17 March 2019
 Categories: , Blog

If you are building a custom house, you should think about installing a metal roof. This type of roof is an ideal choice for homes because of the resilience and durability of the material. The metal roofing also provides solar protection by reflecting radiation and minimising absorption of heat. In addition, the panels are appealing due to the modern lines, and the surfaces can be coloured to match different preferences. However, you must keep in mind that the performance of your roofing will depend on your choices during the home construction project. Here are essential guidelines for promoting better roofing function and avoiding common metal panel problems.

Avoid Flat Roof Designs

One of the common problems that you might experience after installing a metal roof is inefficient drainage of water. Therefore, you should check on the planned slope of your roof before proceeding with construction. Simply speaking, if the roof is almost flat, there will be significant water pooling on the roof. Unfortunately, metal panels are vulnerable to destructive corrosion after prolonged exposure to moisture. In addition, there are seams in between panels which might allow seepage of the rainwater into the building. It is advisable to select a steeper roof design for quick and efficient stormwater drainage.

Prevent Installation Damage

When installing your roof, you must ensure that the panel are not damaged. It is not uncommon for metal roof panels to sustain dents, perforations and tears due to poor handling after delivery to the construction site. This problem is particularly common when the roofing process is not handled by specialists. Under ideal circumstances, you should engage a metal roofing contractor for the installation. The professional will help you avoid poor roofing performance and voided warranties. The common issues that you should avoid during installation include wrong underlayment, unsuitable fasteners, panel warping due to pressure and panel scratches.

Seal the Roofing

Proper sealing is essential, especially when dealing with a low-slope metal roof. If you do not seal the points of weaknesses adequately, there will be leakage in the future. Therefore, you should plan on placing the metal roofing panels tightly against each other to prevent seepage. Where possible, use panels which are designed to join in a double fold at the seam for a watertight joint. You should remember to use the right flashing around chimneys and skylights for leak protection. In addition, remember to apply a durable sealant around fastenings.

For the best results, consider consulting a licenced roofer for professional advice during the design phase.