One Of The Most Important Types Of Commercial Flat Roofing Often Featured On Commercial And Industrial Buildings Is Metal.
Commercial Metal Roofing
These Roofs May Not Be Wholly Flat In A Conventional Sense But Are Low Slope Structures Featuring A Maximum Pitch Of 3:12. Not Only Is This Type Of Roofing Efficient In Draining Water Away From The Roof Surface But Also Has Additional Major Merits. In Particular This Type Of Roof Combines High Resistsance To Wind With Low Maintenance Requirements And A Long Life Cycle.
Low Slope Metal Roofing
Typically Low Slope Metal Roofing Is Also Known As “Standing Seam” Roofing Because It Comprises Of Interlocking Panels Which Run Along The Roof Surface Which Are Crimped Together During The Process Of Installation
The Advantage Over Other Covering Materials Is That The Typical Difficulties Such As Ponding Due To Water And Frozen Water Accumulation Do Not Occur In The First Place. The Life Expectancy Of A Low Slope Metal Roof Is Probably In Excess Of Forty Years Making It Potentially Much More Cost Effective In Comparison To The Likely Need To Replace Well Within That Time Span Where Other Covering Methods Are Chosen.
Moreover Installation Is Comparatively Easy And Relatively Light In Weight In Comparison For The Protection It Offers. Since The Roof Is Constantly Exposed To The Sun There Is An Economy Of Scale Benefit Through The Panels Being Coated With The Latest High Performance Solutions.
Lead Roofing
For More More Compact Civic Or Urban Commercial Buildings Rather Than Out Of Town Industrial Locations Other Metal Coverings Can Be Found. Lead Is A Particularly Good Example In That It Has Stood The Test Of Time As Demonstrated By Numerous Buildings. Lead Has Been Historically And Is Presently Comparatively Expensive As A Roof Covering So Has Often Been Reserved For The Finish Of More Prestigious Buildings.
Lead Flashing
In Addition To Its Highly Durable Character And Malleability It Is Not Only Ideal For Use As The Roof Surface But Makes Excellent Guttering And Flashings Creating A Consistent Look And Feel. As Lead Is The Softest Common Metal It Benefits From The Installer Being Able To Fashion It With Hand Tools Without It Breaking. This Enables The Creation Of Really Tight Fits Between Roof Elements Which Of Itself Improves Resistance To Water Penetration.
The Only Real Proven Downside Of Using Lead Is That They Can Be Affected Over Time By The Sheer Weight Of The Material And The Expansion Contraction Cycle Of The Seasons So That They May Move In A Downwards Direction.
Milled Lead Sheet
It Is Worth Understanding The Character Of The The Base Roof Covering Material Itself. The Base Covering Material Is Known As “Milled Lead Sheet’ And Is Controlled By Reference To British Standard 1178 Which Sets Out That It Should Have A Minimum Chemical Composition Of 99.9% Lead And Has To Conform To Specific Industry Standard Sizes Weights, And Thicknesses.
Cast Lead Sheet
Beyond Classic Milled Lead Sheet It Is Useful To Outline Other Lead Sheet Variations Which Are Available Since The Application Of Lead To Roofs Has A Rich Past Likely To Create Differences Of Demand And Application. “Cast-Lead” Sheeting Is Still Used In The U.K. On Older Properties But Is Significantly Less Favoured, And Because It Is Produced In Independent Manufacturing Plants It Suffers From Inconsistencies. It Is Made Essentially By Pouring Molten Lead Over Prepared Sand. It Could Be Said That It Has A Reasonable Consistency In Terms Of Quality And Durability Compared To “Milled Lead Sheet” And There Is Some Cross-Availability By Sheet Size.
Where There Is Great Value In Being Able To Absolutely Customise The Sheet Size And Thickness Specification The Preferred Sheet Is Manufactured For Purpose And Is Known As “Machine Cast Lead Sheeting”. The Remaining Lead Sheet Type Variation Doubles Up For Use Within Walls As Well As Flat Roofs And Demonstrates Properties Useful In Providing Additional Roof Surface Support And Additionally Inhibiting The Penetration Of Sound And Radiation. The Physical Composition Of “Lead Laminates” Is Thinly Milled Lead Sheeting Which Is Then Laminated Onto Board An Example Of Which Would Be Plywood, Which Is Is Often Used.