In September, we asked for your questions on exposed-fastened (EF) roofing. Thank you for your responses! We collected them and thought we’d answer one of your questions today. A reader asked us why it made sense to install snow stops on an EF metal roof. If your building is in a snowy climate, installing a continuous snow fence, or discontinuous snow stops or snow guards is essential. For your system to be effective, however, the installation must be well-designed and by calculation – not by “guess and by golly.” There are common misconceptions around snow and metal roofing. So, today we’ll cover why a qualified snow retention system properly engineered for your specific installation is important to EF roofing in heavy-snow regions.
Read More
Tags:
snow guards,
plastic snow guards,
metal roof brackets,
exposed fastened,
cost,
installation,
weather-proofing
Metal roofing and solar (photovoltaic) PV panels are a winning combination: metal’s strength and durability make it the only type of roofing material able to outlast the 30+ year lifespan of solar PV arrays. Solar modules can produce energy all year long – even in regions with heavy snowfall. But when you’re attaching PV panels to a roof in snow country, be aware snow loads will have an impact on your solar array’s design. Today, we’ll look at important considerations to help your finished PV installation withstand the forces of nature.
Read More
Tags:
snow guards,
solar mounting,
PV,
installation
Calling all installers, contractors and DIYers!
Exposed-fastened (EF) roofing covers a lot of territory – from agricultural and industrial buildings to commercial and residential properties. Sometimes called through-fastened, screw-fastened and face-fastened, EF roofing is a popular choice thanks to its reasonable price and long lifespan.
Read More
Tags:
solar mounting,
metal roof brackets,
PV,
rail mounted solar panels,
rooftop equipment,
installation,
sealants,
weather-proofing
One of the most important aspects of any solar PV installation on a metal roof is wire management, but even seasoned professionals can find this task confusing. There’s a myriad of things to track. You need to position the conductors so they correctly connect as modules are installed, keep all wires off the roof, deliver jumpers to the homerun and down to the inverter, and stay organized. If you have a large-scale job, this process becomes increasingly complex.
Read More
Tags:
metal roof,
solar mounting,
metal roof brackets,
standing seam metal roof,
PV,
rail mounted solar panels,
exposed fastened,
installation
Ready to put a solar PV array on your roof? With solar installations becoming increasingly popular, many building owners, DIYers and new-to-solar contractors are learning about this field. If you’re jumping into the world of solar installations, we’ve pulled together some ideas and important considerations to get you started on the right foot.
We know solar installations often occur when you’re undertaking new roof construction or roof replacements. But before you begin your project, if you don’t have a metal roof, now’s the time to consider getting one. It’s the only roof type able to last and even exceed the entire life of your solar array without the need for replacement. To mount a solar PV system on any other roof type is a bit like putting a Ferrari engine on a Ford Escort chassis.
Read More
Tags:
metal roof,
PV,
rooftop equipment,
exposed fastened,
cost,
installation
When it comes to attaching solar modules to metal rooftops, traditional rails have been a conventional choice. But familiar concepts don’t necessarily deliver the best outcomes, and the advantages of rail-less solutions are moving the industry in a new direction.
Decades ago – when interest in mounting solar PV on rooftops began – the introduction of using continuous aluminum rails as a solar racking system to mount PV modules in place was a practical application for all roof types. Eventually, innovation opened new doors and rail-less solutions were developed specifically for metal roofing. Using discrete hardware to directly secure each module to a metal roof, the new strategy completely bypassed the need for rails and brought some clear improvements.
Read More
Tags:
metal roof,
metal roof clamps,
solar mounting,
metal roof brackets,
standing seam metal roof,
PV,
rail mounted solar panels,
cost,
installation
If you’re thinking of putting solar PV on your metal roof to generate renewable energy and save money over time, you’ve made a great choice. Metal roofs are an ideal platform for mounting solar modules thanks to their long service life and durability. Solar arrays have a service life of 35+ years, and metal roofing has a demonstrated service life of 60 years. Aside from metal, there are no other roof types that measure up to that without requiring replacement. Both standing seam and exposed-fastened metal roofs support solar arrays very effectively.
Read More
Tags:
metal roof,
metal roof clamps,
solar mounting,
metal roof brackets,
standing seam metal roof,
rail mounted solar panels,
rooftop equipment,
exposed fastened,
cost,
installation
Part Three -
Your exposed-fastened (EF) metal roof offers a great opportunity to mount solar panels, snow guards, HVAC equipment or other accessories. But you need to protect your roof’s service life and the performance of whatever you’re installing. To help you make the best decisions upfront, we’ve created a series on 3 Tips for Mounting Anything to Your Exposed-Fastened Metal Roof.
Read More
Tags:
metal roof,
metal roof brackets,
rooftop equipment,
exposed fastened,
installation,
weather-proofing
Part One -
Are you mounting solar panels, snow guards, HVAC equipment or other accessories to your exposed-fastened (EF) metal roof?
If so, we’ve put together a three-part series on our top tips for successful installation to preserve your roof’s service life.
Over the course of the next three blog installments, we’ll cover:
- The importance of materials’ compatibility between the mounting attachments and your metal roof.
- The right time and place for you to use EPDM and butyl sealants.
- Why load testing is key to protecting your metal roof.
Read More
Tags:
metal roof,
metal roof brackets,
rooftop equipment,
exposed fastened,
installation,
sealants,
weather-proofing
Non-penetrating rooftop mounting refers to the ability to mechanically attach a clamp to a standing seam roof by gripping the seam in such a way that there is no penetration to the panel material. The best method for standing seam clamp attachment is via round-point setscrews.
Read More
Tags:
metal roof,
metal roof clamps,
standing seam metal roof,
rooftop equipment,
installation
