Contractor Notes; Metal Roofing
Metal Roofing- A well thought-out and environmentally conscious decision
At the Huasna Ranch project the selection of the roofing material was a well thought-out decision based on several interconnected issues. In addition to the many issues typically involved when selecting a roofing material, at the Ranch project, the roof surfaces also function as the primary collection area for the Rainwater Harvesting System planned for the project.
Metal Roofing shown on Stables and Arena.
The selection and design of the roofing material is an important decision in any project. Functionally, it finishes off the structure and provides water protection. Visually, it becomes the “aesthetic hat” of the structure and is one of the most noticeable visual elements of the building. This critical choice is a balance of many factors and the decisions made spread to other portions of the building, the project and the environment as a whole.
Some of the factors involved included questions of:
Durability/Longevity
Out at the Huasna Ranch, it was decided to go with a standing seam metal roof. As with any metal roof options, the material is extremely durable and will most likely last well past the lifespan of the building itself. The standing seam system has the added advantage of having all the connectors and fasteners hidden from the elements and protected from long-term decay. There are no bushings to rot out or screws to be replaced. The installation of the next panel clips over the previous which creates a continuous metal skin.
Weight
Metal roofs are considered fairly lightweight relative to some of the other roofing choices. This can be highly advantageous in the overall structural design of the rest of the building and a potentially cost savings. The less weight you have at the top of your building the easier it is to design and engineer the walls and foundation that are supporting it.
Aesthetics
Metal roofs do not change visually much over time. There is some lightening that will occur as the surface gets weathered and oxidizes, but overall it is a fairly steady state material. The coatings used today are very good at resisting decay from ultra –violet light and maintaining their original pigment.
Maintenance
There is very little maintenance required with any standing seam metal roof that is detailed and installed correctly. If there was ever a need to repair the roof surface, one simply removes the panel(s) in question and replaces them. There is no need to remove large portions of the roof to repair small-localized areas.
Fire resistance
The standing seam metal roof is considered a Class “A” fire rated material. This is an important aspect for properties located within high or very high fire severity zones. With the proper detailing and construction, it is a key element in creating a fire resistive assembly.
Overall building form
The materials flexibility allows it to be formed into different shapes to match different building forms. This can be seen along the main axis of the Hay Barn building where the standing seam metal roof is made to match the barrel shape of the upper monitor.
Cost
A typical standing seam metal roof will cost approximately three times as much as a good quality 30-year composition shingle. This initial investment is often offset by the many potential advantages such as its longevity, reduced maintenance and/or reduce structural costs.
Reuse/Recyclability
Metal roofing is one of the easiest building materials to reclaim, reuse or recycle. Its durability allows it to be disassembled, reconfigured as necessary, and live on. Since the standing seam has virtually no holes from connectors/fasteners, it is particularly easy to reuse. You will see it used as roofing, siding, or ceiling finish. If necessary, it can always be recycled and reprocessed to form other metal products.
Multi-functional aspects
As we use our precious resources to form building components and invest capital to purchase those materials, it is important to find as many multi-functional uses for those materials as possible, maximizing our resource investment. For the Huasna Ranch project, a key multi-functional aspect of the standing seam metal roof is its role in the overall design and operation of the Rainwater Harvesting system planned for the property. The roof surfaces of the Barn, Stables, and Arena act as the primary water collection area with more than 15,000 square feet available. It is critical that these surfaces remain benign and that the runoff coming from them be as clean as possible. The decision to use metal roofs means that the run-off will be relatively free of pollutants and that the water collected is better suited for use throughout the property.
