Tag Archives: metal roofing

Standing Seam Steel Roofing Used as Siding

Standing Seam Steel Roofing Used as Siding

You ever Google something and find there is no relevant information about it? I didn’t believe it was possible until I tried a search for “Standing Seam Steel Roofing Used as Siding”.

I’ll wait here patiently until you are back from trying it yourself.

Not much information is there?

This article was triggered by a Hansen Pole Buildings’ client asking one of our Building Designers if this could be an option.

Sure. Why not?

First some information on standing seam:

ABC Roofing Standing Seal *LOKSEAM

Standing seam steel roof systems, or raised seam metal roofs, are a popular and functional solution for a range of specific roof types. The longitudinal seam engagements of this type of metal roof are designed to effectively keep moisture out, and they supply the added benefit of efficient installation.

Standing Seam Steel Roof Characteristics

Metal, most often pre-painted Galvalume steel, is consistently chosen as the roof material for projects with roof slopes of 1/4:12 or greater. There are several forms and styles of metal roofing; the most common is the vertical standing seam roof design. Standing Seam Metal Roof Panel Systems have proven to be an extremely effective and long lasting material choice when installed properly.

1. Mechanically seamed Hydrostatic Panels – or Structural Standing Seam Metal Roof require two standing seam panels, be engaged with a mechanical seaming tool. Structural metal standing seam panel systems offer superior wind uplift resistance and can be curved.

2. Symmetrical Mechanically Seamed – This style of SSMR is the newest, most innovative option available. It combines the weathertight benefits of the mechanical seam with the replacement options of a two-piece snap-lock panel. Unlike the typical “directional” mechanically seamed panels, the two-piece symmetrical standing seam panels, can be installed using fixed clips while still allowing for thermal movement. Combining the advantages and eliminating the disadvantages involved with the various metal roof standing seam options, the two-piece mechanical seam panel is the best option for almost any roof design. It can be curved due to its symmetrical design. Lastly, this style of standing seam metal roofing has demonstrated an ability to withstand uplift pressures well in excess of the one-piece structural standing seam panel.

3. One Piece Snap-Lock – This style of metal roof panel is the most common for use on post frame buildings and requires two panel seams to snap together. The direct attachment of the roof panels simulates the look of a mechanically seamed panel without the additional operation of seaming. These metal roofing panels, despite their various structural capabilities, are best suited for decked applications with slopes of 3:12 and greater. I’ve written about this type of panel previously: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2015/08/standing-seam-steel/.

4. Two Piece Snap-Lock – This style of metal roof requires both a panel and a cap or batten. The cap or batten unites two panels by snapping down onto a butterfly clip.  While these panels offer very little structurally and require a solid deck with a premium underlayment for installation, they are easier to install on roofs with valleys and hips- due to their ability to be installed bi-directionally. The simplicity of the panel shape lends themselves to curved roof designs.

There is truly no reason why one piece snap-lock panels could not be used as siding, run vertically, horizontally or even at an angle. The panels are non-structural, so they attach to an underlying 5/8” CDX plywood substrate with concealed screws. A quality building wrap should be used between the siding and the sheathing.

 

Steel Shingles

Like the durability of steel roofing, but not the look of standing seam or through screwed steel? Look no further.

Steel ShinglesSteel shingles are manufactured to provide a unique look in a durable, energy-efficient, recyclable roofing product. Believe it or not, there are consumers out there who want all steel has to offer, but don’t want the standing seam look. A variety of steel shingle profiles provide pole building owners a myriad of options.

Steel shingles offer the look of other roofing products — everything from asphalt and composition shingles to clay and concrete tile to wood shakes. The big difference is the steel shingles are fireproof, durable, lightweight and attractive. Only metal can boast all of those attributes.

Because of the visual options steel shingles now offer, metal is becoming accepted in places metal roofing would never be considered before. Even many challenging HOAs (Home Owners Associations) are allowing steel shingles.

Steel roofing shingles offer long lasting protection against many weather conditions. During the 1930s, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Government Resettlement Administration constructed the Cahaba Homestead Village or as it was locally called the “Slagheap Village” in the area directly west of downtown Cahaba, Alabama. Each of these homes was leased by the federal government until being sold to private landowners in 1947. Most still have those original, now 80-year-old, steel shingles!

They are environmentally friendly as they are mainly made from recycled material, and they can be recycled after use as well. Installed over an existing roof keeps old roofing material from going into a landfill. Besides this, many types of coated steel shingles afford energy savings as well since the coating will reflect the sun’s rays and help keep your post frame building cooler.

Steel shingles are available in a wide variety of styles and colors to suit nearly everyone’s needs and tastes. As the roofing color does not have to appear metallic, they will not obviously even look like they are steel.

While the cost of steel shingles is slightly more than asphalt, building owners are often surprised at how small the price difference actually is. Installed properly, steel shingles should be the last roof a pole building owner should ever have to consider.

Pole Barn Guru’s Roof Rules Part Two

From Friday – Nothing is worse than a roof gone wrong. Leaks frustrate everyone involved, and are usually avoidable. Poor design and poor installation are equal factors in the roofs which just are not happy.

If you missed my blog Friday –you may want to review it as the first part of my Rule for a Happy Roof.  Or should I say Rules for a Happy Client with a new roof?!

Vent Plumbing near the Ridge

Like chimneys, plumbing vents should penetrate a roof near the ridge rather than near the eave, for two reasons: While ridges are dry, eaves are wet. Eaves see much more water over the course of a year than ridges, so any defect near an eave will leak more water than a defect near a ridge. In north country, snow and ice can tear a plumbing vent right off a roof, especially if it is located near the eave. It’s much safer higher up the roof.

In a pole building with a vented unconditioned attic, it’s easy to install a couple of 45° ells in the vent pipe so the pipe penetrates the roof near the ridge. The same approach is also possible in a barn with a trussed vaulted ceiling, although the bay in which the vent pipe is run will not be as well insulated as the other bays.

Choose Metal Roofing

Despite there being many “good” choices for roofing materials, I have one that stands out from all the rest in every way. I’m just expressing my opinion here.

Clay tiles and slate are expensive. Concrete tiles are fragile and tricky to walk on. Cedar shingles are beautiful, but they are time-consuming to install and (because of their flammability) are illegal in some jurisdictions. Imitation slate and imitation wood shingles look like they belong on a 70’s restaurant. EPDM and roll roofing, if visible, are ugly. Asphalt shingles, they have their downsides, of course — they are made from petroleum, are susceptible to algae, and don’t last very long.  First good wind comes along and there are shingles blowing all over your, and the neighbors, yard.

My favorite type of roofing is ordinary through-fastened steel roofing. It’s available in a wide variety of colors and can be ordered cut to any length. It goes on fast, lasts a very long time, and is recyclable. It costs far less than standing-seam metal roofing.

Flash it right

Installers of steel roofing often do a sloppy job with flashing. When I install steel roofing, I always plan carefully for any roof penetrations like vent pipes, chimneys, or skylights. There are many really good flashings available, and my experience has been, they do an excellent job.

Anticipate Ice Dams

Building in a climate with snowy winters? The roof should include details to minimize the likelihood of ice dams: If the building is heated, use raised-heel trusses. Install a very deep layer of insulation on the attic floor. The insulation needs to be full thickness from outside of wall to outside of wall. Make sure there is adequate baffling to keep attic insulation from spilling into the soffit and to prevent wind-washing. Always use reflective insulation between roof purlins and roof steel (with the shiny side up).

Avoid valleys and, if possible, don’t install gutters.  If gutters are necessary, make sure they are installed below the plane of the roofing so they won’t prevent ice from sliding off the roof.

My “perfect” roof has a straight gabled design, no “holes” in it other than what is necessary for pipes or chimneys, a 4/12 or steeper slope, and is covered with steel.  That’s it.  Sometimes just keeping it simple not only saves money at time of construction, but for many years down the road.