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6 Reasons Your Metal Roof Needs Quality Fasteners

christine • Mar 09, 2020
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6 Reasons Why Your Roof Needs Quality Fasteners

6 Reasons Your Metal Roof Needs Quality Fasteners
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A well-constructed and well-maintained roof is a critical component for ensuring the efficiency and durability of any building. Today, there are many homes that are well over a hundred years old. One of the most important reasons these homes have lasted so long is because of proper roof maintenance and replacement. Roofing materials have continued to improve in a variety of ways, and today you can upgrade to a roof that will last several decades. In this article, we'll discuss how quality fasteners can contribute to the enduring viability of your roof.

6 Reasons Your Roof Needs Quality Fasteners:

It's always tempting to go through an itemized roofing quote and look for places to cut costs. However, any time you substitute a less expensive item, you assume the risk of inferior quality. An expertly constructed roof made from superior materials can repeal substantial wear and tear from the elements. It is important to approach your roofing project with the right frame of mind and understand that the final product is designed to withstand weather erosion and must have superior materials at every level of construction.

Although fasteners make up a relatively small component of your whole roof installation, they are a very critical component. Fasteners are literally what holds your whole roof together. Drilling a hole through your roofing material to fasten it to the substructure is necessary, but it also introduces an area of potential weakness susceptible to water invasion. You need fasteners that create an impenetrable seal and will continue to do their job throughout the entire lifespan of your roof.

1. Ensure a Long-Lasting Roof
When a roof is properly installed, some estimates suggest it can last for as long as sixty years. It is always important to put your roof quote in the context of how many years of service you can expect. It might be appealing to try to save a few thousand dollars by installing a less durable roof, but when you consider that the roof will have to be replaced every ten years or so, the savings quickly disappear. A 60-year roof ensures you'll be able to hand a durable building down to your kids, and grandkids.

Proper installation includes using fasteners that meet or exceed the expected lifespan of all other materials in use. If you already have a roof and you are concerned about your fasteners, you might be able to replace poor quality items with a long-life product. Have a professional roofer examine the state of your roof, and they can provide you a quote for changing the items and extending the lifetime of your roof.

2. Zinc/Aluminum or Stainless Steel Capped Heads
Rust accumulation is one of the main issues that will shorten the life of your roof. As a patch of rust grows, it creates a permeable area on your roof where water can seep down into your substructure. When water gets into the substructure of your roof, you will begin to develop problems with mold, rot, and more. If that happens, you will not only have to replace your metal roofing; you might experience such deterioration that you will have to replace all or parts of the entire roof substructure.

Zinc/Aluminum or stainless steel capped heads are designed to last as long or longer than the roof panel. These are superior to painted heads. Direct sunlight, wind, and rain can quickly remove paint, which will cause them to rust. Once a fastener begins to rust, the rust will spread into the panel where it is installed. Long-life heads will prevent rust and keep your roof sound and looking great throughout its entire lifetime.

3. Superior Thermal Performance
Whenever you are thinking about making improvements to your roof, you should take time to consider the heating and cooling implications of the new installation. Your roof works in concert with the rest of your structure, so depending on your geographic location, you might want insulating properties to retain heat, or reflective properties to reduce your reliance on air conditioning. Making the proper roof selection can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year on energy bills. These savings add up over time and can easily pay for the roof many times over.

Thermal insulation in your roof has a huge impact on the R-value of your home. The R-value represents how well your roof resists the conductive flow of heat. A well-sealed building allows you greater control over the interior temperature. It is a well-known fact that heat rises, which is one of the reasons most furnaces are installed in the basement. If you live in an area that experiences sub-freezing conditions, a poor R-value in your roof will let the heat you pay for slip out through your ceiling and literally escape into the atmosphere.

Fasteners extend through the exterior roofing, through the insulation, and into the substructure. Each screw represents a thermal bridge that can allow heat to escape. Although the effect of one screw is minimal, the cumulative effect of all the screws in your roof can be detrimental to your building's R-value. High-quality fasteners are made from a less conductive material, which helps to minimize their impact as thermal conductors. High-quality materials result in a final product that will give you greater control over your internal temperature through a superior R-value.

4. Superior Washers

The washers on the screw heads create a seal that prevents water from seeping into your roof. The washer is made from rubber or neoprene and needs to have an expected lifetime equal to or greater than the other components of your roof. During the installation process, it is important that the screws are not over-tightened or under-tightened. An over-tightened screw places undue stress on the washer, which accelerates the disintegration process. If the screw is under-tightened, no seal is created, and water is able to seep in and cause problems.

High-quality washers are superior to those found on discount material and are more resistant to over-tightening. A superior product ensures an easier installation with fewer mistakes and a greater tolerance range. The result is that you will have a better seal and longer-lasting washers that will not likely need replacement.

5. A More Attractive Appearance
You should never underestimate the value of an attractive roof. An attractive roof passes the eye-test for prospective buyers and helps ensure that your building will retain the greatest possible value. If your building is a commercial structure, an attractive exterior is a reflection on your business and will create a positive impression on potential clients or customers.

Roofing screws are difficult to see from a distance when the color is a good match with the roofing panels. However, inferior screws sometimes have a coloration that does not quite match your panels resulting in an untidy appearance. In other cases, the screws might have the right color during installation, but may fade as they are subjected to years of harsh sunlight. The best quality screws not only add to the structural integrity of your roof, but they also ensure a seamless and attractive appearance throughout the life of your roof.

6. Save On Labor Costs

You get what you pay for in life, and that axiom also applies to roofing screws. Inexpensive or discount screws are often poorly fabricated and inconsistent. It does not make any sense to try to save money on screws, only to find you have to purchase three times as many because your contractors keep finding screws that are stuck together, are missing washers, or have deformed heads. Discount screws can also snap off during installation, which slows down the process and can lead to serious problems.

Superior materials allow your construction crew to fasten the panels to the roof without incurring delays as they sort through a pouch of defective fasteners. Any material you can purchase that will speed up installation and result in a superior final product will save you money in the long run. You don't want your crew having to dig out busted screws, or drilling adjacent holes that won't seal properly. With the best quality materials, you simplify the installation process and let your construction crew focus on creating the best final result possible.

 Quality Materials Will Save You Money
A roof is the kind of job that has to be done right the first time. The final product is a quality roof with a long lifetime—long enough to keep your home safe when you hand your home down to your children or grandchildren. A good roof allows you to focus on minimal maintenance and removes concerns over replacement. Quality construction ensures your property investment will retain its value and demand a top of the market price if you decide to sell at a later date.

High-quality fasteners provide the assurance that your screws will last as long as any other component of your roof. The heads are resistant to rust, and the long-life screws also are less conductive. This helps give you better control over the structure's final R-value. Not to mention, they look better and are easier to work with, and can help save on labor costs.

If you'd like to learn more about how you can save money on a superior roof, contact Hill Country Metal Roofing Supply today!

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