Stone-Coated Steel Roofing in Colorado

What Is Stone-Coated Steel Roofing?

Stone-coated steel panels are 26-gauge steel stamped into a shingle, shake, or tile profile, coated with ceramic stone granules, and sealed with a resin. From the street the roof looks like a traditional shingle, shake, or tile roof. In a storm it performs like a metal roof. Excel Roofing installs stone-coated steel two ways: directly over the roof deck, or on a wooden batten system that holds the panels slightly above the deck and adds an insulating air space.

2026 Installed Pricing Compared

Prices below are Excel Roofing's published 2026 Denver metro pricing, fully installed, including tear-off and disposal. One roofing square equals 100 square feet, and the last column shows a 3,000-square-foot roof.

Why Stone-Coated Steel Works in Colorado

• Hail resistance: stone-coated steel carries a UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating, the highest rating in that test. On Excel Roofing's hail scale it scores 9 out of 10, compared with 8 for concrete tile and 7 for Class 4 asphalt. Large hail can knock granules loose, and they can be glued back on rather than requiring a new roof.
• Lifespan: Excel Roofing expects 50 years or more, compared with 15 to 25 years for asphalt in Colorado's high-altitude sun and hail.
• Insurance: many carriers discount impact-resistant roofs and offer better coverage terms. Some homeowners with stone-coated steel choose a higher deductible because the roof is unlikely to need a hail claim, which lowers the premium.
• Light weight: stone-coated steel is one of the lightest roofing materials available, so it rarely needs the structural review that concrete tile can require.
• Freeze-thaw: steel does not absorb water, so Colorado's daily freeze-thaw cycles do not break it down the way they can degrade porous materials.
• Fire rating: many stone-coated steel systems carry a Class A fire rating, which Colorado Springs and other Colorado communities require in their wildland urban interface areas.

Downsides to Know

• Upfront cost: at 2 to 2.5 times the cost of asphalt, most homeowners finance stone-coated steel.
• Dents are possible: baseball-size hail and larger, or careless foot traffic, can dent 26-gauge steel.
• Cosmetic damage exclusions: some insurance policies exclude cosmetic hail damage on metal roofs, so homeowners should read their roof endorsements.
• Installation skill: flashing, battens, and trim details are less forgiving than asphalt, so crew experience matters.

Is Stone-Coated Steel Worth It?

Excel Roofing's rule of thumb starts with how long the homeowner plans to stay in the house.

Excel Roofing covers the full decision in Is Stone-Coated Steel Roofing Worth It in Colorado? and compares the two most common choices in its stone-coated steel vs. asphalt shingles cost guide. Wyoming homeowners can see local pricing in the stone-coated steel roof cost guide for Casper.

Financing is available, including 12 months at 0 percent deferred interest, 60 months at 7.99 percent APR, and 120 months at 7.99 percent APR, subject to credit approval. Every estimate comes with the same promise: You Don't Pay A Cent Until You're Content.