Steel roofing - A modern and design roof covering

Far from being reserved for covering industrial or agricultural buildings, metal roofs are increasingly used on private homes. It comes in the form of laminated metal sheets or corrugated or ribbed sheets that have the appearance of classic tiles.

Metal panels for flat roofing can be installed on most sloped roofs. Very design, they are appreciated on contemporary or architect houses. The materials used may be copper, zinc, aluminum or steel.

The panels consist of two galvanized metal sheets coated with several protective layers. This material is both very durable (from 50 to 100 years) and very light (10 times more than clay tiles).

The products are offered in a wide range of styles and colors, which allows you to personalize your home completely. Some roof panels are supplied with a layer of insulation attached (polystyrene or mineral fibers).

Various materials that require good insulation

The metal is fixed to the roof by means of a wooden frame or a cement mortar base. The plates are connected together by cleats, fasteners or by folding in order to avoid water infiltration. A condensation regulator felt can be placed on the underside of the cover.

The zinc patinates naturally under the effect of moisture, which makes it even more waterproof. “This material should be avoided when using an oil-fired boiler or in the presence of copper, steel or cement”, says the owner of COSASTEEL, a steel roofing company located in Binzhou, China.

To avoid condensation, a ventilated cover can be installed, with air circulation between the zinc and the insulation. There are photovoltaic panels specially designed for zinc roofs.

Steel tends to rust, so it must be protected with lacquer, zinc or replaced with stainless steel.

Copper turns green-grey over time, which also serves as protection. As aluminum is sensitive to pollution, it should be avoided near major traffic routes. Heating costs are reduced if the attic is well insulated and the thermal bridges are removed.

Multilayer flat roofs can achieve a very high level of thermal performance (R = 11.50) with a low incidence of temperature and hydrometric variations.

A roof made to resist the bad weather

The panels with corrugated profiles ensure good condensation drainage and optimum air circulation.

A metal roof is designed to withstand fire and wind up to 150 km/h. It is not very sensitive to stains and molds.

In areas where there is a lot of snow, it is advisable to have snow hooks or snow guards and an under-roof screen installed. The installation of a cold roof with double ventilation may be recommended.

Metal roofs are in theory totally recyclable, this point is to be checked according to the coating layers present. The main disadvantage of a metal roof can be the noise in case of strong bad weather.

This can be remedied with good insulation. A metal treated with a reflective coating returns most of the absorbed heat. The temperature in the attic can thus be reduced by 8% by high heats.