If you like the familiar look of asphalt shingles but want a premium roof that lasts longer and holds up better in harsh weather, stone-coated steel shingles are one of the best categories to consider. Two popular choices in that premium segment are Westlake Cottage Shingle and DECRA Shingle XD.
Both are designed to give you a shingle-style residential appearance with metal roofing durability. The real decision is not which is good. Both are good. The decision is which fits your home’s style, your local weather risks, and the look you want from the street.
Helpful pages on Top Tier Metals as you read
Metal Shingle Roofing: https://toptiermetals.com/collections/metal-shingle-roofing
Westlake Cottage Shingle: https://toptiermetals.com/products/cottage-shingle
DECRA Shingle XD: https://toptiermetals.com/products/decra-shingle-xd
Westlake Metal Roofing: https://toptiermetals.com/collections/westlake-metal-roofing
DECRA Metal Roofing: https://toptiermetals.com/collections/decra-metal-roofing
Quick verdict
Choose Westlake Cottage Shingle if you want
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The most traditional, asphalt-like shingle vibe from the curb
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A softer, classic residential look that blends into most neighborhoods
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A premium upgrade that does not visually announce itself as metal
Choose DECRA Shingle XD if you want
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A crisp, clean, premium shingle look with more uniform pattern definition
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A higher-end, more refined appearance on large roof planes
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A stone-coated steel shingle that reads more intentionally premium
What these products are (plain English)
Westlake Cottage Shingle
Cottage Shingle is a stone-coated steel shingle profile designed to mimic a traditional shingle look while delivering metal durability.
Product page: https://toptiermetals.com/products/cottage-shingle
DECRA Shingle XD
DECRA Shingle XD is a stone-coated steel shingle profile designed for a refined, consistent premium shingle appearance with metal roofing performance.
Product page: https://toptiermetals.com/products/decra-shingle-xd
Both are in the premium metal shingle category here
https://toptiermetals.com/collections/metal-shingle-roofing
The real reason people choose stone-coated steel instead of asphalt
Most homeowners start with a simple goal: I want my roof to look like shingles.
Then reality hits:
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Asphalt is familiar, but replacement cycles can be shorter than people expect in tougher climates
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Storms can accelerate wear and cosmetic damage
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Granule loss, algae streaking, and edge wear can make a roof look older faster
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If you plan to stay in the home, the idea of multiple re-roofs is not appealing
Stone-coated steel is popular because it aims to keep the shingle-style look while improving:
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Long-term durability
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Weather resistance
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Overall ownership experience
Side-by-side comparison that matters
1) Appearance: which looks most like asphalt?
This is the deciding factor for many homeowners.
Westlake Cottage Shingle
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The look tends to lean more traditional and asphalt-like
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Often feels softer and more blended visually
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Strong fit if you want the roof to look normal in the best way
DECRA Shingle XD
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The look tends to read more crisp and premium
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Often appears more uniform and intentional on large roof planes
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Strong fit if you want a refined shingle look that signals an upgrade
A quick rule of thumb
If your neighborhood is very traditional and you want the roof to blend in, Cottage Shingle is often the safer aesthetic match. If you want the roof to look obviously higher-end while still reading as shingle style, Shingle XD often fits better.
Compare them directly
Westlake Cottage Shingle: https://toptiermetals.com/products/cottage-shingle
DECRA Shingle XD: https://toptiermetals.com/products/decra-shingle-xd
2) Durability and long-term ownership
Both products are stone-coated steel shingles, so you are already in a premium durability category. In real-world performance, the biggest driver of outcomes is not which of these two you choose. It is how well the roof is designed and installed.
What determines long-term success most
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Flashing and transition detailing at valleys, dormers, skylights, and walls
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Penetrations and how they are sealed
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Ventilation and roof assembly decisions
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Installer discipline and consistency
Practical takeaway
If your roof is complex, choose the system your installer can detail correctly and consistently, and avoid unnecessary penetrations. Premium materials do not rescue poor detailing.
3) Hail and cosmetic impact risk
Homeowners often ask: which is better for hail
A better question is: what level of cosmetic appearance risk do I accept and what is typical hail severity here
Stone-coated surfaces can help reduce the visibility of minor impacts compared to some smooth metal systems, depending on storm severity, exposure, and roof geometry. However, extreme hail can damage any roof.
How to make the best hail decision
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Prioritize the roof profile that maintains appearance on your most visible roof planes
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Ensure detailing and underlayment choices fit your climate
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Choose a reputable premium system and focus on install quality
Explore by brand if you want to compare broader options
Westlake Metal Roofing: https://toptiermetals.com/collections/westlake-metal-roofing
DECRA Metal Roofing: https://toptiermetals.com/collections/decra-metal-roofing
4) Wind performance
Wind performance is driven by:
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Attachment method and fastening schedule
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Edge detailing at eaves and rakes
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Underlayment and substrate decisions
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Installer discipline at transitions and terminations
Both Cottage Shingle and Shingle XD can perform very well in wind when installed correctly. If wind exposure is high, invest your attention in edge and transition detailing. That is where performance is won or lost.
5) Maintenance expectations
Stone-coated steel shingles are typically low routine maintenance. Most issues that appear over time come from details rather than the shingle profile:
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Poorly detailed penetrations
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Under-designed flashing at transitions
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Misconfigured ventilation
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Debris buildup in valleys and gutters
A simple ownership plan
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Inspect after major storms
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Keep valleys and gutters clear
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Address flashing concerns early
6) Roof geometry: where each choice feels most at home
If your roof is simple
Both options can be excellent. Aesthetic preference becomes the primary decision.
If your roof is complex
Your best decision is the product and detail plan that can be executed cleanly. Complex roofs multiply the impact of small mistakes. Choose the system your installer can install correctly and keep penetrations and complicated transitions to a minimum when possible.
Resale value: what buyers actually respond to
Buyers respond to three signals:
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The roof looks premium and consistent from the curb
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The roof appears newer and well-maintained
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The material implies long life and fewer future expenses
Cottage Shingle resale logic
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A traditional look that fits broadly, which can reduce buyer objections
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Strong for conservative exterior styles and neighborhood consistency
Shingle XD resale logic
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A more refined look that can signal a higher-end upgrade
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Strong when the home style and neighborhood support a more premium visual statement
Simple resale rule
Pick the profile that best matches the home and neighborhood. A mismatch hurts value more than the difference between two premium product lines.
Which one should you choose: fast checklist
Choose Westlake Cottage Shingle if most of these are true
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You want the most traditional asphalt-like look
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Your neighborhood has classic home exteriors and conservative design expectations
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You prefer a softer, blended appearance over a crisp premium pattern
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You want a premium roof that looks familiar
Choose DECRA Shingle XD if most of these are true
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You want a cleaner, more uniform premium shingle look
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Your roof has large visible planes where a refined pattern looks best
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You want the roof to read as a noticeable upgrade while staying shingle-style
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You prefer crisp definition over a softer traditional look
Compare both product pages side by side
Westlake Cottage Shingle: https://toptiermetals.com/products/cottage-shingle
DECRA Shingle XD: https://toptiermetals.com/products/decra-shingle-xd
FAQs
Will a stone-coated steel shingle roof look like asphalt from the street
Yes, that is the point of the category. Both of these options are designed to deliver a familiar shingle-style look with premium metal performance.
Which one is better for resale value
Both can support resale value. The biggest factor is matching the profile to the home style and neighborhood, and ensuring a clean, consistent install.
Are stone-coated steel shingles noisy
Noise is primarily determined by the roof assembly: decking, underlayment, insulation, and ventilation. A properly built assembly usually does not create problematic interior noise.
What is the biggest mistake when choosing between premium roof systems
Over-indexing on brand name or one feature and ignoring roof geometry, detailing plan, and installer capability. Install quality drives real-world outcomes.
Shop Premium Metal Shingle Roofing
If you want to compare premium metal shingle systems and narrow to the best fit for your home style and goals, start here:
