Today metal tile deservedly enjoys considerable popularity as a material for roofing. Sheets of this material of standard sizes do not cause particular difficulty during installation. However, often the complexity of the design and geometric shapes of the roof requires cutting sheets. In our article we will talk about how to cut metal tiles. There are many opinions on this matter. Therefore, this issue is very relevant for most builders.
Design features and advantages of metal tiles
A metal tile is a thin profiled sheet made of cold-rolled thin metal with certain wave sizes and shapes.
Due to the imitation of natural tiles, metal tiles are also able to give any home a rich and presentable look.
Given such a feature of the metal tile as its lightness (1m2 weighs from 4.5 to 6 kg), most individual developers decide to install the roofing on their own.
Of particular difficulty is the cutting of metal tiles in different directions during the installation of particularly complex roof structures.
Particularly important advantages of the material:
- beautiful decorative roofing material with durable properties and relatively low cost.
- The relative ease of installation allows you to manage on your own.
- Laying by professionals is characterized by low labor costs and high productivity.
- Excellent lightweight material - an excellent solution for a weak foundation and the bearing capacity of the rafters. Moreover, there is a reason to save on the crate.
- Thanks to a wide range of colors and various shapes, it allows you not to limit creative design ideas.
- Installation can be done at any time of the year, as the material is not afraid of changes in humidity and temperature.
- It has a smooth surface, which provides a free stack of water and sliding of the snow cap.
- The roof withstands mechanical damage, high temperatures and ultraviolet radiation.
- High service life - up to 50 years, despite the fact that the first 15-20 years no repairs need to be made.
- Sheets of material can be tinted and, if necessary, easily replaced.
Sequence of installation of metal tiles
A metal tile is essentially tin. That is, the question should not arise: how to cut a metal tile?
However, this is only theoretically everything is very simple, but in practice, how many methods for cutting it - there are so many different opinions. There is no unified opinion on this matter.
The main sequence of stages of installation of roofing from metal tiles:
- Preparation for the entire technological process.
- Roof measurements and calculation of the necessary materials.
- Arrangement of a waterproofing carpet.
- Arrangement roof battens.
- Preparation for the installation of roofing.
In order to properly install the metal tile, you will need the following tools:
- Drill or special screwdriver.
- Mallet (rubber mallet).
- A brush with soft bristles.
- Roulette.
- Carpenter's pencil (marker).
- The rail is long.
- Level.
As well as a tool specially designed for trimming metal tiles.
Basic tools for cutting metal tiles
From a technical point of view, cutting a metal tile is a very simple process.
However, there are a number of nuances that make you think about how metal tiles are cut. The main thing in this case is to take into account the purpose of the metal tile as a roofing material.
Recall that the metal tile has a fairly resistant anti-corrosion polymer coating of different materials, which provides high performance roofing.
You need to know: All options for cutting metal tiles, as a result of which the cut metal section heats up significantly, are categorically excluded. We discard such methods without regret, despite the fact that some of them are performed quite conveniently and quickly. This method also includes cutting metal tiles with a grinder using an abrasive wheel for metal.
So what is the tool for cutting metal tiles?
We recommend using a traditional metal tool. Moreover, most experts insist that it is correct to say "trimming of metal tiles." Let's listen to their opinion and we.
So, how to cut metal tiles, with what tool? You will need these tools:
- Hand shears for metal or nibbling electric shears.
- Hacksaw for metal.
- Electric jigsaw.
- Disc for cutting metal tiles
- Circular saw with carbide teeth.
It is important to know: the metal tile has a complex profile with 90-degree turns, so it is rather problematic and difficult to use ordinary manual metal shears.
Therefore, the majority of hired workers, and even individual developers, manage to use an angle grinder “Bulgarian” for this purpose, which has discs for cutting metal tiles.
They, thereby, violate the manufacturer's instructions, which clearly state that the use of an angle grinder as a cutting of metal tiles is strictly prohibited.
Moreover, such requirements are put forward by all manufacturers, without exception: both domestic and foreign.
So is it possible to cut a metal tile with a grinder? The answer to this question is unequivocal: no, it is strictly prohibited.
And you do not need to trust the controversy of builders, which they lead on many construction sites about the use of a grinder.
You need to trust the manufacturers of roofing material, because they test their products and therefore know what tools can be used to cut the roofing so that it serves the declared warranty and post-warranty period faithfully, without repair or even replacement.
What happens to the metal tile during its cutting with a grinder? At the site of the cut, excessive heating of the metal occurs and damage to its polymer, and often zinc, layers. Near the cut, favorable conditions are created for the progression of corrosion, which subsequently occurs.
It is important to know: if you do not immediately sweep away the scale, then it melts the polymer coating, and after a while you will find that the roofing coating is hopelessly damaged. All places where red-hot scale has fallen will change their color over time (burn out unevenly) and lose their anti-corrosion properties.
So how to cut a metal tile so as not to damage its decorative properties and roofing qualities. a tool specially designed for this.
And if hired workers who do not have such a tool come to you, drive them in the neck.
It is quite understandable that they save money and do not want to buy a tool due to its high cost. However, such waste will pay off very quickly, and the roofing is guaranteed to last the period declared by the manufacturer. And this, you see, is very important.
One such tool, which is ideal for curved structures and does not heat up the metal, is electric shears for cutting metal tiles.
They are also called "cutting" or "cutting" manual electric scissors. This tool is quite small. Its design feature: two comfortable handles and a matrix holder.
What is important: scissors for cutting metal tiles have a speed no lower than that of a grinder. The higher the die holder, the more manoeuvrable the tool is, it will easily overcome even 90-degree turns of metal with a deep profile.
The matrix holder is quite simple to unfold and turn, so it is quite possible to perform even the most complex undercuts.
Since it is absolutely not necessary to rest the handle against the sheet that you are cutting - the tool tilts easily, which is very simple and convenient.
Another indisputable advantage of electric scissors is that they do not leave burrs on the edges. Accordingly, it will not be necessary to take additional measures for their processing.
The places of cuts made by a professional material specially designed for cutting metal tiles are not afraid of moisture and retain their original qualities, including anti-corrosion.
There is another tool that can be used for high-quality cutting of profiled metal sheets - a special nozzle for a drill for cutting metal tiles.
This tool is an addition to a conventional electric drill. It is a punch and a matrix that is inserted under the roofing sheet.
During the operation of the electric drill, the punch is set in motion and cuts a strip of the required shape from above in the sheet of metal.To work with such a tool, you will need to develop a certain skill.
Therefore, many "impatient" builders try not to bother and not spend money on acquiring such a tool, especially since it will not work for other things. And here is how it happens: I want to buy one tool "of all trades."
For those who have not yet decided how to cut metal tiles, and do not want to purchase a special tool for cutting profiled sheets, you can limit yourself to old "grandfather" tools.
For example, use a regular hacksaw for metal.
Cutting in this way does not heat up the cut, so the polymer coating does not lose its anti-corrosion properties. But this cutting method is very inconvenient in curly cutting, and too slow.
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