If you are planning to re-roof your house, or building a new house, choosing the right profile for the right pitch for residential metal roof applications can make all the difference. Here are a few common profiles, and the pitches they are most suited to. The cost of installing a metal roof can be quite high initially, and finding the right profile for the application can make a big difference to the lifespan!
Corrugated Corrugated, S profile or Victorian profile has a narrow pan, and ribs that are close to each other. Because of this, its ability to shrug off water is limited, and its best suited to higher pitches, normally from around ten degrees.
As the name Victorian profile suggests, this is an old-fashioned type of sheeting, and often used on period houses, or houses designed to look older. Because it is aesthetically pleasing, there is no problem using this on high pitched and therefore very visible roofs.
Corrugated sheeting also lends itself to rolling, which allows the sheeting to mold to a curve, without the necessity for cranking.
IBR
IBR sheeting, or inverted box rib, has a much wider pan between ribs. This makes it suited to much lower pitches, as it has the ability to channel larger amounts of water to runoff points.
Less visually appealing, it is nonetheless popular both in residential applications and more frequently in industrial and commercial developments, such as factories and malls.
IBR can be laid in one of two configurations – narrow flute out, the traditional manner, or broad flute out, commonly used for cladding of vertical surfaces. These provide a very different aesthetic, and can be combined, creating the appearance of two different profiles.
If IBR sheeting is to be laid to a curve, the sheets may be cranked to the profile of the curve, making laying a much easier proposition!
Secret Fix Sheeting
Secret fix profiles abound, usually as a patented product by a particular manufacturer. These types of sheeting are laid without piercing the sheet, to clips affixed to purlins or battens on rafters or trusses.
Because the sheeting is not pierced, and this type of sheet typically has a much broader pan, again channeling water more effectively, they are generally suitable for very low pitches, sometimes only a few degrees.
Usually more costly, in terms of material, they can be more cost effective in the long run, being relatively easy to lay, and with some suppliers offering the option of on site rolling to your sheet length requirements. The cost of installing a metal roof however does also include labor, so it’s likely to even out! They also offer a much better aesthetic, with no visible fixings.
Because the various profiles offer very different benefits, it is advisable to consider your choice carefully, and, when in doubt, consult a roofing professional or manufacturer for advice. They are also able to offer metal roof installation tips, and may be able to give you metal roof installation instructions. They can also advise on the best ways to reduce the cost of installing a metal roof, by choosing the right profile.