When choosing a design material for your roof there are some factors that most people do not take into consideration. Extreme and colder weather conditions are often the most forgotten factor as homeowners only consider rain as an issue. Metal roofs with steel roof panels are the most effective option for wet weather such as heavy rain, ice, hail and snow.
In this article, we’re breaking down the most important features when installing a metal roof this winter season, and how you can benefit from a professional steel roof installation.
Metal Roof Installation for Your Roofing Needs
Metal roof installation is increasing in popularity for homes, sheds, gazebos, and commercial steel roofing. Metal roof systems are composed of metal panels typically fabricated from 22 or 24 gages galvanized metal or aluminum paired with batten-fill insulation.
The metal panels are anchored to the structural components with fasteners or clips. The roof clips must be secured to holes in the supporting structure. This is advantageous as it assures that the alignment of the panels is correct and proper.
Additionally, it allows for movement of the panels without causing damage to the roof system. Roof clips that securely hold the roof panels to the structure with the flexibility for the contracting and expanding caused by cold and extreme weather that is so common in the GTA and Toronto.
And as previously mentioned it is the best choice for extreme weather conditions. Investing in your metal roof installation is key to assure you do not need to reroof annually (which can make a larger dent in your finances and time budgets).
RELATED ARTICLE: Why You Should Install a Metal Roof This Winter?
Metal Roof Ideas
Now that you have have your steel roof installed, you are probably thinking about metal roof designs. When updating a roof or starting a new project, a few design considerations can make quite a bit of difference.
In addition to design, you will need to plan for extreme weather conditions such as snow shedding. If your metal roof isn’t equipped for snow shedding, it can cause significant damage.
This is something to keep in mind with residential metal roof designs, whether you’re dealing with a metal roof on a shed or metal-roof gazebo.
Snow shedding and lack of snow retention can not only cause a significant amount of damage but also make you liable for injuries.
The purpose of snow guards on steel roofs is to allow the snow to melt entirely before it ‘sheds’ off of the roof. This way you will not be surprised by any large amounts of snow and ice falling from your roof. Plus, your roof will also last much longer when it is protected from ice cracking your roof, saving you money in the long run.
As a home or business owner, it may be an opportunity to avoid any unnecessary liability issues as well. Avoid being sued for a piece of ice hitting and injuring any innocent people passing by. You can save yourself from lawsuits, or fees for reparations on your roof and other property. And you can keep the neighbourhood safe for yourself and the community.
The larger factor is that when the sun comes out, heat radiates and passes through the snow, is reflected outward, melts the snow from underneath and causes it to slide/shed. A snow guard installed with your metal roof will help in the prevention of this.
The minimum slope for metal roofing depends on the roof profile, building, house or shed design, the climate (in this case, cold) and the site location. The minimum tends to be 25% slope. Typically, large-footprint, and single-storey warehouses will use low-slope metal roof systems.
These low-slope metal roofs have simple measurements, and are much easier and less expensive to install than the medium-to steep-slope roofs. Low-slope metal roofs require the use of less material, which reduces the overall load on the building’s structure. And low-slope roofs are not totally flat, but a steep slope allows for the fast run off of the moisture. This can and will be discussed with one of our experienced and talented contractors to see what is best for you and your project.
Another extreme weather condition to look out for in terms of safety and potential damage is ice. Clear and effective these ice stops will assure your metal roof does not accumulate and have ice slice off of it. In many cases of a roof not having ice stops, icicles will form when snow on a roof is melted from below due to the heat from the sun travelling upward. Besides the risk of injuries and fatalities, large icicles falling with this force can cause significant damage to your property. Maintaining the beauty of the roof by being transparent and keeping you,your neighbours,home/business and your roof safe.
Metal roofs in most cases can be installed directly over asphalt as an additional protective layer.
Keep snow, ice, and moisture from wreaking havoc on your roof with a metal roof installation. Contact us for our expert opinion on metal roof installation this winter season.