Installing exposed fastener metal panels on a roof requires careful consideration of the roof slope. Roof slopes can impact installation in several ways, including how long it takes to install the panels, what tools and materials are needed, and potential water ponding issues.
The most important factor is that roofs with greater slopes need additional fasteners to ensure the panels are securely installed. On a shallow sloped roof, such as one with a slope of 2/12, it is important to use gasketed screws which have rubber washers between them and the roof decking. This provides extra support so that the fastener does not pull out due to wind pressure or other forces. However, on steep sloped roofs of 4/12 or greater, the use of additional screws is recommended to ensure that all areas are securely fastened.
Another factor in exposed fastener panel installation is the type of roof decking material used. On wood decks, it is important to countersink the head of the screw so that when the metal panel is installed, it fits flush against the decking without any gaps. On steel decks, self-drilling screws should be used to ensure that the fastener does not penetrate too deeply and cause problems with the steel decking material.
Furthermore, on higher sloped roofs of 12/12 or greater, additional fasteners may be required for the effective installation of exposed fastener metal panels. On higher-sloped roofs, wind uplift pressures are more severe and require more fasteners to secure the panel in place. It is important to follow specific guidelines from the panel manufacturer when installing on high-slope roofs; otherwise, the installed assemblies may not perform as expected or desired.
In addition, the use of fasteners that are long enough to penetrate through the panel and into the substrate may be necessary on higher-sloped roofs. This will increase the capacity of the installed panel assembly and allow for a more secure attachment to the roof substrate. Selecting fasteners that are too short can cause the panel to become loose or displaced due to wind uplift forces, resulting in a weakened roof structure.
Different Types of Roof Slope
Roof slope is typically expressed as a ratio of the rise in inches for every 12 inches horizontally, or inches per foot. The most common roof slopes range from 2:12 or two inches of rise per foot, all the way to 12:12 or 12 inches of rise for every foot horizontally. There are also steeper slopes that exceed 12:12, such as 20:12 and above.
When installing an exposed fastener panel system to a higher slope, it is important to use fasteners with longer shanks so they can be driven into the substrate at an adequate depth. Additionally, more screws should be used per panel to ensure a secure installation. In some cases, an additional reinforcing member such as a hat channel may be necessary to provide extra rigidity.
It is also important to understand that the wind uplift capacity of a panel system decreases with increasing roof slope. This means more fasteners may be required and/or additional reinforcement measures should be taken to ensure the system can withstand wind uplift. Finally, a properly designed and installed gutter system is needed to collect water from the higher slope and direct it away from the building structure.
Overall, exposed fastener metal panel systems on roofs with slopes greater than 3:12 require careful attention to detail so that they are securely installed and offer maximum long-term performance. It is best to consult Daytona roofing contractors and manufacturer representatives when considering an exposed fastener metal panel system for a roof with slopes greater than 3:12.
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