East Lake Metals Touts Warranty Backed By Real-World Performance Data

By Ken Krawcheck Jr., Director of Sales & Business Development
Check International

Whiting, IN —Not all metal roofing warranties are created equal. Plenty of companies slap a warranty on their product because it looks good in a brochure, but when you dig into the details, they’re full of exclusions, fine print, and loopholes. If your metal roof fails in the elements, too bad; the warranty probably doesn’t cover it.

For Armored Coast, our warranty isn’t just there to sell more roofing, it’s there because we know our product holds up. We stand behind our product because it has been tested, proven, and installed in some of the harshest environments. Backed by real-world performance data and years of exposure testing, our metal isn’t just reliable on paper, it delivers where it matters most. A promise means nothing if it isn’t backed up, and a product isn’t truly a product unless the manufacturer is willing to stand behind it.

Why Most Warranties Fall Short

A warranty should be more than just words. Many roofing materials come with warranties that sound impressive but have fine print that excludes installations in the environments where they are most needed. That’s because some coatings struggle in salt-heavy conditions, particularly at exposed edges where deterioration can spread quickly.

Many manufacturers rely on lab testing that doesn’t reflect real-world conditions. Others base their warranties on estimated lifespans rather than actual field data. At Armored Coast, we take a different approach. We use ZAM™90, a future-ready, next-generation Zinc-Aluminum-Magnesium coating that has undergone extensive testing in environments that mimic real-world exposure.

Real Testing, Real Results. Proven in the Field, Not Just the Lab

ZAM™90 isn’t just a theory—it has been tested in some of the most demanding environments to prove its durability. Extensive salt spray testing has shown its superior resistance to corrosion, even in prolonged high-salinity conditions. Cyclic corrosion testing has demonstrated its ability to withstand fluctuations in wet and dry cycles, mimicking real-world coastal exposure. Atmospheric exposure testing in extreme environments, including industrial zones with high pollution levels, has confirmed its resilience against acidic and chemical exposure. High-humidity chamber testing has validated its resistance to moisture-driven degradation. Structural integrity testing has ensured that ZAM™90 maintains its strength and coating adhesion over time, even under extreme conditions.

ZAM™90 has been extensively tested for corrosion resistance in high-salinity environments. According to Nippon Steel Corporation, ZAM™ exhibits corrosion resistance 10 to 20 times better than hot-dip zinc-coated steel sheets and 5 to 8 times better than hot-dip zinc-5% aluminum alloy-coated steel sheets, as estimated by salt spray tests (Nippon Steel). These findings support its durability in coastal conditions, where traditional coatings often degrade more rapidly. Unlike standard materials, ZAM™90 forms a self-healing protective layer that prevents rust from creeping in at cut edges and exposed areas, extending its lifespan and maintaining performance in the toughest environments.

Hawaii-Approved for Coastal Durability

Hawaii is one of the toughest environments on metal roofing. Salt-laden air, intense sun, and humidity chew through most coatings faster than expected. That’s why Hawaii has some of the strictest building code requirements for roofing materials. Armored Coast’s ZAM™90-coated steel has been tested and approved for use in Hawaii, proving its ability to withstand extreme conditions where other metals fail. The paint finish and the substrate warranty are both allowed in Hawaii and in our opinions If it holds up there, it will hold up anywhere.

Built for Roofers, Backed for Building Owners

For roofers, reliability matters. A product that doesn’t last means callbacks, customer complaints, and extra costs. For building owners, the last thing you want is to sink money into a metal roof only to see it rust, oil can or chalk in a few years. Armored Coast is designed to eliminate those concerns. To go along with the substrate warranty, our painting system is Koolnar™, a PVDF paint that has no coastal setback restrictions. The coating is warranted for 40 years against adhesion failure, flaking, chipping, or peeling, except for minor cracking that may occur during bending or fabrication. It is also covered for up to 35 years against excessive color fading beyond 5E units for vertical installations and 7E units for non-vertical installations, as measured by ASTM D2244. Lastly, for 35 years, it is guaranteed not to chalk beyond a rating of 8 for vertical surfaces and 6 for non-vertical surfaces, based on ASTM D4214 standards.

A Warranty That Stands for Something

The roofing industry is filled with warranties that look good on paper but don’t hold up when it matters. That’s not how we do things. At Armored Coast, we built our warranty on real-world performance, not marketing spin. Not all warranties are as protective as they seem. Some exclude coastal environments entirely, while others bury limitations in the fine print, making claims difficult. Vague terms, prorated coverage, and complicated claims processes are all red flags.

About East Lake Metals

East Lake Metals is a leading provider of prepainted and mill finish steel and aluminum coil and sheet products to fabricators and independent formers of metal roof and wall systems for commercial, industrial, and architectural applications. For projects in coastal regions, the company distributes ZAM® coated steel products under the Armored Coast™ label. East Lake has in-house slitting and sheeting capacity and a network of partners to supply a wide range of accessories, fasteners, underlayment and roll forming machines. To learn more visit www.eastlakemetals.com.