Metal Roofs are available in a wide variety of colors and shapes. They are noncombustible and will not absorb or be damaged by water. Metal will shed ice and water in winter. Metal Roofs are recyclable.
Yes! Because of the light weight of metal (less than 1.6 lbs per square foot), it is easily installed over existing roofing materials, without the disposal problems commonly associated with re-roofing projects. Labor costs for installation are kept to a minimum.
Many conventional roofing materials, asphalt shingles for example, absorb energy from the sun. Metal, on the other hand, reflects most of the sun's rays. At days end, metal also cools more quickly. As a result, the attic space remains cooler, as does the living space below. Conventional roofing materials tend to absorb and retain heat, therefore requiring more energy to maintain a cooler living space.
ABC has some ENERGY STAR APPROVED colors that may qualify for potential tax savings.
To ensure that the benefits of metal go beyond longevity and durablity, manufacturers now carry a highly diveresified line of roofing products that offer the homeowner a wide variety of styles, colors and finishes. Nearly any design appearance can be achieved when using metal.
The myth of a noisy steel roof comes from barns that were built with steel roofing installed on open framing and with no insulation. Modern metal roofing is often installed directly over plywood decking and felt or an existing roof. Therefore, any noise generated by rain will be similar to that created by other roofing materials.
Although the initial cost of metal is higher, the life-cycle costs are substantially lower than conventional materials. The decision to select metal is often based upon the fact that the homeowner doesn't want or can't afford to replace their conventional roof every 8 - 12 years. Metal, on the other hand, will provide years of low maintenance service.
To preserve and protect the attractive appearance of your metal roofing and siding from damage caused by moisture, corrosive chemicals or improper handling, it is necessary that you take a few simple precautions. When material is received bundled, panels should be inspected for moisture. If there is moisture, the panels should be separated and dried. On job sites, reasonable care should be taken when handling painted surfaces during installation in order to protect the finish. Although the paint coating is tough and provides impact resisitance, dragging panels across the surface of one another will almost certainly mar the finish. Protective heavy duty gloves should be worn when handling metal panels and trim products. Use extreme care when walking, sitting, standing or kneeling on a metal roof to avoid a fall. The panels may have a light coating of oil to protect the panels from moisture prior to erection. They can be extrememly slippery when they are wet.
It is important to protect metal panels from potentially corrosive situations and materials. This will insure the good performance and long life of the metal. If installing metal panels over green lumber, damp lumber, or treated lumber, a barrier must be installed to separate the wood from the metal. A barrier may be formed with plastic, builders felt, or other suitable material. Avoid contact with, or water runoff from, dissimilar metals such as copper, lead or graphite. Dissimilar metals under the roof panels may be separated with asphalt, builders felt, caulking compounds or gasket material. Metal panels must further be protected from contact with strong chemicals such as fertilizers, lime acids, animal waste and soil. All of these have the potential to initiate corrosion in metal panels. Metal panels should not be in permanent contact with soil. Temperature variations (dew point) between the outside air and the interior building air mass can cause condensation to occur on the inside of a building on the panel's surfaces. Proper venting and air flow consideration and the use of a vapor barrier such as vinyl backed insulation can eliminate this problem. If left unattended, condensation can cause the premature degradation of the metal and void any applicable warranties. The substrate, on which the panels are to be installed, must be "on plane" (1/4" tolerance)from eave to edge. Maximum recommmended panel length is 36'; minimum panle length is 3'.
The MINIMUM roof slope recommended is 3 inches of rise per foot (3:12 pitch). All 36" coverage panels are based on 38" sheet widths (coverage width +/- 1/8" tolerance). This ensures that sufficient slope is present for adequate drainage. A quality sealant tape can also be applied at all sidelaps and endlaps to provide maximum weather protection. The recommended industry standard endlap based on the roof slope is as follows: (1) under 4 inches of rise.....9 inches of lap (2) 4 - 6 inches of rise.....6 inches of lap. To provide a drip edge at the eave, a minimum of three inches of overhang is recommended. It is important to remember that in the installation of roof sheets, the sidelaps should face away from the direction of the prevailing wind. The first sheet should be installed square with the eave and at the down-wind end of the roof, farthest from the direction of the wind. NOTE: PANELS ARE NOT SYMMETRICAL SIDE TO SIDE; OBSERVE CORRECT SIDELAP PROCEDURE FOR EACH PANEL PROFILE. Remember to sweep the roof clean of any metal filings created from fastener placement or cutting of panels to prevent rust marks on the surface of the painted panels.
To thoroughly protect the contents of any structure from moisture, regardless of building size or roof slope, closure strips should be used at the roof ridge and eave. Sealant tape should be applied to sidelaps and endlaps. Closure strips are available vented or non-vented to match all of the available panel profiles. For maximum protection, all caulking used should be URETHANE. Silicone caulks are not recommended for painted panels and trims.
A portable profile shear is especially recommended for across-the-profile cutting of metal panels. The use of power shears, nibblers or hand snips that can follow the contour of the panel's profile is also recommended. An acrylic edge coat is available to seal all post-factory cut edges. Never cut the exposed end of a metal panel with a metal or abrasive saw. This will melt the Galvalume coating, causing premature rusting at the cut edge.
If you choose bare Galvanized or Galvalume panels for your applications, you should be aware that these products are recommended for applications where aesthetic appearance is not your prime concern. Unpainted products may not weather uniformly and while they may be shiny and bright when new, they will fade or "patina" with age. Acid rain and other corrosive atmospheres, as well as the accumulation of airborne debris and dirt, will affect this aging process and the products' appearance. If aesthetic appearance is one of your concerns, it is recommended you select one of the many color coated panels that have a thirty year limited warranty.
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