Beyond Metal Panels: Other Critical Parts and Accessories

Metal roof durability and efficiency depend on much more than the metal panels. Other parts of the roof and accessories also play a great role. Below are some of these accessories and parts.

Sealant and Sealant Tape

Weather elements are some of the greatest roof threats. For example, moisture corrodes metal, rots wood, and can penetrate the roof to cause interior damage. Contractors use metal roof sealants to create a protective barrier between the roofing materials and the environment. That way, weather elements like rainfall or melting snow do not damage the roof foundation.

Metal roof sealant is available in different forms with varying pros and cons. Here are examples of these sealants and their strengths:

• Acrylic sealants are suitable for pitched roofs and offer superior UV (ultraviolet) protection
• Silicone sealants offer effective protection against both UV and moisture
• Rubber sealant is relatively easy to apply compared to other sealants

Talk to your roofing contractor about choosing the best sealant based on your preferences, roof, budget, and local climate. You can also use sealant tape—a thin strip of moisture-resistant material—to waterproof vulnerable roof areas, such as roofing seams.

Fasteners

Metal roof installation also requires fasteners. The fasteners are small metal pieces that roof contractors use to connect and secure different pieces of metal, trims, and flashing materials on the roof. Examples of fasteners include screws and nails.

Fasteners might look small and deceptively insignificant, but they are crucial to your roof's overall performance and longevity. The fasteners determine how strong individual roof sections and the entire roof are. For example, proper fastening ensures wind cannot rip off roof sections. Proper use of fasteners also reduces the risk of roof leaks.

The roofing industry produces different forms of roof fasteners. These fasteners differ in thickness, head shape, size, length, and material. For example, stainless steel fasteners suit coastal areas with high corrosion risks due to saltwater environments.

Clips

Roofing clips or cleats are concealed anchors that connect the metal substrate (like the deck) and the roofing metal. Roofing clips come in different varieties and perform different functions. Below are the two basic ones:

• Floating clips—necessary for long metal panels and areas with extreme temperature changes. These clips sit above the roof deck, slide, and provide room for expansion and contraction.
• Fixed clips—suitable for relatively short metal panels. These clips do not allow expansion and contraction but are suitable for areas with moderate temperature fluctuations.

Let your roofing contractor guide you for these technical roofing decisions.

Underlayment

Roofing underlayment is a continuous roof layer between the substrate and the final roofing material, in this case, metal. Though the underlayment is invisible on a completed roof, it performs a critical function in overall roof performance. For example, the underlayment is an additional barrier against roof water penetration.

Roof underlayment is usually synthetic, felt, and rubberized asphalt. Felt is relatively easy to install and affordable but not as durable as the others. Synthetic underlayment offers good protection but commands a premium price in many areas. However, rubberized underlayment offers superior protection despite its significant investment.

Trim and Flashing

A good roof design keeps weather elements, chiefly precipitation, out of the house. In addition to all the other protective barriers, roofing contractors use trim and flashing for water protection. Metal roof trim seals the joints between different roof sections. For example, you need trim where metal panels meet at the ridgeline.

Flashing protects the joints between the roof surface and other roof structures or penetrations. For example, you need flashing to seal the joint between the roof surface and the chimney.

Dura Guard Roofing has several decades of experience in the roofing industry. We serve our clients with commitment and professionalism. Contact us for quality roofing services whether you have a commercial or residential roof.