Micro rails are a relatively common way of attaching a solar array to exposed-fastened metal roofs. This method uses small rail sections in specific areas as needed along the roof – reducing the total length of rails. They have benefits which make them desirable to contractors and installers alike. They provide material and shipping cost savings to the customer when compared to rail systems. In addition, they are small, which allows them to be handled easily onto roofs. They are forgiving with spacing allowing for minimal or customizable walk spaces. Additionally, micro rails can be installed with just a couple of fasteners - potentially cutting installation times compared to rails.
Should I Use Micro Rails to Install Solar on Exposed-Fasten Metal Roofs?
Tags: solar mounting, PV, exposed fastened
Massive snow accumulation on a roof creates the potential for an unpredictable avalanche-like effect. Metal is a great choice for your rooftop. It has a long life expectancy and can stand up to the harshest conditions. It does have a low coefficient of friction though–meaning things (including snow) don’t stick to it very well. But the notion that snow is intended to slide off a metal roof is misguided and can be dangerous.
Tags: snow guards, plastic snow guards, standing seam metal roof, exposed fastened
Northern Ontario Winters are No Match for S-5! Snow Guards
The best test of our products is real-life application. This S-5! success story came from Guido Morandin of Work Monster, Inc. in Canada. The Work Monster project features two S-5! products: VersaBracket™ and ColorGard snow retention.
Massive sheet metal snow guard failure is a common occurrence in Northern Ontario. After tiring of “supplying customers with improper ice guard systems,” he needed a real solution that would help mitigate this dangerous phenomenon. He discovered S-5!
Tags: snow guards, exposed fastened
Swarf are the shavings of metal debris produced during machining. Woodworking, grinding, and other manufacturing processes also produce these chips or fillings. Metal, wood, plastic, and stone all produce this debris, often referred to as “swarf”.
Tags: exposed fastened
What makes makes up a metal roof? There is flashing, ridges, valleys, eaves, and more. Where are all these on a roof and what is their purpose? Read on as we deconstruct the rest of the metal roof.
Tags: metal roof, metal roof brackets, standing seam metal roof, exposed fastened
A corrugated panel has a repeating wavy or rippled pattern across its design. It was the first mass-produced metal panel design in the United States. These panels can be used for roofing, siding, decking, and flooring. Corrugated panels are connected by overlapping the sheets, and then securing them in place with exposed fasteners. Trapezoidal rib panels are often mistakenly referred to as corrugated roofing.
Tags: metal roof, metal roof clamps, metal roof brackets, rooftop equipment, exposed fastened
Standing Seam vs. Exposed-Fastened Metal Roofs: Contrasts
A metal roof is a metal roof, right? WRONG. Standing seam and exposed-fastener roofs are both metal and may even serve similar purposes, but the two styles are very different indeed.
Tags: metal roof, metal roof clamps, standing seam metal roof, exposed fastened
What is the Best Way to Mount Solar on Exposed-Fastener Metal Roofs?
Upon reading the Solar Power World article Metal Roofs are No Problem for Solar Installations, my reaction was, "Well, I suppose that is true—if (and only if) it is done 'the right way.'" There are so many materials, profiles, gauges, metallurgies and corrosion behaviors to consider; not to mention effective waterproofing methods, sealant chemistries, thermal cycling characteristics, weathering behaviors, strength of materials, structural engineering principals and relevant test methods. It is anything but a simple science!
Tags: solar mounting, metal roof brackets, PV, rooftop equipment, exposed fastened, installation