Upgrading durability, reliability and aesthetics with DECRA Metal Roofing

By Trevor Underwood, DECRA. 

Learn from this case study about building a roof designed for surviving a Canadian winter. 

This case study begins with Charley Lortie, a roofer and building owner. He found a rundown Ottawa apartment building in 1978 and saw a myriad of possibilities. While dilapidated, the building still had remnants of its past beauty, such as the elegant design features of Mediterranean revival architecture. The highlight of these designs was the steep-slope mansard roof. Taking on this project, Charles was determined to maintain the historical charm, such as the mansard roof, while transforming the building into a more modern condominium complex.  

One of the first issues he encountered was that the apartment building’s roof was in desperate need of replacement. The asphalt shingles were in bad shape and there was no way they would stand up to a harsh Canadian winter. Charles decided that this was a great opportunity to upgrade the building to modern standards and add to the Mediterranean revival aesthetic he wanted to highlight. 

It was a process for him to find something that would meet both goals. He knew an authentic clay tile would maintain the aesthetic, but it was a fragile material with expensive and disruptive maintenance needs. He also needed something that had a longer lifespan than clay or asphalt shingles do. Eventually, this search led him to DECRA Metal Roofing.  

Keep reading to learn how metal tile roofing combines strength, beauty, durability, and low maintenance.  

Durability: A roof strong enough to withstand Ottawa’s harsh climate 

Ottawa experiences a semi-continental climate characterized by long, humid summers and freezing, snowy winters. Throughout the year, temperatures in Ottawa range from 6°F to 80°F and can drop as low as -13°F or peak as high as 88°F. Unlike many Ontario cities, Ottawa doesn’t touch Lake Ontario, resulting in warmer summers and harsher winters than neighboring towns. 

Winters in Ottawa are notably severe, with over 120 days of snow cover exceeding one centimeter annually, in contrast to Toronto's 65 days. Given Ottawa's harsh climate, Charles needed a roof that was built to last and could withstand: 

• High winds: The combination of heavy snowfall and high winds can put substantial stress on a roof. Additionally, freeze-thaw cycles can lead to ice buildup on roofs, which, when combined with high winds and wind uplift, can cause severe damage to a roof. 
• Snow and ice: When water freezes, it expands and a porous roofing material will absorb water. When the water freezes in a porous roof, the expansion puts pressure on the roofing material and can cause the roofing material to crack, split, and deteriorate. 
• Heavy snow loads: Snow on a roof can add up to 20 pounds of weight per cubic foot, so a strong, but lightweight roof was required. 
• Heat and UV exposure: Ottawa's hot and humid summers required a roof that could reflect heat away from the building and resist degradation after prolonged exposure to UV rays. 

Metal roofing was one of the few types of roofing materials that could meet these criteria. Known for its industrial strength and longevity, a metal roof could easily endure for decades in Ottawa. However, architectural style was just as important as durability for this project and an industrial metal roofing material wouldn’t achieve the look Charles envisioned. 

Being familiar with modern roofing products, Charles knew that stone-coated metal roofing would provide industrial strength without industrial aesthetics. 

Design: Roofing that aligns with mediterranean revival architecture 

Stone-coated metal roofing is manufactured from high-grade steel sheets. Then, the steel sheets are coated with natural stone granules. By adding stone granules to steel, industrial-looking metal is transformed into a wide variety of colors and textures that can replicate the look of traditional roofing materials and suit any style of architecture. 

DECRA Tile features the same wavy, scalloped style S-shape as traditional clay tile roofing, providing the unique rippled texture required for classic roof elements seen in Mediterranean revival architecture. 

Reliability: A low-maintenance and long-lasting roofing material 

Charles chose DECRA Tile for his building upgrade due to its strength, style, and long-lasting durability with minimal maintenance. As one of the longest-lasting roofing materials on the market, DECRA stone-coated metal roofing has elegantly endured the upscale condominium complex for nearly 50 years. 

If Charles had chosen asphalt shingles for his project, the building might have required up to four roof replacements within the same time span. 

The DECRA Tile roof has withstood the test of time and Charles considers this 3,000-square-foot condo roofing project a complete success. "There were no complications during the installation or since," said Charles. 

After more than four decades, this project demonstrates the many benefits of using DECRA Metal Roofing products. "I have stuck with DECRA because they were the first to manufacture stone-coated steel roofing. They are known for their reliability and that is why I have been a loyal contractor ever since,” said Charles.  

“While the building has gone through many internal changes, the roof has maintained the same look as it did on day one of installation. The DECRA tiles have not faded or degraded and continue to endure Canada’s harsh elements. The garnet-hued tiles covering the building’s turrets and mansard still contribute to the classic architectural aesthetics of the building, more than four decades later.”  

If you’re looking for a roof that will resist nearly anything Mother Nature has to offer without compromising on style, then you’re looking for a DECRA stone-coated metal roof.  

To take the next step, order a complimentary sample.  

Original article source: DECRA