| Metal roofing systems can be fabricated in a | | | | installation. The second (and less costly) |
| factory and delivered directly to a job ready | | | | method utilizes exposed fasteners that are |
| for installation or you can have the panels | | | | driven through each metal panel into the roof |
| made right on the job so you can cut and | | | | sheathing. |
| shape each piece precisely and as you desire. | | | | |
| | | | Now we can discuss how standing seam metal |
| The natural properties of a metal roof are | | | | roofs are constructed. Let's assume the metal |
| very impressive. Metal panels are durable and | | | | roof panels are going to be formed on the |
| long lasting as well as virtually maintenance | | | | jobsite instead of in a metal fabricators |
| free. They offer tons of remodeling benefits | | | | shop or factory. |
| like the ability to be installed over almost | | | | |
| any type of existing roof system and the wide | | | | Each section of the metal roof is |
| array of color options and styles that can be | | | | individually formed to the desired length. |
| used to match any home style. | | | | This reduces jobsite waste, as short and long |
| | | | panels can be cut to the appropriate length. |
| Standing seam metal roofs have become popular | | | | To form the interlocking panes, a metal |
| in parts of the country that present harsh | | | | fabrication machine called a brake is used to |
| weather conditions such as the Deep South, | | | | shape metal into various designs. |
| where conditions are hot and humid for many | | | | |
| months of the year. They are also admired by | | | | A sharp-toothed hydraulic shear cuts each |
| northerners because of their ability to | | | | panel to the appropriate length without |
| withstand heavy snow and wind loads. | | | | damaging the panel ends. Although some hand |
| | | | trimming is involved, the panels are formed |
| Some of the other advantages of significant | | | | and cut to length and ready to install in |
| value are the fire resistant properties and | | | | just a few minutes. |
| the universal styling that enables blending | | | | |
| to almost any home's design. Metal roofs | | | | Individual roof elements are installed in a |
| offer what many believe to be the perfect | | | | specific sequence to create a watertight |
| styles for upscale homes as well as homes of | | | | seal. First, roofing paper is installed over |
| lesser value, such as mobile homes. The most | | | | the roof sheathing. Next, the roof's valleys |
| popular of any style is the standing seam | | | | (formed where two roof sections meet at an |
| metal roof, which has been used throughout | | | | angle) are covered. A preformed ridge cap |
| the world on almost every type of home | | | | covers the roof's peak. Every vertical roof |
| imaginable. | | | | panel is fastened and adjoined to the ridge |
| | | | vent for a consistent look. |
| A standing seam roof is constructed of many | | | | |
| interlocking panels that run vertically from | | | | Each roof panel that runs from ridge to eave |
| the roof's ridge (the top of the roof) to the | | | | tucks neatly into the ridge vent. Clips |
| eave. The interlocking seam where two panels | | | | secure each panel to the roof sheathing. |
| join together is raised above the roof's flat | | | | Using hidden fasteners creates a more |
| surface, allowing water to run off without | | | | polished look once the job is completed. The |
| seeping between panels. | | | | next adjoining panel will cover the clips |
| | | | that secure each panel (left). The raised |
| Standing seam roofs come in many shapes and | | | | seams formed by the panel ends are crimped |
| sizes. In some instances, the vertical panels | | | | together to form a watertight seal. |
| are cut to length at a factory and delivered | | | | |
| to the job site. Metal panels can also be | | | | Each adjacent roof panel is crimped together. |
| made at the job using portable metal | | | | Each panel hides the clips that secure the |
| fabrication equipment. Other options include | | | | adjacent panel to the roof sheathing. By |
| standing seam "shingles" that arrive | | | | completely covering the fasteners, they are |
| prepackaged (typically in three to five-foot | | | | not exposed to the elements, reducing the |
| lengths) and are installed in a staggered | | | | possibility of water damaging the roof |
| pattern for visual effect. | | | | sheathing or the structural system below. |
| | | | |
| Two types of methods are commonly used to | | | | The final results: Ridge cap, valleys and |
| secure the panels to the roof sheathing. | | | | vertical sections all come together to form a |
| Hidden fasteners are secured to the raised | | | | watertight seal against the elements. A |
| portion of each panel, and subsequently | | | | properly installed metal roof can go many |
| covered by the next adjoining panel during | | | | years with little or no maintenance. |