The devil’s in the metal details

By Evelyn Witterholt. 

Why the details matter so much when it comes to restoring metal roofing systems.  

Looking at a commercial metal roof (the type you see on warehouses and industrial buildings), it might appear simple at first – especially for standing seam systems that, at first glance, look just like a panel of metal that’s been attached to the roof with fasteners. But as anyone who has worked on a metal roof can tell you, the devil’s in the details. To dive into the hidden intricacies of metal, Western Colloid’s president, Greg Hlavaty stopped by for an Understanding Roof Restoration podcast episode on restoring metal roofing.  

Greg opened the conversation by discussing the actual design of a commercial metal roof – from the slope of the system to the hidden fasteners under the overlapping panels. Each of these features requires careful consideration, both in the initial installation of the roof and any subsequent restorations. As Greg put it, “You need somebody that knows what they're doing in restoring or repairing that roof as the contractor really is the key to the future performance of the roof. They need to know the configurations of these metal roofs and how to attack each one differently.” 

An example of needing to understand why all of the details that go into a metal roof are vital is when a metal roof has a leak. Leaks in metal roofs can come from a lot of different sources, as Greg explained: 

There are rubber grommets on those hidden fasteners. And as they get older, the rubber wears out and you can have leaks start at those fastener holes...Another source of leaks is people walking on the panels. It crimps the metal between joists, and that bend in the metal creates a place where water collects and then finds its way inside. 

But the throughline of these leak sources and others is that you need to know what you’re looking for and the right way to fix it. Greg shared, “If they're not attacked properly, you can create more leaks in a roof by doing an improper sealing than what was there before.” 

Overall, as metal roofing continues to rise in popularity due to its durability and longevity, it’s important for contractors and other professionals to fully understand all the details and factors that impact the installation, maintenance and eventual restoration of these roof systems. 

Listen to the entire podcast to learn more.