Beyond Metal Panels: Other Critical Parts and Accessories

The durability and efficiency of a metal roof depend on much more than just the metal panels themselves. Other parts of the roofing system and accessories also play a crucial role in its overall performance and longevity, especially in the diverse climates of Hawaii and Delaware. Below are some of these essential accessories and components.

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Sealants and Tape

Weather elements are some of the greatest threats to any roof. For example, moisture can corrode metal, rot wood, and penetrate the roof to cause extensive interior damage. Our contractors at Three Sons Roofing & Development use high-quality metal roof sealants to create a protective barrier between the roofing materials and the environment. That way, weather elements like heavy rainfall, saltwater spray, or melting snow do not damage the roof's foundation.

Metal roof sealant is available in different forms with varying pros and cons. Here are examples of these sealants and their strengths:

🏷️ Acrylic sealants are suitable for pitched roofs and offer superior UV (ultraviolet) protection, crucial for the intense sun in Hawaii and Delaware.

🏷️ Silicone sealants offer effective protection against both UV and moisture, making them ideal for humid and rainy conditions.

🏷️ Rubber sealant is relatively easy to apply compared to other sealants, offering flexibility and resistance to movement.

Talk to your Three Sons Roofing & Development contractor about choosing the best sealant based on your preferences, roof type, budget, and local climate. You can also use sealant tape—a thin strip of moisture-resistant material—to waterproof vulnerable roof areas, such as roofing seams and joints.

Fasteners

Metal roof installation also requires high-quality fasteners. These are small but critical metal pieces that roof contractors use to connect and secure different pieces of metal panels, trims, and flashing materials on the roof. Examples of fasteners include screws and nails.

Fasteners might look small and deceptively insignificant, but they are crucial to your roof’s overall performance and longevity. The fasteners determine how strong individual roof sections and the entire roof are. For example, proper fastening ensures wind, common in coastal areas, cannot rip off roof sections. Proper use of fasteners also significantly reduces the risk of roof leaks, which is vital for protecting your property.

The roofing industry produces different forms of roof fasteners. These fasteners differ in thickness, head shape, size, length, and material. For example, stainless steel fasteners are highly recommended for coastal areas in Hawaii and Delaware due to their superior resistance to corrosion caused by saltwater environments.

Clips

Roofing clips or cleats are concealed anchors that connect the metal substrate (like the roof deck) and the metal roofing panels. Roofing clips come in different varieties and perform different functions. Below are the two basic ones:

🔗 Floating clips are necessary for long metal panels and areas with extreme temperature changes, common in both Hawaii (due to sun exposure) and Delaware (due to seasonal shifts). These clips sit above the roof deck, allowing the panels to slide and providing room for expansion and contraction without causing stress or buckling.

🔗 Fixed clips are suitable for relatively short metal panels. These clips do not allow expansion and contraction, making them suitable for areas with more moderate temperature fluctuations.

Let your Three Sons Roofing & Development contractor guide you for these technical roofing decisions to ensure the best fit for your specific property and climate.

Underlayment

Roofing underlayment is a continuous layer installed between the roof substrate (decking) and the final roofing material, in this case, metal. Though the underlayment is invisible on a completed roof, it performs a critical function in overall roof performance. For example, the underlayment provides an essential additional barrier against water penetration, safeguarding your home from leaks.

Roof underlayment materials typically include synthetic, felt, and rubberized asphalt options. Felt is relatively easy to install and affordable but generally not as durable as the others. Synthetic underlayment offers good protection but often commands a premium price. However, rubberized underlayment provides superior protection, especially in wet or extreme weather conditions, despite being a more significant investment.

Trim and Flashing

A well-designed roof keeps weather elements, chiefly precipitation, out of the house. In addition to all the other protective barriers, our roofing contractors use trim and flashing for robust water protection. Metal roof trim seals the joints between different roof sections. For example, you need trim where metal panels meet at the ridgeline or along the eaves.

Flashing protects the critical joints between the roof surface and other roof structures or penetrations, such as chimneys, skylights, vents, and wall intersections. For example, you need flashing to seal the joint between the roof surface and a chimney, preventing water from seeping into vulnerable areas.

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Three Sons Roofing & Development has several decades of experience in the roofing industry, serving clients with commitment and professionalism across Hawaii and Delaware. Contact us for quality roofing services, whether you have a commercial or residential roof. We are dedicated to ensuring your roof is built with the highest quality materials and accessories for lasting protection.