Metal Roof Calculator

Metal roof

A metal roofing system is characterized by the use of metal pieces or tiles that possess attributes such as resistance to corrosion, impermeability to water, and durability.

Advantages of Metal roofing

Metal roofing presents several advantages over alternative materials such as asphalt shingles, tiles, or concrete, which make it a preferred option for many. Although metal roofing may be the ideal option for certain homeowners or property owners, we know that it may not be the most suitable material for every customer. To determine the suitability of metal roofing, one may evaluate prevalent factors that influence individuals' decision to purchase them.

1. Longevity

Metal roofing is designed with specific engineering features that enable it to have a significantly longer lifespan compared to other roofing materials. In fact, a considerable number of consumers ultimately opt to procure a metal roof owing to its longevity, as it is perceived as a one-time investment for their residential or commercial property. The longevity of metal roofs is depended upon the specific metal material employed, with many such roofs exhibiting durability for over five decades without significant indications of deterioration or rusting.

2. Durability

In comparison to various materials such as wood, concrete, plastic, or glass, metal exhibits superior strength and durability. If properly installed, metal roofing is designed to withstand:

• Snow
• Hail
• Rain and moisture
• Strong winds
• UV exposure
• Mold, algae, mildew, etc.
• Rodents and other animals

Furthermore, it is noteworthy that metal roofing materials frequently possess a Class A fire rating and exhibit noncombustible properties, indicating that their capacity to resist fire is of the utmost level. The established resilience of metal roofing in the face of typical roofing hazards is a fundamental factor contributing to its widespread popularity.

3. Maintenance

Typically, the maintenance requirements for a metal roof are relatively low, particularly if the installation was executed properly. Routine maintenance involves inspecting the roof and gutters for potential blockages caused by leaves, branches, and other debris on an annual basis and following severe weather events. In cases where rain fails to remove dirt or stains from the surface of a metal roof, alternative techniques exist for its cleansing. In general, a concealed fastener roofing system requires less maintenance compared to a metal roof with exposed fasteners.

4. Eco-Friendly

Metal roofing possesses several environmentally friendly attributes. Primarily, a significant proportion of metal possesses high recyclability potential, implying that various forms of metal waste such as tear-off metal, old panels, or even surplus scraps generated during manufacturing processes can be recycled and utilized in future products.

5. Lower Cost in the Long-Term

Indeed, it is a fact that metal roofs require higher initial expenses as a lump sum compared to the expenses associated with asphalt shingles or tiles. As previously stated, the durability of metal roofing can span several decades, with some lasting up to 60 years, whereas asphalt shingles typically have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years. It has been observed that a single metal roof has the potential to beat the longevity of a minimum of three asphalt shingle roofs.

Assuming a 60-year timeframe, it can be observed that the cost of replacing a shingle roof three times would exceed the cost of installing a metal roof once, despite the shingle roof's lifespan of 20 years. Therefore, opting for a metal roof would be a more wise decision.

To learn more about a metal roof and how it works, let's start by looking at its parts, accessories, and other important roofing terms and their meanings.

Metal Roofing Components

• Accessories: Accessories refer to supplementary components that are essential for the successful completion of a metal roof installation. The components of a roofing system include not only the metal panels, but also supplementary materials such as fasteners, clips, underlayment, sealant, pipe boots, and other related items.
• Metal coils & sheets: Metal coils are long, treated and/or coated (with a paint system) continuous metal rolls.The production process of metal roofing involves the initial stage of coil formation, followed by subsequent stages of rolling out, processing (including slitting and cutting-to-length), and finally, rollforming into panels that are ready for installation.
• Panels: Panels refer to rollformed segments of a metal coil that have been molded into the intended profile or ribbing arrangement, and prepared for interconnection or seam integration, to form a metal roof.
• Profile: Profile is the design into which metal panels are shaped. The profiles play a crucial role in determining the fitting, interconnection, and attachment of the panels to the structure.
• Rollforming machinery/equipment: The equipment, whether stationary within the manufacturing facility or mobile, that facilitates the transformation of a coil into discrete panels through molding and shaping processes.
• Seam: The location where two metal panels combine and are joined is commonly referred to as the side rib. Seams are produced through the utilization of a rollformer and subsequently joined together either through snapping or mechanical seaming.

Metal Roofing Accessories

• Butyl tape: Butyl tape is a type of sealant that is frequently employed for the purpose of metal-to-metal bonding and trim applications. Butyle tape distinguishes itself from gun caulking sealants due to its composition as a double-sided tape and its sealing mechanism through compression.
• Clamps: Clamps are tiny metallic components that are secured and affixed to the uppermost part of the metallic roofing structure at its standing seam. At the top of these clips are screws that can be used to connect things like a solar panels,signs, AC units, snow retention system, satellite dishes, and so on.
• Clips or cleats: Clips fasten the metal roof pieces to the deck. On the standing seam part of the bottom panel, clips are put, and then fasteners are used to connect the panel to the roof deck. The top panel is put on top of bottom panel one the clip is put, and the two panels are snapped together or manually sewn together to make a strong connection to the structure.
• Fasteners: Fasteners are the screws that are utilized for the purpose of attaching the metal roof to the roof deck during the installation process.
• Pipe boot: A cone-shaped fitting, known as a pipe boot, is typically installed to encase an exhaust pipe that extends through the roof. EPDM rubber is usually used to make these goods, but silicone can also be used for high-temperature uses. The exhaust pipe boot, which is available in colors that match the roof, is cut to suit the diameter of the pipe before being bonded to both the metal surface and the pipe.
• Rivets: Rivets resemble fasteners but need a unique rivet gun to install.
• Sealant or caulk: Sealants are employed during the installation process to prevent the ingress of water, dirt, wind, and other particulate matter into narrow spaces, thereby enhancing the water-resistance of the roof. Sealants, commonly composed of silicone or polyurethane, are released as a flexible sealing agent from the tube and subsequently solidify upon application. Most sealants may be found in colors that match the roof panels.
• Underlayment: The underlayment is a crucial component that is situated beneath the metal panels, serving as a safeguard against water and moisture, ice, elevated temperatures, and vapors. Typically, the installation of underlayment on a roof deck involves either mechanical attachment or self-adhesion utilizing a glue backing. Common underlayment materials include felt, synthetic (polypropylene or polyethylene), and completely adhered peel-and-stick.

Parts of Metal roof structures

• Cricket: A peaked saddle structure is implemented between the chimney and the roof surface with the purpose of preventing the accumulation of snow and water.
• Curb: An accessory used to mount additions (AC units, fans, signs) and provide a level resting structure on a sloped roof.
• Dormer: A dormer is a roof element that extends vertically above the plane of a sloped roof (often contains a window.)
• Drip edge: A lengthy metallic component that is affixed to a structure to facilitate the diversion of water towards the gutter and prevent it from accumulating on the fascia.
• Eave: A portion of the roof that extends past the supporting wall.
• Fascia: The trim that runs around the edge of a structure just below the roof to keep water from getting inside.
• Flashing: Sheet metal is utilized to seal various parts of the roof, such as chimneys, valleys, and other areas, in order to enhance weather-tightness.
• Gable: The triangular area that is formed by the intersection of the two sloping sides of a roof and the vertical wall below it.
• Hip: The external or jutting angle at which two sloping roof panels meet.
• Pitch: The inclination/slope of a roof can be measured by computing the ratio of its vertical rise to its horizontal run.
• Ridge: The apex of a roof refers to the highest point where two or more roof panels meet, typically forming a horizontal line.
• Roof decking: The foundation or base to which the underlayment and roofing are fastened. Metal, plywood, and OSB are the most often used decking materials.
• Valley: The internal angle at which two sloping roof planes meet.