 |
The reasons to select metal roofing are as varied as the number of roofing material options. Your client might be looking for something that is durable. A building owner might be focused on creating a branded image or depicting a look with his building. A desire to go green or be energy efficient steers many project designs. Unlike other roofing materials, metal roofing meets these goals and others, making the product selection process a little easier.
One reason architects often choose metal roofing is because of the profile options that facilitate unique designs. Standing seam, batten seam, shingles, shakes, tiles, photovoltaics and other profiles allow distinct roofs to be created. CJK Design Group, San Rafael, Calif., was guided by aesthetics when designing St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church in Jeffersonville, Pa. The client had a few unique requests. They wanted the church to have a sixth century feel while also reflecting the Pennsylvania countryside at Valley Forge. They desired a dome to be a central design feature to create the sixth century look while also harnessing Greek Orthodox design.
Domes, arches and vaults are key elements of Greek Orthodox churches, and a dome in particular is symbolic of Heaven and eternity. “The dome is oriented centrally, which is omnipresent on the interior space, as well as on the exterior of the building,” says Joseph G. Soares, a designer with CJK Design Group.
The single-story, 7,385-square-foot building seats 420 people and has a mezzanine for overflow seating and storage. The church stands 53 feet tall at the top the dome. The exterior walls are clad in stone and EIFS, and the interior has many arches and vaults. Soares notes, “Eight columns hold up the 32 1/2-foot diameter dome which has 12 windows representing the 12 disciples.”
The church features a bell tower in addition to the main dome. Both of these were roofed in PC System by ATAS International Inc., Allentown, Pa. GSM Roofing, Ephrata, Pa., installed 3,735 square feet of the 0.040-inch aluminum curved panels in a Coppertone color. Gutters and fascia also were provided as part of the ATAS complete package. The panels were distributed by North Coast Commercial Roofing Systems, York, Pa.
The PC System consists of two parts-the flat panel and a separate seam or batten. The seam is snapped over the clips, concealing the fastening system. With the batten style, the system is installed with a spacer clip and is snapped in place. The PC systems are not structural panels and must be applied to a solid substrate.
“Other materials were considered, such as tile and some plastics,
[but they were] immediately rejected due to their lack of timelessness and questionable performance in an environment like Valley Forge,” Soares says.
When selecting a curved metal roof, there are many factors to consider. One must analyze the built construction of the dome itself. It is preferred to install the metal panels over a solid substrate due to the panel design and custom fabrication. A secondary water restrictive barrier should be applied over the plywood substrate. Coordination between the installing contractor and manufacturer must be tightly held, particularly when determining the actual field verification of the dimension of the dome itself. Often one may find discrepancies in the sections or quadrants of the dome. If the panels are not designed and laid out properly in the field, both visual and performance problems can occur.
ATAS is unique in that it will curve panels on-site as needed. James Bush, ATAS vice president of sales, points out that most panels are created in an ATAS ISO-certified facility and shipped in crates or bundles that can be easily handled by the roofing crew. Some larger roofs or job sites with transportation issues may require on-site curving. “ATAS has the ability to curve panels onsite if certain conditions exist,” Bush notes. “Quality is important for every job, so we work with customers to ensure they get ATAS quality for custom-curved panels. Some on-site rollformers cannot guarantee this quality.”
Soares points out that St. Sophia’s dome and tower are not that unique because domes can be seen on structures throughout the United States and Europe. But a focus on quality does add to the exceptionality of this facility. He says: “We use metal on all of our projects because it is a timeless, reliable material that has an iconic presence that can be modulated, moderated and orchestrated for the particular building and its environment. We strived to create a dome using the metal in such a way that minimizes oil canning and is flashed and detailed properly so that there are no leaks. This is one of the most difficult aspects of the dome construction.”
There is so much more that goes into selecting the proper roofing profile than simply saying, “I want that one.” But when you select metal and work with a qualified manufacturer, you can be certain that you are getting a product that performs in high wind and inclement weather, lasts longer than other materials, visually dazzles like nothing else can and adds sustainability to any structure. In many ways, using a metal roof can make an architect’s job just a touch easier while hitting every point on a building owner’s checklist.
—
Kate Gawlik is a marketing consultant with ATAS International Inc., Allentown, Pa. She is based in Lockport, Ill. More product information can be found at www.atas.com.