Cleaning a Metal Roof.

Cleaning Metal Roofing

Metal roofing is known for its low maintenance needs, but even metal eventually needs some TLC. One of the small tasks you can perform in order to ensure your metal roofing (or siding) lasts for many years and keeps a pristine look is a simple cleaning of the metal. We have gathered some metal roof cleaning tips from a few of the manufacturers we supply products from (Fabral and Union Corrugating Company).

By employing these simple tips and ideas for cleaning metal roofing in Florida or across the states, you can enjoy the beauty of a like-new metal roof for years to come.

Pre-Painted Metal

If you have a metal material that has been pre-painted or coated, then you can safely clean the metal using a simple solution of cleaner and water. Cleaners recommended for use on pre-painted metal include:

• Solutions of biodegradable household ammonia
• Simple Green (or other non-toxic biodegradable cleaners)
• Mild detergent solution
• Spic-N-Span laundry detergent
• “Glass Wax” (for tougher stains and dirt build up)

When it comes to choosing a cleaner for your metal roofing the two main things to keep in mind are to use product that contain less than .05% phosphate and to never blend cleansers or detergents with bleach without proper knowledge.

When it comes time to clean the metal, mix your product with water. The strength of the solution will depend upon the amount of dirt built up on your metal roofing. If you are using amonia, mix one cup with five gallons of water. If you have tough stains, you can use a very mild dish soap like Ivory along with bleach. In this case mix one gallon of bleach with five gallons of water and add one cup of dish soap. This is effective for mildew and fungal growth.

Next clean your panels using a wet cloth, sponge or soft bristled brush. Never use something too harsh that will scour your paneling. This can damage your coating / paint. Be sure that as you clean the panels you rinse them off thoroughly with clean water. Solution that is left on can leave a film, or if you are using a bleach solution could lead to damage.

You can also use a very low pressure spray washer on your metal roofing to aid in removal of dirt and debris. But be sure it is not high enough pressure to damage your metal’s coating.

These simple steps can help ensure your metal roofing lasts for many years to come and continues to have the same curb appeal as it did when you first purchased the materials. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding metal roof cleaning in Florida or your local area.

Proof that a metal roof can be bold and artistic.

 

Metal roofs, as we know, can in some cases take on the look of other common roofing materials. But have you ever associated the word “undulate” with metal? A daring architectural firm in Vancouver, B.C. took that approach and is now reaping the rewards for their work.

The VanDusen Botanical Gardens Visitor Centre was awarded the 2013 Chairman’s Award from the Metal Construction Association (MCA), thanks in part to its use of 12,000 square feet of Alucobond natural panels on the roof, which is designed to resemble five orchid leaves. Surrounding the panels is a vegetation-filled rooftop made up of Douglas fir beams and plywood, according to the MCA.

At one of the first meetings about the project, the architects at Perkins+Will were told to make the building “outrageous.”

“They wanted a building that really drew people in,” design principle Jim Huffman told the MCA. “It looks irrational and illogical, but if you understand how it was designed and the technology behind it, it’s actually quite clever.”

Designing the panel system

 

How was this all put together? The metal installer Keith Panel Systems Co., LTD (KPS), out of Vancouver, created an interlocking system of prefabricated panels that would display positive and negative curves. The panels, says Huffman, proved to be easy and quick to install — but that doesn’t mean the project went entirely as expected.

“What you start with and what you think you’re going to do on a crazy building like this, and what you end up with, is a growth curve,” says Doug Dalzell, the founder of KPS. “This is art. This is not a solid product; it’s a shape and a form. And what you do is, you let the shape and form take over a little bit. If you try to do what we pulled off here from a flat sheet of metal, be it aluminum or stainless or whatever, it would probably kink on you.”

But in this case, the curved panels worked tremendously in the builders’ favor.

“It’s got a tremendous memory,” Dalzell adds. “It’s just alive. The more complicated the job, the more this product will work for you.”

Dalzell told the MCA that his firm decided to take on the daring project as a challenge. But it was a very enjoyable one: “When things like this come along, it’s a lot of fun, let me tell you.”

If this story has you intrigued and you’d like to learn more about the bold use of metal for roofs in Florida, contact us to talk!

The many varieties of metal roofing.

Contrary to what some people believe, metal roofing doesn’t just come in one form. There are many different types, and all have their special qualities. Among the varieties:

• Aluminum: According to the Metal Construction Association (MCA), more than 3 billion pounds of aluminum is used for construction each year in the United States.The majority of that goes toward roofing and wall systems. And it’s diverse; building owners can choose from a variety of colors and coatings. Not only will the colors last, but the roof’s coating will help it remain almost maintenance-free for years.
• Steel: Always a popular choice for roofing, steel is very strong, versatile and durable, and it’s also a good economic choice. Steel can be found on top of all sorts of buildings, from libraries to schools to shopping centers. The American Iron and Steel Institute reveals that in the past several years, steel roof construction has been used in nearly half of all of the low-rise commercial buildings in the country.
• Terne: Many people have never heard of this word; terne is a product that’s made by coating metals such as stainless steel with a specially formulated alloy, which goes a long way toward preventing corrosion. In its inception, terne’s alloy contained about 80 percent lead and 20 percent tin. But as it became clear in the 20th century that lead was harmful to our health, the alloy was changed to a combination of zinc and tin.

If you’d like to know more about the many different types of metal roofing in Florida, we’re here to talk about all of your options. Contact us today!

More metal types

Below are two more popular metal roofing choices:

• Copper: Did you know that a copper roof can last for centuries in some cases? The oldest copper roof in the country is found in Philadelphia, atop the historic Christ Church (pictured). It was installed on the church in 1742. Copper roofs are known for not only being long-lasting, but they’re also low-maintenance.
• Zinc: Zinc, which is a natural material, retains the same look for its entire life, because it never fades and resists corrosion. In addition, it can conform to all sorts of design styles, so it’s a popular choice among architects. It also boasts a 100 percent clear water runoff.

If you’re interested in discussing the variety of metal roofing in Florida, contact B&B Metals today. Our customer service is unmatched in the industry, so put us to work for you.

Why a 'Cool' metal roof is a hot trend.

Sometimes when we think about metal on a hot day, we assume it will be hot or warm to the touch. But that’s not the case with a modern metal roof. Due to advances in the production of the material, metal now uses reflective pigment technology to shed the harmful UV rays from the sun.

According to the nonprofit Metal Roofing Alliance, this reflective pigment comes in a variety of colors, finishes and textures. These “cool” roofs can be unpainted, pre-painted or coated with granules. The result? Substantial energy savings for you.

Did you know that the average household in America spends about $2,200 a year on energy bills? Nearly half of that cost goes to heating and cooling, according to the Energy Star program and the Metal Roofing Alliance. But metal can come to the rescue in helping keep those costs down, because it reduces both heating and cooling expenditures.

If you’re interested in learning more about why cool metal roofs are a trend in Florida,contact B&B Metals for answers!

Metal matters in energy savings

 

A major trend in commercial roofing is to make the roof white, which better reflects the sun’s radiation and saves utility costs. But if you’re working with a residential project, a white roof isn’t always practical or attractive.

Luckily, “a metal roof doesn’t have to be white to be highly reflective,” says Bill Hippard, president of the Metal Roofing Alliance. “Rather than hearing complaints from neighbors, many homeowners looking to reduce year-round energy costs are choosing darker colored, yet highly reflective, metal roofs.”

These cool metal roofs look just like a traditional covering, but the difference you’ll see is in energy savings. According to the Metal Roofing Alliance, even utility companies are on board with cool roofs, because they reduce peak energy demand in the summer. This translates into fewer power outages.

More and more homeowners are seeing the light and choosing a cool metal roof. New statistics show that the number of houses with metal roofs has more than tripled over the past 10 years. Metal roofing has gone from 3 percent of the market to 10 percent.