Metal Roofs

Different Kinds of Metal Roof Options

Residential Roofing, Lubbock, TX The two most common types of metal roof options available on the market are the exposed and concealed fastener systems. The biggest difference between the two roofing options is cost. More often than not, using the concealed fastener roofing method will be more costly than using the exposed fastening method. Every roofing project is different and no matter the look or the cost you want to achieve, PDS Company will help you to make the right commercial roofing choices.

Steel is a common roofing material and there are two different types for you to choose from: galvanized steel and galvalume steel. Both are corrosion resistant, galvanized steel because of a zinc treatment and galvalume steel because of an aluminum alloy treatment. The two kinds of steel are available in different thicknesses, which is determined by the thickness of the corrosion treatment that coats both the front and back sides of the metal.

Residential Roofing, Lubbock, TX If you desire to paint the steel roofing material then both kinds have a minimum recommended thickness; galvanized steel should be no less than a G-60 and galvalume steel should be no less than an AZ50. For other roofing treatments such as mill finishing or applied clear coats, then the galvalume steel grade should be no less than AZ55.

When it comes to painting steel roofing material, you cannot use general house or siding paint, something more durable must be used. Paints such as KYNAR 500 PVDF and HYLAR 5000 PVDF are the most recommended paints for either kind of steel roofing material. These kinds of paints are very glossy and maintain their color year after year. PVDF paints confidently offers a 20 year guarantee on their products because of the paints ability to shine bright for so many years.

Steel is not the only roofing metal that can be used on home or other commercial buildings. Other kinds of metals such as aluminum, copper, zinc, stainless steel and terne can also be great roofing materials. Some people are attracted to aluminum because it is not corrosive and because it can be easily shaped into unique forms so as to imitate things like wood. To lengthen the life of aluminum roofing, a layer of paint or anodization is always added. These coatings will make the aluminum more durable and will also add a splash of color. The other more commonly used metals like copper, zinc and stainless steel are seldom painted or finished before use.

Other metals are used to achieve different looks. Copper, a popular choice is not only sturdy but beautiful as well. As it ages, copper develops a natural green film that often draws people to choose it as a roofing material. Sturdiness it zinc’s main draw as a roofing material. Additionally zinc is flexible and and has a matte style finish that keeps it from looking too flashy. If you need roofing that won’t quickly corrode then stainless steel is a good option. Stainless steel is not only long lasting, but it also retains its shiny appearance for many years.

How To Lay a Metal Roofing SystemResidential Roofing, Lubbock, TX When you install any kind of metal roof material, you need to have a protective layer of material underneath the metal plates. A protective layer of material is need because one: the material will keep the base of the roof dry while the metal plates are placed on the roof, two: the protective material will simply add one more layer of protection to the roof, three: sometimes a thin layer of water can build up on the underside of the roof plate and the protective layer keeps that moisture from coming into contact with the base layer of the roof.

During past years, the protective layer of choice was a felt, asphalt combo material. But, in more recent years PDS has been using a manmade material that weighs less and provides more roof coverage per unit than its felt counterpart. Another step that PDS takes to provide the greatest amount of protection is the application of a self-sticking material that acts as a barrier against things like ice and water. The most important thing to remember when you are working with the protective material under the metal plates is that the protective material must be smooth. A rough material can scratch, ding and harm the underside of the metal plates.

During installation of the roof, some systems require roofing panels to be individually fastened together with special screws while others are clipped together by manufacture’s design. Other commercial roofing systems require a specialty crimping tool to hem together the two sheets or the seams can be bonded together with heat using a seaming tool. Installation methods vary depending upon the material specifications, roof design, aesthetic appeal, and budget. We can consult you in determining the best design for your application and facility use goals.

Why Metal Roof Material is a Good Choice
No matter what kind of metal you choose, there will always be an upside to using metal roofing material on your home or business roof. Some of the pluses to metal roofing are:
  1. Metal wont rot, crack or warp
  2. Metal won’t curl, split or flake
  3. Metal won’t peel, break or burn
  4. Metal won’t get blown away in a storm
  5. Metal will stand up to nearly any kind of adverse weather such as hair, fire, wind, ice, and snow.
  6. Metal roofing material is simply attractive. Now days there are many different choices when it comes to the look and feel of the metal plates used in the roofing process. There are also many different colors choice that will compliment your home or building color.
  7. Metal roof material has a long life and will often outlive their competitors by at least three years.
  8. Metal roof material doesn’t weight very much and is often lighter than other roofing options such as fiberglass or asphalt.
  9. Metal roof material can lessen the amount of money you spend on heating and cooling your house.
  10. Other costs savings can include lower insurance payments, depending on your insurance company.
  11. Metal roof material can also add value to your home or building, which comes in handy when you are try to sell.
  12. Using metal roof material will mean less calls to a roofing repair company because the material is so sturdy that under normal circumstances it can last for twenty years without needing serious servicing.
  13. Finely metal roof material can usually be placed directly on top of your original roof material which will save you the time of having to tear off your old roof.

Restoring Existing Metal Roof Systems

When metal roof systems begin to leak, PDS recommends two restoration processes for metal roof systems: Elastomeric Spray Coat and single-ply metal retrofits.

Elastomeric Spray Coats
Elastomeric roof coatings are chemicals coated onto roofs in order to lessen the amount of heat that penetrates through the roof while providing a waterproof barrier. The installation of elastomeric spray coats involves removing all rooftop debris, then pressure washing the roof surface and spot priming all areas affected with rust, if necessary. Next all fastener heads are tightened down or replaced. Then all seams, penetrations, and fastener heads are encapsulated with a thick, hardening seam and fastener treatment before 2-3 coats of Elastomeric is spray applied to waterproof and provide protection against deterioration and heat retention caused by the sun. Elastomeric coatings provide high solar reflectance and thermal heat emittance while increasing the roof’s durability and aesthetic appeal.

Single Ply Metal Retrofit
If you have a metal roof that has reached the end of its useable life, PDS can use “fill in the flute” techniques to turn your metal roof into an insulated energy efficient single ply roof system. We use your existing metal roof as the deck for your new roof system. We then level the flutes in the deck by adding tapered insulation before fastening down the new single ply roof system of your choice.

Call 800-PDS-4304 or contact us online for commercial and multifamily roofing.

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the surrounding Texas areas.

All photos used on this site were taken by PDS staff of actual PDS projects.