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