Metal Roofing Products

Metal Shingles That Look Like Slate or Cedar — and Last for Decades

Interlock metal shingles give you the timeless look of natural slate or cedar in lightweight, rustproof aluminum — engineered for North American weather and backed by a 30-year chalk-and-fade finish warranty.

Metal shingles combine the curb appeal of premium roofing with durability that asphalt simply can't match.

TL;DR Summary

Metal Shingles are individual aluminum roofing panels stamped to replicate the appearance of natural slate or cedar shingle. Interlock metal shingles are formed from 0.019″ 3105-H24 aluminum (ASTM B209), weigh ~41 lbs per square, install over standard residential framing without reinforcement, and carry UL 2218 Class 4 hail, 120 mph wind warranty, and a 30-year Alunar® PVDF coating warranty.

Overview

What Are Metal Shingles?

Metal shingles are individual roofing panels — made from metal and stamped to replicate the look of natural materials like slate or cedar shingles. Unlike large standing-seam panels, metal shingles install piece by piece for a textured, dimensional roof, and unlike asphalt, they can last for decades without cracking, curling, or shedding granules.

Interlock metal shingles are made from aluminum — which means they never rust — and come in two shingle profiles: Interlock Slate, with the refined lines of natural slate, and Interlock Cedar Shingle, with the warmth and grain of real cedar. Both interlock across the roof for 120 MPH wind resistance and carry a 30-year chalk-and-fade finish warranty.

Asphalt shingles are replaced every 15 to 25 years; a metal shingle roof is built to last for decades. Homeowners switch for the combination only metal delivers: the premium look of slate or cedar, the durability to shrug off wind and weather, and a finish that stays true instead of streaking and fading.

Who It's For

Metal Roofing for Every Stakeholder

If you've replaced an asphalt roof once, you already understand the pain: disruption, cost, landfill waste, and the nagging knowledge that you'll do it all again in 15 years. Interlock aluminum metal roofing ends that cycle permanently. Our Guardian Lifetime Transferable Warranty means your investment is protected for the life of your home — and can be transferred one time to the next owner (a $300 transfer fee applies), making it a genuine selling advantage when you list. With Class 4 hail protection, Class A fire resistance, and wind uplift resistance to 120 mph, Interlock is built for the climate reality of the 2020s and beyond.

Interlock Metal Roofing carries ICC-ES ESR-1790 — a code-compliance evaluation report that simplifies municipal permit approval in virtually every North American jurisdiction. Profiles are available in both aluminum and copper, enabling material continuity across low-slope accents, vertical cladding, and primary roof plane. Alunar® PVDF coatings comply with AAMA 2605, with spectral reflectance data available for energy modeling under ASHRAE 90.1. Full DWG/PDF technical drawings, cut sheets, and CSI MasterFormat specifications (Section 07 61 00) are available through the Interlock Architect Resource Center.

Interlock metal roofing panels are engineered for efficient installation on slopes of 3:12 or greater with ½" minimum sheathing and synthetic underlayment. The integrated clip-fastening system eliminates exposed fasteners and accommodates thermal expansion across all climate zones without field modification. A complete color-matched trim suite — ridge caps, hip caps, rakes, eaves, valleys, and step flashings — requires no field-fabricated flashing at any transition. Installation training and dealer certification is available through Interlock's North American dealer network.

KEY ADVANTAGES

Why Choose Metal Shingles

The Strength of Metal, the Look of Slate or Cedar

Metal shingles give you the high-end appearance of natural slate or cedar without the cracking, rot, or upkeep. Interlock stamps that detail into aluminum, so the roof looks like the real thing and performs far longer.

Built to Last Three to Four Times Longer Than Asphalt

Where asphalt is replaced every couple of decades, a metal shingle roof is a once-in-a-lifetime install. You stop paying for repeat tear-offs and reroofs.

Lightweight — Often Installs Over Your Existing Roof

At roughly 0.4 lbs per square foot (about 41 lbs per 100 sq ft), metal shingles weigh far less than slate or tile and can often be installed directly over an existing roof, saving tear-off cost and landfill waste.

Engineered for Wind, Rain, and Snow

Interlock’s panels lock together across the entire roof plane for 120 MPH wind resistance, and shed the rain and snow load that wears asphalt down.

A Finish That Won't Fade or Streak

The multi-layer Alunar finish resists chalking and fading and is backed by a 30-year warranty, so your roof keeps its color for decades instead of bleaching and streaking like asphalt.

Made from Aluminum — So They Never Rust

Interlock metal shingles are aluminum, not steel, so there is no rust — even at cut edges or in coastal and high-humidity climates. They are also made with high recycled aluminum content and are fully recyclable at end of life.

AAMA 2605 Certified Coating System

The Alunar® 5-Layer Coating System: Science Behind the Lifetime Color

Every Interlock aluminum metal roofing panel — across every profile and every color — is finished with the proprietary Alunar® coating system. Developed specifically for exterior architectural aluminum, Alunar is a 5-layer factory-applied system that permanently bonds PVDF fluorocarbon resin to the aluminum substrate. The result is a finish that meets AAMA 2605 — the most demanding specification for architectural aluminum coatings — and is warranted against chalk and fade for 30 years.

Layer 1: Aluminum Substrate

Premium aluminum alloy — 0.028″ 3000-series for Shake, Mediterranean Tile, and Standing Seam profiles; 0.019″ 3105-H24 for Slate and Cedar Shingle profiles. All substrates are corrosion-resistant, 100% recyclable, and galvanically compatible with all standard roofing metals including copper flashings and copper accent panels.

Layer 2: Chemical Pre-Treatment

A controlled acid-wash and conversion-coat process removes surface oxides and deposits a micro-crystalline conversion layer that maximizes coating adhesion at the molecular level. This critical step is where most coating failures originate — Interlock’s factory process never shortcuts it.

Layer 3: Corrosion-Inhibiting Primer

High-build corrosion-inhibiting primer is roller-applied in controlled factory conditions and oven-cured to the substrate. This layer provides the adhesion bridge between metal and topcoat and delivers secondary corrosion resistance even if the topcoat sustains a scratch or edge exposure.

Layer 4: PVDF Topcoat (Alunar® Fluorocarbon)

70% PVDF resin topcoat is applied to a minimum 1.0 mil DFT and oven-cured at controlled temperature. PVDF fluorocarbon is the gold standard of architectural coatings — used on curtain walls, storefronts, and premium roofing worldwide — for its unmatched UV resistance, chalk resistance, and fade resistance. Verified to AAMA 2605.

Layer 5: UV-Transparent Clear Overcoat

A UV-transparent clear coat is applied over the color layer to increase surface hardness, add chalk and fade protection, and extend the effective service life of the topcoat system. The clear coat also enhances color depth and architectural finish quality.

Layer 6: Reverse-Side Wash Coat

The back face of each panel receives a protective wash coat that prevents moisture-driven oxidation from the underside — a common long-term failure mode on lower-quality coated metal panels that lack reverse-face protection.

INDUSTRY EXPERT TESTIMONIAL

Why a 48-Year Metal Roofing Coatings Veteran Endorses Interlock®

Robert Scichili · President, Robert Scichili Associates, Inc.
· 21 years Desoto · 10 years Morton International · 6 years BASF · 10 years 3M

In my 48 years of experience in the metal roofing industry (21 years with Desoto, 10 years with Morton International, 6 years with BASF and 10 years with 3M), it is most unique to find a company who is constantly striving to provide roofing products that live up to claims that are being made to customers. From the very moment the Interlock Roofing System is applied to a home the customer experiences excellent installation and a very unique surface design all applied to the finest metal available. All these are provided with the promise of great durability and sustainability and a low maintenance roofing system. The use of Alunar(r) Coating Systems, which have a superior record of color fastness, chalk resistance and literal fusion like adhesion is the finest coating system anyone can provide.

Independent testimonial from an industry expert. Robert Scichili is President of Robert Scichili Associates, Inc. (Richardson, TX) and Principal Partner at RSK Avanti Partners LLC — a strategic marketing, sales, and technical development consultancy for the metal construction and architectural coatings industries. He previously served as Business Development Manager for the Industrial Coatings Division at BASF Corporation, where he led market positioning for the Ultra-Cool reflective coatings line. Robert is a founding Board Member of the Cool Metal Roofing Coalition and a published authority on Energy Star, LEED, and cool metal roofing technologies. His 48-year career in industrial coatings spans Desoto, Morton International, BASF, and 3M.

Technical Data

Metal Shingle Specifications

Specification	Details
Base Material & Alloy	Aluminum alloy 3105-H24 per ASTM B209
Panel Gauge & Base Thickness	0.019" (0.483 mm) nominal base thickness
Installed Weight	Approx. 41 lbs per 100 sq ft (about 0.4 lbs per sq ft installed) — Slate and Cedar Shingle profiles
Hail Impact Resistance	Class 4 — UL 2218 (highest impact-resistance class)
Fire Resistance	Class A fire rating available (requires GAF Versashield Fire-Resistant Roof Deck Protection per ICC-ES ESR-2053; self-adhered underlayment = non-classified assembly)
Wind Speed Resistance	120 mph (193 kph) — warranted per manufacturer's installation procedures
Coating System & Finish Warranty	Alunar® Coating System — 5-layer fluorocarbon finish; 30-year coating warranty (no chalk >8 ASTM D-4214-07; no color change >5 ΔE ASTM D-2244-16)
Panel Size & Weather Exposure	17⅝" wide × 9" weather exposure per course (Slate and Cedar Shingle)
Material Warranty Program	Guardian Lifetime Limited Material Warranty — one-time transferable
Warranty Duration & Transferability	Lifetime for original registered owner (individual); 50 years from Substantial Completion for organizations or upon transfer to 2nd owner ($300 transfer fee)
Recycled Content & Recyclability	Made with high recycled aluminum content; 100% recyclable at end of life
Cool Roof Energy Rating	Cool Roof rated — CRRC (Cool Roof Rating Council) and ORNL (Oak Ridge National Laboratories) tested
CSI MasterFormat Reference	07 31 16 — Metal Shingles

Available Colors

Metal Roofing Color Collection

Interlock metal roofing is available in a curated palette of low-gloss architectural colors, all finished with the Alunar® PVDF fluorocarbon system. Colors are consistent across all profiles — mix metal shake on the main field with standing seam on dormers, in the same color family, for complete design continuity.

Material Comparison

Metal Shingles vs. Asphalt vs. Natural Slate or Cedar

How metal shingles compare to the alternatives across the factors that matter most over the life of a roof.

Specification	Metal Shingles (Interlock)	Asphalt Shingles	Natural Cedar / Slate
Typical Lifespan	50+ years; backed by the Guardian lifetime limited material warranty (50 yrs on transfer)	15 to 25 years	Cedar 20 to 30 yrs; slate 75+ but very heavy and costly
Weight	Very light (~0.4 lbs/sq ft); often installs over existing roof	Moderate; tear-off usually required	Heavy; slate may need structural reinforcement
Maintenance	Low; finish backed for 30 years	Algae streaking; periodic replacement	Cedar needs treating; moss and rot; slate can crack
Fire	Noncombustible aluminum; Class A fire rating available with the specified underlayment	Combustible	Cedar combustible unless treated; slate noncombustible
Look & Lifetime Cost	Slate / cedar look at lower lifetime cost	Basic look; lowest upfront cost	Premium look; highest cost and upkeep

Environmental Performance

A More Sustainable Roof

Because Interlock metal shingles are aluminum, they are one of the greenest roofing choices available — built largely from recycled metal, fully recyclable, and durable enough that you reroof far less often.

May contribute to LEED v4 credits under Materials & Resources (Recycled Content) and Energy & Atmosphere (Enhanced Energy Performance). Contact your Interlock dealer for LEED documentation support.

Verified Customer Reviews

What Homeowners Are Saying About Interlock Metal Roofing

After our third hail-damaged asphalt roof in twelve years, our insurance company actually recommended metal roofing. We chose Interlock shake and haven't looked at another hail claim since. The 28% insurance premium discount alone pays for a significant portion of the upgrade — and the roof looks better than anything in the neighborhood.

Robert & Linda HarmonColorado

I was replacing the original 1940s slate on our heritage-designated home and needed something that would satisfy the heritage board visually while meeting current fire codes. Interlock aluminum slate was the only product that cleared both hurdles. Seven years in, it looks exactly as it did when it was installed.

Margaret SchultzBritish Columbia

We were primarily motivated by energy costs — our previous dark asphalt roof was cooking the house every summer. The Interlock standing seam in Classic White dropped our cooling load noticeably in the first season. The lifetime warranty and Class 4 hail rating were the bonuses that made it an easy decision.

David & Karen OkonkwoTexas

FAQ

Metal Shingles: Frequently Asked Questions

What are metal shingles?

Metal shingles are individual metal roofing panels stamped to look like slate or cedar shingles. They install piece by piece for a dimensional look and, unlike asphalt, can last for decades without cracking, curling, or losing granules.

How long do metal shingles last?

Metal shingle roofs are commonly expected to last 50 years or more — far longer than the 15 to 25 years typical of asphalt. Interlock’s finish carries a 30-year chalk-and-fade coating warranty, and the panel itself is covered by the Guardian Lifetime Limited Material Warranty (lifetime for the original registered owner; 50 years when transferred).

Are metal shingles better than asphalt?

For longevity and durability, yes — metal shingles last far longer, won’t curl or lose granules, and stand up better to wind and fire. Asphalt costs less up front, but metal usually costs less over the life of the home because you install once instead of reroofing repeatedly.

How much do metal shingles cost?

Metal shingles cost more up front than asphalt but often less over time, because you typically install once instead of reroofing every couple of decades. Price depends on the profile, roof size and complexity, your region, and whether you install over an existing roof. A free quote is the most accurate way to know.

Are metal shingles noisy when it rains?

No. Installed over solid roof decking (and often over an existing roof) with underlayment, a metal shingle roof is about as quiet as asphalt. The ‘loud metal roof’ idea comes from bare, barn-style panels on open framing, which is a different product entirely.

Do metal shingles attract lightning?

No. Metal roofs do not attract lightning. And because metal is noncombustible, a metal roof is actually a safer material than wood or asphalt if lightning ever does strike nearby.

Can metal shingles be installed over an existing roof?

Often, yes. Because metal shingles are lightweight, they can frequently be installed over an existing layer of shingles, which avoids tear-off labor, cost, and landfill waste. A roofing professional should confirm your roof’s condition first.

What are Interlock metal shingles made of?

Aluminum. Interlock’s metal shingles are aluminum rather than steel, so they never rust — even in coastal and high-humidity climates. They are offered in two profiles: Interlock Slate and Interlock Cedar Shingle.

What do metal shingles look like?

Interlock metal shingles replicate premium natural roofing: Interlock Slate captures the clean lines of natural slate, and Interlock Cedar Shingle captures the grain and warmth of real cedar — both available in a range of colors. From the ground, they look like the real material, without the cracking, moss, or fading.

Are metal shingles a good investment?

Metal shingles offer a long service life, a Class 4 (UL 2218) hail impact rating, and Cool Roof–rated energy efficiency, and they spare you repeated asphalt reroofs. Many homeowners also value the severe-weather durability; some regions offer insurance considerations for impact-resistant roofs, so it’s worth checking locally.

AT A GLANCE

Key Takeaways

• Two shingle-profile options: Interlock Slate (refined natural-slate lines) and Interlock Cedar Shingle (real cedar grain and warmth).
• 0.019″ (0.483 mm) aluminum alloy 3105-H24 substrate per ASTM B209.
• Approximately 41 lbs per 100 sq ft (~0.4 lbs/sq ft) — often installs over existing asphalt without tear-off.
• Panel face 17⅝” × 9″ with 9″ weather exposure per course.
• UL 2218 Class 4 (highest impact class) and Class A fire-rated assembly available (with GAF Versashield per ESR-2053).
• Cool Roof rated by CRRC + ORNL — reflects solar radiation to reduce summer cooling loads.
• CSI MasterFormat 07 31 16 (Metal Shingles); ICC-ES ESR-1790, FL7263-R7, CCMC 10475-R.

Sample ID	Heading 1	Heading 2
41 LBS / SQ (~0.4 lbs/sq ft installed)	120 MPH wind warranted	UL 2218 CLASS 4 hail	30-YEAR Alunar® coating warranty

Profiles

Explore Interlock Metal Shingle Profiles

NEXT STEPS

Free, No-Obligation Interlock® Consultation

Every Interlock® consultation is free and carries no obligation — for homeowners, architects, and roofing contractors alike. Contact Interlock and a certified local sales representative from your exclusive Interlock® dealer will reach out to schedule a Zoom call, office meeting, or in-home consultation. The conversation walks through profile selection, technical installation requirements (slope, venting, underlayment, fasteners, trim, snow management, solar), and project-specific pricing — in that order, never the reverse.

For homeowners →

Review profile options, color samples, and the Guardian Lifetime Transferable Warranty applied to your specific home.

For architects →

Walk through CSI MasterFormat 07 31 16 / 07 41 13 specifications, ICC-ES ESR-1790 documentation, and assembly options for your project submittal.

For roofing contractors →

Discuss certified-installer territory, training, technical support, and warranty registration through the Interlock® dealer network.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Scott Plumptree is Media Manager at Interlock Roofing, part of The Interlock Group — North America’s pioneer in lifetime aluminum roofing systems. With 30+ years in integrated marketing and digital strategy, Scott leads the team responsible for helping homeowners research, compare, and confidently choose a permanent metal roof. He oversees Interlock’s editorial, SEO, and AI search visibility, ensuring every page answers real homeowner questions about durability, warranties, and long-term value.

Email: scott@interlockgroup.com — Please contact me directly if you have any questions :)

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/plumptree/

Last modified: May 26, 2026 9:58 am