Можно ли металлочерепицу положить на рубероид: Можно ли класть металлочерепицу на рубероид?

➤ Можно ли укладывать металлочерепицу на рубероид

Обустройство кровли и возведение крыши – ключевые этапы строительства, которым следует отдавать как можно больше внимания. Герметичность, прочность и практичность конструкции обуславливают длительность срока эксплуатации всего здания, а металлочерепица – один из самых популярных материалов, отвечающих всем запросам пользователя.

Но чем гидроизолировать покрытие и можно ли укладывать рубероид под металлочерепицу, чтобы избежать протечек и обеспечить комфортный микроклимат? Неверный выбор подложки сведет на нет все усилия, и совсем скоро потребуется подновление, а то и полный ремонт кровли.

Подложка из рубероида: основные особенности

Немного раньше вопрос о выборе рубероида не стоял так остро – не было огромного разнообразия гидроизоляционных материалов. Сегодня же многие строители спрашивают, можно ли класть металлочерепицу на рубероид и какие особенности применения поджидают хозяина?

Если обустраивается холодная кровля, то рулонный материал вполне подходит как гидроизолятор. Но в случае, когда на старую крышу с рубероидным покрытием монтируется металлический элемент, следует опираться на основные функции помещения:

• Нежилое чердачное пространство можно обустраивать посредством рубероидной подложки, при этом нормальный воздухообмен будет обеспечивать обрешетка, на которую и монтируются металлические фрагменты.
• Если чердак планируется сделать теплым, например, жилой мансардой, то стелить металлические листы на рулонный материал не следует, так как он недостаточно износостойкий, практичный, чтобы гарантировать отсутствие протечек.

Однако опытные профессионалы советуют обратить внимание на состояние элементов рубероида. Если нет дырок, трещин, заломов, то, как гидроизоляционная пленка рулонный материал вполне подойдет. Можно даже сделать заплаты, в случае небольшого износа листов подложки. При этом важно следить, чтобы листы укладывались без особого натяжения, дабы избежать излишнего сжатия от холода. Укладывать рубероид под листы металлочерепицы можно как вертикально, так и горизонтально, обязательно внахлест.

Монтаж под металлические листы довольно прост:

• На полосы рубероида укладывается обрешетка (сверху вниз) в точках прохождения стропильной системы;
• Прибивается контробрешетка с шагом под волну металлочерепицы;
• Уложить металлочерепицу на рубероид и закрепить материал согласно технологии.

Контробрешетка требуется для того, чтобы конденсат, скапливаемый на внутренних поверхностях листов металла, не копился, а скатывался вниз по рулонному покрытию. И не забудьте пропитать деревянную укладку обрешетки и контробрешетки составами против гниения и горения.

Недостатки способа

Многие производители ограничивают применение рубероида, советуя применять диффузные мембранные материалы. Доводы против:

• Рубероид плавится из-за высокой теплопроводности металла, достаточно поверхности нагреться до +60 и листы «поплывут».
• Битумные пары – не самые здоровые выделения, да к тому же плохо пахнут, а нагревание приводит к тому, что расплавленный материал начинает издавать неприятный запах.
• Отсыревание внутренней поверхности листов металла приводит к накоплению влаги на рубероиде, достаточно малейшей каверны, чтобы начала сыреть древесина, а это укоротит срок эксплуатации конструкции.

Кроме того, класть металлочерепицу на рубероид придется с оглядкой на срок пользования: полосы рулонного материала придется часто менять, что при особенности намертво приклеиваться к обрешетке станет делом сложным. Поэтому, следует хорошо подумать и выбрать, возможно, другой вариант подложки – немного дороже, но намного практичнее и с более длительным сроком эксплуатации.

Если решено класть рубероид, следует предварительно просчитать затраты материала и обязательно дать листам отлежаться – недопустимы малейшие сгибы и заломы на материале, как и укладка с предельным натяжением. Монтировать рулонные полосы следует по технологии: два слоя, на коньковый элемент отдельный лист, с промазкой нахлестов битумной мастикой или спаиванием горелкой. Очень хорошо закрепить уложенный гидроизоляционный слой рейками на толевые гвозди. Это поможет зафиксировать материал и не допустить провеса, сдвига. Следуя инструкции, на контробрешетку положить листы металлической черепицы и зафиксировать. Крыша готова.

Кровельщики советуют применять рубероид на старых подновляемых крышах. Новые же лучше обустраивать с мембранными покрытиями, тем более, что ценовая планка на оба типа материала практически одинакова.

Чем крепить ондулин и какое количество гвоздей необходимо на лист Как правильно сделать крышу из поликарбоната своими руками 90000 Pros and cons of popular roofing materials 90001 90002 Popular Roofing Materials 90003 90004 What most homeowners desire is a roof that’s not too expensive, requires no maintenance, and lasts forever. But most roofs are replaced — or at least repaired — every ten years. By carefully choosing your home’s roofing material, you can reduce the cost of replacement. In the long run, you’ll use less building material, fill up less landfill space with discarded material, and put less demand on our natural resources.90005 90006 90007 Composition shingles 90008 90009 90004 Composition shingles are a good choice for a clean look at an affordable price. Higher-quality versions made from asphalt or fiberglass shingles offer a more durable option and may be available with recycled content. Composition shingles come in a large selection of types, brands and colors. Versatile, they adapt easily to different applications. They are relatively easy to install, and in some applications can be nailed in place over an existing roof.They require low maintenance and can be walked on without damaging the material. Most brands offer Class A fire protection. On the negative side, they can blow off in high winds. Material is easy to scar if hot. Does not have the dimensional look of tile or shake. 90005 90006 Wood Shakes Roofing 90009 90004 Wood shakes offer a natural look with a lot of character. Because of variations like color, width, thickness, or cut of the wood, no two shake roofs will ever be the same. Wood offers some energy benefits, too: it helps to insulate the attic, and it allows the house to breathe, circulating air through the small openings under the felt rows on which wooden shingles are laid.A wood shake roof, however demands proper maintenance and repair, or it will not last as long as other products. Mold, rot, and insects can be a problem. The lifecycle cost of a shake roof may be high, and old shakes can not be recycled. 90005 90004 Most wood shakes are unrated by fire safety codes. Many use wipe or spray-on fire retardants which offer less protection and are only effective for a few years. There are pressure-treated shakes, however, that are impregnated with fire retardant and meet national fire safety standards.Made by companies like Chemco, this pressure treating extends the life of wood shingles and provides better fire safety performance. Installing wood shakes is more complicated than roofing with composite shingles, and the quality of finished roof depends on the experience of the contractor as well as the caliber of the shakes you use. 90005 90004 The best shakes come from the heartwood of large old cedar trees. Care should be taken when selecting shakes as the quality varies greatly from different shake mills.90005 90006 Clay Tile Roofing 90009 90004 Clay roofing tile is a good choice for homes with a southwestern, Italian, or Spanish Mission design, or even for homes with a modern, clean look. Tile lasts a long time — its expected lifespan is greater than the lifespan of the material on which the roofing rests. Tile will not rot or burn, and it can not be harmed by insects. It requires little maintenance, and comes in a variety of colors, types, styles and brands. The biggest drawback to clay tile can be its weight.Depending on the material used to make it, tile can be very heavy — so heavy that extra roof support can be required. 90005 90004 With some new materials, however, color is added only on the surface of the tile, and they can fade over time. Although most modern tile is kiln-fired into the tile making the color permanent. Tiles are fragile, so walking on them can break them. That makes it more difficult to accomplish maintenance like painting or cleaning rain gutters or fireplaces. Initial installation can be more complicated than other roofing materials.90005 90004 Finally, tile can cost more than other roofing materials. 90005 90006 Slate Roofing 90009 90004 Slate — actual shingle-like slivers of rock — is another roofing material that shows up on more upscale homes. Although slate is an expensive choice, it offers a very natural look and can be laid out in a variety of patterns. 90031 The benefits of slate are identical to those of tile: a very long lifespan, good fire protection, low maintenance, and an invulnerably to rot and insects. 90005 90004 It comes in a good selection of sizes and colors, although colors are limited to those found in nature.Like tile, slate can be very heavy, sometimes requiring expensive extra support. It, to, is breakable enough that walking on it is difficult for a non-professional, complicating such tasks as rooftop maintenance, gutter cleaning and painting. 90005 90006 Concrete Tile Roofing Material 90009 90004 Concrete Tile is now a roofing material. Shingles, simulated wood shakes, lighter-weight tiles and concrete panels are being manufactured from a variety of fiber-reinforced cement products. Some are coated with plastics, enamels, or thin metals, and some contain recycled material.Although the products themselves are not yet recyclable, they are a good choice for durability and resource efficiency. The advantages of concrete roofing vary from product to product, but generally they all have a long lifespan, require low maintenance, offer good fire protection and are resistant to rot and insects. 90005 90004 Many tiles mimic the appearance of wood shakes, while improving on the durability and fire protection that real wood affords. It can approximate the look of clay tile or slate while mitigating the structural problems caused by the weight of the real material.90005 90004 Concrete is more expensive than some roofing materials, and early types of concrete roofing had problems with the material curling, breaking and changing color. Technology has improved, however, and these problems have mostly been overcome. Style and color choices are expanding, and by mixing the cement with additives, manufacturers and making lighter and lighter products. 90005 90006 Metal Roofing 90009 90004 Metal Roofs are coming back into vogue. In the late 1700s, zinc, copper, and lead were the most popular materials used for roofing — such famous historic buildings as the Washington Monument and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello have metal roofs.Standing-seam steel roofing is the most popular residential metal roofing today. (The term standing-seam describes the upturned edge of one metal panel that connects it to adjacent sections, creating distinctive vertical lines and a trendy historical look.) But metal roofs can also be made to resemble wood shakes, clay tiles, shingles, and Victorian metal tiles. Aluminum or coated steel is formed into individual shingles or tiles, or into modular panels four feet long that mimic a row of shingles or tiles.90005 90047 Popular Roof Metal roofing Materials 90004 Metal roofs are durable, fire retardant and almost maintenance-free. They are also energy efficient; metal reflects heat and blocks its transfer into the attic. Research by the Florida Solar Energy Center in тисяча дев’ятсот вісімдесят п’ять showed that metal absorbed 34 percent less heat than asphalt shingles, and homeowners switching to metal roofing reported saving up to 20 percent on their energy bills. Steel roofs offer other environmental benefits as well. They are made from between 60 percent to 65 percent recyclable material.Because they weigh very little, metal roofing can be installed over existing roofs, eliminating the need to dispose of excess material in a landfill. 90005 90004 Installing some metal roofing can be an intricate process best done by a professional, and the initial cost of a premium metal roof is higher than most other roofing materials. You need to compute the lifecycle cost to see if paying more to begin with for a metal roof will prove to be a better investment than some other form of roofing.90005 90006 Hot Mop Roofing 90009 90004 Hot Mop Mostly seen in commercial applications, hot mopped asphalt roofing is sometimes applied to flat or semi-flat residential roofs that have good access and proper drainage. Asphalt’s advantage is that it is less expensive than other roofing materials and holds up fairly well when properly applied. The technique results in a roof that’s not very pretty, although in residential use it is often covered with a layer of decorative stone to improve the appearance.90005 90004 You’ve no doubt noticed roofing projects that use this technique, since it requires a large kettle of melted asphalt. When being applied, the hot mixture releases extremely high levels of smelly air pollutants. In addition to being unpleasant, the hot asphalt poses a health risk to installers. Because its fumes contribute to smog, hot mopped asphalt may be restricted in some urban areas. 90005 90004 90007 Be Wary, One final note 90008 90005 90004 Many of the high end, man made roofing materials made in the last 10-15 years have failed prematurely.Most of these materials promised 50 year warranties. Many homeowners are stuck with failing high dollar roofs, and are involved in class action law suits Be careful in selecting materials that do not have a proven track record. Investigate thoroughly. Also see 90007 Cheating Roofing Contractors. 90008 90005.90000 Do You Put the Shiny Side of Foil Insulation Up or Down on a Metal Roof? | Home Guides 90001 90002 By Chris Deziel Updated August 09, 2019 90003 90002 Foil insulation underlayment is recommended under a metal roof, and in most cases, the shiny side should be facing up, but there’s a catch. Foil insulation is a radiant barrier, and it works by reflecting heat from the metal, but for it to do its job, there has to be a layer of air between the roofing and the foil. Some types of metal roofing are shaped to create this air space, but if you’re installing a type that does not, you should construct a batten structure.The foil then goes under the battens. 90003 90002 For proper installation of roof insulation, you need to do it before the roofing goes on. If you want to add foil insulation to an existing roof, you can still do it by going into the attic and stapling it to the undersides of the roof rafters. If you do this, the shiny side of the insulation still goes up, and the rafters automatically create an air space between the insulation and the roofing. 90003 90008 The Reason Why You Need Foil Insulation 90009 90002 When sunlight impinges directly on a metal roof, it drives the temperature of the metal as high as 180 degrees Fahrenheit.In the absence of a foil insulation barrier, the underside of the roof radiates all the heat directly into the attic. The attic overheats, the house becomes warmer and your air conditioning bill goes through the roof. 90003 90002 The radiant foil barrier reflects all that heat back into the air space between it and the roofing. When foil insulation is properly installed, the underside of the roof decking 90013 remains at or near the ambient temperature, 90014 even in full sun. This does not work, though, if you install the radiant barrier upside down — that is, with the shiny side facing down.If you do that, the barrier absorbs the heat and radiates it into the attic instead of back toward the roof. 90003 90002 A radiant barrier can reduce the temperature in the attic by as much as 30 degrees. It also keeps attic-mounted air conditioning ducts cooler, which means more efficient and less costly operation of the air conditioning system. 90003 90018 Bubble Foil Insulation — Which Side Out? 90009 90002 Bubble foil insulation adds a layer of insulating air to the radiant barrier provided by the foil.This product, like sheet foil, should be installed with the 90013 foil side facing the metal roofing, 90014 but there is one qualifier. If the space you’re insulating is habitually too cold, you might want to turn the shiny side toward the living area to create more warmth. You would do this, for example, when insulating the walls of a finished basement. 90003 90002 Foam insulation board also comes with a foil backing, and when the foil is just on one side of the board, you have a decision to make regarding its orientation.If you’re wondering whether to put the foil side of foam insulation board shiny side in or out, consider whether you want to make the space inside warmer or cooler. If you want to make the space warmer, the foil should face inside so it can reflect radiant heat back into the room. 90003 90026 Proper Installation of Roof Insulation 90009 90002 When installing a new roof or redoing an existing one, the roof decking goes on first. This is followed by a moisture barrier, which is typically # 30 or heavier roofing felt or tar paper.The foil insulation goes on top of the moisture barrier, followed by the roof covering. If you use bubble foil or rigid foam insulation, it also goes on top of the moisture barrier. 90003 90002 Remember that 90013 there has to be an air space between the foil and the roofing. 90014 Most metal corrugated roofing automatically provides this air space. If the corrugations are such that only about 20 percent of the material is in contact with the roof, it’s fine to lay corrugated roofing directly on the foil.If you’re installing flat roofing or metal tiles, however, you need to construct a batten structure on top of the foil. 90003 90002 Roofers typically use one of a number of batten configurations. The battens can run parallel to the roof ridge or diagonally between the ridge and drip edge. To ensure that air can circulate, it’s important to leave a 2 to 3-inch gap between the ends of the batten boards. Some batten structures consist of two layers, one perpendicular to the ridge and the top layer parallel to it.In this type of double-layer structure, it’s permissible to lay the foil insulation between the layers. 90003 90036 DIY Roof Insulation 90009 90002 If you’re doing your own roof installation, you will not have any trouble installing a radiant barrier, but there are a few things you should remember. They will help you complete the job correctly and safely: 90003 90040 90041 Work on cloudy days or during times of the day when the roof is cool. 90042 90041 Carry all your tools with you to minimize the number of times you have to go up and down the ladder.90042 90041 Wear rubber-soled shoes and use a harness if necessary. Never work on a roof that feels too steep for comfort. Hire professional roofers instead. 90042 90041 Always have a helper to spot you in case something goes wrong. 90042 90049 90002 To install foil insulation, roll it out parallel to the ridge and cut it with a utility knife, starting at the drip edge and working your way up. Overlap seams by about 3 inches. Secure the barrier to the roof deck with staples to prevent it from blowing off until you attach the battens and the roofing.90003 90002 Foam insulation comes in sheets that you have to butt together on the roof. After securing these with appropriate fasteners, you need to tape the edges with foil tape. Tape is not necessary when installing foil insulation. 90003 90054 Insulating an Existing Roof 90009 90002 You can add insulation to an existing metal roof by going into the attic and 90013 stapling a foil barrier to the rafters. 90014 If the shiny side of the barrier faces the roofing, hot air will circulate in the space between the rafters and naturally exit through the roof vent.This scheme works best if the house has a ridge vent that spans the length of the roof. For other systems, it may be necessary to drill holes in the rafters to allow air to flow toward the vents. 90003 90002 Install the barrier by stretching it across the rafters from one end of the attic to the other and stapling it to the rafter faces. Work from the ridge toward the wall plates, overlapping the sheets by 2 inches and being careful not to cover soffit vents, light fixtures or switches. 90003 90002 An alternative to attaching the foil to the rafters is to 90013 lay it on the attic floor with the shiny side facing up.90014 This will make the attic warmer, but it will keep 97 percent of the heat radiating through the roof from coming into the house. If you have ducts in the attic, you can prevent them from overheating by covering them with the same radiant barrier. One disadvantage of this insulation method is that it promotes condensation between the insulation and the floor. To control this, you may have to roll back the insulation periodically to allow the floor to dry out. 90003.90000 Mastering Roof Inspections: Metal Roofs, Part 10 90001 90002 by Kenton Shepard and Nick Gromicko, CMI® 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90009 The purpose of the series «Mastering Roof Inspections» is to teach home inspectors, as well as insurance and roofing professionals, how to recognize proper and improper conditions while inspecting steep-slope, residential roofs. This series covers roof framing, roofing materials, the attic, and the conditions that affect the roofing materials and components, including wind and hail.90010 90003 90002 90013 90014 90003 90002 90013 HAIL DAMAGE to METAL ROOFS 90014 90019 90003 90002 90013 Metal Roof Types 90014 90003 90002 Metal is used as a roof-covering material in several forms, including metal panels, and formed metal shingles and tiles. 90003 90002 90003 90002 90013 Metal Panels 90014 90003 90033 90034 90003 90002 Long, narrow metal panels are typically installed up and down the roof and overlap in a fashion similar to shingles. They may have one of a variety of seam types.Hail may dent metal panel roofs but seldom causes functional damage because the panels are well-supported by direct contact with the substrate over most of the surface, leaving them highly resistant to denting by hail. When metal panel roofs suffer functional damage, it’s often caused by hail damaging a seam or trim, which may then allow moisture to enter the roof structure. 90003 90002 90013 Functional Damage 90014 90003 90002 Possible scenarios during which functional damage may occur include severe hail damage to especially vulnerable components, such as seams, ridge and hip caps, gabled end trim and eave trim, and any place where panel edges meet, and where damage may allow moisture intrusion and leakage or lower the wind resistance of the affected area.90003 90002 Sheet metal is formed into various roofing components designed to mimic other types of roofing materials, such as shakes, slate and tile. 90003 90002 Metal shingles are roughly the size of asphalt composition strip shingles, several times wider than they are tall. They’re also usually hollow, so their resistance to impact depends on the gauge of the sheet metal from which they’re made. Because folds in the field of the unit can add strength, impact resistance is also affected to some degree by the formed profile.90003 90033 90049 90003 90002 Metal shingle roofs are damaged more easily than metal panels because they typically rest on only the substrate along their edges, leaving most of each shingle unsupported. Indentations from hail are visible in the photo below, although they are not serious enough to be called functional damage. 90003 90033 90054 90003 90002 You can see in the photo below the light gauge of which metal shingles are made, and how lightly both the field and cap shingles along the hip are supported.90003 90033 90059 90003 90002 Damage from footfall tends to bend the entire shingle. Hail damage causes round indentations similar in size to the hailstones that caused them. 90003 90002 Hailstones may dent and distort metal shingles so severely that interlocking seams lose their integrity and leak, or they may lose much of their wind resistance. Either of these conditions constitutes functional damage. 90003 90002 Metal is sometimes formed to look like clay barrel tiles. From a distance, they may be mistaken for clay.90003 90033 90068 90003 90002 Tiles like these have fairly good hail resistance because the flat portion of each tile bears directly on the substrate and the other portion is arched, which is a shape that resists impact well, but the impact resistance really depends on the gauge of the metal. 90003 90002 90013 Cosmetic Damage 90014 90003 90002 Cosmetic damage is generally not paid for by insurance companies, although this varies depending on the insurance company, the way the policy is written, and other circumstances.There are exceptions. 90003 90002 The final decision on whether to pay the damage is made by the insurance company claims adjuster. It depends, to some extent, on how the policy is written. An expensive copper roof damaged in a highly visible area may be covered to some degree because visible damage may cause a loss in home value due to the high visibility of the affected roof slopes. 90003 90002 For this reason, if, during the inspection, you see damage to a metal roof that appears to be hail-related but is only cosmetic damage, you should photograph it and mention it in your report.It’s best to say that it «appears to be» hail damage, since you do not know for sure unless you saw the damage actually created. 90003 90002 Even when cosmetic damage is paid, the payment may be half, or even less, of the cost of replacement. 90003 90002 90013 Identifying Hail Damage 90014 90003 90002 One of the easiest ways to determine whether hail has fallen is to look at aluminum combustion vent caps. Because aluminum is a soft metal, the caps dent easily. Bear in mind that damage to the cap may be old and damage to the roof may not be from the same event.90003 90033 90013 WIND DAMAGE to METAL ROOFS 90014 90003 90002 90013 Metal Panels 90014 90003 90002 Metal panel roofs that are of good quality and properly installed generally do well in high-wind events. If the edges are well-fastened and proper trim is used, wind has very little chance to enter the space beneath the panels, which minimizes the chance for inflation. 90003 90002 The smooth surface of the panels promotes good laminar flow and helps limit turbulence, both of which reduce the chance of the metal roofing components being pulled loose and blown off, distorted or displaced.90003 90002 Areas with missing fasteners, or rake and eave edges that have missing or improperly installed components, are the most likely to suffer damage from wind. Panels that lose trim at edges or eaves may suffer damage from inflation. 90003 90002 90013 Metal Shingles 90014 90003 90002 Metal shingles typically have a low profile and generally do well in wind events. Most are fastened at the top and also interlock along their sides, and some types also fasten at the butt, which helps secure them against wind.90003 90002 The wind resistance of metal shingles depends on their design, profile and installation. 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 .90000 Metal Roofing Pros and Cons — Green Homes 90001 90002 90003 Metal roofing pros and cons, includes tips for for evaluating and repairing metal roofs. 90004 90005 90002 When my husband and I first moved to the country, I was amazed at the number of homes in our neck of the Georgia woods that had metal roofs. . . 90003 and 90004 at the number of those tin-topped abodes that displayed «For Sale» signs out front. So the next time I spoke with a local realtor friend, I asked him if he found it difficult to market metal-roofed houses.At the question, his face cracked with a knowing smile. 90005 90002 «Anything with a tin roof is going to sell for less… If you can find a buyer for it 90003 at all,» 90004 he told me. «Even your typical back-to-the-lander does not want to take one of those buildings on. And most of the people to whom I 90003 do 90004 manage to sell metal-topped homes tell me they plan to replace the roof as soon as they get the money together. » 90005 90002 «Well,» I said to myself, «if my friend is right, and if my area is typical, it seems that buying a home topped with tin might be one way to save a good bit of money.. . and such a move could make it possible for a would-be ruralite to settle in the country that much sooner. «In short, my curiosity was whetted, and — since we had some city friends looking for a bargain-priced house near us — I decided to learn all I could about metal roofing pros and cons. I wanted, above all, to discover why they 90003 suffer such 90004 a poor reputation… and if they deserve it. It’s taken some time, but what I’ve learned has really opened my eyes to the hidden benefits of tin-tops.. . and I’d like to share some of that knowledge with you here. 90005 90002 First of all, most «tin» roofs are not made of tin. You see, there are several metals used for roofing. Below, I’ve listed those you’re most likely to encounter, along with some of the strong and weak points of each. 90005 90002 90023 Tin. 90024 The more accurate term here is 90003 terne 90004, or even 90003 terneplate 90004. . . but no matter what moniker you hang on the stuff, it’s one of several soft metals treated with a coating of lead and tin.A tin roof that’s properly installed can last a good 40 to 50 years. 90005 90002 90023 Galvanized Steel. 90024 This is a wonderfully inexpensive roofing material that will last 60 years or more. . . if properly cared for. It’s made of alloyed steel, with a protective coating of zinc. Galvanized steel is also highly rust-resistant. 90005 90002 90023 Aluminum. 90024 The use of aluminum as a roofing metal is becoming increasingly popular, since it resists corrosion and requires little maintenance.Aluminum also tends to reflect heat better than steel, thus keeping a house cooler during the summer. Aluminum roofs will last about 35 years. 90005 90002 90023 Copper. 90024 You will not see copper being used for roofing much these days, even though it’s by far the longest-lasting of 90003 all 90004 roofing materials (many penny-metal lids have lasted hundreds of years and appear to have hundreds 90003 more 90004 left in them). Unfortunately, this material is not only quite expensive, but also difficult to obtain.90005 90046 Metal Roofing Pros And Cons 90047 90002 Is a metal roof — 90003 any 90004 metal roof — worth considering if you’re shopping for a home. . . or if, perhaps, you’re in need of a new top for the old shanty? It’s hard to say — flat out — either yes 90003 or 90004 no. But, in hopes of helping you make the choice that’s best for you, I’ve compiled a list of tin-roof characteristics. . . both good and bad. First, let’s take a look at the bad news: 90005 90002 To provide protection against lightning, you’ll need to spend a few bucks to rig a proper grounding arrangement.What’s more, in seacoast areas where the air is laden with corrosive salt, a metal roof’s life span may be fairly short. Similarly, polluted air in 90003 industrial 90004 areas makes tin topping less enduring than non-metallic roofing. And finally, metal roofs are noisy in the rain. (But what might be an «infernal racket» to one person could be a «comforting tap, tap, tap» to another.) 90005 90002 And now for the 90003 good 90004 news: Metal roofs are durable (Monticello — 90003 Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia home 90004 — still wears its original «tin» roof.. . and it’s in fine shape to this day). And in areas that receive heavy snowfalls, such lids — with their slick, low-friction surfaces — shed the white stuff so quickly that it rarely has a chance to build up to weighty depths. 90005 90002 Most roofing metals are also tough enough to resist damage from hail and falling tree limbs. Moreover, since metal does not burn, it’s especially appropriate for houses with stovepipes and chimneys. . . a comforting thought when you live far from the nearest fire station.90005 90002 And to add a final trio of tin-roof routings, the large metal «shingles» are easy to install, go on quickly, and — when compared with many other roofing materials over the long haul — are generally inexpensive. 90005 90068 90068 90046 Evaluating an Existing Metal Roof 90047 90002 OK, let’s say you decide that buying a house with a metal roof just 90003 might 90004 provide you with a shortcut to the country. You’ll still want your new home to be topped with a 90003 healthy 90004 slab of sheeting, and you’ll need to know the signs that provide clues to the condition of your prospective home’s «hat».90005 90002 Of course, the logical starting place is to determine the 90003 type 90004 of metal the roof is made of, and you can usually do that with just an exterior appraisal. Steel roofs — when rusty — have a reddish color. Copper oxidizes to a light green. Aluminum changes hues according to the 90003 degree 90004 of oxidation, but progressing from white to gray to black. 90005 90002 When you’ve determined the type of material used for the roof, take a look from a distance to see if there’s bulging or buckling anywhere.If there is, chances are that the structure has been poorly constructed or that leaks have rotted some of the bracing or framing. If this is the case, I’d advise extreme caution. . . you could be talking about extensive — and 90003 expensive 90004 — repairs. 90005 90002 Try to find a way to climb up onto the roof for a bird’s-eye view. Since metal roofing is laid on in large sheets, pay special attention to the seams. Also, look closely at the ridge and around the chimney (where it disappears into the roof).These are the places where you’re most likely to spot signs of leaking. Are there a lot of popped-up nails or an abundance of roofing-tar patches? Again, these 90003 may 90004 indicate that the roof leaks, or has leaked in the past. 90005 90002 Check to see if flashings (metal «gaskets» used to direct water away from critical areas) have been installed where they should be: around chimneys and stovepipes, along eaves and hips, and in the valleys. If there’s no flashing, you’ll want to correct that problem right away should you buy the house.90005 90002 Now go 90003 inside 90004 the building, scamper up into the attic, and — with a flashlight — peer into the dark corners. Look everywhere for signs of water damage, especially around the top of the chimney or stovepipe. And while you’re up there with the dust and spiders, try to spy out the top plates of the wall studs to determine how sound they are. If they’re badly rotted, it could indicate a pervasive condition in the hidden stud walls. (If a house has this problem, I’d forget about trying to make it your home.) 90005 90046 Repairing Metal Roofs 90047 90002 There’s one cardinal rule to remember when doing tin-top patching: Some metals, if placed in contact with certain others, can generate an electrolytic reaction that will result in rapid corrosion. To avoid that nasty possibility, be sure to patch copper roofs with copper, tin with tin, and so on. 90005 90002 If portions of the roof are badly damaged, you can remove the injured panels and replace them with new material, but be careful not to harm the adjoining healthy sheets when you’re pulling the nails.Be sure to use neoprene-gasketed nails for the new application: They’re specifically designed to prevent leaks. Drive your nails in at the 90003 high points 90004 of the corrugation. . . not in the valleys. (Or, insert neoprene-gasketed «drill screws» with a power drill to provide a watertight seal.) 90005 90002 If there appears to be any leakage through the 90003 existing 90004 nail holes, squeeze a dab of silicone caulking around and under the nailheads before you whap them back down. (Leaking seams may also be caulked.) 90005 90002 Soldering is an effective method of mending splits and holes in a metal roof (except in aluminum). Solder tin and galvanized steel with 90003 rosin 90004 flux, and copper with 90003 acid 90004 flux. Be sure to heat the metal sufficiently to avoid getting a weakling 90003 cold joint, 90004 but use an iron to prevent temperatures from going too high. 90005 90002 If your roof does not have flashing in the appropriate places, you’ll need to add it. For aluminum roofs, use .024 inch aluminum flashing material.For galvanized steel, use a matching metal, but in a thickness one gauge heavier than the roofing itself. Place flashings in the valleys, at the eaves and hips, and — of 90003 special 90004 importance — around chimneys. (Check with your local building-supply house for ready-made 90003 valley sheets 90004 and other flashing materials… Or — if you have the necessary tools and skills — you can cut and bend them yourself.) 90005 90046 Prevent Lightning Damage to Metal Roofs 90047 90002 Too many metal-topped houses are not properly grounded to prevent damage from lightning.Grounding will provide a path for the electrical current of a lightning strike so that it will bypass the house and enter the earth, where it can do no harm. If your home is 90003 not 90004 properly grounded, the lightning can easily pass through the structure, perhaps blowing out the electrical system or causing fire and personal injury. 90005 90046 Painting Metal Roofs 90047 90002 Painting can spruce up the appearance of an older metal roof and add years to its useful life. Aluminum roofs do not need painting, but galvanized steel can benefit dramatically from a new finish.When you buy roof paint, do not scrimp on quality. . . unless you want to do the job again soon. One coat of good paint is usually adequate, but two is always better. The paint best suited for use on galvanized steel is a zinc-dust type. . . it’ll adhere well and will not peel. You can also use the less expensive cement-based and latex coatings, but be certain that those you choose are formulated specifically for galvanized steel. 90003 Avoid 90004 aluminum-based finishes. 90005 90002 You can paint with a brush, a roller, or a sprayer, the first being the most materials-efficient method and the last being the fastest.But before painting, do remove any rust with a wire brush (or steel wool, if it’s only a small area), and give the roof a good sweeping. Then scrub it down with clean water and an old mop. Make sure the housetop is bone-dry before you start slopping on the first coat, and pick a warm, sunny day to do the work. 90005 90046 Metal Roofing Basics 90047 90002 My intention has not been so much to sell you on the virtues and advantages of «tin» roofs as it has been to supply you with enough basic information to balance against the bad press that metal roofing has suffered so often in the past.Of course, my investigations 90003 have 90004 made some lasting impressions on me. . . and when we build a small guest cabin on our property soon, it’ll most certainly be dressed out in a shiny new galvanized cap! 90005.