Vermont Farmhouse
Standing-Seam Metal Roof Basics
Behind the Scenes - Vermont Farmhouse
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The raised seams of our Vermont farmhouse's metal roof add architectural interest while helping keep the entire home watertight. |
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A standing seam metal roof can be fabricated on the jobsite in a few days--and last for the life of the home
Metal roofing's attributes are impressive. Durable and long lasting, a metal roof requires little maintenance, can be retrofitted over many existing roofing materials, is available in a wide range of colors and styles, and is fire resistant. Standing seam metal roofs, popular in areas diverse as the hot and humid South and frigid New England, have shed their industrial roots to become an architectural statement.
A standing seam roof is constructed of many interlocking panels that run vertically from the roof's ridge (the top of the roof) to the eave. The interlocking seam where two panels join together is raised above the roof's flat surface, allowing water to run off without seeping between panels.
Standing seam roofs come in many shapes and sizes. In some instances, the vertical panels are cut to length at a factory and delivered to the job site. Other types are shaped and cut right on the job site using portable equipment. Other options include standing seam "shingles" that arrive prepackaged (typically in three- to five-foot lengths) and are installed in a staggered pattern for visual effect.
Two types of methods are commonly used to secure the panels to the roof sheathing. Hidden fasteners are secured to the raised portion of each panel, and subsequently covered by the next adjoining panel during installation. The second (and less costly) method utilizes exposed fasteners that are driven through each metal panel into the roof sheathing.
Standing seam metal roof installation basics:
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At the Vermont Farmhouse in Quechee, Vt., the standing seam metal roof was fabricated on the jobsite. The roofing contractor arrived equipped with spool of thin-gauge sheetmetal that would be formed and cut to length using a self-contained, portable metalworking tool called a brake.
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Each section of the metal roof is individually formed to the desired length. This reduces jobsite waste, as short and long panels can be cut to the appropriate length. The shaping machine, called a brake, is specifically designed to form the interlocking panels.
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Watch your fingers: A sharp-toothed hydraulic shear cuts each panel to the appropriate length without damaging the panel ends. Although some hand trimming is involved, the panels are formed and cut to length and ready to install in just a few minutes.
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Individual roof elements are installed in a specific sequence to create a watertight seal. First, roofing paper is installed over the roof sheathing. Next, the roof's valleys (formed where two roof sections meet at an angle) are covered. A preformed ridge cap covers the roof's peak. Each of the vertical roof sections will be attached to the ridge vent for a uniform appearance.
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Each roof panel that runs from ridge to eave tucks neatly into the ridge vent. Clips secure each panel to the roof sheathing. Using hidden fasteners creates a more polished look once the job is completed. The next adjoining panel will cover the clips that secure each panel (left). The raised seams formed by the panel ends are crimped together to form a watertight seal.
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Each adjacent roof panel is crimped together. Each panel hides the clips that secure the adjacent panel to the roof sheathing. By completely covering the fasteners, they are not exposed to the elements--reducing the possibility of water damaging the roof sheathing or the structural system below.
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The final results: Ridge cap, valleys and vertical sections all come together to form a watertight seal against the elements. A properly installed metal roof can go many years with little or no maintenance. Often, a fresh coat of paint is all that is required to return a twenty-year-old roof to like-new status.
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Copyright BobVila.com © 2001
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