Burnished Slate Metal Roofing: Get the Facts

Shelter is one of life’s basic necessities, but the roof part can get a little complicated if you’re building your dream home from scratch. And if you feel as familiar with terms like galvalume or galvanized as a fish is with riding a horse, you’ll want to learn more before picking a material. 

No worries if you’ve fallen for burnished slate metal roofing, but you still need clarification on what that actually means. This guide breaks it down, from the pros and cons of metal roof materials to inspirational designs to get you started.
 
Burnished slate metal roof: Modern Loft Barnhouse with a small porchWhat Is a Burnished Slate Metal Roof?

First and foremost, a burnished slate metal roof isn’t a slate roof. It’s a metal roof, and thanks to the benefits of metal roofing, it may be a better bet for homeowners on a budget than a natural slate roof. 

Natural burnished slate is made from rock and has a dark gray finish with brown undertones. So, a burnished slate metal roof is a metal roof finished with exterior paint designed to make it look like burnished slate. This approach is more affordable and practical for many homeowners, and it's perfect for those who want the classic beauty of slate without the hefty price tag.

The painted roofing is made from sheet metal, one of the most versatile materials in the manufacturing world. It can be made using stainless steel, aluminum, brass, or other metals. In addition, burnished slate metal roofing comes in either a matte finish or the shinier, sleeker glossy finish. 

5 Benefits of a Metal Roof

If you’re still wondering why you should opt for a burnished slate metal roof over any other kind, there are a few more reasons (beyond how good-looking it is). Here are some of the benefits metal roofing offers: 

  1. Durable and low maintenance: Metal roofing can be designed to sustain extreme wind gusts, making it a great choice in areas with intense weather conditions. It offers greater durability and requires less maintenance than shingles, which require routine checks and maintenance. In addition, you can install metal roofing over pre-existing shingles
  2. Budget-friendly: Metal roofs can last anywhere from 40 to 70 years (or longer with proper care and professional installation). To compare, an asphalt shingle roof usually lasts just 12-20 years before it needs to be replaced.
  3. Energy-efficient: Metal roofs have more thermal resistance than other roofing materials. They also offer emissivity, which is the ability to radiate the sun’s heat away from the home, helping keep it cool during warm summers.
  4. Fire resistant: If you want to design a home perfect for outdoor living, a sheet metal roof is your BFF. It’s one of the few fire-resistant roofing materials, making it ideal for areas prone to forest fires.
  5. Aesthetics: Torn between the glossy and matte look for your metal roof? Most homeowners veer towards a matte finish because it just looks better, but higher gloss is usually more durable in the long term. 

Corrugated Metal vs. Standing Seam Metal Roof

If you decide on an energy-efficient burnished slate metal roof, should you opt for corrugated metal or a standing seam metal roof? Read on to indulge your inner Bob the Builder.

Corrugated Metal Roofing

Burnished slate metal roof: corrugated metal roof

Corrugated literally means “shaped into alternating ridges and grooves.” These roofs are durable, long-lasting, and reflect away a lot of sunlight and heat. However, they present multiple exposed fasteners, the visible screws that fasten the panels directly onto the roof deck.

Standing Seam Metal Roof

Burnished slate metal roof: metal standing seam roof

Standing seam metal roofs, seen in most DEN Outdoors designs, are composed of wide, flat metal panels that lock together. They’re more aesthetically attractive since the fasteners are concealed. In addition, these roofs are longer-lasting and can be finished in many patinas. 

Need Help With Your Home Design?

Burnished slate metal roof: Barnhouse Plus

Choosing the right roofing material is crucial, whether you’re replacing your current roof for a bit of DIY-style home improvement or designing a custom home from scratch. 

You can add burnished metal roofs to modern metal building designs, like the Barnhouse Plus from DEN Outdoors, or a more traditional design with a wood-style exterior finish, like DEN’s Modern Farmhouse.

Regardless, most homeowners will benefit from connecting with a company like DEN — we’ll help you through the building process, and you can choose from several wallet-safe packages.

Complete packages come with the following: 

  • Architectural blueprints
  • Detailed structural plans
  • A project brief
  • A buying guide for materials and fixtures (breaks down the differences between terms like steel roofing, metal roofing, metal roof panels, light stone shingles, and dark charcoal shingles
  • Convenient connections with contractors, manufacturers, and stockists
  • Cost breakdown spreadsheets

You can go for a Starter package if you’re thinking about a new home. And when you’re ready to get that roof over your head, you can apply the amount spent on a Starter package toward a Complete package.

DEN is well-known for its cabins, ADUs, and pole barn-style buildings, all designed for outdoor living. And since they’re longer-lasting and more budget-friendly, standing seam metal roofs are a cornerstone of these designs.

Inspirational Designs With Metal Roofs

Home design often comes down to the look you like the most, and that’s okay! When you’re building or improving a home, you deserve something you’ll love for years to come. So keep reading to get inspired. 

A-Frame Family

Black car parked in front of an A-Frame house

A cool charcoal gray slate metal roof elevates the 2,146 square-foot A-Frame Family design from DEN. And with three large bedrooms and two full bathrooms, it’s a super-luxurious getaway that looks beautiful nestled in the lap of nature.

Modern Alpine Plus 

Modern Alpine Plus

The Modern Alpine Plus is an 816 square-foot design from DEN, featuring a sleek, standing seam roof that will protect it against all kinds of weather. And under its hat are two bedrooms, a full bathroom, and an ultra-modern wall of glass that keeps you closer to the outdoors. 

Modern Loft Barnhouse 

Modern Loft Barnhouse

The Modern Loft Barnhouse is one of DEN’s popular pole-barn designs. It’s an 880 square-foot farmhouse-style design with a beautifully-burnished slate metal roof, perfect for those looking to take a classic aesthetic into outdoor living.

Ready To Get Started On Your Design?

If you love the look of slate roofing but are not a fan of the price tag, burnished slate metal roofing could be a perfect fit for your home. After all, it's hard to argue against a durable, energy-efficient, and fire-resistant material! 

So, when you're ready to dive deeper, head to DEN's website and check out our  design packages to find everything you need to hit the roof!


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Resources:

  • S, M. (2023, October 4). Why Choose Burnished Slate Metal Roofs For Your Home Or Office. A. Fricker Roofing and Waterproofing. https://africkerroofing.com/blogs/burnished-slate-metal-roof/#:~:text=A%20burnished%20slate%20metal%20roof%20is%20a%20type%20of%20metal,of%20the%20metal%20roof%20panels.
  • Rich, B. (2023, October 13). The Beauty and benefits of a burnished slate metal Roof - Roland Slate Service Co., Inc. Roland Slate Service Co., Inc. https://rolandslate.com/the-beauty-and-benefits-of-a-burnished-slate-metal-roof/
  • Last, R. (2023, November 17). 7 Benefits of Applying Burnished Slate Metal roof. Roof Tips. https://howlongdoesrooflast.com/7-benefits-of-applying-burnished-slate-metal-roof/