Shake and DECRA Shake XD are both premium stone coated steel roofing systems designed to deliver the wood shake look with metal durability. If you are deciding between them, the real question is not which one is good. Both are strong options. The real question is which profile best fits your home style, your roof geometry, and your weather exposure.
This guide breaks down the differences that actually matter for homeowners in 2026: curb appeal, dimensional texture, wind and hail considerations, roof pitch compatibility, maintenance expectations, and how to decide when the XD upgrade is worth it.
Reference pages on Top Tier Metals:
Metal Shake Roofing collection at Top Tier Metals
DECRA Shake stone coated steel metal roofing product page
DECRA Shake XD stone coated steel metal roofing product page
DECRA Metal Roofing collection at Top Tier Metals
Quick answer
- Choose DECRA Shake if you want a classic wood shake look with a more traditional visual rhythm, and you want a premium system that feels timeless and broadly compatible with many home styles.
- Choose DECRA Shake XD if you want a more dimensional, thick cut shake appearance with stronger shadow lines, and you want the XD profile and system design benefits highlighted on the product page for severe weather and high wind environments.
What DECRA Shake and DECRA Shake XD have in common
Before comparing differences, it helps to understand why these two products are in the same premium tier.
Both are stone coated steel shake style roofs
Both systems are designed to mimic the look of wood shakes while delivering the durability of metal. That means homeowners are usually shopping these products for the same core outcomes: long service life, low routine upkeep, and curb appeal that looks right on residential architecture.
Both are positioned for high performance in storms
On the product pages, Top Tier Metals emphasizes severe weather performance for both systems, including strong wind, hail, and fire protection. If you want the exact ratings and how they are presented, use the links above to review the current product page details.
Both are designed for residential roof applications
Both product pages discuss residential use and a system approach that relies on proper detailing, correct accessories, and clean transitions. In practice, your long term outcome will be driven as much by installation quality and flashing discipline as by the profile you choose.
The differences that matter for homeowners
1) Curb appeal: classic shake vs thicker dimensional shake
This is the biggest real world difference because it impacts what you see every day and what buyers notice at resale.
- DECRA Shake is positioned as a classic, sophisticated wood shake look. It tends to read as clean and traditional from the street, especially on homes where you want the roof to blend with timeless architecture rather than look like a bold design statement.
- DECRA Shake XD is positioned as a thicker cut, more dimensional shake look with deeper texture. If your roof has large visible planes, prominent front elevations, or you specifically want stronger shadow lines, the XD profile is often the direction homeowners lean.
Decision tip: If your neighborhood exterior style is conservative and traditional, the classic shake aesthetic can feel safest. If your home elevation benefits from depth and texture, the XD look can add visual weight and premium presence.
2) Severe weather emphasis and system design notes
Both products are marketed for storm performance, but the DECRA Shake XD product page puts heavier emphasis on interlocking design and secure fastening concepts for high wind environments. If you are in a coastal area, a wide open wind exposure zone, or a region where wind driven rain is common, it is worth reading how each product page frames weather performance so you match the product narrative to your risk profile.
Use these two pages side by side for the most accurate, current language and spec framing:
Compare DECRA Shake storm performance details on the product page
Compare DECRA Shake XD storm performance details on the product page
3) Roof geometry and the reality of detailing
Premium roofs usually fail at details, not in the field of the roof. That matters more on complex rooflines.
If your roof has many valleys, dormers, skylights, wall intersections, and penetrations, your deciding factor should be the system your installer can detail correctly and consistently. A premium profile cannot compensate for weak flashing work, rushed transitions, or poor ventilation planning.
Practical checklist for complex roofs:
- Minimize avoidable penetrations when possible
- Prioritize clean valley detailing and debris management
- Confirm the installer has specific experience with stone coated steel systems
- Ensure ventilation and underlayment decisions match your climate and attic conditions
4) Maintenance expectations: both are low maintenance, but not no maintenance
Stone coated steel is generally chosen to reduce the maintenance headache associated with organic materials. Still, any roof needs basic care:
- Inspect after major storms
- Keep valleys and gutters clear to prevent water backup
- Address flashing and seal details early if anything looks off
Most homeowner complaints about premium roofs trace back to neglected debris buildup, poor flashing workmanship, or small issues that were ignored until they became leaks.
Is DECRA Shake XD worth the upgrade?
The upgrade is usually worth considering when one of these is true:
- You want the most dimensional wood shake look and your roof is highly visible from the street
- Your home style benefits from deeper texture such as craftsman, mountain, lodge, or high contrast elevations
- You have higher wind exposure and you prefer the way the XD system is framed for wind performance on the product page
- You prioritize premium curb appeal for resale and want the roof to read as a clear upgrade
DECRA Shake is often the smarter pick when:
- You want a classic shake look that feels timeless and broadly accepted
- You want premium performance without optimizing for the most aggressive texture and shadow lines
- You prefer a look that blends rather than stands out
Resale value: what buyers actually notice
Most buyers do not know the exact product line. They respond to three visible signals:
- The roof looks premium and intentional from the curb
- The roof looks consistent and well installed with clean lines at edges and transitions
- The material implies long life and fewer near term replacement worries
In many markets, the best resale outcome comes from matching the roof profile to the home architecture and neighborhood expectations. A perfect installation of a slightly less dramatic profile can outperform a poorly matched or poorly executed upgrade every time.
Frequently asked questions
Will either option look like real wood shakes from the street?
Both are designed to emulate wood shake aesthetics. The difference is the visual intensity. The XD profile is positioned as more dimensional, while the standard Shake profile is positioned as classic and sophisticated.
Are these roofs noisy?
Noise is typically driven by roof assembly decisions such as decking, underlayment, insulation, and ventilation. With a properly built assembly, homeowners generally do not experience problematic interior noise.
Which one is best for hail?
Both are marketed for strong impact performance on the product pages. Real world outcomes also depend on hail size, roof slope, and exposure. If hail risk is high, focus on selecting a premium system and ensuring the installation details are executed correctly.
