Roofs are one of the most crucial aspects of any type of building design. Roofs are very important structural features. Value aware home owners are looking for long-term roofing solutions which provide aesthetics and performance together. Everyday, more consumers are choosing metal panel roofing technology. Based on many studies, metal panel roofing has become very popular over the last ten years.

Metal roof panels have shown an ability to stand up to the elements, and provide low life-cycle costs and longevity with the least amount of maintenance. Additionally, manufacturers are expanding their metal roofing options in a wide variety of finishes, profiles and colors which enhance building aesthetics. Advances in coatings and finishes have facilitated the formulation of cool metal roofing that adds to the roof's energy-saving properties and can reduce the costs associated with heating and cooling the building.

It's important to understand the complexities of the many different roofing systems, because the abundance of metal roofing products available today can cause people to have a number of questions when discussing the designing of metal residential roofing. The maximum potential of any metal roof will occur only when the appropriate roofing system, underlayment, finish and substrate are specified.

There are two fundamental types of metal panel roofing, which are classified according to the method in which the roof resists water. This is determined by the slope or the pitch of the roof. The first type is the structural roofing which features water-resistant panels and is used on low-slope roofs. Architectural or non-structural roofing is designed in such a way that water sheds quickly, and requires steeper slopes.

Typically, panels for a structural roof can spread across structural supports, which join at the building structure using clips. Thermal expansion and contraction is possible because of the floating clip system that fastens the structural panels to the roof. Structural panels and flashing need to be designed so that expansion can occur, because thermal contraction and expansion influences all materials to a certain degree.

Structural metal framing and purlins are usually included in the roof assembly to which structural metal panel roof systems are typically fitted over. If your area has a lot of snow or high winds or even when the owner requires it, panels can be installed over solid substances such as metal decking, plywood, and oriented-strand board that combines with ISO board insulation to get the correct panel system structural load.