High-definition cedar look on steel
EDCO Generations HD Steel Shakes, Installed Across DFW
EDCO Generations HD is a steel shake roof printed with the grain and weathered tones of real hand-split cedar. Underneath the image sits the same galvanized panel EDCO rates UL 2218 Class 4. It is our choice for DFW owners replacing a wood roof who want the wood character to stay.
- 20+ years of experience
- Lifetime limited warranty
- Free written estimates
What makes Generations HD different from other steel shakes?
The finish. A solid-color shake looks like painted wood up close. Generations HD carries an image of real cedar grain, with the darker grooves and lighter ridges that come from years of sun.
The shape and metal match EDCO’s ArrowLine. Both are embossed steel panels about 50 inches wide with a four-way interlock and hidden clips. So you keep the same hail, wind and fire numbers and change only the look.
Against a real cedar roof, the gains are practical. Steel does not split, curl, rot or feed mildew. It also needs no fire-retardant treatments or resealing.
Generations HD specifications
The figures below are from EDCO’s product pages, brochures and ICC-ES report ESR-3564. We check the live data sheet when we place your order.
| Spec | Generations HD (per EDCO) |
|---|---|
| Material | 28-gauge G90 galvanized steel (ASTM A653), per EDCO’s brochure |
| Panel and coverage | About 12 x 50 inches, about 4.17 sq ft each |
| Weight | Roughly 74 lb per 100 sq ft, based on EDCO box weights |
| Finish | PVDF over primer, with high-definition cedar grain imaging |
| Impact rating | UL 2218 Class 4 (EDCO) |
| Wind rating | Tested to resist winds up to 200 mph, per EDCO’s product page |
| Uplift data | ESR-3564 lists 24-gauge clips at 10 inches on center, one screw per clip |
| Fire rating | Class A over DensDeck or VersaShield; Class C over 30 lb felt (UL 790) |
| Minimum slope | 4:12 recommended by EDCO |
| Warranty | EDCO lifetime, non-prorated limited warranty that EDCO says includes material and labor; fade protection; transferable |
| Best for | Cedar replacements, wood-look HOA streets, matching roof and sidewall |
Where does Generations HD fit in DFW?
It fits best where a wood roof is part of the neighborhood’s character. Some older DFW subdivisions were built with wood shake roofs, and some deed restrictions still favor that look.
Neighborhoods built on cedar
A printed grain passes closer review than a flat color. Under Texas Property Code 202.011, an HOA has limited room to reject a hail-resistant shingle that looks like what the subdivision already approved. We bring a sample board to the architectural committee so members can judge it in daylight.
Hail and insurance
Cedar is a poor match for North Texas storms. Texas has logged more major hail events than any other state for 11 years in a row, per NICB and Verisk analysis. Generations HD keeps EDCO’s Class 4 rating, which many carriers recognize when pricing the wind and hail portion of a policy. See our Class 4 metal roofing page for how that works.
Sun and heat
The PVDF resin resists chalking and fading under UV that routinely hits 9 to 10 in a Dallas summer. Lighter HD tones such as Cedar reflect more heat than Charcoal Gray. We lay high-temperature underlayment beneath every panel.
How do we install Generations HD?
The steps follow EDCO’s manual. The difference with an HD roof is planning, because a printed finish shows sloppy cuts and mismatched trim more than a solid color does.
- Tear-off to a sound deck in most cases, since cedar roofs often hide spaced boards that need new sheathing.
- A fire-rated layer where Class A is required, plus high-temperature membrane at eaves, valleys and penetrations from our accessories line.
- Panels laid from several boxes at once, so print variation spreads evenly across each slope.
- Trim colors chosen with you at the sample stage, following EDCO’s guidance on which accessories pair with HD finishes.
- Valley, chimney and sidewall pieces formed in our shop as custom flashing, cut clean so the grain lines up at the edges.
Which colors does Generations HD come in?
EDCO currently shows seven HD colors: Cedar, Charcoal Gray, Classic Red, Copper, Hartford Green, Royal Brown and T-Tone. Each layers a grain image over a base tone, so no two shakes look identical.
Grain images read differently in morning and afternoon light. Look at samples outside before you decide, and see our metal roof color chart for heat and HOA tips.
Generations HD vs ArrowLine Shake and Rustic Shingle
Pick Generations HD when the wood grain itself is the point. Pick a sibling when price or weight comes first.
| Question | Generations HD | ArrowLine Shake | Rustic Shingle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal | Galvanized steel | Galvanized steel | Aluminum |
| Finish | Printed cedar grain | Solid or two-tone blend | Solid PVDF colors |
| Impact claim | Class 4 (EDCO) | Class 4 (EDCO) | UL impact report (Classic) |
| Weight per 100 sq ft | About 74 lb | About 74 lb | About 42 lb |
| Choose it for | Most realistic wood look | Steel shake at lower cost | Light, rust-free hand-split look |
The full lineup is on our metal shingle roofing hub. Pricing is per roof after a measurement; our cost guide explains the line items. For whole-house projects, see residential metal roofing.
Generations HD questions
What does HD mean on EDCO Generations?
HD refers to EDCO’s high-definition imaging. It reproduces the grain and color shifts of weathered, hand-split cedar on the face of each steel shake. The panel shape and steel match EDCO’s ArrowLine; the finish is what changes.
Does Generations HD cost more than ArrowLine?
It can, because the printed finish is a premium option. The panels, clips and labor are the same, so the gap across a whole roof is usually modest. We can price both on one estimate so you can compare side by side.
Will the printed wood grain fade in the Texas sun?
EDCO covers fade under its warranty. Its current product page lists 30-year fade protection, and some EDCO literature cites 40 years. The finish is a PVDF resin, the same family used on premium standing seam. We give you the current EDCO warranty document at signing.
Does Generations HD carry a Class 4 hail rating?
Yes. EDCO lists Generations HD as UL 2218 Class 4, the highest class that impact test awards. Credits for Class 4 roofs vary by carrier in Texas, so ask your agent which documents it needs before the job starts.
Can Generations HD be used on walls as well as the roof?
Yes. EDCO markets Generations HD for roofing and sidewall use. A shake-clad gable, dormer or bay can match the roof exactly, and we flash the wall-to-roof joint with trim made in our own shop.
Manufacturer and workmanship coverage are explained on our warranty overview.
Get Your Free Metal Roof Estimate
Tell us about your roof and a Permanent Metal Roofing Systems specialist will follow up to schedule your free estimate. No pressure, no obligation.
Prefer to talk now? Call (469) 466-2421.
Keep the cedar look. Lose the cedar problems.
Call (469) 466-2421 or book a free estimate. We bring Generations HD samples and a written price.