If you’re weighing a new roof for a storm‑prone or sun‑baked climate, metal consistently delivers the best blend of strength, longevity, and total cost of ownership. Below is a plain‑English guide to the three most requested systems—stone‑coated steel, standing seam, and 5V crimp—including how their material, appearance/finish, and wind coverages typically work. We’ll also show why metal can lower insurance, cut utility bills, and outlast asphalt shingles (often by multiples).
Quick comparisons: how each system is built
- Stone‑coated steel
Press‑formed steel shingles or tiles with a corrosion‑resistant substrate and a stone‑granule coating. Looks like shake, slate, or tile but performs like steel. - Standing seam
Sleek, modern panels with concealed fasteners and raised seams that “lock” together. Often the top performer for wind and weathertightness when engineered and installed to spec. - 5V crimp
Classic coastal look with exposed fasteners in a distinctive “V” pattern. Budget‑friendlier entry into metal roofing that still carries serious test credentials when specified correctly.
Warranties at a glance (typical examples)
Always confirm exact terms for the brand and panel profile you choose; warranties vary by manufacturer, gauge, finish, and coastal distance.
Stone‑Coated Steel (e.g., DECRA)
- Material / performance: Limited lifetime to original owner; includes coverage for leaks and panel blow‑off caused by a manufacturing defect up to 120 mph winds and hail penetration up to 2.5″ (with proration after certain years). DECRA Metal Roofing
- Appearance / finish: Typical 30‑year finish/appearance coverage (prorated) for visible areas. DECRA Metal Roofing
- Wind: Many brands state wind coverage as an mph threshold (e.g., 120 mph when installed to spec). Engineering and installation still govern performance. DECRA Metal Roofing
Standing Seam (coil‑coated steel or aluminum)
- Material / substrate: Commonly a 25‑year (often “25‑year + 6 months”) Galvalume® substrate warranty. Sheffield Metals
- Appearance / finish: PVDF (Kynar® 500) paint warranties frequently 40 years (transferable). SMP and special coastal warranties are also offered. Sheffield Metals
- Wind / weathertightness: Rather than an “mph warranty,” standing seam systems are typically tested/engineered to UL 580, ASTM E1592, FM ratings, Florida Product Approval, and sometimes Miami‑Dade HVHZ; optional weathertight warranties run 5–35 years when installed by certified crews to project specs. Metal SalesSheffield Metals
5V Crimp
- Material / substrate & finish: Painted panels often carry 40‑year paint and 30‑year chalk/fade warranties; unpainted Galvalume® commonly 25‑year. Best Buy Metals
- Wind: Many 5V systems achieve UL 580 Class 90 uplift ratings and hold Florida Product Approvals and even Miami‑Dade NOAs in specific assemblies—evidence of high‑wind suitability when installed per the approval. MBCIMiami-Dade County
Why metal wins in hurricane‑prone areas
Federal and independent research has repeatedly documented strong metal performance in major storms—provided it’s engineered and installed correctly. FEMA’s Hurricane Ike Recovery Advisory explains how to specify and build metal roofs to meet design uplift loads (ASCE 7) and highlights successful outcomes (e.g., structural standing seam that withstood extreme gusts) when details and fastener patterns are correct. The same advisory cautions that poor detailing can lead to failures—so design and installation quality are critical. ATAS International, Inc.
In short: Metal roof systems (including through‑fastened 5V and concealed‑fastener standing seam) are routinely tested for uplift and water penetration using UL and ASTM standards, and many profiles carry Miami‑Dade approvals for the strictest wind zones. That testing framework—not just a headline mph number—is what makes metal a safer bet than typical asphalt shingles or brittle tiles in coastal wind regimes. Metal SalesBest Buy MetalsMiami-Dade County
Lower insurance premiums (when you pick the right assemblies)
Insurers in high‑risk states commonly offer credits for impact‑resistant and wind‑mitigated roofs:
- Hail/impact credits (e.g., Texas): Many carriers (and TWIA) provide discounts for roofs with a UL 2218 impact rating (Class 1–4; Class 4 is the highest). Numerous metal panels (standing seam and many stone‑coated systems) achieve Class 4; your contractor documents the rating for the carrier. Texas Department of InsuranceCentral States
- Wind‑mitigation credits (Florida): Florida requires insurers to offer discounts for documented mitigation features (roof covering approvals, deck attachment, secondary water barrier, roof shape, etc.), verified on the OIR‑B1‑1802 form. A code‑compliant metal roof with approved underlayments and attachments can contribute to these credits. FLDFSPublic
Lower cooling bills (especially with “cool” metal finishes)
The U.S. Department of Energy notes that cool roofs reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat; under the same sun, a reflective roof can stay more than 50°F cooler than a conventional dark roof. Many PVDF finishes for metal panels use cool pigments that boost reflectance and emissivity, reducing attic temperatures and air‑conditioning load. The Department of Energy’s Energy.gov
ENERGY STAR likewise highlights reduced AC costs and longer roof life from lower operating temperatures. Combine cool finishes with proper attic ventilation and you can meaningfully trim summer utility bills. ENERGY STAR
Life‑cycle math: why metal often costs less over time
Service life is where metal pulls away. Independent and industry references place well‑installed metal roofs in the ~40–70‑year range, while standard asphalt shingles typically run ~15–30 years depending on climate and shingle class. That means across a 50‑year window a metal roof is usually one installation, while asphalt is 2–3 full replacements (plus tear‑offs and landfill fees). metalroofing.comOpenbox Roofing
A simple way to visualize it:
- Let one shingle roof today cost X.
- Over 50 years, you’ll likely buy it three times (year 0, ~20, ~40): 3X (and that ignores inflation, tear‑off, and storm repairs).
- A standing seam metal roof might cost about 2X upfront, but you buy it once—and may gain insurance and energy savings in the meantime.
- Stone‑coated steel typically prices between 5V and standing seam; one install over the same horizon.
Even without assigning dollars, 3X for shingles vs. ~2X once for metal is why owners who plan to keep the home usually come out ahead—and with less risk during hurricanes.
Which metal system fits your goals?
Choose stone‑coated steel if you want premium hurricane performance with a traditional shake/tile look, plus lifetime material coverage and a defined wind mph warranty from many brands. It’s a favorite for HOA‑sensitive neighborhoods that still need wind and hail resilience. DECRA Metal Roofing
Choose standing seam if top‑tier wind engineering, clean modern lines, and the longest finish options matter most. Pair a 40‑year PVDF paint with the proper clip spacing, seams, and details, and consider a weathertight warranty for commercial‑grade assurance. Sheffield Metals
Choose 5V crimp for historic or coastal aesthetics on a tighter budget—but still insist on tested assemblies. Look for UL 580 Class 90, Florida Product Approval, or Miami‑Dade NOA listings, and confirm fastener patterns/gauges meet your site’s design pressures. MBCIMiami-Dade County
Practical notes and fine print
- Warranties are not performance guarantees. They cover defined defects or conditions under specific installation and maintenance requirements; coastal distances can affect paint and substrate coverage. Always read the actual document for your product. DECRA Metal RoofingSheffield Metals
- Wind safety depends on the whole assembly. Codes use design pressures, not just mph. Match panel, gauge, clip/fastener schedule, underlayment, and flashing details to an engineer’s pressures for field, perimeter, and corners—that’s the hurricane‑resilient recipe FEMA emphasizes. ATAS International, Inc.
- Insurance credits aren’t automatic. Ask your carrier what they honor (UL 2218 class, Miami‑Dade approvals, FORTIFIED, etc.) and make sure your contractor supplies the right paperwork. Texas Department of InsuranceFLDFS
Ready to compare options for your home?
We install all three systems and can price them side‑by‑side with the correct engineering for your address, roof geometry, and code wind zone—then help you capture any insurance and energy efficiencies available.
Roofing Systems of America, Inc.
Call 813‑304‑1141 or email Info@RoofingSystemsOfAmerica.com to schedule a no‑pressure consult and estimate.
Sources (selected):
DECRA Limited Warranty (wind ≤120 mph; finish coverage); Sheffield Metals paint/substrate & weathertight warranties; DOE & ENERGY STAR on cool roofs; UL 2218 Class 4; UL/ASTM/FM wind uplift standards & FEMA high‑wind guidance; 5V Crimp Class 90 / Florida & Miami‑Dade approvals; insurer/agency guidance on discounts. DECRA Metal RoofingSheffield MetalsThe Department of Energy’s Energy.govENERGY STARCentral StatesMetal SalesATAS International, Inc.MBCIMiami-Dade CountyTexas Department of InsuranceFLDFS
