Did you know Tamko started out making roofing in a chicken coop?

- Metal roof here, Midwest. Rain’s loud but kinda soothing - like background noise.
- Hail’s a different story, though. Last spring’s storm left a few dents but nothing major.
- HOA drama is real... mine nitpicked my fence color for months.
- Looked into stone-coated steel - pricey upfront, but quieter and supposedly lasts longer.
- Still debating if the noise tradeoff is worth it, honestly.

Stone-coated steel is a solid option, but that sticker shock is real. I’ve seen folks go for it just because their HOA hated the “barn” look of regular metal. The noise difference is noticeable - especially during hail, but to me, it’s still not like a shingle roof for quiet. Midwest storms can be brutal, so dents are almost a given unless you go super heavy-duty. If you’re not bothered by rain sounds, I’d say the main thing is how much you value not having to mess with the roof for decades. Sometimes a few dents are just character, right?

That’s funny, I actually learned about Tamko’s chicken coop beginnings during my first week on the job. Makes you realize how much the industry’s changed, but also how some things - like dealing with Midwest storms - never really do.

I’ve been on a few stone-coated steel installs, and I totally get what you mean about the sticker shock. The first time I saw the price sheet, I thought it was a typo. But then, after helping tear off a 15-year-old asphalt roof that looked like it’d been through a war zone, I started to see why some folks just bite the bullet and go for steel. Especially if they’re planning to stay put for decades.

Noise is a weird one. My uncle has a regular corrugated metal roof on his shed, and when it hails, you can’t hear yourself think in there. But with stone-coated steel, it’s more of a dull thud than a ping - still louder than shingles, but not as bad as bare metal. I actually kind of like the sound of rain, but I know it drives some people nuts.

Dents are almost unavoidable here unless you go with those super-thick panels, which cost even more. One customer joked that the hail dimples just made his roof look “custom.” He didn’t seem bothered at all. Personally, I’d rather have a few dents than have to patch leaks every spring.

If anyone’s considering it, here’s what I noticed step-by-step:
1. The install takes longer than shingles - lots of little pieces and trim work.
2. You need solid decking underneath; any soft spots will show up later.
3. The warranty is usually solid, but read the fine print about hail coverage.
4. Maintenance is pretty much just keeping gutters clear and checking for loose fasteners after big storms.

I’m still learning all the tricks, but from what I’ve seen, if you can live with the quirks (and the upfront cost), stone-coated steel is kind of a set-it-and-forget-it deal. Just don’t expect total silence during those summer downpours... unless you’re into that sort of thing.

- That “custom” hail dimple look made me laugh. Midwest roofs all have their own personality after a few storms.
- I’ll take a few dents over leaks any day, too. Had to patch my old asphalt roof every spring - felt like a full-time job.
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“The install takes longer than shingles - lots of little pieces and trim work.”

Funny you mention the “custom” hail look - my garage roof looks like a golf ball after last spring. I keep hearing how steel roofs are supposed to be nearly indestructible, but I’ve got my doubts about those warranties, too. Seems like every company promises the moon until you actually need something fixed.

I haven’t had to file a claim (yet), but I did grill the installer about it before signing off. He claimed hail “cosmetic damage” usually isn’t covered unless it punctures the metal or causes leaks. So, yeah, you still end up with a roof full of dimples. Not sure how I feel about that, honestly. I’d rather have dents than leaks, but still... for what I paid, I kinda hoped for both.

And yeah, the install was an ordeal. Took longer than I expected, but at least I haven’t had to mess with it since. If anyone here’s actually gotten a warranty claim paid out for hail dents, I’d love to hear how that went. Feels like one of those “read the fine print” situations.