The process of installing roofing sheets begins with the selection of materials, which fit the bill, and your needs. Roofing sheets come in all shapes and sizes, but due to the large number of variants, there isn’t one roofing solution that is suitable for all purposes. Hence, deciding on the type of roofing solution should be the first step towards installing it.
Initially, builders used roofing sheets for commercial structures, but nowadays, the trend has gradually shifted towards residential complexes, as people now see the benefits of pre-fabricated roofing solutions. Some popular variants of roofing sheet includes:
Corrugated Roofing Sheets:
Corrugated roofing sheets are known for their strength. These sheets are stronger in comparison to other types of sheets because of their shape. Galvanized steel roofing sheet are the base material for any type of sheets which are usually covered by polyester paints or PVC plastisols.
Metal sheets painted with polyester are commonly used in agricultural buildings due to their lifespan, which kind of sits in the middle of the pack, as the sheets require maintenance every five to ten years.
Roofing sheets covered with PVC plastisol are well-known for their longer lifespan and durability. It is a form of steel sheet that first gets treated with a primer paint and then has PVC rolled on top of it. This whole process makes the sheets durable, as they don’t fade or scratch easily and last at least 30 years.
Metal Roofing Sheets:
Metal roofing sheets are similar to corrugated roofing sheets but have fewer curves in their structure. These are commonly used in garden buildings and garages and provide excellent roof coverage. The sheets are light yet durable. Colour roofing sheet are also available in the market allowing you to choose the one which suits your paint colour. For added benefits, one can also combine roof light panels with these types of roofs, depending on the overall size of the roof’s layout. As far as roofing solutions are concerned, these kinds of roofing sheets are some of the best ways to let in a lot of light without adding additional weight to the structure.
Polycarbonate Roofing Sheets:
Polycarbonate roofing sheets are made up of tough and lightweight material – high-impact polypropylene resin. Polycarbonate sheets are also pH neutral, which means at normal temperatures there won’t be adverse effect from oil, water or solvents. So, weather won’t be an issue in terms of impacting the roofing sheet ability. Also, polycarbonate sheets aren’t affected by harsh chemical exposures. People can also choose from a wide range of special finishes, which may add characteristics like protection against UV rays, flames, corrosive inhibitors, anti-static, static dissipative and even customized colours.
After selecting the variant of roofing sheet that suits your requirements, the following are the steps that will lead to a perfect aligned pre-fabricated roof:
The process to follow while Installing Roofing Sheets
Cutting the roofing sheet
Many roofing sheets come pre-cut from the manufacturing site, so you won’t really need to worry about it. But in case you end up doing it yourself then there are some things that you should keep in mind.
- First, mark the layout with a marker.
- Use proper cutting tools like a circular saw, angle grinder, nibbler or tip snips.
- Do not use excessive heat. Heat can damage the coating, or at the very least, cause discolouration, which never looks good.
- Remove any leftover swarf.
Laying Sheet
This step is the trickiest part, as the sheets need to be aligned in a proper way or you’ll have to do it all over again.
- Start with cleaning out the roof and taking care of old shingles.
- After cleaning, spread the sheets directly over the purlins, which are attached to the trusses on the roof. Always start laying the sheets from the outside edge.
Screw The Panels
Use appropriate roof fasteners with polycarbonate washers. Lap over the panels by at least 5.5 cm, and adjust the lap so that the last installed panel completes the layout without making additional lengthwise cuts.
In terms of a two-sided roof repeat the steps and install a ridge cap.
For more information on roofing sheet screws or roofing sheet distributors, check out Screw Expert