Innovative coastal roofing solution shines bright

By Jenny Yu.  

With rising demand and proven performance, Armored Coast gives roofers a stronger, more affordable alternative to aluminum on the coast. 

At this year’s Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA) Convention & Expo, attendees got an inside look at one of the industry’s most talked about coastal roofing solutions: East Lake Metals’ Armored Coast, a steel roofing product with a game-changing substrate warranty and coastal durability. Ken Krawcheck, sales and business development director for East Lake Metals, and Natasha Bratt, owner of Sunshine Metal Supply, joined Karen Edwards at The Coffee Shops™ Soundstage, sponsored by QXO, about the growing popularity and benefits of this unique material.  

Sunshine Metal Supply is a supplier for roofing contractors in southwest Florida. Their best-selling products are their East Lake Metals products, with Armored Coast shining the brightest. 

"It's the only product that you can get with a warranty on the coast. Aluminum does not,” Natasha explained. “A lot of people have the misconception that, ‘Oh, I'm on the coast, so I need to have an aluminum roof,’ which is not the case. Aluminum is not a strong material to have on the water and the high wind zones because aluminum is a softer product.” 

Armored Coast features a ZAM® coating — a blend of zinc, aluminum and magnesium — manufactured by Wheeling-Nippon. This advanced substrate technology provides a 20-year substrate warranty for installations up to 300 feet from breaking surf — a first for the roofing market. 

"The Armored Coast warranty is a 20-year substrate warranty,” Ken added. “None of the other products, steel or aluminum, have substrate warranties.” 

Beyond performance, Armored Coast is earning praise for cost savings and ease of installation. Contractors appreciate not only its price point compared to aluminum but also the simplified installation process. 

"The installation process is a lot better,” Natasha shared. “It saves them money. Aluminum is more expensive, and contractors don't have to use all those expensive stainless-steel fasteners.” 

Sunshine Metal Supply currently stocks Armored Coast in eight popular colors, including trending choices like black, dark bronze and bone white. Due to growing demand, they plan to expand their inventory further, offering faster turnarounds and more variety to their customers. 

Both companies encourage contractors and homeowners alike to rethink the default choice of aluminum when building near the coast. With proven strength, lab-tested durability and a real warranty, East Lake Metals’ Armored Coast is quickly establishing itself as a premier option for coastal roofing. 

“There's a lot of people in the industry that don't understand what's the best roof for them,” Ken stated. “That’s why we come to shows like this — roofers want it, but they have to be educated about it.” 

Watch the webinar to learn more about Armored Coast’s benefits for you and your customers.