored granules that are applied to the metal sheets to provide durability, weather resistance, and aesthetic appeal.
	Adhesive	A special adhesive is used to bond the stone granules to the metal sheets.
Metal Sheet Preparation	The metal sheets are cut to the desired size and shape using precision cutting equipment.
	They may undergo further processing, such as embossing or corrugating
Coating Application	Primer coat	The panels are primed to enhance corrosion resistance and provide a base for adhesives.
	Adhesive application	Apply the adhesive evenly to the primed metal plate using a roller, spray, etc. method.
Stone Granule Application	The stone granules are evenly distributed onto the adhesive-coated metal sheets using specialized equipment.
	The granules are then pressed into the adhesive using rollers or vibrating tables to ensure strong adhesion.
Quality Control	Strict quality inspection to ensure adhesion, consistent color, and quality standards.
	Defective sheets are identified and removed from the production line.
Finishing	The edges of the roofing sheets may be trimmed or finished to remove excess adhesive or granules.
	Protective coatings or sealants may be applied to enhance durability and weather resistance.
Packaging and Shipping	The finished roofing sheets are packaged carefully to protect them during transportation.
	Load onto trucks or pallets and ship anywhere.

Why Choose Wanzhi Stone Coated Metal Roofing?

As China’s outstanding gold medal stone-coated metal roof manufacturer, Wanzhi products enjoy a high reputation for quality. All products are produced at our factory in Binzhou, Shandong and undergo rigorous testing to ensure that every stone-coated metal roof panel we produce has the quality that DECRA is known for.

Ready to see and feel the quality of our products? Click here to order free samples.

Conclusion

In brief, stone-coated steel roofing tile can be a great investment in your home and projects in the long term. It serves as an alternative to traditional steel roofing sheets. It is well-accepted by lots of leading architects and homeowners, contractors, etc. And its high durability and aesthetic design will give you more than you can consider. At Wanzhi Steel, we have a wide range of stone-coated steel roofing tiles in different profiles and colors. Welcome to contact us for more details!