Metal Roof Thermal Expansion

It is true that metal roofs will expand and contract.

Metal roof thermal expansion.

Metal is a rigid material and as with all rigid materials metal expands and contracts when temperatures change. These thermal expansion values are meant to provide a general idea of how much various materials expand and contract due to temperature change and should not be used if precise values are needed for critical engineering calculations. This is because metal roofs tend to heat up when the sun rises each morning. One of the most common questions that many people often have about metal roofs is whether or not they will expand and contract.

Also the surface temperature of metal roofing materials can range from 25 degrees fahrenheit cooler than ambi. The rate of thermal movement varies by the type of metal installed and temperature of the base metal. Expansion and contraction factors often are overlooked or regarded as insignifi cant in metal roof system design and construction. Thermal expansion contraction is responsible for most roof leaks.

It is important to note ambient air temperature will differ from the temperature of the metal and direct solar radia tion plays a major role in this process. The roofing membrane materials listed below will typically develop smaller clte s as they age. I had a standing seam metal roof installed on my thermal expansion 1 10 2005 within the noise discussion of the residential metal roofing forum. Metal roof thermal expansion.

Designing metal roofs for thermal movement. Even a cooling breeze a cloud passing overhead or sudden rain shower can cause roof systems to contract. If you don t take this into account premature roof failure could occur. When precision is necessary always refer to the data sheets of the actual specific product you intend to use.