29 gauge steel (the standard in the post frame industry) has an average thickness of .0172 of an inch (with a minimum of .0142). Warning: Never walk on a metal roof it has moisture on it. Walking or standing on a metal roof which does not have a plywood or other deck beneath it is not recommended. Customer service and pricing available from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm MST Monday – Friday. Sorry if that’s not the answer you were looking for. Metal roofs can be extremely slick when they have moisture on them. Generally speaking, it is as safe to walk on a metal roof 30 or 50 years after installation as the day it was installed. The term “metal roof” is a category of roofing material. Our standard thicknesses are 26 gauge or 29 gauge. Metal roofs are more slippery than some other roofing products, so you must wear the right footwear in order to safely walk on your roof. Our metal roofing is available in many different colors, as well as galvalume. This article describes sources and types of walk-on roof surface roofing materials, systems, installation suggestions, and product sources. You won't be able to walk on the roof as easily as you can on an asphalt roof. The company indicates that 29-gauge metal is the thinnest metal that's recommended for use on homes. The answer is: you should not walk on a wet metal roof, period. Please don’t underestimate the value of the right footwear, as even professional roofers fall from roofs with fatal results. Panels in both size gauges provide the durability benefits of metal. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Benefits of Metal Roofing in Wildland Urban Interface Areas, Metal Roof Performance in Coastal High Wind Regions, Decra Shingle XD – An Impressive 50-Year Roof, Metal Roofing and the 2018 California Carr Fire – How One Home Survived, fall protection is a must for any roofing work. “Low-slope details must incorporate waterproof elements within their design to accommodate the potential for ponding water,” Bush says. Panels in both size gauges provide the durability benefits of metal. The Cost of a Metal Roof. If you do have to walk on the metal roof,or if you’re hiring someone to go out and walk on your metal roof, a couple points of wisdom here: Make sure that when you’re metal roof was installed you talk to the contractor ask them for advice on how to walk properly on the metal roof that’s on your house. There’s not a huge difference in price for the better product, but you’ll definitely see a big difference in performance against hail and other dents. Yet, they were still just metal roofs, until they started coming in different colors and now, we have stone coated steel roof s, bringing a … To make the cutting process easier, make sure the work area is wide enough so that you can have enough room to move freely and handle the material with ease. You can, but you have to know how to do it without causing damage. If it feels like you’ve got debris underfoot, then be careful not to grind it in or you could damage the metal surface. Union Corrugating Company manufactures metal roofing in 29, 26 and 24 gauges. The walkboard should be placed (foam side down) on the forming structural support beams, cross members or solid decking and only … Non-structural panel: A non-structural panel system uses two sections. The answer is: you should not walk on a wet metal roof, period. We also provide a MASTER INDEX to this topic, or you can try the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find information you need.. Walkable Roof Surfaces - Design, Product Sources, Installation Once upon a time, someone said it was impossible to walk on metal roofs, and a great myth was born. The plastic ones that come with the kits do not quite measure up to the detail of the rest of the model. But there is a RIGHT way to do it! They are fire-resistant, low maintenance, and protect against corrosion. And if you’re uncomfortable going on the roof, or you’re scared of heights, then simply don’t do it – get a buddy or a professional who’s confident enough to do it in your place. You might be thinking: “How different can standing seam metal roofing and exposed fastener metal roofing really be?”. “Low-slope details must incorporate waterproof elements within their design to accommodate the potential for ponding water,” Bush says. This article describes sources and types of walk-on roof surface roofing materials, systems, installation suggestions, and product sources. Even asphalt gets damaged from repeated traffic, something that isn’t necessarily true of metal. Metal Roof: a few details on 29 gauge 5 rib roofs - YouTube Unlike flimsy aluminum roofing, which can be slippery and dents easily, an Erie Metal Roof is thick-gauge steel coated with and coated with stone, which makes the roof perfectly safe to walk on. To prevent damage, low-slope roofs must be correctly designed and installed to divert moisture in the form of rain, snow, condensation and ice away from the building. Here's how you can remember how to tell the thickness of metal like that. Avoid working on metal roofs during wet conditions when the panels can become extremely slippery. 28 gauge steel has an average thickness of .0187 (minimum .0157) and 26 gauge is .0217 (minimum .0187). Many people automatically assume, when they hear “metal roofing,” that the “metal” being referred to is steel. Neither 29- nor 26-gauge metals may be the best option if you live in an area that's prone to high winds and severe weather conditions. If you need to go onto the roof frequently—perhaps to service solar panels or to adjust a satellite dish—you may be better off installing conventional shingles. In the real world, you can indeed walk on metal roofs, but how and where will depend on the style of roofing you’ve chosen. On a wood framed building with half those spacings or less, it’s just overkill. Ponding water will find its way into a building at seams, fastener points and penetrations. The plastic ones that come with the kits do not quite measure up to the detail of the rest of the model. A 29-gauge metal panel can have the same impact-resistance rating from Underwriters’ Laboratory (UL) as a 26-gauge panel; the advantage of thicker metal panels in this case is that they are less prone to denting. Remember, when it comes to gauge: the higher the number, the thinner the material. Therefore the lower the gauge the thicker the metal. While each system utilizes some of the same materials and ultimately performs the same function of covering and protecting a structure, standing seam and exposed fastener systems are drastically different in their benefits and drawbacks. Maybe surprisingly, a lot of roofers like shoes like Chuck’s All-Stars, tennis shoes, Converse, and skate shoes, because they’re often completely flat soles intended for good grip. They are fire-resistant, low maintenance, and protect against corrosion. 29 gauge takes 29 sheets to make an inch whereas 26 gauge only takes 26 pieces to make an inch. We have a wide variety of panels that can be used for metal roofing, commercial buildings, residential buildings, pole barns, utility buildings, or anything else to fulfill your metal roofing needs. By understanding dent protection, you can dramatically improve your roof without much impact to your wallet. You really can buy a thinner 29 gauge metal roof or a thicker 29 gauge metal roof. OSHA standards dictate that fall protection is a must for any roofing work. Measure and mark the length (on both sides) you need to cut. You won't be able to walk on the roof as easily as you can on an asphalt roof. If trapped between the metal roofing and old roofing, moisture can build up and cause mold and rot. Ponding water will find its way into a building at seams, fastener points and penetrations. The answer is: Very different. You might be thinking: “How different can standing seam metal roofing and exposed fastener metal roofing really be?”. The walkboard should be placed (foam side down) on the forming structural support beams, cross members or solid decking and only … How much does a Metal Roof weigh? This method has its benefits as well. Benefits of Higher Gauges The biggest benefit of having a higher gauge roof is that it is less expensive. Question by joseph2: How far apart do you space furing strips when putting on a metal roof. Some profiles prefer you walk right below the step, other profiles between steps, or in the case of metal tile roofing, in the low portion of the barrel. They can easily cut through 26 or 29 gauge metal panels, and probably heavier. We have a wide variety of panels that can be used for metal roofing, commercial buildings, residential buildings, pole barns, utility buildings, or anything else to fulfill your metal roofing needs. Let me know! Anyone know where I can get metal roof walks for Intermountain O Scale 40' AAR boxcars? Despite this, thicker (lighter-gauge) panels can make sense for buildings in hail-prone areas, but not because of structural integrity. They will last a long time and could even last more than 2 times the life of roofing shingles. I checked the Atlas online store and all they have listed are roof walks for the 50' PS-1's. The company indicates that 29-gauge metal is the thinnest metal that's recommended for use on homes. Despite this, thicker (lighter-gauge) panels can make sense for buildings in hail-prone areas, but not because of structural integrity. Like Andy says, I would use 26. But there is a RIGHT way to do it! They will last a long time and could even last more than 2 times the life of roofing shingles. However, the thickness of a panel does make a difference in its durability. Light Gauge Metal Roof and Wall Panels Installation Guide for Delta Rib ™, Delta Rib III, Nor-Clad®, Strata Rib® & 2½ Corrugated 4 April 2019 • ASC Building Products www .ascbp .com Roof Preparation ASC’s Light Gauge Roofing can be used in both new construction and retrofit roofing applications . Even if you have to do asphalt, composite or wood roofing, if it rains – don’t go up. How much does a Metal Roof weigh? Walking or standing on a metal roof which does not have a plywood or other deck beneath it is not recommended. When it comes to harsh weather elements like snow, high winds or hail, a thinner material could become a pro… It depends on where you live, but most homes in the United States that have metal roofs use 29-gauge panels. In fact, metal roofs can stand up to you walking on them better than ceramic tiles and some other roofing systems. No, you really don’t. With over 30 years of experience in the development, manufacturing, and installation of quality lifetime roofing systems, I can help you navigate the issues encountered in roofing or re-roofing your home. In such areas, the company recommends using thicker, 24-gauge metal roofing. A metal roofing system is expected to provide a weather-tight seal against the elements, securing the internal areas of a structure. If you need to go onto the roof frequently—perhaps to service solar panels or to adjust a satellite dish—you may be better off installing conventional shingles. Check with the manufacturer of the product … But roofers can install a vented metal roof that eliminates this potential problem. While walking on a purlin, he apparently slipped and his foot landed adjacent to the purlin, at an overlapping joint in the sheet metal. 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