Are you interested to find out how wide is tin roofing?
There are many kinds of roofing materials present in the market today, and one is still available for homeowners to use: tin roofing.
When people hear about tin roofing, they think about soft metal corrugated roofing systems that last for sixty years. The correct name for these panels is the terne plate roof made from thin soft metal, coated in tin and lead.
Tin roofing may not be as popular as it once was, but some still prefer it. These panels are relatively cheap, with an average cost of a whole roofing system at about five to six thousand US dollars.
These are also quite durable and can last sixty years. And can also be installed on low-pitched roofing systems that other types could not.
Like other roofing systems, there are also drawbacks but are mostly related to their look and style. Tin roofing does not have the same modernistic appearance as some roofing types. And you might have difficulty in finding a professional roofer that has worked with it previously since it had fallen out of popularity.
However, if you still prefer it, here are the steps in getting the width of your tin roof.
Table of Contents
What are the steps in learning how wide is tin roofing?
- The first step in determining how wide is tin roofing for your home is by obtaining the dimensions from the original plans from the builder of your home. – You can also do it yourself by measuring the structural members of the roof with a tape measure, and do not forget to record your findings.
- Include the necessary overlap on the edges and simplify the dimensions by rounding them up to the next larger foot – For instance, if the measurement is nineteen feet and ten inches, including an overlap of six inches, the final calculation is twenty-one feet.
- Multiply the width of the roof by the length to get the surface area in square feet – For instance, if the width of the roof is ten feet and the length is twenty-one feet, the surface area is two-hundred ten feet (ten times twenty-one equals two-hundred ten).
- Once obtaining the dimension of your roof, you have to determine the width and length of the tin sheets to be used. – You can get this information from the manufacturer’s specifications or directly measure it. Standard metal sheets in the USA are thirty-six inches wide, but the length might differ.
- In finding out the required overlap, it necessitates that each sheet rest on the adjoining one, so gaps on the roof will be avoided. – This calculation will differ according to the local weather, roof angle, type of roofing sheet, and wind exposure. If you are uncertain of this, consult an expert.
- Deduct the overlap amount from the width and length of the teen sheet – For instance, If the sheets installed side by side will overlap with adjoining panels by six inches, deduct six inches from the width. The result is the tin sheet’s effective width, which is the roof’s distance that the tin sheets will cover.
- Multiply the tin sheet’s effective width and length to get the effective surface area – For instance, 2.5 feet is the effective width, and 7.5 feet is the length, so multiply both figures to get the result of 18.75 square feet., which is the surface area each tin sheet will cover.
- Divide the effective area by the total roof area of one teen sheet, and once you have the result, round it up to the next whole number – The total amount obtained will be the required number of sheets.For instance, (using the examples above), with two-hundred ten roof area, and 18.75 square feet of the effective sheet size, you will need twelve tin sheets in total (210 divided by 18.75 equals 11.2, which is rounded up to 12 sheets).
Helpful tips in relation to the width of tin roofing
- In ordering tin sheets from a seller, give an allowance of ten percent extra in case of damage and calculation errors. It is the standard safety margin builders and roofers provide; anything related to construction like roofing to cement bags.
If the seller provides the sheets on the use or return transaction, make sure to order additional sheets to finish the job and return the unused ones. - If you lack experience with overlapping the metal sheets, consult with a qualified roofer or builder who can advise you about whether elements impact the overlap sizes.
- Before installing a new tin roof on your home, consult your local regulations concerning building codes. In some situations, a few rules must be strictly applied, such as reroofing historic sites.
- Each type of metal sheet has considerable variations, so always consult with the seller before deciding on the number of sheets you need for roofing.
For instance, many metal panels are available in eight, ten, twelve, and twenty-foot long versions. They can also be supplied to the specified width or length by the builder.
What are the other types of metal roofing materials?
Whenever you hear the term “metal roof,” you might think only about steel roofing, but it covers various materials. Selecting the right one for your home will depend on your environment and location.
Aside from tin roofing, there are four other metals used for roofing: copper, aluminum, zinc, and steel.
Copper roofing
Compared to the others on this list, copper has been used for centuries throughout different parts of the world.
Copper roofing is extremely long-lasting in suitable environments and can last for more than two hundred years. Copper roofs are also environmentally friendly since it is one-hundred percent recyclable. It is also a soft metal and makes it one of the quietest types for roofing.
However, its softness means it can easily be dented and damaged if used in hail-prone areas. Copper can also expand and contract if the temperature rises and falls, which can be disadvantageous for roofing purposes.
Aluminum roofing
Aluminum roofing is beneficial for homeowners living in coastal climates. It is due to its resistance to salt corrosion.
Aluminum is highly reactive to atmospheric conditions, which is why it is protected. It reacts with oxygen in the surroundings and creates a protective layer of aluminum oxide.
Aluminum roofing is often painted since its natural color is not visually attractive.
Its downside is the cost, which is as expensive as steel and copper roofing and used in thinner panels.
Zinc roofing
Zinc roofing is quite durable and long-lasting, which can last for more than one hundred years. It has amazing properties, such as it can use its patina to heal scratches over time.
Another is its ability to be easily manipulated and formed into various shapes, which makes it beneficial for commercial projects.
It is also environmentally friendly due to its low melting point, which means it only needs one-fourth of energy compared to steel or copper.
Its chief disadvantage is its chalking effect, which makes it unappealing. It happens in areas where constant water flows and leaves a whitish residue.
Another is the price and is as expensive as copper. It is also a soft metal that can easily be damaged by strong winds and hail.
Steel roofing
Steel is utilized in every building component, including roofs. It is among the most common commercial construction materials and is now integrated into residential sites.
Even though the creation of steel can be an energy-intensive procedure, it is also recyclable. Thus, most steel used today was previously recycled.
Steel roofing is also cheaper than copper, aluminum, or zinc that makes it affordable, and can be purchased at a greater amount compared to other metal roofing types.
There are three types of steel roofs:
- Galvanized steel roof – Has a layer of zinc to protect the inner steel layer and is the most common steel roofing material
- Galvalume steel roof – Similar to galvanized, but has a layer of zinc and aluminum to protect the inner steel layer
- Weathering steel roof – Mostly used in heavy steel industries like constructing bridges
Is the width of tin roofing necessary?
If you plan to use tin roofing sheets for your roof, make sure you have the right dimensions, like the length and width.
This way, you will know exactly how many tin roofing panels you need for your home.