Sheet metal roofing is elegant and durable, and it comes with many advantages. However, when a sheet metal roof gets damaged, it becomes important to hire a team of sheet metal restoration experts to repair or replace it.
Here are 8 things you probably didn’t know about sheet metal roofing.
1. Many types of metal can be used
Sheet metal roofing can be made from copper, zinc, stainless steel, aluminium, iron or lead. Each type of metal has its own character and properties, and some are more vulnerable to rust and corrosion than others.
2. The sound of rain falling on a sheet metal roof is not always soothing
Many people think that the sound of rain falling on the shingles of a metal roof is an enjoyable and soothing sound, but it isn’t always the case. Heavy rain crashing on a sheet metal roof can be deafening is the roof has not been properly insulated.
3. Sheet metal roofing can be noisy because of expansion and contraction
Expansion and contraction due to temperature changes can also cause sheet metal roofing to be particularly noisy. Aluminium and zinc, for example, are known to expand more than other types of metal, and will produce some unpleasant creaks as the temperature changes.
4. The screws of sheet metal roofing can work loose
As a sheet metal roof expands and contracts, the screws and nails holding it together will eventually start to work loose. Regularly tightening those loose screws and nails is important for people who want to take good care of their sheet metal roofing.
5. Sheet metal roofing is vulnerable to rust
A sheet metal roof is relatively easy to maintain, but that doesn’t mean it can last forever. Scratches on the protective surface of sheet metal will leave it vulnerable to rust, and depending on the type of metal used, it can oxidize more or less quickly.
6. The first step is to determine the cause of damage
When a sheet metal roofing starts leaking, the first thing to do is to ask an expert to determine the cause of the leak. If there are a few holes in the metal, they can probably be repaired. If the leak is due to some damages to the support system of the roof, it might need to be replaced
7. Sheet metal restoration experts need to do some research
When a sheet metal roof needs to get repaired or replaced, sheet metal restoration experts need to do a lot of research if the roof is part of an historical building. They need to learn everything they can about the history of the building, to make sure they will be able to restore the roof with accuracy.
8. Historic roof restoration requires passion
Experts who perform historic sheet metal roof restorations need to have a deep knowledge of sheet metal and roofing structures, but they also need to have a true passion for history, as they might need to do a lot of research and to reproduce many tiny details.