One of the classiest-looking materials options in the world of roofing is architectural sheet metal. It's a challenging product to work with, though, and most folks who install and maintain it specializes in doing these types of projects. Let's take a look at a few things customers should know about how architectural sheet metal is used in roofing.
Choice of Materials
When thinking of sheet metal products, it's easy to focus on things that are shiny, silvery, and polished. Architectural metals, however, can be produced in a variety of styles, including copper, zinc, stainless steel, and stone-coated steel. Some of these products are coated to provide different colors and textures. Stone- and granule-coated products also allow you to get textures that are similar to using asphalt shingles, but with much greater durability.
Patterns and Shapes
You'll also have access to a variety of patterns and designs. If you want to create a roof that uses a triangular pattern, for example, that's achievable with architectural sheet metal. Similarly, the metal can be used to create curved surfaces, such as domed roofs.
Additional Elements
A major advantage of architectural sheet metal is that you can integrate some roofing features into the materials. For example, a gutter channel can be created in the middle of the roof, allowing you to achieve high functionality without the visibility of gutters along the edges. These can then be designed to direct water to scuppers, producing a more visually appealing drainage solution than the traditional downspout.
Parapet caps can also be created using sheet metal, adding architectural interest to structures while protecting walls. Other features, such as fascia, can be created with metal, too.
Installation
One of the reasons this sort of project is usually highly specialized is that it requires particular tools to assemble the pieces. Especially on a custom project, the sheets have to be joined with tight seams. To accomplish this, the sheets have to be crimped together to create a tight seal, preventing water from getting in the roof. Likewise, the professionals using the crimping equipment have to undergo extensive training to learn how to do the job precisely every time.
Flat or Sloped Roofs
Architectural sheet metal is one of the few products that looks and works equally well on both flat and sloped roofs. It's a highly durable product that should deliver about a half-century of service. If you have a home or business in a high-wind region, the metal is likely to hold up much better to high-speed impacts, too.
