If you've decided to replace your old roof with a metal one, then you might be thinking about using standing seam or corrugated metal roofing. While corrugated metal roofs are strong and sturdy, standing seam roofs have more advantages. What are they?
Hidden Fasteners
Corrugated metal roofs typically use exposed fasteners. You attach a sheet to the roof with screws or nails. The top of these fixings sit on top of the metal; they are exposed to the elements.
Over time, these fasteners might get damaged. For example, they might rust over the years because they get wet in the rain. The washers that sit on them to create a seal might degrade and break in the sun.
Rusty or unsealed fasteners can't do a good holding job. They might break or work loose. If they create gaps, then water can get in under the roof. You might need to replace them and fix any damage periodically.
Standing seam roofing doesn't have any exposed fasteners. This kind of roof hides any screws, nails, or attachments under its roofing sheets. This protects the fasteners and their fixings from weather damage. They'll last longer, won't damage the roof, and will need little, if any, maintenance.
Better Expansion/Contraction Capabilities
When a metal roof gets hot in the sun, it expands. When it cools down again, it contracts. This expansion/contraction cycle can cause some problems on regular corrugated metal roofs.
The fasteners that hold corrugated sheets on a roof don't allow the metal to move. They hold it in a fixed position. So, areas of metal around fasteners can cause some damage during the expansion/contraction process.
Here, the metal puts pressure on the fasteners as it changes shape. They might break or pop out. Plus, parts of the metal itself might warp or break if it constantly has to pull against a tight fastener that doesn't give it any room to move.
These problems affect the metal's coverage on your roof. Gaps, cracks, and damage can let water in. You might need to make repairs to the roof if its sheets get damaged or if its fasteners fail.
Standing seam roofs can expand and contract with temperature changes. Their fasteners are connected to the roof itself; the panels slot onto them.
So, standing seam systems have more scope to make small expansion and contraction movements. They won't put excess pressure on their fasteners, and their sheets won't get damaged when they change shape. They'll last longer and need less maintenance work.
To find out more about the benefits of standing seam systems and whether this is a viable option for your home, contact local residential roof replacement contractors.
A company like Hurricane Roofer can provide more information.
Very few roofers would say their job is easy. In fact, many describe the work as downright tough! But that does not mean that roofers do not enjoy or value the work that they do. Many workers get satisfaction from working with their hands, and they really enjoy creating a roof from simple materials. They also like the logistical challenges, such as figuring out how to get shingles up on a tall roof, or how to most safely repair a damage gutter. If you'd like to learn more about roofing as a profession, then you've arrived at the right blog.