Steel roofing has been in use for long, and advances such as Galvalume steel roofing in the last thirty years have extended the benefits and reach of this form of roof material to millions of buildings. Galvalume steel roofing sheets are 99% Al-Zn coated steel used for roofing. Thanks to its durability and long-term performance, this kind of steel roofing is popular among various home owners and commercial establishments.
With the growing impact of Galvalume steel roofing on the construction industry, an increasing number of architects, engineers, contractors and building owners are asking questions about the concept of steel roofing and the material involved. The questions pertain to various issues like availability and performance, installation and maintenance.
Steel roofing can be used in residential and non-residential settings. In commercial non-residential buildings, the common form of usage is for low slope standing seam roofs. Steel roofing in pre-painted form also can be used for enhancing aesthetic appeal of buildings in the form of architectural roofing.
Why is Steel Roofing a Good Choice?
Steel sheet is an ideal material for roofing because it has extraordinary capacity to resist corrosion outdoors. This means steel roofing lasts longer. Because it is malleable and easy to work with, steel roofing can be rolled into panels, or stamped into a replica of shingles for specific uses.
Factory painting of steel sheets will impact color and added durability. Because of all these unique properties, steel roofing is ideal for many uses, especially because it is light weight and very durable. An added benefit of the Galvalume kind of steel roof is that it will not crack or peel in hot weather unlike many other un-coated forms of metal roofs.
What are the Advantages of Standing Seam Steel Roofing?
When it comes to non-residential buildings, the biggest worry for architects and building owners is leaky roofs. Conventional roofing materials are all prone to deterioration, which happens faster in extreme weather conditions. Heat and solar radiation makes the material brittle and causes them to crack, split or tear. Water then seeps into these cracks, further weakening the structure and creating new problems.
Leaks are easy to patch and fix early on in the life of a roof. But with the progress of time, these repairs last for shorter periods, requiring frequent repairs and greater maintenance. Sooner or later, replacing the roof becomes the only option.
Steel roofing of the standing seam kind offers weather-proof and water-tight protection for many decades. Because of the unique features of metal roofs, they are resistant to wear and tear that impacts other conventional roofs. So steel roofing for office buildings and non-residential storage areas is an economical option in the long run, even if the initial cost of installation is s little higher. Galvalume steel roofing is especially easy to install, and provides leak proof and maintenance free cover that is also energy efficient and long lived.
Can Steel Roofing Be Installed Over Older Roofs?
Steel roofing is ideal for retrofit roof replacement. Being light weight, it is easy to support even on older frames, without needing any major reworking of your roofing frames. Steel roofing can be an ideal option to install over old, leaky non-metallic roofing systems.
The procedure for retrofitting steel roofing is not complex or complicated. A light weight sub-framing roof system is installed first, made up of light structural steel sections. This provides the desired slope for the new steel sheets.
By placing the new steel roofing directly over existing non-metallic roofing systems, you can also save on time and money in tearing down and modifying the existing roof and frame. Also, work inside the building can continue while the replacement work is being done.
Can Architectural Shingles Be Made From Steel Roofing?
Wood or steel decking is necessary for residential buildings with architectural roofing shingles. The steel roofing panels are best not installed directly on the decking. Instead, 30 pound felt covers the decking and then the roof panels are installed over it.
Roofing manufacturers will be able to provide specific information about the recommended felt lining to use for residential buildings. This is important in warmer climates where water can condense on the under surface of roof panels causing rot and mold over time. Even in colder areas, snow and ice collection on eaves is a problem that can be avoided through proper planning.
Steel roofing is a popular alternative for residential and non-residential buildings alike. There are millions of buildings that now happily boast a steel roof and we have long since crossed the line of metal roofs being a novelty. They are now a mainstream alternative that is economical in the long run. Steel roofing will open up new vistas in a constantly evolving area of home construction.
