Roof Sandwich Panels: Features and Installation Tips

Roof sandwich panels are a multi-layer building material. It has 3 components:

• a thin sheet of steel coated with a polymer coating;
• insulation;
• facing material (often aluminum or stainless steel is used as it).

The roof of the sandwich panels has an excellent appearance, which is provided over time. Such a roof can reliably last more than 25 years.

Advantages of sandwich panels

No weather conditions will spoil the roof of the sandwich panels. This means that it will always protect the house from moisture penetration. However, this is not the only advantage of such building material.

Sandwich panels:

• have light weight. Accordingly, there is no particular load on the foundation. This means that you can apply an economical and easy version of the foundation;
• easily and quickly stacked on the roof. When installing them, you do not need to use large lifting equipment. The main thing is to raise only one panel to the roof, which is then fixed;
• They have remarkable thermal engineering properties (unlike all other roofing materials, it is the sandwich panels that retain heat longer and better);
• has high noise insulation qualities;
• fire resistant;
• with the help of sandwich panels you can very quickly finish the construction of a house, garage, store or any other building;
• the beauty of the panels provides a beautiful appearance for the home;
• all panels are protected against corrosion, therefore, they will last for many years;
• fairly easy preventive care for the roof, and if necessary - affordable repair of damaged roofs;
• reliable, protect the house from any vicissitudes of the weather and make the home comfortable.

Disadvantages of Sandwich Panels

Such roofing material has its own negative aspects:

• sandwich panels will not be able to withstand too much load. You can’t walk on it, otherwise dents or other traces will appear;
• it is very likely that the roof will be damaged externally, even from weather conditions (for example, rain or hail);
• freezing in the winter can occur at the junction of the panels, there will also be a small draft. True, this flaw can be very easily fixed. Only use special foam.

Quality Sandwich Panels - Be Careful!

If the sandwich panels are made at a professional factory specializing specifically in building or finishing materials, then you can be sure that quality control is carried out here at every stage of production. Large concerns use only reliable, high-quality materials in their business, and never save on highly skilled workers. That is why they can guarantee a long service life.

Unfortunately, there are builders who, in search of cheaper materials, buy substandard sandwich panels. The thing is that there are many artisanal productions of such a roof. Therefore, it is recommended to buy sandwich panels only from large manufacturers. Better to choose quality than short life.

Easy installation

The roof of the sandwich panels is very easy to install. In this case, you do not need to use a large number of special equipment or tools.Many do not even resort to the help of specialists to lay such a roof.

It is best to choose a professional installation. Only then can the reliability of the roof of the sandwich panels be guaranteed.

Thanks to the quick and easy laying of the material, as well as the ability to fit all the parts in place, their sandwich panels can be used to make roofs of any shape.

Before installation

Before starting laying sandwich panels, it is necessary to carry out preparatory work:

• It is important to stock up with all the necessary tools. It should always be at hand during installation.
• you should check the presence of all poles, as well as crossbars. It is necessary to pay attention to their correct position.
• finally, on the basement, all work must be completed. In addition, you need to make sure that you have waterproofing.

If the building is well prepared, the installation of sandwich panels will be very easy and fairly quick.

Installation should be carried out only after all welding work has been completed. Otherwise, the panel coating will be damaged.

Customize panels

Sandwich panels roofing dimensions are certain. More often they depend on the manufacturer. However, at a construction site there is always a need to adjust the material to a certain roof shape.

When fitting a sandwich panel, it is best to use a hand saw with very small teeth. In no case should you use a grinder for these purposes.

As soon as the sandwich panel is sawn off, you need to immediately remove all the chips. And for the safety of the roof, it is best to lay a dense fabric or even felt under it when cutting the material.

Panel connection

Fastening of building elements occurs with the help of special connectors. Depending on the thickness of the panels, one or another fastener is used. They are released additionally.

For drilling sandwich panels you need to use screwdrivers that have a special head

If the roof of the building should protect the outside world from what is contained in the house, it is necessary to use self-tapping screws that are made of stainless steel. They are used in the following cases:

1. chemical production inside, especially aggressive atmosphere (environment);
2. high humidity;
3. the need to protect the entire contents of the building.

Sandwich Panel Roof Slope

A prerequisite for the use of such panels on the roof is the presence of a slope. Minimum it can be 5%. This applies only to those roofs on the slope of which there are no joints and light windows. Otherwise, the slope should be at least 7%.

Laying Sandwich Panels

The installation of a roof from a sandwich panel is quite simple. The main thing is to follow the correct order:

1. first, the panel is attached to the run with only one connecting element. The next one is screwed under the ridge. Only then the panel is attached to all existing runs. The only exception is the skate.
2. Those panels that are located on the edges are attached with several screws to the support run. It is important to note that the connectors only screw into the top of the panels.
3. All other panels are attached only with 2 self-tapping screws directly to the girders.
4. As soon as the panels on the slopes are mounted, install the internal ridge.
5. Only after this, all available gaps should be foamed with mounting compound.
6. The finished skate plate is fixed on top and a reliable roof is ready.

We must not forget that the installation of a roof from a sandwich panel also requires the presence of catchments and drains. They are installed after the roof is assembled.

Mistakes to Make

Specialists builders highlight several important mistakes that can be made by inexperienced workers:

• Before installation, you should definitely study the detailed instructions for use. Otherwise, avoiding the fulfillment of the requirements prescribed by the manufacturer, you can spoil the entire roof.
• Do not chase the cheapness.Replace all recommended materials or fasteners with simpler analogues.
• No need to deviate from the order of the algorithm for assembling roofs from sandwich panels.

Where to apply roofing sandwich panels?

Where can I use this roofing material? Professionals advise using it when installing a roof:

1. Any office buildings.
2. Production plants will not do without cost-effective sandwich panels.
3. Shopping centers or huge markets.
4. Pools and gyms, complexes will be reliable with such a roof.
5. At gas stations, car washes also lay such a roof.
6. Warehouses and refrigerated rooms will be protected with a roof of similar panels.
7. Special “clean” rooms (especially since sandwich panels provide an absolutely antistatic roof covering).

Roofing sandwich panels are a modern, reliable and cost-effective solution that can be used not only for the construction of completely new buildings, but also for the reconstruction of finished buildings. The cost of such a roof depends on many parameters:

1. From the heat-insulating properties of the panels (depending on what specific material is used in the production - more expensive or very cheap);
2. From the material from which they are made;
3. From a size that can vary in width from 2500 to 13000 mm, and in thickness - from 50 to 300 mm.

One way or another, but the price per square meter of roofing is much cheaper compared to other roofing materials. Therefore, if you want to economically close the roof, make it beautiful and reliable, you should choose a sandwich panel, which in addition will protect the house from excessive moisture (rain, condensation, etc.), loud noise from the street and severe frost in the cold winter.