Roofing Rain Benefits:
Choosing the Right Roof for Your Coastal Masterpiece
By Edward Thomas,
Posted
06/01/2008
In the midst of
the numerous requirements for coastal construction, contractors,
architects, engineers and specifiers are faced with crucial
decisions associated with choosing a long-lasting roofing product.
As more and more tests prove metal roofing as the answer to
durability, the use of these products on coastal structures becomes
increasingly popular.
The aftermath of tropical storms prove that the most effective and
durable roofing material in the industry is metal. Season after
season, structures along the coast are constantly hit by salty
blasts and high winds. But, because of its unsurpassed corrosive
and moisture resistance, metal roofing is the No. 1 choice for
these areas. Buying a roofing material without the proper research
can result in the need for a costly replacement in as little as a
couple years. Selecting an appropriate, highly corrosive resistant
material-like metal roofing-will ensure your roof lasts much
longer.
By and large, the durability and longevity of metal roofs outshine
ordinary roof products like asphalt, clay tile and cedar. Asphalt
roofs normally require repair or replacement every 10 to 20 years.
A metal roof is considered by many to be more aesthetically
pleasing than asphalt and can provide double if not more years of
service. Clay tile roofs can be expected to require substantial
maintenance. High coastal winds can result in broken or missing
tiles, and when that happens there is no doubt that you will have
water leaks. Wooden roofs can give your home a rustic look, but
they are short-lived. A metal roof will be able to withstand more
damage from harsh coastal conditions than any wooden roof while
lending traditional aesthetic appeal and requiring little to no
maintenance.
The majority of metal roofing products go through a series of tests
to establish credibility, as well. ASTM International, West
Conshohocke, Pa., has established standards against which the
effectiveness and durability of building products in extreme
coastal conditions can be measured.
For example, ASTM
B117, Standard Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus,
mimics the harsh, corrosive coastal environment. Performed in
controlled salt spray cabinets producing relative
corrosion-resistance information, ASTM B117 far exceeds the
severity of real world corrosiveness in an effort to test the
limits of certain metals.
Another test of durability, ASTM D4585, Standard Practice for
Testing Water Resistance of Coating Using Controlled Condensation,
employs the use of a condensation chamber to replicate the
continuous condensation a coastal metal roof experiences.
To overcome the failures these tests attempt to exploit, many
stainless-steel roofing products are coated with alloys containing
a mixture of zinc and tin, providing the highest level of
resistance available. To date, certain proprietary combinations of
these materials have surpassed more than 22,000 hours of ASTM B117
and D4585 testing with no signs of red rust.
Other alloys, coated over metals like zinc, aluminum and copper,
can provide enhanced corrosion resistance and will typically pass
between 2,000 to 3,000 hours of salt spray testing. It is extremely
important to be aware of chromate, which is used in galvanized
roofing. Prone to corrosion and water wash out due to rain,
chromate should be avoided when specifying a longer lasting roofing
material.
When it comes time to make the decision, one should strongly
consider speaking with a roofing professional first. Be sure your
roof meets all building code requirements in your coastal area. All
things considered, products coated with alloys containing a mixture
of zinc and tin are unquestionably the best choice.
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