Overview
Metal shake is a stamped or roll-formed metal panel product engineered to replicate the deep, irregular, hand-split texture and shadow lines of natural cedar shake shingles, while being manufactured from aluminum or steel coil. Panels are typically produced in multi-shingle-wide sections (often 3–5 shakes per panel) with randomized or repeating grain/split texturing pressed into the metal, then finished with a factory-applied PVDF (Kynar 500/Hylar 5000) or granular-coated (stone-coated) topcoat. Panels interlock via hidden clips or nailing flanges so no fasteners are exposed on the weathering surface, and they install over battens or solid decking with synthetic underlayment. It is positioned as a premium, low-maintenance, fire- and impact-resistant alternative to real wood shake for homeowners who want a rustic, dimensional, Craftsman/mountain/cottage aesthetic without wood's rot, insect, moss, and fire-code liabilities. Leading US residential brands include Classic Metal Roofing Systems (Country Manor Shake), Interlock Metal Roofing (Shake), EDCO ArrowLine Shake, Reinke Shake Shingles, ProVia Metal Shake, Isaiah Industries products (Kassel/KasselShake, Great American Shake, Rustic Shingle), Custom-Bilt Metals, DECRA (Shake XD, stone-coated steel), TAMKO MetalWorks, and ABC Seamless — most manufactured or coated with Sherwin-Williams Fluropon/Fluropon Classic (PVDF) or SMP coil coating systems.
Specifications
| Materials | Aluminum (.019"–.032", most common for coastal/premium lines), G90 galvanized steel (.0145"–.029", 24–26 gauge typical), Galvalume steel substrate, Stone-coated steel (granule-coated, e.g., DECRA), Zinc-alloy coated steel (some premium lines) |
|---|---|
| Profiles | Deep hand-split shake texture (staggered/random butt lines), Straight-butt shake/shingle profile, Multi-width interlocking panel (3–5 shakes per panel section), Shadow-line/embossed grain stamped panels, Single-shingle interlocking tile systems |
| Gauge / thickness | Aluminum:.019"–.032" (premium coastal lines often.028"–.032"; entry aluminum shingles as thin as.0165"–.0185"). Steel: 24–26 gauge (.0145"–.022"), often G90 galvanized or Galvalume, with.0165" G90 common on stamped shingle lines like KasselShake. |
| Panel widths | Individual panels typically 12"–13.5" wide by 47"–60" long, each panel representing 3–5 shake courses; weather exposure per panel commonly 12.5"x47" to 13x50"; some systems (e.g., Isaiah Industries aluminum shingle) run 12"x60". |
| Material cost | $7–$30/sq ft |
| Lifespan | 40–70 yr |
| Wind rating | Manufacturer-warranted wind resistance commonly 120 mph; some premium interlocking systems test/warrant up to 150-160 mph, and select stone-coated steel shake products claim ratings above 120-140 mph in wind-tunnel/ASTM E1592 testing. Verify local code wind-uplift testing (ASTM E1592) per product/region. |
| Fire rating | Class A fire rating (ASTM E108) achievable on the metal panel itself and commonly required/available with a compliant underlayment (e.g., GAF VersaShield or equivalent Class-A-rated synthetic underlayment); metal panels are inherently noncombustible, unlike real wood shake which typically needs pressure-treatment to reach even Class B/C. |
| Hail performance | UL 2218 Class 4 impact resistance is standard across nearly all metal shake product lines (the highest UL hail rating), often qualifying homeowners for insurance premium discounts in hail-prone states (TX, CO, OK, KS, NE, MO). |
| Weight | Very lightweight relative to natural shake/tile: approximately 1–1.5 lb/sq ft (roughly 50–75 lbs per 100-sq-ft roofing 'square'), vs. ~200-350 lbs/square for wood shake and 800-900+ lbs/square for concrete tile — commonly cited as under 30% the weight of asphalt shingles and under 10% of concrete tile. |
| Fastener type | Concealed clip/interlocking fastening system (no exposed face fasteners) is the dominant premium approach; secondary systems use aluminum nailing clips or ring-shank aluminum nails (e.g., 3/16" dia., 1.75" long, 7/16" head) spaced 6"–8" on center through a nailing flange, allowing thermal expansion/contraction without sealant failure. |
Pros
- Authentic dimensional wood-shake aesthetic (deep shadow lines, staggered/random butts) without wood's maintenance burden
- UL 2218 Class 4 impact resistance standard — best available hail protection, often unlocking insurance discounts
- Very lightweight (~1-1.5 lb/sq ft) — can often install over one existing shingle layer, minimal structural load
- Noncombustible substrate enables Class A fire rating (a major advantage vs. real cedar shake in wildfire-code and insurance-restricted areas)
- No rot, insect damage, moss/algae growth, or splitting that plague real wood shake
- Long field life (40-70 years) with lifetime non-prorated warranties common
- Concealed-fastener/interlocking systems reduce leak points and allow thermal movement
- PVDF (Kynar 500/Hylar 5000) coatings deliver strong long-term color and chalk retention over decades
Considerations
- Highest upfront cost tier within metal roofing — meaningfully pricier than standing seam or simple metal shingle panels, and 3-5x asphalt shingle cost
- Installation complexity is high (precise clip alignment, panel interlocking, custom trim/valley work) — requires experienced, often certified installers, limiting contractor availability in some markets
- Can produce more noise perception in heavy rain/hail without proper solid-deck/underlayment/insulation detailing (mitigated significantly by solid-sheathed installs)
- Repairs to a damaged panel can require matching discontinued embossing patterns/colors, and interlocking systems can be harder to spot-repair than lay-flat shingles
- Thin-gauge steel versions can dent under severe hail/impact from ladders or falling branches, more so than heavier aluminum
- Full Class A fire rating and top wind/impact numbers often depend on specific underlayment/deck combos being followed exactly per manufacturer spec — deviations can void ratings
- Regional installer scarcity and longer lead times vs. mainstream asphalt or standing-seam metal
Where Metal Shake (Wood-Shake-Look Metal Roofing) performs best
Climates
- High-hail climates (Class 4 impact protection)
- Wildfire-prone/WUI climates (noncombustible, Class A option)
- Coastal/humid climates when specified in aluminum (corrosion resistance)
- Cold/snow-load climates (lightweight, sheds snow well, no ice-dam wood rot risk)
- High-UV/sunbelt climates when specified with PVDF coatings (fade/chalk resistance)
Home Styles
- Craftsman
- Mountain/lodge/rustic
- Cape Cod / New England cottage
- Cabin/log home
- Traditional/colonial homes seeking a wood-shake replacement
- High-end custom and luxury residential where real cedar shake was the original design intent
Sherwin-Williams Finish
Metal shake panels are prime candidates for Sherwin-Williams Fluropon (70% PVDF/Kynar 500-class) coil coatings given their long field life expectations (40-70 yrs) and premium price point that supports the added coating cost; Fluropon Classic or Fluropon SR (solar-reflective, cool-roof pigment) variants suit steep-slope residential shake applications well, especially in Energy Star / cool-roof rebate markets. SMP (silicone-modified polyester) is a lower-cost alternative some manufacturers use on entry-tier shake lines, trading off fade/chalk resistance for lower cost — worth flagging as a value-tier MetalVue coating option vs. a premium Fluropon PVDF tier for this category.
Look & Aesthetics
Designed specifically to read as split cedar shake at curb-view distance: irregular butt lines, deep embossed wood grain, staggered coursing, and matte/textured low-gloss finishes (often with color-blend granule or multi-tone paint to mimic weathered cedar tones — grays, browns, cedar/redwood hues). Up close, the repeating panel module (every 3-5 'shingles') can sometimes be discernible versus true random-width hand-split wood, and metal's uniform panel geometry gives a slightly more regular look than real shake — a minor trade-off most homeowners accept for the durability gain. Color palettes typically include weathered gray, cedar/brown, charcoal, and driftwood tones to match traditional shake coloring; matte/low-sheen PVDF finishes are preferred over glossy to preserve the natural-wood illusion.
What Drives Installed Cost
Fully installed residential pricing runs roughly $7-$30/sq ft depending on material (steel low end, aluminum/premium interlocking high end), roof complexity, and region, with most homeowners landing near $15-$20/sq ft; by 'roofing square' (100 sq ft), figures commonly cited are $700-$3,000/square installed. A typical 2,000 sq ft home ranges about $25,000-$40,000 total installed; a 1,500 sq ft roof runs roughly $21,000-$36,000. Labor is estimated at ~60% of total project cost due to the detailed interlocking/clip installation method.
Warranty
Typical structure: lifetime (non-prorated) limited material warranty for the original owner, often transferable once (sometimes for a fee, e.g., ~$300) with 50-year coverage passed to subsequent owners; separate 30–35-year finish/color-fade and chalk warranty on the PVDF (Kynar 500/Hylar 5000) coating; some brands (ABC Seamless, EDCO) advertise lifetime, non-prorated warranties including labor for a bonded period. Coating warranties are typically prorated after ~20-30 years for color/chalk retention.
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