Seam roofing is a great option for roofs with a slight slope. German craftsmen invented the seam roof (you may have already guessed it from the name). In translation, “seam” simply means a gutter, and the installation of a seam roof consists of such simple connections - snapped or clamped, and that’s it. But why then, with such simplicity, seam roofing is not common?

The problem is that previously the fold was made from sheets only by hand. The process was labor-intensive, the joints were not very smooth and it was difficult to talk about the tightness of such a roof. And only with the appearance professional equipment seam roofing has reinvented itself: smooth joints, any length and speed of installation have done their job. Want to know more?

The roof, which is made from individual metal sheets, is called seam roofing. Seam roofing appeared in Russia a little over 100 years ago, and quickly gained its popularity. And with the production of mechanical and electric seaming tools (previously, seams were connected only by hand), its installation became accessible to everyone. See for yourself:

Among the advantages:

• Light weight of the roof, which is valuable for any buildings.
• Excellent protection against leaks. All thanks to the tightness! There are no through holes anywhere on a seam roof that could become a source of corrosion or other problems.
• Seam roofing is also attractive due to its ease of installation, which almost anyone can handle.
• Such a roof can be done not only on ordinary pitched roofs, but also on more complex architectural objects.
• Seam roofing looks aesthetically pleasing and can be combined with any type of building materials.
• The main advantage of a seam roof is the 100% tightness of the roofing covering, under which neither snow nor rainwater can get under. The fact is that such a roof has a minimum of holes, unlike a metal roof, which means a minimal risk of moisture getting into the under-roof space. No corrosion!
• 20 years minimum service life. In principle, seam roofing is durable due to the fact that its connections are inaccessible to water. Plus there are no transverse seams and open places connections that would prevent water flow and snow melting.

And also quite simple installation:

Let us note right away that all the shortcomings that are usually attributed to seam roofing come precisely from improper installation.

• Thus, the most common complaints are about loud noise from rain, when drops simply drum on the seam roof. To avoid this, you need to use a perfectly flat sheathing, then metal sheets will fit tightly enough to it and not create a noise effect.
• Repair of folds is periodically necessary. It depends on how they were made and with what.
• An avalanche of snow. Yes, on such a flat roof he has no choice but to quickly slide down, but what are the snow holders for then? In Europe, for example, they don’t even insure a house if there are no such elements on the roof.
• Simple design and lack of a wide choice of colors and textures. Yes, not everyone likes the minimalistic aesthetics of a standing seam roof. But a matter of taste is always a subjective matter, and someone just doesn’t want to see the ubiquitous metal tiles.

Now look at what else you can do to get rid of the noise:

Selection of design and material

To make it more convenient for you, we suggest that you first understand the concepts a little.

Paintings- these are rectangular metal elements with folds, which are mounted on the roof. Standard form – steel sheets in the form of a rectangle with cut out corners. The seam roof is made from paintings.

fold- This is a specific seam that is obtained by fastening different sheets of metal together. The advantage is that with such a connection the density is quite high, and neither sealants nor adhesives are needed to ensure complete tightness. And, in addition to their main task, the folds also play the role of stiffening ribs for the entire roof.

Klyammer- This is a special fastener that is nailed directly to the base of the roof. A simple clamp has the same shape as the future rebate blank, and a movable one ensures future thermal expansion of the metal (compression and tension in different time of the year).

As you can see, everything is simple and you don’t need to worry about anything.

Material for making paintings

Seam roofing is made from both galvanized steel and various non-ferrous metals. Here are the materials that seam roofing is most often made from today:

Option #1 – steel

The most common option. Steel seam roofing can be galvanized, non-galvanized, or additionally coated with polymer. The advantages are corrosion resistance, low cost and durability (60 years of service).

But over time, steel, unfortunately, noticeably tarnishes. Therefore, to install a seam roof, steel paintings should only be taken that are covered with a colored multi-layer coating. And when purchasing these, make sure that they have a special protective film on them - this is the only way the material will not get scratched during transportation.

But in any case, even a high-quality polymer coating on the roof will not be durable: due to sun rays, acid rain and the most important enemy - the humid marine climate.

Option #2 – copper

This is the most beautiful roof, which simply burns on a sunny day. Its main advantage is that no biological life will take root on it, especially moss. But there are also many disadvantages - such metal is soft, requires careful handling and is quite expensive.

Over time, copper also becomes covered with patina - a layer of oxides, and becomes dark brown. And after a while - green, and nothing needs to be restored. And it is precisely because of the oxides that copper cannot be combined with other materials on a seam roof.

Copper seam roofing is also valuable for its flexibility - it is easy to create roofing architectural masterpieces, not to mention simple roofs:

Option #3 – zinc

The zinc seam roof is additionally covered with protective layer– zinc carbonate. Over time, such a roof acquires a chic silver-gray color. A zinc roof lasts for about 50 years, which is relatively short, and therefore in Europe such material is no longer used for making paintings.

Option #4 – aluminum

This type of roofing is the most resistant to mechanical damage and corrosion, and can last more than 100 years! And the pleasant silver shine will only please the eye.

In addition, this material is lighter than steel and more resistant to corrosion. But aluminum is bad because it expands and contracts much more strongly with temperature changes. That is why the installation of such a roof has its own characteristics:

Option #5 – zinc-titanium

This is a strong, successful alloy of zinc and titanium: zinc does not corrode, and titanium has both strength and ductility. This coating is also valuable for designers, because over time it becomes covered with a noble patina. The roof looks great!

Option #6 – aluzinc

Aluzinc is steel paintings with an aluminum-zinc coating, which has valuable self-healing properties and perfectly protects scratches and cuts from corrosion.

Option #7 - an alloy of three metals

Titanium-zinc-copper alloy. There is not much copper here, only 0.005%, but this is enough to give the roofing material plasticity, which makes profiling easier.

Special coating

If your house is located in a coastal area or an area with poor environmental conditions, or simply a hot and humid climate, then purchase folded paintings covered with pural. Only this polymer is capable of high level protect from sea air, rain with acidic impurities and scorching ultraviolet radiation.

Production technology

Seam roofing is also divided according to production technology - into cast and roll.

Cast roofing has long been used in Russia, and its reliability has already been tested. It is easy to install such a seam roof with your own hands and without special tools, there are no transverse seams, and the surface is complete and durable. But rolled seam roofing is a new technology with its own advantages and disadvantages. These are metal strips for the entire length of the slope, and immediately with prepared edges using a special machine. The fold is formed double.

And according to the width of the patterns and the presence of stiffeners, seam roofing is divided into the following types:

• Double fold and two stiffening ribs. This type of roofing is most in demand in the industrial sector. She gets spanked warehouses and large buildings with widely varying roof pitches. Standard width – 5.57 m, working width – 5.45 m.
• Double fold and two stiffening ribs, but smaller width - 35.2 m (working 3.4 m). This type of roofing is used to cover the roofs of cottages, large residential buildings and historical monuments.
• Double fold without stiffeners. There are also two types of such roofs, based on the actual width - 5.57 m and 3.52 m. Both are quite suitable for residential buildings and ordinary private houses.

And folded panels can also be ordinary and starting, trapezoidal and parallel:

Market offers

If we talk about brands, in Russia, as well as abroad, the most popular Finnish seam roofing is from the Ruukki company, with self-latching seams.

More favorable prices are available for materials from the domestic plant “Insi”. It has been on the market for more than 16 years, and is quite pleased with the quality of its products. In production there are both ordinary glossy and matte paintings, as well as unique ones to create special design roofs.

Seam roof installation technology

To install such a roof, you do not need any special supports, expensive lifting equipment, or additional consumables.

Stage I. Preparing the foundation

Seam roofs can be installed either on sheathing or on a solid base. Both bars and metal hat profile are suitable.

It is only important to adhere to the spacing between the rafters of no more than 2.5 meters - otherwise even the strongest steel sheets risk bending and the seams will immediately separate:

Here's how to fold the backing sheet yourself:

Stage II. Working with paintings

On workplace You can bring both finished paintings and rolled steel, which you will cut on the spot.

Once the steel paintings are ready, they are lifted onto the roof. Lay out along the cornice directly onto the sheathing and begin installation from the middle.

Stage III. We prepare additional elements

For roofing roof edges, valleys, ridges and elements such as chimney, roof connection and dormer window, it is necessary to make ready-made paintings from rolled steel in advance - but in a curly shape.

Here detailed master class How to make your own drip edge for a standing seam roof:

Stage IV. We bend the folds

So, we moved on to the most important technological question: how to make folds?

Types of connections

The folds in such paintings are single and double, standing and lying. To simplify, all horizontal folds are called lying folds, and vertical folds are called standing folds:

A single standing seam is the easiest to install:

A double fold is a double fold of the edge. It must be done in the most problematic areas of the roof, where snow and water usually like to accumulate - valleys, gutters and other complex joints. This is the strongest and most airtight, which is why it is also the most popular abroad.

Double standing seam is recommended for roofs with a slope angle of less than 25°. True, in Russia, double folding is still considered an unreasonably expensive technology. Although in fact the price is exceeded quite a bit, the reliability of such a connection is much greater. Here's how you can make it during the roof installation process:

But, if you want the seams between the paintings to be smooth and the entire roof to look even, then make rebated seams. And horizontally, the paintings are connected to each other only by lying folds - so that the coverage is maximum. If the captured steel strip does not reach the depth, such paintings will disperse over time.

The third type is a corner standing seam, which is also called L-shaped. It is recommended for roofs with a slope angle of more than 25°. It is simpler to perform than a regular fold - you just need to correctly bend the top edge of the seam.

Height of stiffeners

Now let’s talk about the height of the rebate, which also serves as a stiffening rib for such a roof. The fact is that this connection is absolutely waterproof unless it is exposed to standing water. But where on the roof can it come from in this form? Very simply - from the thickness of the snow. Therefore, the height of the rebate matters, and in especially snowy regions it is done quite a lot.

Additional sealing

Additionally, to prevent water from entering the seam, special sealing gaskets are installed in the seam during the installation process. A special material is used that can easily withstand high temperatures (up to 90°C) and compression, because rolling mechanisms for folds will also be used.

Another important point: all fasteners that you will use must only be anti-corrosion. Otherwise, in a couple of years the new beautiful roof will be covered with rusty streaks.

Folding technology

You can fasten the folds together using a hammer and wooden beams, with a special hand tool or using electromechanical machines. The simplest option is with a frame:

Before folding the folded fold, the picture must be attached to the flooring with a separate narrow strip to stabilize its position.

The fold is made from the front and back, and on the left and right there are vertical elements of the fold.

Using a clamp

The most common fastening method is clamps. They are bent back by 25 mm, and the paintings are nailed on the right side.

The clamp is a metal strip made of galvanized steel, 80-120 cm long and 0.5-0.7 mm thick. You can cut the clamp from a regular galvanized sheet using a simple hand tool. Next, place the clamps along the edge of the paintings every 60 cm and fasten with self-tapping screws (4.8x28).

So, first we put the picture on the crate, then we fasten it with a clamp and only then we cover it with another picture. You need to nail the clasps along the line connecting the two paintings: one sheet is placed on the clasp from above, and the second is slipped from below, and we wrap three layers of metal in one direction, after which we close the folds to the end. We press it, and we get a strong and reliable connection with the clamp, which is hidden inside and holds both sheets on the roof. This fastening is a 100% guarantee for long years from leaks and cold air.

Stage V. We complete the installation of the roof

Now we bend the toes correctly:

And finally, during the installation of a seam roof, you will need auxiliary profiles: pediment, cornice, aprons, seam strips and valleys.

Here's a great tutorial on how to make a simple one cornice strip for such a roof:

Professional and amateur installation

Now let's figure out how the work of a professional differs from that of an amateur. Yes, for the usual home handyman with quite dexterous hands, one mallet, scissors and a hook bender are enough to install gutters. But an experienced person, an expert in his field, equips himself with at least a dozen expensive special scissors, not to mention frames, pliers and other tools. Moreover, the total cost of such a set may be more expensive than the folding machine itself.

To close folds today, a semi-automatic tool is most often used, the use of which provides many significant advantages:

• High performance.
• High quality seam.
• Preservation of the polymer coating of paintings.
• Ability to work with metal of any thickness.

Recently, paintings have also begun to be produced, the folds of which easily snap into place when pressed - and no tools are required!

Seam roofing is the most reliable way to construct a roof. The seam method provides the most airtight connection of metal sheets. In addition, metal roofing is beautiful and durable.

A seam is a seam by which sheets of metal are joined to each other. Seam connections are absolutely tight. Thanks to this technology, a seam roof is the most reliable and durable type of roofing for a home. This fact is recognized by both construction specialists and ordinary consumers.

Advantages of seam roofing

• The main advantage of a seam roof is its tightness, which is achieved by installing a seam seam. The peculiarity of this seam is that the technology for installing a seam roof does not allow the presence of holes in the sheet of roofing material, and, accordingly, completely eliminates the penetration of moisture into the structure;
• the small mass of roofing sheets with a thickness of 0.5-0.6 mm significantly reduces the load on the foundation and rafter system of the building;
• a smooth plane facilitates rapid drainage of rain and snow, protecting the roof from damage;
• fire safety. Seam roofing is metal, so it cannot burn or melt;
• durability. If the installation of a seam roof is carried out efficiently, its service life reaches 60 years or more.

Disadvantages of seam roofing

• Difficult to install. A seam roof can be installed with your own hands only if you have the skill to work with metal;
• The need to construct a lightning rod due to the ability of the roof to accumulate electrical voltage;
• High resonating properties. The sound of raindrops is quite noticeable, which requires additional sound insulation measures.

Disadvantages also include the high cost of a roof with a special coating to give a more aesthetic appearance to the structure, since the simplest version (galvanized steel) does not look very presentable.

Seam roof installation

To construct a seam roof, sheets of metal are required that are prepared for installation in a special way. They are called “pictures”, and are a canvas with curved edges that serve as the basis for a fold (seam). To fasten the metal to the roof, a seam roofing clamp is used. These elements of a seam roof can be purchased in a store or made by yourself if you have a special device.

When installing a seam roof, installation can be done in different ways. The folds are placed not only vertically (the most common type), but also horizontally. The seams themselves also have several varieties.

The standing single seam is the simplest. The folded edge (bend) of one painting (sheet) is placed over the bend of the adjacent painting and secured to the sheathing with a clamp.

A standing double fold is more airtight, since in this case a double fold is made.

Recumbent single seam is an example horizontal version location and is used quite rarely due to poor reliability. In order to avoid the need to make horizontal folds, currently they use rolled metal rather than sheet metal.

A recumbent double fold involves a bend of two turns. This seam roof technology provides greater tightness than a single roof.

Seam roofing is installed manually or using an electromechanical seaming machine.

How to make a seam connection with your own hands, watch the video:

Clickfaltz. To speed up the installation of a seam roof, they use the so-called self-latching roof - click seam. Self-latching seam roofing does not require the use of any special tools. It is designed in such a way that the edges of the paintings interlock with each other with light pressure.

Because the high-quality installation and manual repair of a seam roof can only be carried out by a roofing specialist, then a self-latching seam roof is a real godsend for those who have chosen this type of roofing.

Materials for metal seam roofing

One of the most popular metals for seam roofing is galvanized or polymer-coated steel. Durability, corrosion resistance, reasonable price - these are its characteristics.

Galvanized seam roofing becomes stained over time and therefore requires periodic touch-ups.

An alternative option is polymer-coated steel. It should be taken into account that different coatings perform different functions. Some prevent negative impact natural phenomena(for example, pural), others increase strength (plastisol). Polymer coatings have a rich range of colors, which is important from an aesthetic point of view.

Seam roofing made of copper looks very beautiful. Its main advantage is that no microorganisms, including moss, can live on it. Copper under influence environment covered with patina - a layer of green oxides, which makes the roof even more beautiful. It is precisely because of the oxide layer that it is not recommended to combine this metal with others. Copper, how relative soft material, requires especially careful handling, especially since its cost is quite high.

Installation of a copper seam roof is easier than any other. Plastic of this material allows you to create roof coverings of almost any configuration.

The zinc standing seam roofing gradually turns silver-gray, which makes it look magnificent. It is coated with zinc carbonate - a special protective layer. However, due to its short service life (50 years), zinc roofing is currently not used in Europe.

Aluminum seam roofing is resistant to corrosion, durable (service life more than 100 years), has a beautiful shine and is lightweight. The disadvantage of aluminum roofing is its dependence on temperature changes. A special feature of the installation of such a roof is the use of floating clamps and galvanized screws.

Zinc-titanium is a strong alloy that makes the roof durable and at the same time ductile. It is very attractive from a design point of view - the noble patina adds splendor.

The titanium-zinc-copper alloy has a high degree of ductility, which greatly facilitates the process of giving the metal a pattern (profiling).

Aluzinc is a unique alloy of aluminum and zinc that is used to coat steel paintings to protect them from corrosion.

In conditions of high humidity and temperature, as well as in areas with difficult ecology, it is recommended to install folded paintings with a special pural coating. Pural is a polymer that perfectly protects the roof from the effects of sea air, acid rain and hot sun.

It should be noted that such expensive materials as copper and zinc-titanium require increased care when installing a seam roof. Careful handling during installation will significantly extend the life of the roof.

Types of seam roofing

There are two types of seam roofing - cast and rolled.

A cast (sheet) seam roof without transverse seams can be installed with your own hands without the use of special roofing tools. Solid and durable, this kind of seam roofing has long been recognized in Russia.

Roll technology for the production of seam roofing received this name because roofing pictures are made of metal rolled into a roll. A picture of the required length with a double fold is formed on a folding machine right on the construction site.

The products of the Finnish company that produces seam roofing with self-latching seams, Ruukki, are the most popular both in Russia and abroad.

Another famous brand is Grand Line seam roofing. The Grand Line company is one of Russia's largest producers of materials for cottage and low-rise construction. The company's factories produce two types of seam roofing - Clickfold and double standing. Wide range of colors and different kinds polymer coatings make it possible to create a masterpiece roof.

Installation technologies

The roof installation technology depends on whether it is warm or cold attic in project. We will consider the option of an insulated attic roof with a seam roof. The most reliable is considered to be a roofing pie with a spaced ventilation gap and an antioxidant film.

A rafter system made of timber serves as the base of the subroof. To support the insulation, a sparse sheathing is built, and above the insulation layer there must be an air gap and a wind barrier (super-diffuse membrane). Next - a continuous sheathing, a hydrobarrier (antioxidant film). The final stage is rebated covering.

Important! Before laying insulating materials, you should carefully study the instructions. Each side of these materials performs a specific function, and improper installation can lead to the opposite result.

Before the construction of sheathing for a seam roof begins, the eaves floor should be installed and the gable overhangs should be sheathed. This design must be attached to the rafters using bolts and nails. The sheathing must withstand the loads created by the roofing material and be as level as possible.

The sheathing for a standing seam roof can be made from boards, wooden beam or steel profile. The pitch of the sheathing under a seam roof is 20-25 cm. With this sheathing arrangement, the metal is not subject to deformation, and the degree of resonance is significantly reduced. For copper seam roofing, which has the greatest weight, the sheathing is made continuous.

When installing a seam roof, the angle of the roof slope should be taken into account. The type of fold that will provide highest quality coverings. The minimum slope for a seam roof is 3 degrees. This angle of inclination requires the installation of a double vertical fold and an additional dewatering layer. The greater the slope of the slope, the less likely it is for water to stagnate on the roof.

Roof guards are required to minimize snow avalanches. In addition, the installation of fences for seam roofing is necessary for safe work builders installing or repairing roofs. Exist special instructions, the implementation of which will help to avoid troubles during the construction and operation of the roof.

Roofing tool

There is special equipment for the manufacture and installation of seam roofing.

You can pre-make paintings using a folding machine.

To obtain a seam connection directly on the roof, two types of seam roofing tools are used.

For manual (mechanical) rolling of folds, equipment is used in the form of a set consisting of pliers with two frames covering the folds.

Folding machine – type electrical equipment. The use of such a machine significantly increases the speed of roof installation and eliminates the physical stress of the roofer.

The appearance of a seam roof is very aesthetic and beautiful. Provided that all recommendations are taken into account, you can build a structure that will please the eye for many years and create the most comfortable conditions for accommodation.

When building a house, it is important to remember that it should be attractive, comfortable and cozy not only inside, but also outside. In order to transform appearance At home they use different techniques and materials. However, many do not think about how important the roof covering is and how it can affect the exterior of the building and its visual perception.

In order to modern roof was not only beautiful, but also reliable protection, you need to decide on the type of coating, analyze all its pros and cons, compare several options and choose the optimal one.

Seam roofing is one of the best options, which the modern construction market offers, because it is unique in its kind. This material has a stunning appearance and reliable waterproofing, since the metal sheets are tightly fastened with reliable systems. If you make a mistake, the roof will leak and will most likely have to be repaired, so you need to entrust the job to professionals who guarantee quality.

When installing a seam roof, no nails are used, which means there are simply no holes. The sheets are connected using special bends and locks, which will allow for quick and reliable installation coating, which is gradually gaining popularity in Russia.

History of seam roofing

For the first time, this coating was made from copper, since it is quite plastic, but at the same time resistant to the influences of nature. Thanks to the flexibility of the material, it was easy to make the necessary bends and give the sheets the required thickness.

With the development of technology there has appeared Alternative option– steel. Thanks to metalworking, the use of both ordinary and galvanized steel has become available. It was this change that gave impetus to the development of seam roofing; it began to be used more and more often, due to its low cost (steel is several times cheaper than copper). However, copper has not disappeared without a trace; some people still allow themselves to use it, since it is more reliable and presentable.

Thanks to modern technologies A unique seam roof with a self-latching mechanism was born. Installation of such a roof does not require special skills or tools; even the homeowner can carry out the installation. It should be noted that this type of seam roof is a little more expensive, but if you take into account the fact that you don’t need to hire workers or rent equipment, then it’s worth it.

Subsequently, with the development of technologies, not only the material of the seam covering, but also the methods of its installation received modifications. Steel is a metal that can corrode and must be painted. Over time, the paint dried out, cracked, the cracks let moisture through, as a result of which corrosion could not be avoided, the only way out was to paint the roof every year.

Now there is a more practical solution - galvanized iron. Thus, the roof has become stronger and more reliable, but this also affected the price. Polymer coating is the most reliable and proven option, which only improves the wear resistance of the roofing material.

Technical specifications

Seam roofing consists of small sheets - pictures, connected using seam locks. When joining sheets, a seam of one of these types appears at the point of contact: standing, lying, single or double.

Longitudinal ribs are closed using a standing seam, horizontal sides with precision and vice versa - a lying seam. If the roofing material does not have a self-latching device, then the joints must be rolled up.

An option that has been proven over the years and is the best solution is the use of a double standing seam, which guarantees tightness and complete moisture insulation.

It is worth noting that seam roofing is very attractive in appearance; with its help you can create not only reliable protection for the roof of a house, but also make the building original. The material goes well with any style, so its use does not cause negative feedback.

Advantages

Seam roofing has a number of advantages, among which it is necessary to highlight:

• Reliability and long term operation thanks to the folded snap-in system, which does not require the use of nails. The absence of holes will extend the service life of the material for many years.
• Moisture resistance, which is explained by the same reason - structural integrity. The seam roof will reliably protect a private house and its inhabitants even on the rainiest day.
• Most roofing materials require strong rafter system, it is not uncommon to have to strengthen the roof frame. In the case of rebated roofing, this problem does not exist, since it is light in weight.
• Versatility. Seam roofing is perfect for any type of roof, because it can be used to decorate both flat, pitched and multi-gable roofs.
• Fire safety. Metal provides reliable protection against fire.
• Snow and rain will not linger on the roof, since the seam roof has a smooth surface on which precipitation will slide.
• No corrosion due to a unique fastening system.
• Easy to maintain and repair.

Flaws

We have considered and studied all the advantages of using a seam roof, but what about its shortcomings, does it have them and how serious are they?

Whatever it is, perfect coverage does not exist, which means that an excellent seam roof has its disadvantages, which include:

• If the use of self-locking sheets of seam roofing is impossible and it is necessary to use another type of this roof, then you will have to spend a lot of money to attract a team of professionals who can install the covering.
• High thermal conductivity. In this regard, you will have to spend more money for high-quality thermal insulation. It is necessary to carefully consider the structure and thickness of the roofing pie to avoid all possible unpleasant consequences.
• Poor sound insulation. The metal covering makes a lot of noise during precipitation; there is a risk that all these sounds will penetrate the house, and not everyone likes this. Based on this, you need to take care of high-quality sound insulation, and this also affects costs.
• It is necessary to create lightning protection, install special equipment and grounding, since the metal coating can accumulate a static charge, thereby attracting a lightning discharge.
• Installation of snow guards. Due to the fact that the roof is slippery, there is a risk that a large mass of snow could fall from it, which could cause injury to the occupants of the house.

Seams are special seams connecting two metal sheets into a single sheet. In this way, not only roofing coverings, seam seams are used in the manufacture of metal buckets, drainage systems, pipes, gutters and many other types of metal products. These seams are also found on decorative elements, costume jewelry.

The name comes from the German fold (Falz) - translated as groove. In a broader sense, it is used to name the place where the seam is bent, connecting two metal sheets. Folds can be made on factory bending machines or manually. The first method guarantees smooth surfaces and significantly speeds up the process of re-roofing. Manual molding of seams is considered the most difficult roofing work and is not performed by all craftsmen.

Depending on the spatial position and number of bends, seam joints are divided into several types.

Standing seams have high bending strength, recumbent joints cannot withstand vertical loads. All hems of double seams are done on two sheets at the same time. The roofer must first calculate the width of the roof strips and install the sheets with the required offset.

The steel sheet is fixed to the sheathing with a clamp. This is a metal strip made of the same material as the roofing. The clamp is screwed to the sheathing, then bent at an angle of 90°, goes around the fold and bent again, but at an angle of 180°. This technology makes it possible to attach sheets to the sheathing without making holes in the roof; it is not used on industrially manufactured folded sheets.

For seam roofing, the industry produces specially rolled metal with a given profile, which greatly speeds up and simplifies the process of covering the roof. In addition, factory profiles have perfectly smooth surfaces and identical dimensions, which significantly improves the appearance of the coating. Ready-made industrial sheets are called paintings or folded sheets.

There are two types of paintings.

1. Starters. Installed first on each side of the roof slope, they have only two spikes.
2. Privates. Used for the main covering, connected to each other in a tongue/groove pattern.

Used for rolling folds hand tool or mechanical seamers. Manual seaming makes it possible to connect not only straight folds, but also elements complex configurations. Seaming machine gives great view and connection quality, but can only be used on straight sections of the roof.

The width of the panels is standardized, the length is selected by the customer taking into account the architectural features of the rafter system and the dimensions of the roof.

Operational parameters of seam roofing

Seam roofs do not have widespread among developers, they are most often found on exclusive buildings or garden extensions. The fold makes it possible to connect sheets together without the use of traditional hardware, which eliminates the formation of holes on the surface. It is in these places that metal corrosion occurs most quickly, especially if the rubber gaskets have lost their original sealing properties.

An important quality of a seam roof is the absence of fastening elements on the surface (in particular, transverse connections when creating a roofing sheet of any length), which eliminates leaks

Only professionals with extensive manufacturing experience can install such roofs. different seams and a full set of special tools and accessories. The advantages of a seam roof include the following parameters.

Like all architectural elements, standing seam roofs also have their disadvantages.

As for other common problems (noise, high thermal conductivity, accumulation of static charge), they are exactly the same as with metal tiles or profiled roofing sheets.

What metals can seam roofs be made from?

The main requirement for metals is that they should bend easily without the formation of microcracks. It is known that microcracks gradually expand, the reason for this phenomenon is metal fatigue. An increase in the size of microcracks can cause leaks. Based on their physical characteristics, the following metals are suitable for standing seam roofing.

Copper

The most expensive seam roofing material is used only for exclusive houses, during the reconstruction of historical buildings and the construction of religious buildings. Over time, the copper surface oxidizes and becomes covered with a thin protective film original color scheme– patina. This gives the roofs special prestige and perfection.

Aluminum

The service life is practically unlimited. The surface of aluminum is also coated with a thin layer of oxide, which prevents further aging. The metal bends and stretches easily, which makes it possible to use it on roofs with very complex geometries.

Zinc-titanium

The alloy, specially adapted for construction needs, is characterized by high corrosion resistance and beautiful appearance. It has unique property self-healing - all small scratches are healed. The metal can be stretched without deteriorating its original physical properties.

Cink Steel

Structural steel is used for its manufacture, and the zinc coating is done using the hot method. This manufacturing technology increases the service life of the roof. For additional anti-corrosion protection and improving the design appearance of the surface can be coated with polymer paints.

Installation of click seam roofing

The click-seam connection differs from the ordinary one in that it can be sealed tightly without the use of special equipment and tools. The factory provides unique profile bends, which make it possible to speed up the process of laying roofing material.

Depending on the type of roof, a roofing pie is made. For insulated roofs, this is a rather complex and expensive structure; installing cold roofs is much faster and easier.

Roof slope insulation thickness

Enter or specify the requested parameters and click the "Calculate insulation thickness" button

Specify the selected type of insulation

Determine from the diagram map and indicate the value of the required heat transfer resistance for coatings

Specify material parameters internal lining attic (attic)

Material of internal lining (finishing)

Boards or natural lining plywood OSB sheets lining or MDF panels natural cork chipboards or fiberboard sheets plasterboard plaster cement-sand plaster sand + cement + lime plaster lime-sand plaster on gypsum base

Sheathing thickness, mm

1000 - to convert to meters

Windage

Installation of a seam roof always starts from the left edge, this is due to design features industrial production of ready-made folded sheets.

Step 1. Attach a wooden block with a cross-section of 2.5x5 cm to the edge of the slope.

It is needed to perform two tasks.

1. The first is that a wind strip is subsequently fixed to it.
2. The second - the tenon of the first picture is attached to the side surface of the block. Carefully check the angles of the slope, they should be straight.

Measure three meters on the edge of the slope, four meters on the cornice. If the hypotenuse is equal to five meters, everything is fine, if not, then the defect needs to be corrected. You can slightly shift the position of the outermost bar, the gaps will then be covered by the wind bar and there will be no views from the ground. If the deviations are large, you will have to trim the sheathing.

Step 2. Install the first sheet of roofing and cover it with a windshield.

Before this, the end of the plank should be cut and bent so that it covers the cut of the wind board. Screw it with self-tapping screws wind bar, the overlap of the elements is approximately ten centimeters.

Fixing the plank with self-tapping screws from above

The folds are snapped into place with hammer blows

Important. First, snap the second sheet a little with a lock and push it into place with your hand or a mallet. The remaining locks along the length need to be hammered in only after the picture is leveled and lays flat.

Before installation of paintings, they must be prepared. This is done in several stages.

The open part of the seam roof should be screwed to the sheathing with self-tapping screws. There are holes in it for these purposes; there is no need to drill anything. Use special screws and rubber gaskets, they are sold complete with seam roofing.

Step 4. The second edge of the slope must be covered with a cut sheet. To do this, you need to accurately take the useful size from the last ridge of the sheet to the edge of the slope. WITH reverse side Mark the useful width, then add 2.5 cm to it for the hem and subtract 5 cm for the width of the bar. For example, if we have a useful width of 30 cm, then the cutting line should be located at a distance of 27.5 cm (30-5 + 2.5 = 27.5 cm).

It is better to cut with an electric portable circular saw with a special disk.

The cut is perfectly smooth, work goes faster, the edge does not overheat, protective anti-corrosion coatings are not damaged.

Step 5. Fold the sheet from the cut side of the picture, the width of the bend is 2.5 cm, it is better to use a device, it gives straight line ridge

Step 6. Carefully cut off the lock from the second half of the sheet. Place the sheet in place and secure it with the lock.

Step 7 Place the cut lock on the folded part of the sheet. Nail the end block and screw the wind strip to it.

At this point, the work on installing the seam roof is completed, you can begin.

Video - Installation of seam roofing

The construction of a private house is being completed roofing. This stage is considered one of the most difficult and reliable. Moreover, difficulties are associated not only with the roof structure itself, but also with the choice of covering. This is quite difficult considering huge variety roofing materials that are on the market.

No matter how strong and durable the material is, reliability finished coating roof will depend on the quality of the connection of individual elements. Today, seam roofing is extremely popular, when laying it a special type of fastening is used.

Seam roofing, what is it?

Seam roofing is a continuous covering laid along the entire length of the slope. Her individual elements, folded panels or paintings, are connected to each other by special elements - folds.

Seam panels are metal sheets, the side edges of which are specially prepared for this type of connection.

To make a metal seam roof, you can use ready-made paintings (0.555x8 m) or roofing metal in rolls. In the latter case, special edge bending equipment is used, which is installed directly at the installation site. Manufactured picture panels can have folds different shapes, single or double, different lengths. In any case, they are rolled in one pass.

The metal for a seam roof can be of almost any type:

• copper;
• aluminum;
• steel;
• alloys of zinc and titanium.

On a note

Galvanized seam roofing, as a rule, has a polymer layer of pural, polyester, plastisol and others.

All of them are durable and simple, do not corrode. These materials are lightweight, easy to mold, and can take any shape, even the most bizarre.

Types of roof folding

Metal sheets have a tendency to thermal expansion, which can create certain complications when connecting. The penetration of water into the roofing pie can be prevented by laying a uniform waterproof layer on the sheathing under the seam roof. However, it will be impossible to achieve a rigid connection due to changes in linear dimensions. In this case, tension arises at the interface, which leads to possible significant deformations.

Experts consider the only reliable option for a mechanical connection to be the use of a special method - folding. By the way, the word “rebate” is of German origin and means “gutter” or “groove” in translation. It involves connecting the edges of adjacent paintings, which are bent in a special way. In this case, grooves are formed along them, which serve to drain water.

Seam connections are classified according to two parameters:

• appearance: recumbent, standing or corner rebate;
• degree of compaction: 1. single fold, 2. double fold (photo below).

The folds are rolled up mechanically manually or using a special tool, or electromechanically using special devices.

Main types of standing seams

• Single. This the simplest way connection, which is used when the seam roof is tilted from 10°.
• Angular. Special L-shape creates volume and provides the connection with a spectacular appearance, so it is used mainly on “visible” surfaces that have a large area: facade, with a seam roof slope of more than 25°, etc.
• Double. This connection is more complicated. It is performed in two steps: first, create a corner fold and bend it at a right angle. New generation seam rolling equipment makes it possible to obtain a double seam seam on roof segments that are technically difficult to process. On small slopes it is better to solder them. Transverse thermal expansion occurs mainly at the base of the rebate, so it is necessary to provide a gap of up to 5 mm there.

The double fold protects the structure from the effects of precipitation, as well as melting snow, but it does not protect from standing water. That is why, according to SNiP, a seam roof must have an inclination angle of at least 10°.

On a note

However, if a special sealing tape is inserted into it before compressing the fold, the minimum slope threshold can be 3°.

• Today, another type of fold is used - self-latching. To connect them, you can limit yourself to a simple click.

Advantages and disadvantages

Seam roofing, like any other, has its advantages:

• the plane of the roof covering, assembled from double-seam paintings, is a solid sheet with a smooth surface from which water from precipitation and snow can easily flow off;
• light weight, which eliminates the need to strengthen the supporting structure and thus reduces costs;
• such a roof can be used for quite a long time - more than 50 years, given the high anti-corrosion resistance of the coating;
• high moisture resistance, which is explained by the reliability of the rebated lock and the minimum number of holes for fastenings. This level of tightness eliminates possible leaks;

• simple installation for a roof of any complexity, which you can handle with your own hands if you have a self-latching lock;
• waste when working with the material is minimal. For example, unused trimmings of such expensive material, formed during the installation of a seam roof, can be rearranged to other areas. Moreover, unlike, say, such a coating does not require components. Thus, it is significantly more economical;
• Suitable for slopes of any length, both short and long.

Seam roofing also has disadvantages. Among the most important we note:

• laying an additional layer of sound insulation that will dampen noise from raindrops, etc.;
• mandatory installation of a lightning rod that minimizes the risk of static electricity that accumulates on the roof covering;
• the need for high-quality and expensive tools.

Installation instructions

How does the installation of seam panels take place, how can they be correctly connected to ensure the durability and strength of the roof covering? Routing to device metal roofing involves the sequential execution of several stages:

• Sheets are produced that are specially prepared for folding. This process is carried out in production conditions to order according to individual sizes. This allows you to obtain maximum accuracy when installing a seam roof. In parallel with the panels, shaped elements are also ordered, for example, overhangs or ridges and more.

• Metal sheets are attached using a special tool or by pressing for self-locking folds.
• They are attached to the sheathing. For this purpose, narrow strips of the same material as the sheets are used - “clasps”. During the bending process, one end of the fastener is inserted into the rebate, the other is fixed to the sheathing element.

For fastening use two various types clasps.