Tony Hobbs of Southern Sheeting looks at how and why profiled metal sheeting is increasingly being used across a range of areas in residential projects.
Profiled metal roofing has been adopted in the commercial sector for many years but, thanks to new products and technology, housebuilders and developers are using it on ‘Grand Designs’-style homes, extensions and garden offices.
Durability, quick installation, lightweight and weather tight qualities, as well as an impressive colour range, easy maintenance and energy efficiency make a profiled metal roof a viable option for a variety of projects, and not only for warehouses, factories or farm buildings.
In countries such as Canada and the USA, profiled metal roofs are a popular choice for homes because of their high strength-to-weight ratio and ability to withstand harsh weather. Yet in the UK, metal roofing is only occasionally used on domestic properties.
Profiled metal roof sheeting has come a long way in recent years, and there has been a growing trend of housebuilders and developers in the UK taking a more open look at where it can be used.
It can be a good investment, because profiled metal is significantly lighter than tiles or slate, yet just as durable. Profiled metal roofing is strong and lightweight, so it won’t require such a substantial or complex substructure to support it, which will save money on building materials.
It is also very quick to install, which brings substantial financial savings on labour costs. Profiled metal roofing has far fewer joints and laps than tiles or slates, which results in a well sealed roof, reducing air and heat leakage, making the building warmer.
There are a wide variety of finishes and colours to choose from. Architects love using metal roofing because of this – it can help create buildings which portray individuality and truly stand out from the crowd.
The retro look of corrugated metal sheeting is also proving popular, while the modern finish of a standing seam system will produce an ultra-sleek property with wow factor. There are 25 different colour shades of steel sheeting, which is the trump card for domestic builds.
Metal roof sheeting is an especially popular choice because of its weatherfastness, making it able to withstand very high winds, driving rain and snow load; and being steel, it’s classed as noncombustible. It is also unaffected by fungus, moss or mildew and resistant to damage from birds and pests.
In developments where there are height constraints, for example when an extension, garden room, garage or workshop, is under construction, metal sheeting comes into its own. The pitch required for steel roofing is very low, at just four degrees and can be even lower with a standing seam system. This means the development will have increased headroom.
For example, under permitted development rights, there is a maximum height of 2.5 metres for a building within two metres of a boundary of the curtilage of the dwelling house. With a much lower pitch, this provides more usable space. When an extension to a property is under construction, this lower pitch is also a clear winner, creating even more space for the owner.
The sheets require very little maintenance, last a lifetime, and provide good energy efficiency, which ticks a lot of boxes for all types of build.
CHOOSING SHEETING
Choosing the best metal sheeting for a roof depends on the purpose and geography of the building. Domestic builds may require insulated sheets to ensure the building is warm in winter and cool in summer.
Insulated panels are made of inner and outer steel sheets, separated by a core of high performance closed-cell rigid foam insulation. The distinct advantage of an insulated panel roof is the labour cost savings as the whole roof covering is laid in a single operation. Also, it’s a single-fix solution.
Another product growing in popularity is the steel tile-effect sheet, which has become popular for its aesthetic appearance. Standing seam systems, meanwhile, are produced specifically for very low-pitched roofs down to 2 degrees and are ideally suited for single-storey home extensions.
Standing seam systems look very different, and we are seeing a growing trend for these on one-off houses. They cost more but their unique technical capabilities and eye-catching style has significant appeal.
BUSTING THE METAL ROOF MYTHS
The most popular buildings for a profiled metal roof are still likely to be garages, workshops, factories, warehouses and agricultural buildings, but some myth-busting could help make metal sheeting more widely popular in the domestic sector.
The biggest myth about metal sheeting is that when it rains it produces a ‘drumming’ sound. If insulated correctly, with the right sound deadening acoustic underlay and insulation, a metal roof can be extremely quiet.
Other myths around profiled metal sheeting roofing include:
- Metal roofs are more susceptible to lightning strikes – they aren’t, but a lightning conductor can be installed for peace of mind
- Metal roofs will make a house cold in winter – they won’t. With the correct insulation and vapour barriers installed they can leave a house well insulated. With far fewer joints and seals than any other roofing type, air and heat leakage is kept to a minimum, which keeps the building warmer
- Metal roofing is heavy – the elements are in fact lighter than tiles and slate roofing, and also require less timber to support them.
It’s another myth that metal roofs are primarily suitable for cost-conscious builds in which the aesthetics are less important – in fact a metal roof is good value, especially over the long term, and if you make the right choices, they look good and can even feel on-trend in a high-end statement home.
The demand for garden offices has been very high during the pandemic and including these in a new development will add significant value to a property. Homes with garden offices are also in short supply – why not consider adding them to your property development with an attractive metal roof? It’s sure to attract significant interest.
Tony Hobbs is managing director at Southern Sheeting