The beautiful and even somewhat fabulous term “skate” is fraught with many difficulties and worries. But now, roofing work on this uppermost roof element is greatly simplified due to the fact that manufacturers have mastered the production of special good elements. In this article we will talk about how the installation of the metal roof ridge is carried out.
What it is
Such skates are a profiled metal sheet that looks like an outer corner. They are edged inwards with pressed folds of 1.5 cm along the edges.
The complete set of such additional elements includes the necessary accessories, as well as additional parts. These include special fasteners and sealing washers that provide proper sealing and prevent roofing from leaking.
Additional accessories are usually selected from the same type of material as the entire roof. In this case, it is necessary to take into account its color, as well as the architectural style.
metal roof ridges are used to decorate the upper edge on pitched roofs of buildings of various purposes - residential buildings, summer cottages, industrial and agricultural buildings and structures.
Given the fact that roofs are different in shape, the data types of additional elements are also divided into several types.
The main types of ridge elements for metal roofs
A properly mounted ridge for a metal tile is almost invisible on the roof. Such an element is placed, very often, along with additional ventilation parts.
Here are its main types.
- Semicircular skate. Used for installation at the joints of slopes. From the end parts it is closed with special plugs that give it a finished look.
- Straight (rectangular) skate. It is used for various types of pitched roofs made of metal tiles. It costs less than a semicircular counterpart, in addition, plugs are not needed for it. In its appearance, it slightly loses to the previous type.
- Narrow decorative horse. It plays more of an aesthetic role than a functional one. It is used in the arrangement of tent-type roofs, spiers, as well as arbors.
- Curved ridge elements with a straight or gable end.
- T- and Y-curved skates.They are used to fasten straight skates in the areas where they adjoin each other.
- End trim elements are used to cover the gables.
Seals for additional elements for the ridge
Note! Skate seals for metal tiles are a very important element of the drain. They reliably prevent the ingress of precipitation - rain and snow into the interior of the roof, and then into the premises of the building.
Any of those who live in their own home are aware of what water leaks through the roof are, which is why repairs have to be done almost every year.
Some experts believe that this problem can only occur when the roofing was of poor quality. But this is far from true. To avoid it, it is necessary and reliably to seal the upper edge of the roof. This is what gaskets are for.
Thanks to the use of such an additional element, not only the interior of the house is isolated, but also the service life of the heat-insulating material, as well as the truss system, is extended.
As a result, all interior decoration will also last much longer, and sound insulation and wind protection will become more reliable.
Based on the foregoing, it is strongly recommended to install seals, before attaching the metal tile ridge, between it and the roof base.
This is especially true for hipped roofs and those areas where the ridge is mounted diagonally in relation to the roof slope.
Now manufacturers produce three main types of seals, these are: self-expanding, universal, and also profile devices.
The profile type is distinguished by the fact that it is based on a special foamed polyethylene. Universal seals are made from polyurethane foam, it works like an ordinary filter.
Air passes through its thickness without any problems, but, at the same time, it does not allow excessive moisture to accumulate and, in addition, does not allow snow and dirt to pass under the roofing sheets.
The self-expanding variety is made from polyurethane foam, which is impregnated with a polymer, usually acrylic.
On the surface of such a seal, for ease of installation, there is a self-adhesive area covered with a protective strip. This type is great for filling any gaps.
Installation of the skate
The metal roof tile has only one purpose: to close the upper edges of the roofing sheets and securely tie the slopes of your roof with it.
Note! It is recommended to select the width of the shelves of the ridge corner at least 15cm. Otherwise, strong winter winds can sweep snow into the attic.
In addition, it should be mentioned that skates that do not have a rim have insufficient rigidity and, after installation, do not look very nice from below.
First you need to purchase a set of metal skates, calculated along the length of the roof. At the same time, do not forget to take into account the obligatory overlap of them on each other at least 5 cm.
Before roofing works prepare a ladder and insurance. Of the tools, you will definitely need a construction cord, self-tapping screws and an electric drill with a nozzle for them or a screwdriver.
It is most convenient to do the work together, and even better, three of us with partners, because moving back and forth along the upper ridge edge of the roof is very difficult. Assistants will make things easier for you.
- The first thing you will need to do is make sure that the ridge axle is level (this is the area where all the top edges of the roof meet). A small degree of curvature (no more than 2 cm) will not be able to affect the mounted ridge. However, more significant deviations will need to be corrected as much as possible.
- Even if you purchased additional elements with a shelf width of more than 20 cm, do not forget to lay a light layer of glass wool in the ridge grooves. Do not overdo it with the seal, otherwise you may interfere with ventilation. This measure will protect the roof from the wind sweeping snow under the waves of the roof sheets.
- You can also use industrial seals, the so-called "fillers", which we have already described above. You should immediately warn that they are quite expensive.
- Next, your serving assistant should pick up one ridge corner, accept it. Your second partner on the opposite side of the roof should do the same.
- Then the ridge metal tile should be laid by you on the outer edge of the roof ridge, flush with the outermost of the roofing sheets. Be sure to keep the proportions and try not to allow too much vertical clearance.
- Your assistant, at this time, on the opposite side of the roof should ensure that the inner edge additional roof element did not move out, or did not warp, relative to the axis.
- If everything went well, fix the outer edge of the ridge to the roof with screws. The same must be done with the other element. This is followed by the turn of the cord.Fasten its ends to the edge, the zero point of metal skates, by any method convenient for you. Rising slightly above the cord, look at the line of the skate.
- Align and fix the inner sides of the ridge corners according to this guideline.
- Following this, you can mount the remaining strips, observing their position relative to the cord.
- How to fix the ridge on the metal tile. Screw in the screws not infrequently and not often. Just, from time to time, check the corners so that they do not flap. Otherwise, in strong winds, you will hear annoying sounds.
After fixing with screws, along the crests of the waves of the tiles, all the ridge corners, ask the assistant standing below: is everything okay? If you hear a positive answer, collect the cord and get down to the ground - your work is over.
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