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Most people understand that buildings outfitted with secure, storm-resistant roofing material like metal are less prone to damage from hurricanes, hail storms and other damaging weather events. Not only does this strength provide safety and security for the building owner, but those qualities also translate into cost-savings outside of what’s saved due the longer lifespan and lower maintenance requirements of metal panels.

Safety in Strength

Metal roofs are made to last. Thick panels, properly installed and maintained, have a lifespan of up to 50 years under normal circumstances—double that of most asphalt shingle roofs. To ensure that lifespan, metal roofing manufacturers perform rigorous tests (according to strict ASTM standards) that document performance under a range of environmental traumas. These tests confirm that, compared to other surfaces, metal offers superior performance when subjected to the following:

Hail

Even the most basic metal roof is a shield against hail damage, but of course some products and roof designs offer even greater protection. To protect against hail damage, the optimal option is a heavy-gauge metal panel roof installed over solid plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) sheathing. Two of the most comprehensive post-storm studies found that such roofs survived even the biggest hailstones without punctures or leakage.[i] In the worst cases, the damage to the metal was only cosmetic.

Wind and water

Metal roofs can withstand wind gusts as strong as 140 mph. Because they consist of large interlocking panels, they’re less susceptible to uplift than individual asphalt shingles and offer fewer entry points for water.

In addition, the synthetic underlayments used by professional roofers are 20 times stronger than felt, so in the unlikely event that the roof is punctured there is a much lower chance that water will get into the structure. (Synthetic underlayments also stay as much as 25 degrees cooler on a hot, sunny day and include an anti-skid coating that keeps roofers safer during installation.)

Wildfire

We’ve all seen pictures of metal-roofed homes that have survived wildfires while the surrounding structures burned to the ground.[ii] It makes sense: metal panels hold a Class A fire-resistant rating (the highest possible), making a metal roof installed over a fire-resistant cap sheet the optimal combination in fire-prone areas. In fact, a publication from the UCLA School of Architecture urges homeowners rebuilding in wildfire zones to use non-combustible roofing and siding. It also cautions against the use of clay tiles, which can develop cracks that allow wind to drive burning embers into the attic.[iii]

Lightning

Many people ask about metal roofing’s lightning resistance: does its conductivity make it more susceptible to strikes? The answer is no: not only is a home with a metal roof no more prone to this than any other structure, but if it is struck by lightning the large metal surface will do a good job of safely dispersing that energy.[iv] And because metal is not flammable, a strike is much less likely to start a fire, which is often the most devastating result of a lightning strike.

Continual Savings

Confirmation of metal’s durability and safety comes from a third party business with a real stake in the matter: the insurance industry. Some insurance companies offer lower premiums for the use of qualifying wind- and impact-resistant roofing materials like metal. These include large national insurers like State Farm and Nationwide, which offer discounts in 26 states plus one Canadian province for certain roofing products with Class 4 wind ratings. Most metal roofing manufacturers, including American Building Components, have several products on their lists.

For more information on ABC’s roof products, please visit our website or contact your local representative today.

[i] http://www.constructionmagnet.com/metal-roofing-magazine/metal-vs-mother-nature-hail

[ii] http://photoblog.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/16/13314843-lone-house-surrounded-by-scorched-earth-survives-wildfire?lite

[iii] http://www.energy-design-tools.aud.ucla.edu/FIRES.html

[iv] http://www.metalroofing.com/v2/content/guide/newsletters/04-0701.cfm

Understanding the maintenance requirements of your metal panels is essential to maximizing the longevity of your investment with the least amount of hassle. While metal panels have been engineered to provide decades of trouble-free protection, they can suffer damage from the build-up of debris as well as storm-related traumas like hail stones, falling branches and ice dams. To extend the lifespan and strength of metal panels, maintenance consists mostly of preventing and correcting these issues.

The importance of regular inspections

Regular inspections are critical to identifying damaged panels and accumulated debris that can trap moisture, causing corrosion over time. To prevent this, a visual inspection should be performed in the spring and the fall of each year, as well as after major weather events to identify issues. Take a walk around the structure and look for leaves, branches and other debris piled up on the roof, including in valleys, gutters and downspouts, as well as behind chimneys and/or other protrusions. While you can perform this type of inspection yourself, please keep in mind that metal panels—particularly metal roofs—should be professionally inspected every four to five years depending on your geographic location. If you live in a coastal or humid area more prone to corrosion and rust, professional inspections should be done more frequently to prevent the rust from spreading and causing structural damage to the panels.

In addition to debris, keep an eye out for scratched or dented areas, as well as for loose screws and seams that look like they are separating. (If you can’t make out the details from the ground, try using a pair of binoculars.). Use the manufacturer’s recommended touch-up paint to correct scratches as they can quickly degrade the surface protection and jeopardize the longevity of metal panels. If the panels have separating seams or holes, first check to see if the repair is partly or fully covered by your warranty. Unless you are experienced in metal roof repair and possess a thorough knowledge of the products and techniques that can be used without voiding the warranty, it is recommended that you engage a metal panel repair specialist to make the repairs. If you decide to undertake the work yourself, it is also important to remember that these fixes are, at best, temporary and should be addressed by a professional recommended by the metal panel manufacturer.

Cleaning metal panels

Keeping metal panels clean is one of the best ways to ensure they last as long as possible. When cleaning metal roofs and walls, using a non-pressure cleaning method with detergents recommended by the metal panel manufacturer is ideal. It is not advisable to use metal tools such as rakes to remove debris. This is likely to scratch the paint, reducing the panels protection from the elements and other damaging factors. Using a leaf blower to remove debris is a common choice, but a long-handled push-broom or a telescoping pole with a window cleaning brush will also do the job. Ideally, the tool should be one that lets you do the removal from the ground, but if you absolutely must walk on the roof then only step on the flat areas. If there are areas you can’t access yourself—particularly slanted areas that have been made slippery with cleaning solutions—hiring a professional service to do this once or twice a year is the safest option.

To reduce the chance of further damage and keep your panels cleaner over longer periods of time, trim tree branches as far back from the building as possible. This is especially important for large, unhealthy branches that could break off during high winds and cause damage.

Proper snow removal

There are—of course—considerations that must be made for metal buildings located in colder climates. After a winter storm, it’s a good idea to remove standing snow from the roof. This is doubly important on older homes where poor attic insulation can lead to ice dams. An ice dam forms when heat escaping from inside the attic warms the roof and melts the bottom layer of snow. The snowmelt then re-freezes, creating a dam that traps water which can work its way into seams between panels and around flashings.

Warranty considerations

It’s always smart to reference the metal panel manufacturer’s warranty to be sure you don’t use any products or tools that will void your warranty. They should also provide instructions and advice specific to the panels and application(s) you’ve selected to ensure you get the most out of their products with the least hassle.

For more information on metal panels, check out ABC’s FAQ page. For more on our metal panels and accessories, please visit our product pages or contact your local representative today.

Category: Commercial

Safety and Savings Courtesy of Metal Panels