Article Resources

One of the most important pieces of a building is it's roof. Owners who are wanting easy ways to save money are looking into metal panel roofing. Because metal panel roofing combines both the durability that owners desire and the visual appeal they crave, the popularity of this type of roofing has become more evident recently.

Roofs that have metal panels have been shown to withstand all the elements and have a low level of maintenance so their lifetime cost is relatively low. Due to their popularity many manufacturers are developing a wider array of finishes, profiles and colors for the metal panels which will add to the aesthetics of the building. The metal roofing can also save you money in energy costs since the designers have improved the finish which provides a cooling formulation.

In discussing metal residential roofing numerous questions arise during design development and with the abundance of metal roofing products on the market, it is very important to understand the complexities of the various roofing systems. Only by specifying the appropriate roofing system, underlayment, substrate and finish will the complete potential of a metal roof be realized.

Two basic kinds of metal panel roofing exist, and these are categorized in accordance with the means by which their roofs resist water. The prime factor in determining that is a roof's slant or pitch. Structural roofing has water-resistant paneling and is manufactured for use on roofs with minimal slope. Architectural (or non-structural) roofing is created for use on sharper slopes so that the water is caused to drain off rapidly.

Normally, in a structural roof, panels are capable of spanning between structural supports, and are joined by clips to the building structure, The floating clip system that fastens the structural panels to the roof allows for thermal expansion and contraction. Since thermal expansion and contraction influences all materials to some extent, structural panels and flashing must be designed in such a way to accommodate that same expansion.

Structural metal panel roof systems are usually fitted over a roof assembly that includes structural metal framing and purlins. In areas having heavy snowfall, high wind-loads or when the owner requires a roof assembly, panels may be installed over solid substrates, like metal decking, plywood, oriented-strand board in combination with ISO board insulation to achieve the necessary structural load of the panel system.

Choosing the right roofing system is important to any construction job, and metal panel roofing is becoming a more popular choice every day. By using metal residential roofing, homeowners gain weatherproof, long-lasting protection, as each metal roof panel is made of durable, weatherproof steel. Metal roofing is also attractive, with hundreds of colors and textures available in both structural (for shallow-pitch roofs) and non-structural (for steeper slopes) varieties. Metal roofing can be installed either on an open framework or, in colder climates, on top of solid substrates like decking or plywood.