Seam roofing: technology, advantages and disadvantages, metals used, device features, traditional technology, installation of fences

With all the variety of roofing materials, many homeowners prefer metal roofing. Consider the question: seam roofing is a construction technology.

A bit of theory

Before proceeding with the description of the technology for creating seam roofs, you need to get acquainted with the basic terms that builders use.

• Seam roofing is a covering in which the connection of adjacent elements is carried out using folds;
• Painting. This is the name of an element of roofing material, the edges of which are prepared to create seam joints;
• A fold or seam connection is a type of seam with which sheets of metal roofing material are fastened together.

In modern construction, a metal seam roof is mounted from metal, the thickness of which can range from 450 to 800 mm, and the width - from 600 to 800 mm.

Seam joints can be recumbent (used for horizontal connection of sheets of roofing material) and standing (used for seams running along the slope).

There are the following types of folds (Footnote 1):

• recumbent single;
• recumbent double;
• standing single;
• standing double.

To create a seam connection, either a hand tool or an electromechanical device is used. In addition, today there is a roofing material equipped with self-locking seams.

When using such material, the use of a tool is not required. The most hermetic is considered to be a double standing seam, which is a longitudinal connection of two roofing paintings, which protrudes above the roof plane, and the edges of the paintings have a double bend.

Advantages and disadvantages of seam roofing

It should be noted that the seam roofing device has both its advantages and a number of disadvantages, as well as any other type of roofing.

Roof manufacturers highlight a number of advantages (Footnote 2):

• Tightness. To fix the fold, you do not need to make holes in the material (unlike metal tiles, corrugated board or soft roofing). Tightness is achieved due to hidden fastening, a smooth surface of the material, on which moisture does not linger, at the joints of which condensation does not form.
• Seam roofing with a polymer coating, made of galvanized steel (zinc content 275 g/m2), is presented in a variety of colors. There are more than 50 colors of seam roofing.
• It is used for roofs of an unusual configuration (spiers, towers, bay windows). For this, a double seam connection is used.
• Resistance to negative external influences (UV radiation, strong gusts of wind, snow load, precipitation).
• Corrosion resistance (due to galvanization and polymer coating).
• The service life of a folded roof is more than 50 years.
• The material has a low weight and sufficient strength, rigidity due to the presence of additional stiffeners.

The disadvantages include:

• Weak soundproofing properties (during rain, the sound of drops hitting metal is heard).
• The complexity of installation (it is quite difficult to find a specialist who can properly mount such a roof).
• When choosing galvanized steel as a material, the aesthetic indicators of the roof are low. Copper roofing or zinc-titanium roofing looks much more attractive, but these materials are quite expensive.
• The roof has the ability to accumulate electrostatic voltage. During its construction, it is necessary to make a lightning rod.

Metals that are used for building seam roofing

To carry out the manufacture of seam roofing, the following types of metal are used:

• Roofing galvanized steel with a thickness of 0.45 to 0.70 cm. Such a coating will last 25-30 years;
• Roofing steel coated with polymeric materials. A material with high anti-corrosion and decorative properties. Service life - about 30 years.
• Roof copper. This material is produced in rolls and can have a different relief, for example, imitating tiles. Copper roofing is one of the most durable, it can last for a century.
• Roofing aluminium. Durable material, such a roof can last 80 years.
• Roofing zinc-titanium. One of the most difficult materials to install, but subject to construction technology, a roof made of this material will last forever.

Features of the roofing device on seam joints

When constructing a seam roof, the device must be carried out in full compliance with the technology.

When using seam technology, it is possible to cover roofs with a slope of more than 14 degrees. It is possible to use such a roof on more gentle roofs (slope from 7 degrees), but in this case, the use of a double seam and additional sealing in the form of a gasket made of silicone sealant is required.

Another important condition that must be met when installing a seam roof is that all connecting parts (nails, bolts, clamps, wire, etc.) must be made of zinc-coated steel.

Otherwise, the fasteners will fail before the roofing material itself, and the roof will need to be repaired.

When installing hard roofs, it is extremely important to competently carry out work on the installation of heat and waterproofing, as well as to provide a sufficiently effective ventilation system for the under-roof space.

Failure to comply with this requirement will lead to the fact that condensate will accumulate on the reverse side of the metal sheets covering the roof. And this will contribute to corrosion processes, which will lead to rapid wear of the roof.

Such a roof can be installed both on a crate and on a solid base. At the same time, it is extremely important that the crate under the seam roof is carried out in compliance with the calculated step.

If this condition is not met, metal sheets may sag, which will lead to deformation of the coating and its weakening. In places where the roof adjoins walls or pipes, as well as in places where gutters and cornice overhangs are installed, a solid base is required. And if the roof has a complex shape, then almost the entire base area should be solid.

Traditional technology used in the installation of seam roofing

The traditional seam roof installation technology is still used in modern construction, however, it is increasingly being replaced by a more modern technique. Consider both ways to create metal roofs.

When using traditional technology, the work can be divided into several stages.

• The first stage is the production of paintings that will be used to cover the slopes and other details of the roof (gutters, overhangs, etc.). To do this, according to the drawing of the roof, blanks-pictures are made of metal, and the edges of these parts are bent, preparing them for creating seam joints.
• The second stage consists in raising the prepared paintings to the roof and connecting them with a standing seam (usually single, but sometimes double is also used.)
• Then the installed paintings are attached to the crate with the help of clamps, one end of which is led into the fold, and the other is attached to the crate beam.
• At the last stage, aprons made of galvanized steel are installed on all openings (at pipes, ventilation products, etc.).

Advice! When using sheets of roofing metal with a length of more than 10 meters, they should be fastened to the crate using "floating" clamps. In this case, the roof will not lose its tightness during temperature deformations.

Modern installation technology used when installing seam roofing

In modern construction, more and more often, rolled seam roofing technology is used. This technique differs in that the metal is delivered to the construction site in rolls and, already in place, using special equipment, it is cut into paintings of the required length.

This avoids the need to make horizontal sheet joints, which increases the tightness of the roof.

The connection of the paintings is carried out using an electromechanical device that performs a double standing seam. Silicone sealant can be used for additional sealing.

Advantages of modern technology:

• Possibility of making pictures of any length;
• The use of a mobile rolling mill allows you to get the most durable and tight connection;
• Fastening of metal with the help of hidden clamps without the use of other hardware serves as a guarantee of the absence of corrosion in the places of fastening and increases the durability of the roof.

Features of work with roofing zinc-titanium and copper

When installing zinc-titanium roofing, care must be taken to ensure that installers handle the sheets of material with care. This type of roofing must not be thrown, marked or marked by scratching. If you need to mark zinc-titanium sheets, then you should use a marker.

In addition, when working with zinc-titanium, workers must have special tools - bending tongs, shaped and straight scissors, etc. It is forbidden to mount this material if the ambient temperature is less than five degrees Celsius.

Almost the same requirements apply when working with copper. In addition, you should be aware that copper sheets can only be laid on a continuous crate.

Installation of fences when installing seam roofs

Such a detail as a fence for a seam roof is necessary in order to:

• Reduce the melting of ice and snow, which will prevent the risk of damage to people's health and their property, as well as the risk of damage to green spaces located near the building;
• Improve working conditions when performing roof maintenance work;
• Prevent possible damage to the drainage system.

Roof railings are installed in accordance with the requirements that are fixed in the regulatory document SNiP 21-01-9.

According to this document, the fence should be installed on all roofs with an angle of up to 12 degrees and a height from the eaves of more than 10 meters, as well as on roofs with a slope of more than 12 degrees and a height of more than 7 meters from the eaves.

In addition, the seam roof fencing should have an attractive appearance so as not to spoil the look of the house. As a rule, profile pipes or similar material are used for the manufacture of fences.

To improve the appearance and increase the service life of the fence parts can be painted using polymer powder paint.

conclusions

Thus, if all the work was carried out in compliance with the rules of technology and the requirements of snip - the seam roof can be considered one of the most durable and unpretentious coatings in operation.

Such a roof can be recommended for installation both in private houses and in public buildings.

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