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walking on metal roof

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Guest User
10/12/2002
does walking on a metal roof flatten the raised areas where the panels are formed?
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.
10/12/2002
Walking proccedures vary somewhat between the different profiles of metal roofing. I would strongly suggest getting input from the manufacturer of your roofing. As a general rule, though, foot traffic will usually be suggested for the areas of the roof panel which rest on or closest to the underlying decking or battens. By doing this, damage to the panels can usually be avoided.
Guest User
1/24/2003
We installed an Alcoa metal roof (shingle appearance, panels) during new construction. We have found it prohibitive to walk on without creating dents. To avoid this. we built 2 foam panels (5" layer mattress foam with fiber board glued to it) and move one in front of the other whenever we need to get on the roof. However, it is slippery and requires great care to execute this.
Guest User
1/28/2003
What do the experts suggest in the way of an affordable style of metal roof which would tolerate the necessary foot traffic for, say, installing solar panels? If a metal roof will not easily tolerate the weight of walking, are there any devices (in addition to the aforementioned foam/fiberboard contrivance) which you recommend. Thanks
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.
1/30/2003
Heavy gauge products and product designs which rest on the roof deck typically offer some of the best walkability. However, many of the formed products do have available foam inserts which can fill up the airspace between the metal and the roof deck and make them more walkable. I realize that, in some case,s walking on the roof is unavoidable. However, it is hoped that traffic on any roof will be minimized by the permanence and maintenance free attibutes of the roofing material. One great thing about metal is that, unlike other materials, it does not lose impact resistance / walkability as it ages. It "walks" the same in 20 and 30 years as it does when it is new. You can use boards, including those with foam on them, to spread the weight distribution when doing substantial wlaking on the roof. You can also lay ladders on the roof, tieing them off or using hoooks over the ridge to support them, and then use pieces of wood to brace them up off of the roof deck. In some cases, you might also find it simpler and safer to hire the installing contractor to come back and access the roof to take care of whatever needs to be done on it.
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