It can be extremely scary especially if it happens to you for the first time: due to metal roof thermal expansion, you hear your roof popping so loud it might just jump off your roof. Logic tells us that the fasteners screws will prevent this from happening. However, is there any way to reduce or completely avoid metal roof thermal expansion?
As with all things from construction to appliance casing material, heat increase and reduction will expand and contract the material respectively. Metal roofs expand and contract faster than other materials because of their excellent heat conductivity. RO Steel Roofing has a better explanation about this below.
Metal Roof Thermal Expansion: Not a Myth!
A number of myths often circulate about metal roofs. One of the most common questions that many people often have about metal roofs is whether or not they will expand and contract. It is true that metal roofs will expand and contract. This is because metal roofs tend to heat up when the sun rises each morning. During cooler temperatures, the metal will contract.
In the past, this could place a tremendous amount of pressure on the roof and ultimately cause it to fail. Fortunately, new metal roof systems have been designed to combat these problems. A metal roof is capable of contracting quite significantly, which can place a tremendous amount of stress on fasteners and seams. In fact, without addressing these challenges, such problems can result in roof leaks and the need for expensive repairs.
Thermal expansion and contraction is often a significant concern when it comes to a metal roofing system. It is most significant in situations in which there are standing-steam systems due to the length of long panel runs. The precise amount of thermal movement depends upon several factors, including the amount of temperature change and the coefficient of expansion that is unique to the type of metal that is used in the roof system. (Continued)
In some cases, Corpus Christi TX homeowners might mistake thermal expansion for strong winds. Metal roofs have lighter weight if you compare it to other materials such as asphalt shingles or slate tiles. In fact, aluminum and copper is highly malleable, which allows wind lift to change their shape so easily especially during hurricanes.
Washington Post has an excellent explanation on strong winds being one of the popping noise culprits. However, they provide a great explanation about metal roof thermal expansion and its popping noises too. Learn more below.
Metal Roof Thermal Expansion: It Might Be The Wind
The wind pressure against a roof, or an entire home, can be enormous. You can demonstrate this to yourself quite easily by trying to carry something large and flat on a windy day. Years ago, as a young builder, I almost got blown off a roof while trying to carry a sheet of 4-by-8 plywood. A sudden wind gust knocked me down, and the plywood sheet went sailing out of my hands off the roof. Luckily, no one was hurt except for the plywood.
I can see from your photo that you’ve got a standard gable roof where at least one end of your home has a flat gable wall that takes the full brunt of the wind. Imagine the pounds of pressure against the entire side wall when a strong wind hits it. The entire roof system, if not solidly braced, can and will flex to absorb this force. This flexing is what’s causing the popping noise. (Continued)
Most experienced Corpus Christi TX roofers with decades of knowledge and educationexperienced Corpus Christi TX roofers with decades of knowledge and education will strongly advise homeowners to observe fastener activity in the event of metal roof thermal expansion. Hidden and exposed fasteners create different environments for thermal expansions. Exposed fasteners often perform poorly due to its likelihood to leak.
In addition, its design does not allow metal roof thermal expansion. It is possible that the roof popping noise is due to your metal roof pushing against the exposed fasteners. This can lead to serious material damage. Learn about hidden and exposed metal roof fasteners and their roles in thermal expansion from Junior Construction Metal Roofing and Siding.
Metal Roof Thermal Expansion and Fasteners
If the issue of the integrity of the fastening system on the Barn Steel/exposed fastener roof were not enough to question its value, consider the law of expansion and contraction. All building materials that are exposed to wide temperature ranges expand with heat and contract with cold. This is true with all steel exterior products.The Barn Steel/exposed fastener system makes no allowance for the continuous expansion and contraction of the steel. In other words, by not having the ability for the steel to expand and contract, the exposed fasteners will stress the steel and cause the screw holes to enlarge and loosen its hold onto the sub-roof. (Continued)
Superior metal roofing materials will have reduced performance and lifespan because of poor roofing installation without any allowance for metal roof thermal expansion. We highly advise you work with professionals in your local Corpus Christi TX area. If you have yet to find one, you can depend on Galvan Builders to help. We have decades of experience providing top-quality roofing solutions. Learn more about what we can do for you today!
Learn More Here: Metal Roof Thermal Expansion: A Short Corpus Christi TX Homeowner Guide
Galvan Builders Construction Company
4938 Williams Drive,
Corpus Christi TX 78411
361-857-4341
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