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RESIDENTIAL METAL ROOFING GUIDE 1 Message

Distributed by: 

ACR METAL ROOFING & SIDING DISTRIBUTORS  

4976 PA-419, Womelsdorf, PA 19567 

 info@acrmetal.com ·  800-325-1247

All across the country homeowners are ditching their shingle roofs and upgrading to metal While residential metal roofing isn t new it is gaining in popularity because more homeowners are recognizing the many environmental and energy related benefits that metal roofing has to offer Homeowners are also growing weary of the never ending saga of shingle replacement Whether wind hail or simply deteriorating from the sun shingles just don t hold up to the test of time Metal on the other hand offers more resistance to Mother Nature and a decades long service life For most people their new metal roof is the last roof they will ever install This eBook was developed to help guide homeowners who have an interest in metal roofing but are seeking a little more knowledge and understanding before finalizing their decision If that s your situation this information is for you There are some nuances to metal roofing that you should understand before making the investment in your new metal roof system Style of roof available substrates base material coatings and finding a qualified contractor to install your roof are the most important choices to consider once you ve made the decision to switch All of these considerations will be covered in this eBook table of contents Why Metal Roofing 2 Recyclability 2 Energy Efficiency 3 Long Service Life 5 Common Myths 6 Substrates 13 Coatings 15 Warranties 18 Panel Options 23 Contractor Selection 26 Metal Construction Association MCA 28 Summary 29 1

Why Metal Roofing No other popular building material has a shorter service life than shingles Yet they ve been the go to choice for most homeowners for decades Chances are high that you went on autopilot and reached out to roofing contractors to get shingle quotes when faced with roof replacement If hail or weather damage were evident a call to your insurance company was also in order Fortunately this shingle autopilot replacement syndrome is waning because homeowners like you are switching to a long term solution packed with benefits That solution is metal roofing Take a look at the chart below to see how a metal roof stacks up against a traditional shingle roof SHINGLE ROOF METAL ROOF Aesthetically Pleasing NO YES Long Service Life NO YES Lower Utility Expense LIMITED YES High Recycled Content NO YES Recycled After Service Life LIMITED YES Fire Resistant LIMITED YES Hail Resistant NO YES High Wind resistance NO YES Recyclability Metal roofing contains a high percentage of recycled materials so it could have been a refrigerator or old automobile in its past life When the service life of a metal roof ends decades after installation the material can be recycled again While it can be done recycling shingles is much more difficult than recycling metal so shingles typically end up in landfills Many local landfills have more shingles than they care to accept and charge exorbitant fees to discard them Every year 11 million tons of shingles are removed from existing projects and it takes 300 years for them to decompose If you re concerned with preserving the environment for your kids grandkids nieces or nephews metal roofing is the clear choice 2

Why Metal Roofing Energy Efficiency In addition to being environmentally friendly metal roofing can save you money on utility bills According to the Department of Energy 35 of energy costs for the average building is spent on heating cooling and ventilation Above Sheathing Ventilation ASV is a great method to reduce these energy costs ASV means adding an airspace between the metal roofing and the roofing substrate which could be anything from a plywood deck to existing conventional shingles The airspace enables the energy hot air to move and vent into the atmosphere rather than get absorbed into the building structure Without ASV all that heat under your roof finds its way to your attic space and eventually the interior of your home Maximizing ASV reduces your utility load 3 4 airspace between shingles and metal roof 3

Why Metal Roofing Energy Efficiency continued To better understand the benefits of Above Sheathing Ventilation ASV check out this video comparing attic temperatures of four distinct mockup systems exposed to the summer heat of Houston Texas The mockup with ventilated airspace and solar venting has an attic temperature of only a few degrees higher than ambient air compared to the standard shingle roof which was almost 40 degrees higher Therefore adding above sheathing ventilation when placing new metal over existing shingles is a wise decision 137 8 113 102 3 104 5 Temperature Inside Simulated Attic Space METAL ROOF METAL ROOF METAL ROOF SHINGLE ROOF ROOF TYPE Sandstone Metal Roof Sandstone Metal Roof Dark Bronze Metal Roof Asphalt Shingle asv YES YES YES NO solar vent YES NO NO NO Temperature Inside Simulated Attic Space 100 Degree Ambient 102 3 104 5 113 137 8 4

Why Metal Roofing Long Service Life While recyclability and energy efficiency are two big reasons people are moving to metal roofing perhaps the biggest reason is its long service life As mentioned earlier no other building product has a shorter life expectancy than shingles While an architectural style shingle can reasonably be expected to last longer than a basic 3 tab shingle style neither are expected to last more than 20 years Metal roofing on the other hand can last for 40 to 50 years For busy homeowners like you the idea of buying one metal roof instead of multiple shingle roofs over your lifetime just makes sense Most are simply tiring of the repetitive cost hassle and mess every 15 to 20 years to replace their shingle roof Each year more and more homeowners are adopting the one and done mentality that metal roofing offers 5

Metal Roofing Myths While you may be just beginning to consider metal roofing for your home it s certainly not a new product In fact metal roofing has been around for hundreds of years but the application has been more common in commercial construction For homeowners the common myths of metal roofing often prevent them from making the switch to a superior low maintenance product Let s debunk nine of the most common misconceptions before we get too far into this eBook so you can read the rest with a truly open mind 1 Metal roofing is noisy when it rains If you ve ever been in a pole building or garage with a metal roof that didn t have a plywood deck and insulation under it you likely experienced for yourself why this myth is so prevalent Without a roof deck insulation and underlayment the metal panels can actually intensify the sound and make a light sprinkle sound like a downpour It s important to understand that the sound of rain is deadened by the layers of building materials between the metal roof and the living area The insulation drywall and wood decking all play a role in deadening the sound of rain With these building components in place noise levels are similar to what could be expected with any other roofing material including shingles Verdict false Still not convinced Listen and watch this video 6

Metal Roofing Myths 2 Metal roofing attracts heat and it will increase my energy costs Metal roofing reflects much of the sun s heat and energy which results in lower not higher energy bills Surprised Advances in coating technology now enable paint manufacturers to add reflective pigments to coating systems Metal roofing panels with these reflective coating systems are referred to as Cool Metal Roofing and they offer high reflectivity and high thermal emittance Reflectivity measures the amount of energy reflected away from the metal roof panel surface Thermal emittance is the measure of a panel s ability to release heat that it has absorbed Reflectivity and thermal emittance work together to lower utility costs because less of the sun s energy gets absorbed into the roof system attic area and living office space below Studies have shown that a cool metal roof can save you as much as 20 in your cooling energy costs Conventional shingles absorb much more of the sun s energy than metal roofing and the result is higher air conditioning costs for those homeowners Verdict false In fact the opposite is true Energy Absorbing Asphalt Roof reflective Roofs Reflect Sun s Energy Emissive roofs release sun s energy 7

Metal Roofing Myths 3 Metal roofing is ugly Fortunately this myth is dying out Simply put metal roofing is aesthetically pleasing and it will add curb appeal to almost any home If you still have doubts about this myth do an internet search for residential metal roofing and click on the Images tab Your screen will instantly be filled with photos of beautiful metal roof styles and homes From mansions to modest dwellings metal roofing is proving to be the homeowner s choice Verdict Aesthetics are a personal preference so you ll have to decide this one for yourself To us and millions of other homeowners there s nothing more beautiful Check out our Visualizer to see what a metal roof would look like on your home 8

Metal Roofing Myths 4 Metal roofing won t look good on my style of home With so many metal roofing options available today any home can look great with a metal roof In addition to a variety of styles most manufacturers have a wide selection of available colors If a vertical seam panel running from eave to ridge bottom to top is not right for you there are metal options that simulate shingles slate cedar and tile roofs Vertical Seam Shingle Simulated Slate Simulated Cedar Simulated Tile Verdict Again aesthetics are a personal preference so you ll have to decide if this is myth or fact With so many styles and colors to choose from most homeowners find a look they love 9

Metal Roofing Myths 5 Metal roofing will attract lightning strikes Many people think that because metal can conduct electricity lightning will actually be attracted to it Instead lightning actually strikes the closest targets That s why taller buildings and trees are at the greatest risk for a lightning strike It s also why the Empire State Building is struck by lightning an average of 25 times each year Not only is a metal roof no more prone to lightning strikes than any other roofing material you can take comfort in the fact that metal roofing is non combustible In the event there is a lightning strike a metal roof will not catch fire as other building materials do Verdict false Still not convinced Check out these facts from the Lightning Protection Institute 6 Metal roofing is prone to hail damage Admittedly hail is the single biggest cause of residential roof replacement and we all pay the price for it with higher home insurance premiums However you do have some control Because metal roofing is more hail resistant than shingles many insurance companies actually offer a discount on home insurance when metal roofing is used This article from the Metal Roofing Alliance addresses the durability of metal roofs In studies conducted by the Insurance Institute for Business Home Safety IBHS while all roof types can sustain some cosmetic damage depending on hailstorm severity metal roofing performed best and was much less likely to puncture as compared to asphalt withstanding even golf ball sized hail stones without compromising performance Verdict false 7 Metal roofing is too expensive While it s never good to generalize it s fairly safe to say that metal roofing is often more expensive at the time of purchase With that said savvy homeowners are starting to realize there s more at stake than just the initial purchase price With a life expectancy three times greater than shingles a metal roof can actually cost less money over time Additionally metal roofs generally require less maintenance than shingle roofs which are more susceptible to wind curling and hail damage Verdict It depends if you re comparing first cost or final cost Metal roofing is often more expensive initially but it s typically a less expensive option over the lifetime of the roof 10

Metal Roofing Myths 8 Metal roofing does not stand up to Mother Nature Metal roofing is fire hail and wind resistant and it does a great job of standing toe to toe against Mother Nature There are many real life examples that showcase how metal withstands these adverse conditions An ABC Nightly News story about a metal roof surviving a forest fire A New York Times article about a home surviving Hurricane Michael A fter the devastation Hurricane Irma caused in the Florida Keys there are calls to make metal roofing mandatory in Monroe County M any insurance companies recognize the benefits of metal and offer discounts for structures with metal roofs Verdict When it comes to resisting nature s elements metal roofing clearly outshines shingles 11

Metal Roofing Myths 9 All metal roofing is the same It s important for homeowners to have an understanding of the components that make up metal roofing because not all metal panels are created equal Just like most items you purchase on a daily basis metal roofing has varying levels of quality and performance Maybe a more appropriate comparison is conventional shingles If you have already replaced a shingle roof you are well aware of varying levels of quality and performance The same statement holds true for metal roofing Quality and performance varies based on the quality of the metal substrate and coating paint system Verdict false It s important for homeowners to consider substrates gauges and paint systems when comparing metal roofing options Hopefully we dispelled these nine popular myths about residential metal roofing If you are still looking for more evidence regarding the value of metal roofing check out these homeowner testimonials 12

Substrates Consumers usually spend more time picking out the color for a metal roof than they do thinking about the substrate of the steel The reality is that the substrate is essential to the life expectancy of metal roofing Let s dig a little deeper into the steel substrate topic Depending on your needs the type of substrate you choose is one of the most important items to consider The most popular steel substrates in the metal roofing industry are Galvanized and Galvalume Galvanized substrates are coated in zinc while Galvalume substrates are coated with an alloy of zinc plus aluminum Both Galvalume and Galvanized are good substrates for metal roofing panels 1 Top Coat 2 Primer 3 Pretreatment 4 Metallic Coating 5 STEEL With Galvanized substrates the greater the amount of zinc the greater the protection against panel corrosion Two commonly used Galvanized substrates are designated as G100 and G60 These designations relate to the total amount of zinc contained on both sides of the panel surfaces G100 contains 1 0 ounce of zinc for every one square foot of panel while G60 substrates contain 0 6 ounces of zinc The important fact to consider is that a G100 substrate contains 66 more protective zinc than a G60 substrate This difference will have a direct correlation to panel longevity and long term aesthetics of your project As a result G60 substrates are simply not appropriate for residential roofing projects Yet they are widely available For the uneducated consumer it s an easy mistake to make For most applications Galvalume substrates offer the best long term solution and its superior performance has been proven in the field Over four decades of testing have shown that Galvalume delivers greater corrosion resistance compared to Galvanized panels In fact the performance of Galvalume in the construction industry has been so superior that steel mills warranty it against rupture or perforation due to corrosion Similar warranties simply do not exist for Galvanized substrates 13

Substrates In one test unpainted Galvalume and Galvanized panels were placed in four different types of outdoor environments including a normal marine and a rural setting The harsher the surroundings the better Galvalume performed After 23 years of side by side comparison in all areas Galvalume was two to four times more durable than Galvanized moderate marine galvanized g90 rural galvanized g90 Galvanized 1 mil coating G90 panels show complete red rust after 18 years at both marine and rural sites moderate marine galvalume sheet rural galvalume sheet Galvalume 1 mil coating panels continue to perform well in the marine and rural sites after 23 years Download this brochure for more information Color is important but avoid the mistake many homeowners make when shopping for metal roofing Make sure that the substrate matches your long term performance expectations There are a lot of options available in the marketplace and the wrong substrate selection could result in disappointment and a shorter life expectancy for your new metal roof 14

Coatings The coating system or paint for metal roof panels is just as important as the substrate discussed in the last section The coating paint is not only the part of your new metal roof that everyone will see but it s also a critical part of your overall metal roofing system For the life of your metal roof remember that can easily be 40 to 50 years the coating will be exposed to Mother Nature s elements ultraviolet sunrays acid rain dirt etc Over time these environmental conditions can break down the coating resulting in what is commonly referred to as panel fade and chalk Fade and chalk are not pleasing to the eye and the degree of fade and chalk is directly related to the coating system The most popular coatings for metal panels are Polyester Silicone Modified Polyester SMP and Kynar 500 PVDF It s helpful to think of these three paint systems in a Good Better Best ranking system Silic ified Polyester one Mod SMP BE TTER Pol yvi YNAR 500 OD GO ST K PVDF de ori Flu BE Poly est er e en ny li d In that analogy a Polyester paint system is the lowest with a Good ranking However Polyester paint systems exhibit the highest amount of chalk and fade and they should not be selected for residential applications due to its short life expectancy SMP Silicone Modified Polyesters represent the Better option in our sliding scale While they perform better than straight Polyesters they will still exhibit considerable fade and chalk For the less discerning homeowner or when light colors are selected this may be a viable option because fade and chalk are less visible on lighter shades PVDF s Kynar 500 paint systems represent the best performance available for today s metal panels and consequently hold the Best position in the scale Kynar 500 paint systems were developed in the 1960s and quickly became the go to product for commercial and architectural applications SMP systems were utilized more for agricultural and industrial applications where performance was not as important In the late 1990s Kynar 500 paint became the go to product for all applications It offers unmatched performance at a marginally higher price than SMPs 15

Coatings Still not sure which coating is right for you Let s look at some examples to help it make more sense Both Kynar 500 PVDF and Silicone Modified Polyester SMP panels were installed on a project in Louisiana On day one the colors were an identical shade of green However this project included a combination of materials some with the Kynar 500 paint system and some with the SMP paint system The photo below taken only eight years later tells a powerful story of the differences between the paint systems as it highlights both chalk and fade of the SMP paint system Note that no fade or chalking on the darker Kynar 500 PVDF panels is present during the same eight year window Kynar 500 SMP Quality coatings made in the USA by Sherwin Williams McElroy Metal s paint supplier is Sherwin Williams While McElroy Metal offers Polyester Silicone Modified Polyester and PVDF Kynar 500 we strongly recommend PVDF coatings for residential applications where long term aesthetics and performance are important considerations Coil Coatings Coatings Coil 16

Coatings Although a commercial application the next example also dramatically illustrates the superior performance of Kynar 500 This building was built in two phases nine years apart Note that there is no color difference between the original roof and the addition addition Original Building With examples like these it s obvious that Kynar 500 PVDF coatings are the Best option when long service life color retention and chalk resistance are important Yet uninformed homeowners still often select a Silicone Modified Polyester paint system Why It s often because not every panel manufacturer or contractor offers Kynar 500 paint as one of their standard products In those cases installers may feel forced to sell the product they have available to them and oversell it as just as good as Kynar 500 Plainly put there is no paint system that is presently equal to or better than Kynar 500 Selecting Kynar 500 PVDF for your residential roof means a long lasting like new appearance year after year versus Silicone Modified Polyester SMP coatings which can begin to degrade and look aged after only a few years A metal roof is a big investment in your home It s important to understand these different types of paint systems make your selection and then only work with contractors who are willing to supply the product you select In summary if long term performance and like new appearance are important criteria to you metal roofs with a Galvalume substrate and PVDF Kynar 500 are your best bet Don t be afraid to ask potential contractors what substrate and coating they recommend for your project It could be a red flag if they don t know or try to steer you toward lower quality substrates and coatings 17

Warranties As indicated previously it s vitally important to consider the substrates and coating systems that you ll use on metal roofing for your home When the proper products are selected the warranty of the product is considerably less important but still important Surprised Consumers often associate warranty with dependability and performance This is not necessarily the case Take a look at this example from the automotive industry Most people would probably agree that an 84 000 Lexus GF Sedan offers higher performance than a 14 000 Hyundai If you compare warranties the Hyundai offers longer terms for most categories for both time frame and mileage Warranties are not always an indication of performance Hyundai Accent Lexus GS F 13 995 84 450 Basic Warranty 5 years 60 000 Miles 4 years 50 000 Miles Powertrain 10 years 100 000 Miles 6 years 70 000 Miles Corrosion Perforation 7 years 6 years Roadside Assistance 5 years 5 years WARRANTIES VS PERFORMANCE Price 18

Warranties The truth about roofing warranties Sadly the automotive industry doesn t have the market cornered on using warranties to sway buyers Many suppliers in the roofing industry both shingle and metal have jumped on the practice Lifetime warranties while quite popular simply don t guarantee acceptable performance for life Let s first take a look at shingle warranties Have you ever seen a shingle last for a lifetime Of course not However major shingle manufacturers still offer lifetime warranties even though everyone knows that a shingle won t perform for a lifetime In fairness there are some metal manufacturers who have taken the same approach The theory is that buyers will see the big heading on a warranty with a number of years and never read the fine print The reality is that many buyers don t take the time to fully understand warranties If you re still reading this eBook we re guessing you re smarter than that Just because a warranty has an extended time frame 45 years or even a lifetime it doesn t necessarily mean that the warranty is better or that the product offers better performance There are some easy buttons in life Warranties simply aren t one of them If you re going to factor warranty length into your purchase decision you should ask for a copy of the warranty and actually read it With metal panels here are some of the highpoints you should watch for 1 Length of Warranty Term Be extremely careful with this one There are many ways for manufacturers to manipulate this information One of the most common approaches is to prorate the amount of coverage While the big heading might say Lifetime or 45 Years the fine print and exclusions might reveal that your product may only be warrantied at 20 value within just a few short years 19

Warranties The truth about roofing warranties continued 2 Fade Chalk Allowed The summary table below was developed from prominent metal panel manufacturer warranties It will help you understand what to watch for with regard to fade and chalk a N ote that the fade and chalk Warranty Length is the same for both SMP and Kynar 500 That practice is actually quite common If you aren t paying close attention this practice leads you to the conclusion that the SMP paint systems must be as good as the Kynar 500 because they both have a 30 year warranty As we discussed earlier that s far from factual so it s important to dig a little deeper b C halk When you look at the intersection of the Chalk and Allowed columns things begin to make more sense Keep in mind that in regard to Chalk 10 is a perfect score of zero chalk so a higher number is better As you can see SMP panels can exhibit 50 chalk on roof applications and still be within the warranty terms When a Kynar 500 system falls below just 20 chalk for roofing it would be considered a warrantable situation Both are warranted for 30 years but the Kynar 500 warranty is written to much higher standards and tighter requirements as one would expect with the superior paint finish c Fade Here s where things really come into perspective Keep in mind that for Fade measurements a lower number is better In this example an SMP roof can experience up to 9 Delta E units of fade before it s in a warrantable situation Conversely Kynar 500 moves to a warranty situation once 5 delta e units of fade occur Again both warranty terms are 30 years but the Kynar 500 paint offers almost twice the protection of the SMP warranty green blue standard NEW weathered 10 Delta E standard new weathered 10 Delta E National Coil Coaters Association NCCA image showing 5 delta e fade differential Is this amount of fade acceptable for your home If not Kynar 500 coatings are the clear choice Silicone Modified Polyester SMP Kynar 500 PDVF Warranty Length Allowed Warranty Length Allowed CHALK 30 years Roof 5 30 years Roof 8 FADE 30 years Roof 9 30 years Roof 5 Note For chalk higher numbers indicate better performance For fade lower numbers indicate better performance 20

Warranties The truth about roofing warranties continued D I t s also important to note that per ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials procedures coating warranties specify that panel surfaces should be cleaned with cheese cloth and detergent before measurements are taken Don t Get Trapped by the Warranty Game Do not be blinded by long life fine print warranties that promise far beyond the known performance of either panel or coating or both Remember performance rather than warranty is a better gauge of quality and long term customer satisfaction Understand these warranty terms to protect yourself Fade Fading occurs when the environment attacks the pigment portion of the coating system Per ASTM D 2244 Method A procedures testing for fade occurs after all chalk and surface impurities have been removed using cheesecloth and detergent The faded area as shown in the image to the left represents an acceptable level of failure for Silicone Modified Polyester SMP coatings ChALK Chalking occurs when the environment attacks the resin in the coating system As the resin degrades it takes on a whitish appearance called chalk Shown is an acceptable level of failure for Silicone Modified Polyester SMP coatings Film Integrity Film integrity is the ability of the coating to stay adhered to the metal substrate Film integrity has little to do with fade and chalk ratings Therefore a bright red wall or roof can be a muted pink or even chalk white and the film will still be intact This is an acceptable level of failure for Silicone Modified Polyester SMP coatings Recommendations 1 Read and understand your supplier s warranty Kynar 500 SMP 2 Make purchasing decision based on panel performance not warranty 3 For long term customer satisfaction use the best combination of substrate and coatings As you might guess if the fade chalk is removed it s rare for numbers to ever exceed the warranty levels Remember this image By terms of the warranty the SMP coating on this project represents an acceptable level of failure Any claim would be denied 21

Warranties The truth about roofing warranties continued The harsh reality is that warranties regardless of the industry are often written to protect the manufacturer rather than the buyer Consequently we at McElroy Metal believe that installed performance is a better measure of quality than warranties As such we encourage all of our customers and dealers to take warranties with a grain of salt While they may certainly have a place in the decision making process they should never take center stage for the reasons just discussed Remedies in the event of a warrantable claim are another fine print area that deserves attention Many manufacturers liability is capped at the amount of money the homeowner paid for the material That is correct just the material Other manufacturers have liability limits that include material and labor 22

Panel Options While the options may seem overwhelming at first metal roofing systems are available in two basic types of systems Exposed Fastener and Concealed Fastener Exposed fastener panels Exposed fastener panels are the most economical option and they are typically installed over solid decking or existing shingles for re roof applications They are attached with fasteners that penetrate through the metal panel into the structure below Fasteners are available in the same color as the panel to make them visually less apparent Here are some examples of popular exposed fastener panels max rib mesa While panels like our Max Rib and Mesa panels were initially used in the post frame building market they have gained a foothold in the residential roofing market due to the combination of their aesthetics low price point and long term performance 5v Panels like our 5V offer the more traditional look of standing seam but with exposed fasteners 5V is especially popular along coastal areas met tile Panels like our Met Tile are exposed fastener panels that provide the appearance of tile with all the advantages and performance of metal Installation takes a fraction of the time In fact a single Met Tile panel can cover the equivalent area of 80 individual tiles 23

Panel Options Concealed Fastener Panels Concealed fastener panels are considered a step up from exposed fastener panels and they are traditionally more expensive The higher cost stems from both panel manufacturing and increases in the cost of contractor labor These types of panels cost more for manufacturers to produce and they also require crating to ensure they arrive in great condition Additionally widths of 16 to 18 are common for this family of panels This narrower width requires installers to handle twice as many panels as the exposed fastener panel options However the upside is that there are no exposed fasteners through the panel which offers greater curb appeal and improved weather durability Concealed fastener panels are joined together by integral locking seams that are fastened to the deck with fasteners and or clips hidden underneath the roofing panels Concealed fastener panels can either have vertical seams or look like metal shingles Vertical seam panels with concealed fasteners are referred to as Standing Seam Systems As you can see there are several subcategories within the concealed fastener family each offering slightly different panel heights and appearances Here are some examples of popular concealed fastener panels Medallion Lok 138T Panels like our Medallion Lok and 138T are installed with clips that attach directly to the deck You ll note the very small bends in the flat portion of the panel in the pictures above These minor bends are referred to as striations and they are generally offered at no additional cost Many manufacturers recommend the addition of striations to reduce the appearance of oil canning that can occur with metal panels Oil canning can make metal panels appear to be wavy instead of lying flat While not a defect nor cause for rejection oil canning is aesthetically troublesome to some owners If oil canning is a concern to you it should be discussed with your contractor during product selection Milan Shingle Not all concealed fastener systems fall in the standing seam category Panels like our Milan shingle are quickly finding a foothold with homeowners who desire the long term advantages of metal but aren t quite ready to give up the appearance of shingles Metal shingles have tabs that enable the roofing panels to be directly attached to the roof deck The fasteners and tabs are then concealed by adjoining panels Milan is also available in simulated slate and cedar shingle profiles Meridian Panels like our Meridian are considered Clipless Standing Seam panels because they simply attach to the roof deck with pancake head fasteners through a slot hidden under the panel When a standing seam panel is desired clipless systems like our Meridian are the most economical option 24

Panel Options Additional Panel Choices While not every manufacturer offers them across any or all of their product lines you should also become familiar with two other panel options In Seam Sealant is the term for a small bead of sealant that is injected into one of the upright legs of standing seam panels during production Some but not all manufacturers add an extra charge for this sealant These sealants can offer a secondary layer of defense if water were to penetrate the vertical leg of the panel Additionally some manufacturers offer panels with factory formed eave notching like the ones shown below There are different ways to treat common edge conditions such as ridges gables and eaves with metal roofing If an architectural or concealed trim detail is used there are no fasteners exposed on the trim or the panel In these situations it is common for the installer to notch the panel at the eave and fold it over the eave trim While many contractors make this modification by hand in the field some manufacturers offer eave notching to automate the process When available eave notching can save your contractor time and provide a cleaner more professional eave detail for those applications where an architectural concealed fastener trim detail is desired Factory Formed Eave notch reduces jobsite labor and approves curb appeal Step 1 Factory Formed Eave Notch Step 2 Eave Notch folded under Eave Trim on the jobsite Step 3 Factory Eave Notch creates a crisp aesthetically pleasing appearance along the edge of the roof 25

Contractor Selection If you re intrigued by all the benefits that metal roofing offers the next step is to identify qualified contractors in your area who specialize in metal roofing As you might guess contractors that only dabble or occasionally install metal roofing often steer homeowners toward shingles because it s their comfort zone Do not let their comfort zone push you to accept a shorter term solution for one of the biggest investments you have your home If you re having trouble finding contractors with experience in metal roofing you might check out the Find a Contractor feature on our website Simply enter your zip code adjust the desired distance range and select Residential Roofing from the drop down menu on the right side You ll find a list of installers in your area who have experience with metal roofing projects Not all of our customers choose to be listed on our website so please contact us if your search comes up empty Check them out first These next steps are critical Before picking up the phone or sending an email to request an estimate take the time to check out the contractor a bit 1 ask around a Ask family and friends about their recent projects and who they would recommend 2 Review contractor websites A Look for things like customer testimonials and types of products offered B If you can find any content on substrates and paint systems give it a read C If they happen to list any vendors on their website check out those websites too D I f they blog take the time to read several blogs and decide if they seem like a reputable company you d like to work with E Look to see if there are names of owners team members on the website 3 Search the internet A While you re online do some general investigative work B I n most cases it s as simple as doing an internet search for reviews for XYZ Roofing in city state and hitting go C Y ou may find plenty of positive things which is great but also be on the lookout for negative experiences reported to agencies like the Better Business Bureau 26

Contractor Selection THEN make the call After you ve done your research and identified your top two or three contenders it s finally time to make the call When you reach out ask about their experience product recommendations and process to get a metal roofing estimate While you re certainly not limited below are a few questions to help as you begin your conversations with contractors How long have you been installing residential metal roofing How many different metal roofing projects have you completed What different types of systems have you used Which system is your preferred one and why What substrate do you use What paint system do you use for residential metal roof projects and why What training has your crew had for residential metal roofing What warranty can I expect on both the product and the installation If I have a warranty claim does it include labor or just product replacement Could you give me a list of references where you ve completed residential metal roofing 27

Metal Construction Association MCA Certified Products While contractor selection is critical to a good residential metal roofing installation it s also important to ensure you re receiving certified products The UL Label and the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval are intended to give consumers a level of confidence in the products they choose The Metal Construction Association MCA is an organization of manufacturers and suppliers whose metal products are used in structures throughout the world Since it was formed in 1983 the MCA has focused on promoting the use of metal in the building industry through marketing and education The MCA also developed a Metal Roofing Certification program to assist homeowners and professionals in choosing the right metal roof based on their needs The MCA Roofing Certification is based on industry standards published in the Guide Specification for Residential Metal Roofing This program offers certification in the categories of both substrates and coatings Roofing products that meet the MCA Metal Roofing Certification criteria may be promoted as Metal Construction Association Certified Premium Painted Metal Construction Association Certified Standard Painted or Metal Construction Association Certified Natural Look for this label on bundle packaging This Certified Premium Painted label is your assurance that your roof panels are coated with a high quality Kynar 500 PVDF coating 28

Summary Thanks for hanging with us to the end If you ve read this far chances are that you too might be growing weary of the constant churn of shingle replacement on your home In this eBook we explored just some of the reasons why metal roofing is growing in popularity From recyclability to energy efficiency and long service life the product is starting to make too much sense for homeowners like you to ignore Are you ready to switch to a metal roof so that your next roof might just be your last If so contact us and let us know how we can help make your next roof the last roof you will ever need 29

Distributed by:

ACR METAL ROOFING & SIDING DISTRIBUTORS  

4976 PA-419, Womelsdorf, PA 19567 

 info@acrmetal.com  ·  800-325-1247 

https://www.acrmetal.com/metalroofingandsidingfrommcelroy