Types of Metal Roofing

The Vertical Seam Panels

There are a few types of metal roofing that are used as vertical panels today. Vertical panels are long-length thru-fastened panels that have ribs running from the eave to the ridge of the roof. These panels are fastened with gasket-screws that penetrate the panel into the roof decking substrate. Southeastern U.S states use this type of metal roofing extensively. The mountain homes and cabins have continued to rely on thru-fastened panels very successfully.

The residential standing seam panels designed with an attachment flange that can be hidden by the next panel are now growing popularity throughout the country. Because the attachment point is covered by the adjacent panel, this type provides a clean looking installation that also protects against weather. These panels come in aluminum, copper, zinc, steel, or terne coated steel.

For longer length standing seam panels that are over 20 feet in length, hidden moveable clips are attached to the seam of the roof panel and the roof deck. This allows movement of the panel caused by thermal contraction of the roof during day and night.

Pre-painted Modular Press-formed panels

Steel metal roofs are manufactured as modular press-formed products. Most of these products are now pre-painted panels. Growing popular in residential homes, the choice of beautiful colors that can easily fuse and mingle with your home’s exterior finishing. These interlocking panels come in standard dimensions and shapes fit for residential applications. They may be aluminum, zinc, copper, steel, or terne coated metal. Panel designs may resemble tile, slate, shingles or wood shake. It add aesthetic life to your roof instantly.

Hidden fasteners that are usually 4-way interlocking are used to attach these panels directly to the roof deck. This provides exceptional wind up-lift resistance.
The Modular Press-formed Granular Coated Roof

Another type of metal roofing is the modular press-formed granular coated roof. They have standard dimensions that are either attached with hidden fasteners or thru-fastened. These panels are coated with acrylic coating and have embedded stone granules on its surface. The tile, shingle shape and shake looks are made out of 26 gauge steel. These panels can be installed directly to the roof deck or over a batten/counter batten wood grid system.

Water Shedding Systems

All of the roofing systems listed above is water shedding roofing systems. The products usually require a standard roof slope of 3:12 or greater. This means the roof must rise up at least 3 inches for each 12 inches of run from eave to ridge.
However, there is also the low-slope, water tight metal roof systems that can be applied to flatter roofs. MRA manufacturers produce these types as well.

Zinc

Zinc is the 24th most abundant element on the Earth’s crust. It is a naturally occurring metallic chemical element. It only needs a fraction of energy to convert zinc into usable materials compared to copper, steel and aluminum.

Architectural zinc is fully recyclable. Construction zinc scraps and end of use zinc materials are commonly recycled into new usable materials. These lowers further the energy use for its production.

Zinc naturally develops its own protective layer called the zinc hydroxyl-carbonate. This blocks chemicals and moisture from penetrating to the zinc beneath it. When this protective layer is scratched, it can naturally reform by itself over time. This makes zinc a natural resistant to corrosion.
Zinc is malleable, flexible and versatile. This makes the material a popular choice for imaginative building, renovation and construction projects.

Zinc as Rainwater Goods

Zinc has remained the most commonly used material for rainwater goods. These include downspouts and gutters were it can last for decades. The water run-off from zinc is not harmful to the environment.

Due to zinc’s outstanding malleability, numerous kinds of rainwater goods now includes outdoor ornaments and water park accents and are used as accessories like weather vanes, finials, post covers or roof dormers. Ornaments come in natural zinc, quartz zinc and anthrax zinc.

Thank you for your interest in The Types of Metal Roofing.