Cut And Bend Trim Ends
At each end of the roofing trims, tabs need to be cut so the trims can be bent around the edge and close off the gap they create on the roof. Make a series of one-inch cuts with aviation snips at each bend to create tabs. Fold the tabs in with a hand seamer to match the roof edge or peak. Each trim is a different shape, requiring unique cuts and bends.
Cutting The Panels With Electric Sears
If you have decided to cut your metal panels with electric shears, you will have to decide between:
- Single cutting shears normal scissors with electric-powered blades that help you cut through hard materials. They can create precise cuts, but they could bend the metal.
- Double cut shears these scissors cause minimal distortion, which makes them extremely efficient. However, they are more suitable for custom cuts rather than straight cuts.
One of the main reasons behind choosing electric shears is that they allow you to cut through several sheets in no time.
Pro Tip: if the shears get stuck, do not apply more pressure reset the mechanism instead!
Cutting The Panels With An Angle Grinder
If you already have an angle grinder and you know how to use it properly, you might consider employing this tool to cut through your metal roofing panels. However, you should keep in mind that this tool is often too powerful for the very thin layers of metal roofing panels. At the same time, if you are hoping to cut through tough metal such as steel, an angle grinder could be exactly what you need.
When using this tool, beware that the friction can produce sparks, making the work more hazardous, reducing the precision of your cut, and ruining the paint finish of the panels.
Don’t Miss: Extending Roof Overhang Cost
How To Choose Your Commercial Metal Roofing
Few Systems Offer the Impressive Lifespan of Commercial Metal Roofing.
What if you never had to replace your company rooftop again? Thats a question that brings thousands of businesses running to commercial metal roofing, despite its numerous other benefits. Few will argue the impressive durability of metal systems, but many struggle to find the system tailored to their needs.
Thats what well try to fix today!
Here is a 3 step guide to simplify the process of choosing your perfect metal roof! Well cover the qualification process, material choice, and styling decisions. Dont let indecision separate your business from powerful energy savings and weather protection. Lets dive right in!
Thoroughly Measure Your Roof
Before you purchase materials, make sure that your metal roofing will fit on your home. This is easiest to do if you measure out the space and take measurements before shopping for panels or shingles. But once you know what size of material to buy , be aware that not all metals come in standard sizes, so its good to have a little extra just in case.
1) Measure the Height of Your Roof
Measure your roof to determine how many panels are needed for installation. Some metal roofs come with pre-cut lengths, but if not, you will need some sort of measuring device like an accurate yardstick, measuring tape, a chalk and line system, or laser leveler. For the best results, make sure to use a ladder so you can get accurate measurements.
2) Measure the Length of Your Roof
Once you know how many panels are needed for installation, measure the length of your roof and order that amount in panels or shingles. Start at one end and take a reading from top to bottom with your measuring tape to measure correctly. At that point, measure the distance to the opposite end and add those two measurements together for your total length.
3) Measure the Pitch of Your Roof
Another critical number youll want to know is pitch this refers to how steeply sloped your roof is, or in other words, its incline measured from a horizontal plane. The pitch you want will depend on the type of metal roofing you buy because a steeper pitch means more material is needed for installation.
Read Also: How Much Shingle Roof Cost
What Is The Best Tool For Cutting Metal Roofs
Snips for cutting corrugated iron are available in several types, sizes, and edges. They’re simple to handle when trimming corners on a corrugated roofing system because the tin allows them to be precisely controlled. It’s the most popular method of cutting galvanized, stainless steel, and polyvinyl chloride flashing. Although some tools are quicker for more complex tasks such as an electric shear or a nibbler drill attachment.
Cut A Notch In Two Steps
If your roof includes a chimney or sidewall, youll have to make a notch. I do this in two steps with two tools.
Cut Across the Panels
After marking the notch, I start by making the cuts across the panel, which means youre cutting over the ribs. The BEST way to do this is with a profile nibbler. Instead of cutting the metal, it actually makes several punches, which allows it to cut over the ribs. Profile nibblers do not track straight so move slowly.
For Long Straight Cuts
For the straight cut up the flat part of a panel I use a double cut shear. It’s fast, cuts straight and leaves a nice finished edge. Double cut shears make a 1/4-in. wide cut that creates a thin, sharp metal coil, so wear gloves and keep it from scratching the panels.
Recommended Reading: Where Do The Screws Go On A Metal Roof
How To Cut Metal Roofing When Carrying Out Independent Building
Basic rules on how to cut metal roofing and cutting devices applied for different types of roofing material. Peculiarities of Seam roofing and types of the valley.
Metal roofing is widely used as coating for low-rise houses and cottages and for the construction of multi-storey housing with complex shape of the roof. The roof and pitch structures differ, so for proper performance of the installation work it is important to know how to cut metal roofing. Many developers search for something more creative, and they choose house projects with complex roof.
How To Cut Metal Roofing With A Circular Saw
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Having a solid, well-built roof above your head is a necessity that you cannot possibly forgo. Besides making you feel secure and safe, it must also add an aesthetic appeal to your home. This article will help you learn how to cut metal roofing with a circular saw and achieve near perfection.
Contents
Don’t Miss: How Much For Shingle Roof
Instructions For Constructing A Corrugated Metal Roof
How To Cut Tin Roofing Sheets
Whatever cutting tool you use, its vital to first planning what type of cuts you want to make. Apart from that, you should always take your safety into account whenever you are using electric cutting tools. Be sure to wear long trousers and shirts.
Regarding the methods to cut tin roofing materials, there are three ways you can use as mentioned in the following sections:
Don’t Miss: Roof Cost California
Minimize The Impact Of Warm Air
As stated previously, it is that flowing of warm air that really aids to the buildup of water which then causes the ice dams to form. In order to prevent the ice dams from forming, you need to ensure that the warm air is kept to a minimum when flowing outward to the roof.
You can do this by first sealing the air leaks that can lead to the attic space. Do this by locating those little pathways where the warm air can rise up inside the attic and make sure that they are properly insulated. This is an effective long-term solution towards solving the ice dam problem that plagues so many metal roofs.
The first step is properly identifying those holes and then sealing them. You can use something like weather stripping to make sure that they are properly insulated and then make sure to seal all of the holes through which that warm air can escape into the attic.
The Best Tools And Methods Of Field Cutting Metal Panels
Most manufacturers cannot make your diagonal and specialty cuts for you, so cutting panels on site is a necessary part of metal roofing installation. To ensure your panels and flashing remain rust-free and smooth, it is very important to use the correct tools to make your cuts. Using the incorrect tools can result in rust, rust stains, voided warranties and decreased service life.
Premature corrosion and rust due to abrasive cutting of the panel
Don’t Miss: How Much Does Shingle Roof Cost
Advanced Tin Snips & Aviation Snips
Lets face it, its fun to own power tools They make quick work of any project and who doesnt like quick work? But theyre also a huge budget-killer, and most of the time, theyre unnecessary. We feel thats the case with cutting metal panels. If you were installing metal roofing for a trade, you would have a set of power tools designed to get the job done fast and easily. However, DIYers will generally want to use basic tools an not have to invest big money in tools that may get used for only a single project.
With that, while installing your new metal roofing a set of tin snips will do you. Most of our DIY customers successfully use them. They can easily cut through 26 or 29 gauge metal panels, and probably heavier. But there is a RIGHT way to do it!
We highly recommend reading this article and watching the videos before you start snipping away at your new metal roof panels. Itll make the job much better for you!
Choose Your Metal Material
The vast majority of commercial metal roofing projects utilize aluminum or steel as the primary material. Both offer impressive resistance against the elements, meaning your employees can feel safe under sunny skies or heavy winds. With that being said, there are some key differences between steel paneling and aluminum.
Steel Paneling is Particularly Popular for Large Commercial Projects.
Steel: An Industrial Classic
Few materials permeate so much of our American infrastructure as modern steel. That makes it a natural choice for protecting our rooftops, especially with its moderate price range. It rarely shows signs of aging either, maintaining that attractive sheen throughout its long lifetime. Most commercial contractors utilize either galvanized or galvalume steel, which provide substantial resistance against rusting.
Aluminum: A Rust-Proof Solution
While a somewhat softer metal than steel, aluminum still offers hardy protection against storms. You may notice small dings after a hail storm, however. The metal is extremely reflective, making it a wonderful choice in environments with long periods of intense sunlight. Because aluminum is naturally rustproof, you dont have to worry about long term corrosion either.
Read Also: Adding Eaves To Gable End
Ice Dam Prevention Tips For Metal Roofs
The wintertime is one of some contention for those who dont particularly enjoy the cold weather. It means more clothes, turning the temperature up in your home, and making certain that your roof is properly protected from the elements.
One of these issues that you may need to worry about, particularly if you have a metal roof, is what is known as an ice dam. An ice dam is where ice and water become trapped on a portion of the roof and catches any flowing water. This can be particularly bad for your roof.
Ice dams can cause a number of different issues for your metal roof. The water can get under the metal shingles, raising them up and leaking water down onto the roof below. This can cause heat loss as well as damage to your attic space as well as further structural damage to the wood surrounding that area.
But what exactly causes ice dams to form? This occurs when the heat that is inside the house rises up to the attic space. There it continues to rise until it reaches the apex of the roof. That warm air then warms up the top of the roof itself this causes the snow that has built up there to melt and that water runs down the surface of the roof. When it reaches the colder edges that are at the bottom of the roof, that water then refreezes and forms a wall of ice . That ice then traps additional water, causing icicles and additional ice and water to build up.
Whats Better Straight Tin Snips Or Offset Snips
Straight tin snips can do some curved cutting, but what makes it handy to have slightly offset snips around is that the offset handle means your hands are above the cut, not in line with it, and so its easier to do long, straight cuts. And easier means an added touch of safety when working with sharp metal edges.
And narrower blades on yellow straight snips make them good for cutting tighter curves. A 90-degree offset handle can be great to have for tight spaces or if you need to cut upside-down.
Whatever snips you buy, buy high-quality. Itll be worth it when your metal isnt getting jammed or twisting between blades.
In a perfect world, your kit would have a set of red, yellow, and green aviation snips, a compound snip, and an off-set snip. That way, youre good to go for nearly any cutting dilemma.
Don’t Miss: Should I Replace The Screws On My Metal Roof
Gather All Materials & Tools
The first step is to gather all the tools needed for the job. Heres a complete list:
- PPE safety should always come first, so make sure you have goggles, gloves, suitable footwear and outerwear.
- Identify a workplace that offers enough space for you to cut the panels in all safety
- Your metal cutting tool of choice as we are about to see, you can use a variety of tools including:
- Nibblers
Push Through Tough Patches
You may discover that your power shears run into a dead end or some kind of resistance in the corrugated metal sheet. This isnt necessarily a problem that your shears cant handle.
Sometimes the corrugated metal has an impurity or has crumpled up minutely right at the edge of your shear blade.
If this happens, the best way to tackle the problem is to move the power shear slightly up so that the blade is resting on a downward angle.
Then, carefully cut through the section with gravity assisting you. This new angle should allow the shears to cut through the roadblock without much issue. Go extra slowly if this happens to avoid making a jagged line.
You May Like: Skylight In Metal Roof
Safety Precautions When Cutting Metal Roofing Panels
Whenever you are cutting metal roofing panels, its necessary to invest in your safety to avoid potential injuries. Here are some of the safety measures to observe.
- Use the Right Tools: Accidents can occur when you use the wrong metal cutting tools. Besides putting your life at risk, wrong tools may compromise the quality of work. Ensure that the cutting tool is compatible with the metal gauge.
- Put on the Right Gear: Put on a long-sleeved shirt to cover your arms, and ideally, wear pants made of fire-resistant materials. Wear puncture-resistant gloves to protect your hands from getting cut by the panels sharp edges.
How To Cut Metal Roofing Lengthwise
Disclosure: We may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Do you want to know how to cut metal roofing? We’ve got you covered.
Let’s agree on this: no homeowner wants to skimp on the quality of their roof. The roof shields you from harsh elements and helps you save money on your energy bills. It also adds to the value of your property by making it more appealing.
When it comes to installing a new roof, you want to make sure that it is of the greatest quality and will last for years. Metal roofing is the finest option in this scenario. It is not only a long-lasting roofing solution but it is also considered to be single-cutting-highly attractive.
However, if you want to install the roof on your own, you must first understand how to cut sheet metal. This is vital since the metal sheets must be shaped and sized to meet your roofing requirements in Connecticut.
Learning how to cut a metal roof may appear daunting for most novices, and any little error while using the tin snips might lead to an accident.
Metal roof cutting, on the other hand, is simple if done with appropriate metal roof cutters and in the correct method. In this post, we’ll go through the nitty-gritty details of cutting metal roofs, including the equipment required and the methods that you should perform, and answer a few questions about metal roofing.
You May Like: How Much Is A Shingle Roof Per Square Foot
Tools For Cutting Metal Roofs
Now that you know why so many people opt for metal roofs, its time to prepare yourself to install this increasingly popular roofing material. There are a few tools that you will want to keep handy if you plan on cutting metal roofing:
- Tin Snips: Tin snips are your basic metal cutting hand tools. They can work well if you are dealing with a particularly thin sheet of metal roofing or if you need to make small, detailed cuts.
- Circular Saw: Circular saws work well when you want to cut multiple sheets of the same length. You will want a circular saw around when you need to make long, straight cuts as well.
- Nibbler: A nibbler is used to cut through sheet metal. For roofing, its best to use a power nibbler so you can make rounded cuts when needed.
