--- title: How do steel panels compare to traditional materials? description: Steel panels offer many benefits and advantages over traditional roofing products such as asphalt and concrete. Having a look at why stone coated steel is proving an ideal roofing material for North American contractors. image: https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/hubfs/Antica_Cedar_03_preview.jpg --- [![tilcor](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tilcor_July_2016/images/logo.jpg?width=300&height=75&name=logo.jpg "tilcor")](https://www.tilcor.com/us) - [WHERE TO BUY](https://www.tilcor.com/us/contact-us/) - [FAQ](https://www.tilcor.com/us/frequently-asked-questions/) - [FREE QUOTE](https://www.tilcor.com/us/get-a-quote/) [![Ross Roof Group](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/hubfs/RossRoofingGroup_Jul2016/Images/RRG-Logo-small.jpg "Ross Roof Group")](https://rossroofgroup.com/looking-for-roofing-products) - [Home](https://www.tilcor.com/us/) - [About Us](https://www.tilcor.com/us/about-us/) - [Our Values](https://www.tilcor.com/us/about-us/our-values/) - [Our History](https://www.tilcor.com/us/about-us/our-history/) - [R & D](https://www.tilcor.com/us/about-us/research-and-development/) - [Health & Safety](https://www.tilcor.com/us/about-us/health-and-safety/) - [Products](https://www.tilcor.com/us/our-products/) - [Homeowners](https://www.tilcor.com/us/why-tilcor/homeowners/) - [Professionals](https://www.tilcor.com/us/why-tilcor/professionals/) - [Resources](https://www.tilcor.com/us/resource-center/) - [Sustainability](https://www.tilcor.com/us/about-us/sustainability/) - [Blog](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa) - [Contact](https://www.tilcor.com/us/contact-us/) - [Metrotile](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/metrotile) - [Tilcor](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcor) # Tilcor Blog # How do steel panels compare to traditional materials? Nov 22, 2017 at 03: 04 PM [Tilcor News](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/topic/tilcor-news) ![Antica_Cedar_03_preview.jpg](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Antica_Cedar_03_preview.jpg?width=777&height=518&name=Antica_Cedar_03_preview.jpg) As a roofing contractor, you’ll be well aware that there’s an increased demand for better roofing products. Traditional materials such as asphalt shingle and concrete panels are now being abandoned in favour of the more attractive and durable stone-coated steel. Not only is steel considerably more durable than other materials, it’s a product that’s kind to the environment, and has a traditional look that homeowners love. In this blog, we’re going to look at the advantages steel panels have over other materials and how they’re proving an ideal product for roofing contractors. **[Want to find out more about why stone coated steel panels are the ideal choice for roofing contractors? Download our eBook here.](https://content.rossroofgroup.com/working-with-tilcor-a-guide-for-roofing-contractors)** Consumers want to know what’s in the products that make up their homes while being assured they’ve chosen a material that’s going to last. Let’s have a look at some of the many benefits steel panels offer that traditional materials don’t. Firstly, steel panels have a far longer lifespan than any other material. In fact a homeowner who has their house reroofed with steel will most likely only need to do it once in their lifetime. Steel panels come in a range of thicknesses and can withstand damage from the harsh elements. They’re put through rigorous testing which enables them to meet harsh weather conditions without additional manufacturing requirements for specific areas. This accounts for snow, fire, heavy rain and hail - snow for instance will easily slide off the panels, preventing any potential damage from the ice. #### Steel panels vs. asphalt - Steel panels are half the weight of the lightest asphalt shingle panels. - According to the ARMA (Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association) the average life of asphalt shingles in the United States is around 16 to 20 years. Steel panels have a minimum lifespan of 50 years - 2.5 times that of asphalt. - Testing shows that water collected off a steel roof can meet the World Health Organisation’s Clean Water Runoff Requirements. Asphalt does not. - Steel can be installed in any weather condition. Asphalt on the other hand relies on seal strips to bond the panels together in high winds. - Steel is 100% recyclable where asphalt can take up to 100 years to decompose in a landfill. #### Steel panels vs. concrete  - At around 150 pounds per square, steel panels are significantly lighter than concrete. Even concrete panels considered lightweight still weigh around 600 to 700 pounds per square. - Steel panels are “water shedding” meaning they don’t rely on an underlayment to keep water out like concrete does. Most underlayments do not have a warranty. - Steel panels are walkable, concrete panels are not. - Even in extreme weather conditions steel panels are extremely durable. In areas where freeze-thaw occurs concrete panels are susceptible to cracking and breaking. The advantages of steel coated panels far outweigh any benefit concrete or asphalt has to offer. This is why roofing contractors are making the shift towards a steel product that’s durable, sustainable and looks phenomenal. **[Find out why you should make the shift to stone-coated steel in our new guide.](https://content.rossroofgroup.com/working-with-tilcor-a-guide-for-roofing-contractors)** **[![discover-the-benefits-of-stone-coated-steel-roofing-video-series](https://hubspot-no-cache-ap1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/2382472/aa069d35-1a50-44ae-9033-1666b2f7729d.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-ap1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/2382472/aa069d35-1a50-44ae-9033-1666b2f7729d)**   - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [« prev](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/stone-coated-steel-the-roofing-material-of-the-future) [next »](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/why-tilcor-stone-coated-steel-roofing-panels-are-superior) ### Recent Posts ### POSTS BY TOPIC - [November 2017 (3)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2017/11) - [June 2018 (3)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2018/06) - [July 2018 (3)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2018/07) - [September 2019 (3)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2019/09) - [November 2019 (3)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2019/11) - [May 2017 (2)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2017/05) - [October 2017 (2)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2017/10) - [May 2018 (2)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2018/05) - [August 2019 (2)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2019/08) - [April 2020 (2)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2020/04) - [May 2020 (2)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2020/05) - [June 2020 (2)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2020/06) - [July 2020 (2)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2020/07) - [September 2020 (2)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2020/09) - [December 2016 (1)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2016/12) - [March 2017 (1)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2017/03) - [July 2017 (1)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2017/07) - [August 2017 (1)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2017/08) - [January 2018 (1)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2018/01) - [March 2018 (1)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2018/03) - [April 2018 (1)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2018/04) - [August 2018 (1)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2018/08) - [October 2018 (1)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2018/10) - [February 2019 (1)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2019/02) - [April 2019 (1)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2019/04) - [July 2019 (1)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2019/07) - [October 2019 (1)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2019/10) - [December 2019 (1)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2019/12) - [January 2020 (1)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2020/01) - [February 2020 (1)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2020/02) - [August 2020 (1)](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/tilcorusa/archive/2020/08) see all ![](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CTA.png?width=400&height=237&name=CTA.png "CTA.png") ![](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CTA.png?width=400&height=237&name=CTA.png "CTA.png") [![stone-coated-steel-video-series](https://hubspot-no-cache-ap1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/2382472/214894a4-4069-487d-863f-a8636fb35e8e.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-ap1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/2382472/214894a4-4069-487d-863f-a8636fb35e8e) ### Subscribe to Email Updates [Tilcor Privacy Policy](https://content.rossroofgroup.com/privacy-policy-tilcor) [![Ross Roof Group](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/hubfs/RossRoofingGroup_Jul2016/Layout/RRG-logo.jpg "Ross Roof Group")](https://rossroofgroup.com/looking-for-roofing-products) ![Fast Deloitte 50](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/hubfs/RossRoofingGroup_Jul2016/Layout/NZ_Made-logo.png "Fast Deloitte 50") [![MRM](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/hubfs/RossRoofingGroup_Jul2016/Layout/mrm-logo.jpg "MRM")](http://metalroofing.org.nz/) [![roofing-association](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/hubfs/RossRoofingGroup_Jul2016/Layout/roofing-association-logo.jpg "roofing-association")](http://www.roofingassn.org.nz/) [![nz-steel](https://blog.rossroofgroup.com/hubfs/RossRoofingGroup_Jul2016/Layout/nz-steel-logo.jpg "nz-steel")](http://www.nzsteel.co.nz/) ### like what you see? get a quote! 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