| Installing a roof is a very important aspect | | | | as some flexibility. Metal Roofing Metal |
| of home and building construction since | | | | roofing is no longer limited to those leaky |
| almost all structures need something to serve | | | | sliding panels attached together rather |
| as protection from the elements. So it is not | | | | insecurely and then screwed or nailed to a |
| surprising how roofing has developed over the | | | | frame. Today, there are metal roofs that have |
| course of history and even just over the past | | | | more secure concealed clips that can be |
| two decades. As more homes are being built, | | | | expanded or contracted. Perhaps the most |
| more options of roofing have sprouted as | | | | important factor for choosing metal roofing |
| well. This fills several requirements, not | | | | is its life expectancy: metal does not |
| only of function, but also of aesthetics. | | | | decompose or break down even with exposure to |
| Following are some of the roofing options | | | | extremes in weather. Some metal roofing may |
| that a home owenr can select from. Single-Ply | | | | have warranties of up to 50 years. The |
| Roofing Systems Singly-ply roofing, as its | | | | disadvantage with metal however is the |
| name suggests, is comprised of a single layer | | | | greater possibility of leaks compared to |
| make of plastic or elastic material. Because | | | | other roofing options. If metal is not |
| there is only one layer, this type of roofing | | | | installed properly, leaks are likely to |
| is thick. There are two types of single-ply | | | | occur. The Built-up Roof If there is one |
| roofs, first, thermoset membranes whose seams | | | | roofing option that is considered a classic, |
| are sealed using adhesives and second, | | | | it would most definitely be the built-up roof |
| thermoplastic membranes whose seams are | | | | system. Developed for over a century ago, |
| welded using heat or a solvent. There are | | | | this type of roof has a time-tested |
| three types of attachment for single-plys - | | | | reputation that makes it almost an automatic |
| ballasted, loose-laid and fully adhered. | | | | choice for a lot of home builders. Of course, |
| Because of its light weight, the single-ply | | | | this is not a perfect roofing option as it |
| is often used for re-covering. They are also | | | | can pose some considerable limitations, but a |
| quite inexpensive. Single-ply roofs may be | | | | lot of those who chose this type have seen it |
| sensitive to certain substances and great | | | | work quite well. The built-up roof is |
| care should be taken when choosing from | | | | generally preferred in places of high traffic |
| different kinds of single-plys. EPDM and | | | | and when there is a possibility for the roof |
| PVC-based materials can be damaged when | | | | to be subjected to mechanical abuse. The |
| exposed to oil, jet fuel, and cooking grease. | | | | built-up roof's membrane is generally thicker |
| When there are such emissions in the area, | | | | and stronger compared to most other roofing |
| the chemical composition of the single-ply | | | | options with its multiple layers and gravel |
| membrane should be checked carefully. | | | | surfacing. Since this is a popular choice, it |
| Modified-Bitumen Roofing Systems | | | | is usually easy to find a contractor who can |
| Modified-bitumen roofs have similar | | | | handle both installation and repair of this |
| advantages and disadvantages as built-up | | | | roof type in most locations. The main |
| roofs. However, one great advantage of this | | | | disadvantage with built-up roofs is |
| roofing option is that it performs | | | | inflexibility. The roof may be subject to |
| significantly better during cold weather. | | | | damage due to structural or thermal movement. |
| This type of roofing has been developed to | | | | A long building would need additional roofing |
| become flexible when the temperature is low. | | | | support to prevent the roof from damage due |
| They can adapt to temperature changes better | | | | to contraction. The compression due to cold |
| than the built-up roof. There are two type of | | | | temperatures or stretching due to hot |
| modified-bitumen roofs - the plastic-based | | | | temperatures may also take a toll on built-up |
| ones (APP) and the rubber-based ones (SEBS | | | | roofs. Much care is needed if these factors |
| and SBS). The plastic-based membranes are | | | | are pronounced in a particular area. There |
| usually installed using torches while the | | | | are several other roofing options these days. |
| rubber-based membranes are installed using | | | | It is just important to choose the right type |
| cold adhesives or hot asphalt. Most | | | | for the right structure. Whether it is new or |
| modified-bitumen roofs already have | | | | traditional in style, good roofing should |
| granulated surfaces so they are lighter than | | | | serve its purpose of providing good shelter |
| built-up roofs that have gravel surfaces. | | | | and protection. |
| Modified-bitumen roofs may also be added as | | | | |
| cap sheets on top of existing built-up roofs. | | | | Visit to learn more about roofing options and |
| This adds redundancy to the roofing as well | | | | standing seam roofing. |