Metal Roof Systems

Residential Metal Roof Systems

Various types of metal roofing systems can be found in residential structures. Two common types are standing seam metal roofs and flat lock metal roofs. Metal is also used in chimney flashings, wall flashings, trim, valleys, and box gutter liners. Metal systems are recommended by roofing professionals because of their longevity, durability, appearance, resistance to wind, reflectivity, and resistance to fire. Many metal roofs currently in service around the world have been in place for hundreds of years.

The successful installation of a metal roofing system begins with several design considerations, including the following:

Roof Pitch – Standing seam metal roofs are typically recommended on slopes greater than 3/12. Flat lock roofs are recommended on slopes 3/12 or less.

Type of Metal – Dissimilar metals can corrode when they come in contact with one another or drain on each other. Also, some metals are naturally weathering while others require painting. In most situations, copper and galvanized steel should not be used on the same roof system.

Thickness of Metal – The gauge or weight of metals must be considered for different types of installations and applications. Copper is commonly used in weights of 16 ounces per sq foot or 20 ounces per square foot. Galvanized steel is measured by gauge. 26 gauge steel is thicker than 28 gauge steel (Lower gauges are thicker than higher ones). Aluminum is measured in inches. Common thicknesses of aluminum (from thinnest to thickest) include .019, .024, .027, and .032.

Interior Building Conditions – Vapor retarders or corrosion protection for the underside of the roofing panels must be considered if vapor is able to infiltrate the roof panels. Effective vapor retarders include self-sealing ice and water guard or synthetic underlayment.

Type of Fastener – Rivets, nails, and screws used in metal roofing applications must be compatible with the metal being installed. For example, Galvanized roofing fasteners should be used with galvanized steel panels, and copper or stainless steel fasteners should be used with copper panels. Careful consideration should also occur when fasteners penetrate treated wood.

Thermal Movement – Metal, like all building materials, expands and contracts when exposed to changes in temperature. Metal roofs and box gutter liners can fail if thermal movement is restricted. (Please see the article below that appeared in Professional Roofing magazine.)

Underlayment and Slip Sheets – Combinations of Rosin paper, asphalt felt, and (high temperature) ice and water guard are used to allow the metal panels to expand and contract without tearing the underlayment. The low melting point of the asphalt must also be considered as some metal systems can reach temperatures of 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Metal Finish – Three types of metal finishes can be installed on residential structures – naturally weathering metals, factory-applied painted systems, and field applied pre-painted systems. Naturally weathering (and corrosion resistant) metals include copper, stainless steel, and zinc. These metals do not require a painted finish as they oxidize to form a protective coating or patina. The seams on these systems are soldered. Pre-painted systems include steel and aluminum. It’s important to note that one drawback to these systems is that seams cannot be soldered and must be sealed using caulk. Field painted finishes include galvanized steel systems. Galvanized steel seams are soldered and then base metal can be painted to eliminate corrosion.

After a proper design is specified, a skilled sheet metal foreman will install the metal system. These individuals must be skilled at soldering to successfully install flat lock metal roofs, box gutters, and flashings. Solder is used to fuse metal seams together to ensure that they are watertight. Deer Park Roofing does not recommend the use of caulk as a substitute for solder.

Standing Seam Metal Roofs

Metal standing seam roofs have been gaining popularity as a residential roofing system. These roofs should be installed with concealed fasteners to eliminate the risk of water infiltration at the screw heads. The panels are installed with seam heights of 1 to 2 inches. The seams enable thermal movement within the metal panels, add structural support to the system, and provide a watertight seal. Pre-painted metal panels come in a wide range of color options and can be fabricated from steel or aluminum. Factory-applied paint systems will perform much better than field-applied paint systems.

Standing seam metal systems can also be designed using copper or galvanized steel. The galvanized steel panels can be designed to replicate the ‘tin roofs’ used in previous centuries. Panels can be fabricated in 10 ft lengths using a break or in custom, lengths using a roll former. These roofs are designed to last upwards of 60 years, approximately 3 times as long as asphalt shingle roofing systems.

Flat Lock Metal Roofs

Flat lock roofing systems are fabricated out of copper, galvanized steel, and sometimes stainless steel. These types of roofs are commonly found on cupolas, domes, spires, porches, and low sloped roof areas. Metal panels are fabricated in a sheet metal shop with four interlocking seams, two bent upward and two bent downward. Panels must be similar in size – 18 inches by 24 inches or smaller and secured to the roof deck with metal cleats to absorb thermal movement and prevent damage to the panels or the seams. Flat locked seams must be soldered on all roofs with a slope less than 8/12.

Box Gutters

For information about built-up gutter systems, box gutters, and/or box gutter liners Click Here.

The following types of metals are commonly used in roofing systems:

Steel

Steel is the most common metal used in residential roofing because of its strength and cost-effectiveness. Steel is a metal alloy that consists of 98% iron and 2% carbon. Steel that is used for metal roofing must be painted or galvanized to prevent it from corrosion.

Galvanized steel is coated with a thin layer of zinc. When the zinc coating deteriorates, the roofing components will begin to corrode when exposed to water and oxygen. The rate of corrosion on steel roofs depends on the pitch of the roof, the level of humidity, and the presence of a protective coating. Steep sloped steel roofs will last longer than lower slopes because the water drains faster and the metal dries quicker. Galvanized steel is easily soldered and can be used for almost any flashing detail while pre-painted steel cannot be soldered.

Most building codes require a minimum thickness of 26 gauge steel. The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends a minimum thickness of 26 gauge steel for all types of gutters.

Tin

‘Tin Roofs’ are actually made from steel that contains a tin/lead alloy coating. Roofing professionals referred to this type of metal as Terne. Terne metal was easily soldered, durable, and cost-effective in comparison to other metal roofing systems. These roofs are commonly found on residential structures in 28 or 30 gauges. Periodic maintenance is required in the form of painting.

Copper

Copper Roof systems are known for their durability, longevity, and beauty. Copper sheets used for roofing applications are measured in ounces per square foot instead of thickness. The most common copper weights are 16 and 20 ounces. Copper is easily soldered and requires very little maintenance. Copper is a very soft (malleable) metal and lacks the strength that other metals possess.

Aluminum

Aluminum is a corrosion-resistant material that can be used to install standing seam roof systems, gutters, and downspouts. Aluminum has a very high rate of thermal expansion (and contraction) relative to other metals. For this reason, emphasis must be placed on proper design when aluminum is specified on roofing projects. Aluminum used in roofing is pre-painted in a variety of colors. Common aluminum thicknesses (in inches) are .019 or .024 inches for trim or flashing. The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends a minimum thickness of .032 aluminum for gutters.

Aluminum is very difficult to solder and is not recommended for many flashing details.

Understanding thermal movement in residential metal roof systems is key to long-term performance

Roofing contractors often are amazed at the time-tested craftsmanship of sheet-metal systems that are removed from historical structures. It’s not uncommon for some of these systems to date to World War II. The one thing all long-lasting systems such as standing-seam, flat-lock, and built-in gutters have in common is their ability to accommodate thermal movement. Unfortunately, when thermal movement is restricted, contractors may witness failures in as little as five years.

Contractors that install metal roof systems on steep-slope structures, must understand the direction and effect of thermal movement on various metal types.

The principles behind thermal movement are easily misunderstood. Anything that is not visible to the naked eye can be overlooked. It’s not likely, for example, for a roofing contractor to notice a ¼-inch expansion in an aluminum panel. In addition, failures caused by thermal movement usually occur over dozens of thermal cycles or seasons, and the original installers or designers sometimes are not around to witness the failures. For that matter, a homeowner or building owner could have sold the property, as well. Failures associated with thermal movement also often are misdiagnosed and blame is often placed upon poor workmanship or improper soldering.

When thinking about thermal movement, it helps to visualize the movement of liquid mercury in an old-fashioned thermometer. As temperature increases, the atomic particles in the mercury move faster, causing it to expand. Conversely, as the temperature decreases, the atomic particles slow down and the liquid metal contracts.

The rate of thermal movement varies by the type of metal installed and the temperature of the base metal. It is important to note ambient air temperature will differ from the temperature of the metal, and direct solar radiation plays a major role in this process. Also, the surface temperature of metal roofing materials can range from 25 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than ambient air temperatures in the winter and more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the ambient air temperature in direct summer sunlight. Based on these temperatures, a base metal could have a temperature change of over 200 F.

The formula Delta L = L•Delta T•Ce where Delta L is the change in length, Delta T is the change in temperature and Ce is the coefficient of expansion for each metal, which can provide the amount of expansion and contraction in common roofing materials.

The coefficient of expansion is constant for all metal thicknesses. For example, 24-gauge galvanized steel has the same coefficient of expansion as 26-gauge galvanized steel, and the coefficient of expansion for 16-ounce copper is the same as that of 20-ounce copper.

Definitions

It’s important to define several principles of thermal movement in residential systems.

Accumulated thermal movement occurs when the lengths of metal are mechanically attached to each other. For example, four 10-foot sections of metal that are riveted together will expand and contract exactly as a continuous 40-foot section of the same metal. The mechanical attachments will move with the metal as long as they do not penetrate the substrate.

Accommodation of thermal movement occurs when hook strips, panel clips, or cleats are used to hold sheet metal in place. Metal systems are most durable when they are able to float in at least one direction. Expansion joints also are used to minimize stresses and force caused by expansion and contraction.

Fixed points secure metal to the structure of a house such as roof sheathing. Fasteners installed as fixed points direct the thermal movement of the metal away from the fastener but do not accommodate expansion and contraction in the manner cleats and hook strips do. Examples of fixed points include a fastener near the ridge of a standing-seam panel that penetrates the substrate or a downspout outlet in a built-in gutter system.

Absorption of thermal movement occurs in flat-lock metal systems and across standing seam panels. The movement is contained in each panel, absorbed into the seams and cleats, and directed upward into the panels. It is the opposite of accumulated thermal movement.

Flat-lock roof systems

Flat-lock roof systems are designed to absorb thermal movement within each panel. The proper design includes maximum panel lengths of 18 by 24 inches for copper and stainless steel; galvanized steel pans can be slightly larger. Thermal movement is absorbed in these systems when installers lock panels onto hook strips on the roof’s perimeter and connect them with a flat seam in the roof’s field. All panels are secured to the roof system using cleats installed 12 inches on center with two fasteners in each cleat. The panels must be fully sweated with solder in all low-slope applications.

Solder joints are the weakest parts of the system as they usually consist of equal parts lead and tin. The melting point of solder is around 390 F, and the melting points of copper and galvanized steel are 1981 F and 2500 F, respectively. Failures in the solder joints can occur from expansion and contraction of the substrate or building structure. For this reason, expansion joints should be installed on flat lock systems with lengths greater than 30 feet in any direction. A common expansion detail using a tapered wood batten can be seen below.

If the panels are similar in size and temperature, forces from expansion and contraction will be equally absorbed within the cleats located at the seams. Design professionals and installers can control panel size but not panel temperature. Direct solar radiation (or lack thereof) can vary throughout the roof and affect the rate of expansion differently from one panel to another, especially on larger roofs. As the surface area of each panel increases, the force and length of thermal movement increases. Smaller panels are able to absorb thermal movement better than larger panels. It is imperative to avoid copper or stainless-steel panels larger than 18 by 24 inches because thermal movement in larger panels have greater force, which increases stress on soldered flat-lock seams. Common failures from thermal movement in flat-lock systems occur when the perimeter is improperly attached to another metal system, such as built-in gutters or wall flashings.

It is important to note copper, which already has a higher coefficient of expansion, absorbs more heat than other metals. This increases its surface temperature and the associated thermal movement. Galvanized metal systems that are painted can reflect sunlight, decreasing their surface temperature. Failures can occur when removing a more reflective galvanized steel or terne metal system and duplicating the details using copper.

Built-in gutter systems (Box Gutters)

Built-in gutter liners must consist of a solderable metal such as galvanized steel, stainless steel, or copper. As previously noted, the thermal movement of galvanized steel systems is much less than that of copper and stainless steel liners. Homeowners often upgrade to more expensive copper liners for aesthetic reasons only to witness failures because of increased stress from the higher coefficient of thermal expansion. Although steel liners are susceptible to corrosion if they are not properly maintained (painted), they are less likely to fail from restricted movement on most residential projects.

Major damage can occur when built-in gutter systems fail because they are part of a building’s structure. Common failures that roofing contractors encounter are caused by leaks in the seams and deterioration of the metal liner. Seam failures often can be prevented by the proper accommodation of thermal movement in the system. The seams are the liner’s weakest points, similar to the seams in flat-lock systems.

When using the formula provided for gutter systems, it’s important to understand the movement of the liner at the width and length. A common steep-slope built-in gutter liner is fabricated in 10-foot lengths and 28-inch widths. The change in the width is small on most residential applications. If “stretch outs,” or widths, of the gutters are longer than normal, consider using thicker metal, such as 24-ounce copper or 24-gauge galvanized steel.

The expansion and contraction of a gutter liner will occur in a more significant manner along the length. The change in length on a 10-foot section of copper is nearly a ¼ of an inch based upon a temperature change of 200 degrees. When four 10-foot sections of copper gutters are lapped and riveted at the seams, the accumulation of thermal movement can result in a change in length of nearly 1 inch. A 200-degree temperature differential is not out of the realm of possibility when a metal liner is exposed to direct solar radiation.

Proper accommodation for thermal movement in a gutter system should start with a continuous hook strip on the face of the gutter. It also should include cleats to secure the gutter apron (beneath the roofing material) to the roof sheathing. These two securement methods will allow the liner to float along its length.

Installers also can place expansion joints at appropriate locations. If two outlets or fixed points exist on the ends of the same linear section, the expansion joint should be placed in the middle of the gutter as the movement would occur away from each fixed point. If one outlet is located at the end of the gutter, a single expansion joint would be installed on the opposite end of the outlet tube. An expansion joint should be installed on all sections longer than 30 feet.

Installation practices that can restrict movement in a built-in gutter include the following:

• Fastening directly through the metal liner on the face of the gutter
• Securing the gutter apron directly to the roof deck with fasteners
• Roofing material fasteners penetrating the metal liner
• Rivets at the seams that penetrate the wood substrate

The force of thermal movement along the length of a built-in gutter liner usually is no match for a rivet that penetrates a wood substrate. Rivets often can be found bent sideways at seams, causing the solder to fracture. Carefully drilled holes through the wood substrate can allow the rivets to move with the liner and not damage the seams.

When movement is restricted, stress fractures can occur in the liner’s field. Similar to an aluminum soda can that is bent back and forth several times, a puncture eventually will develop. Forces from thermal movement exerted on gutter liners at imperfections from the installation or fabrication eventually can rupture if the movement is great enough. It is important to note that the exposure of solar radiation of the gutter liner will vary on different sides of the house. Failures from thermal movement occur on the southern exposure more often than any other direction.

Difficult repair work

It is important to understand and accommodate thermal movement before installing any metal roofing project because repairs after installation rarely are effective. Resoldering a seam is nearly impossible after the base metal has oxidized or is exposed to dirt and debris. Elastomeric coatings and roof cement are temporary solutions to stopping leaks on these systems.

Without accommodating thermal movement, coatings and cement are subject to the same forces that caused the seams to fail in the first place. Furthermore, expansion joints, hook strips, and cleats are difficult and costly to add to an existing liner or flat-lock roof. Complete system replacement usually is the only long-term option when these systems encounter problems.

Standing-seam roof systems

Raised seams provide additional strength to metal panels and accommodate thermal movement. Standing-seam systems are attached with clips to allow panels to expand and contract vertically. Similar to built-in gutter systems, expansion along the width of each panel is not large enough to be a cause for concern. Individual panels absorb horizontal movement and accumulation of panel widths across the roof surface (from side to side) does not occur.

An exposed fastener at the ridge, eave, or midpoint that secures a panel to the substrate is a fixed point. Fixed points are required on standing-seam systems to eliminate drag forces. If panels are installed without fixed points, the panels can slide vertically towards the eaves. Thermal movement will occur away from a fixed point as follows:

• Fixed point located at ridge: movement occurs towards the eave
• Fixed point located at eave: movement occurs towards the ridge
• Fixed point at the midpoint: movement is directed away from the fastener towards both the eave and ridge

Multiple fixed points are not recommended because they can cause panels to buckle. It is common to see multiple fixed points near penetrations. The panels at these locations will be negatively affected by the restriction of thermal movement. If the panel length is long enough, stress caused by movement toward an exposed fastener can allow water infiltration. In these situations, it is important to ensure the panels can float in one direction even where penetrations exist.

Underlayment considerations

When designing any metal roof or gutter system, it is important to realize that not all types of underlayment are acceptable. Granule-surfaced underlayment, like sandpaper, is abrasive to sheet metal as it expands and contracts. Also, an underlayment with a low melting point such as asphalt can stick to metal panels and tear during thermal movement. For this reason, it is important to apply underlayment that is suitable for high temperatures in metal systems. Rosin paper can be used as a slip sheet between metal panels and underlayment. Since seams are soldered using a 400 degrees F iron, rosin paper also prevents asphalt underlayment from contaminating the seams if it liquefies. Underlayment also can be used to protect the underside of metal systems from interior moisture that could corrode the panels.

Failures are more likely to occur when materials with high coefficients of thermal expansion, such as aluminum, copper, and stainless steel, are improperly installed. Systems that were installed decades ago with terne metal or painted steel will not have the same physical properties as a system designed with a different type of metal panel or liner.

Remember, metals absorb and reflect sunlight differently and will expand and contract at different rates. For instance, copper is known for its beauty and endurance, but it absorbs heat and expands at a greater rate than other metals. Its surface temperature will be greater than that of painted steel or aluminum that is exposed to direct sunlight. Homeowners that request materials with greater thermal movement also should receive the accessories that secure the panels without restricting movement, including cleats, expansion joints, panel clips and hook strips.

Who knew? Thermal Expansion and the St. Louis Arch

A ceremony was planned at The Gateway Arch in St. Louis for the morning of Oct. 28, 1965, to celebrate the topping out of the stainless-steel monument. Morning sunlight caused the arch to expand more than expected, and, as a result, the keystone was 5 inches too long to be set in place. Water was successfully sprayed on the south leg of the monument that morning to cool down the surface and cause it to contract.

This article was authored by Deer Park Roofing, Inc. President Nick Sabino for Professional Roofing magazine and was published in April 2016.

For more information about metal roofing systems, please Email Us.