METAL ROOF
21 Best Tools, Materials, & Attachment Solutions for 2021
The roofing industry faced short-term challenges during 2020, with demand falling across multiple segments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, according to Matt Zielenski Freedonia’s Senior Analyst, “A rebound is expected in 2021, driven by continued growth in the residential market and an improving economy.”
After such a challenging year in 2020, we have high hopes the market will sustain a relatively stable position in 2021 as the U.S. demand for residential roofing is projected to rise 0.7% per year. With better things in store for the year ahead, here are our 21 Best Metal Roofing Tools, Materials, and Attachment Solutions for 2021.
Tools
The Model 48 Heavy Duty Pivot Shear by Swenson Shear with its 48″ blade is ideal for shearing heavy gauge exposed-fastener panels, with the ability to shear straight at 90° and up to a 8/12 gable. The custom blades match any panel profile, providing a clean cut, eliminating burred edges and flying metal.
Featuring a 15-1/4″ wide blade that is 1″ deep, accommodating a total panel thickness up to 1/16″, this hemming tool is perfect for finishing metal roof panels at the eave line. The JS Design Hemming Tool can be used on metal panels up to 15″ wide to form hems as deep as 1″. (The hem depth will be determined by how far back you notch the roof panel ribs.)
Need a different size hemming tool? We’ve got you covered. Find hemming tools ranging in size from 11.25″ and 24″, here.
The Freund Radius Roller Edge Bender is capable of bending copper, zinc, aluminum up to .032″, and steel up to 22 ga., both inside and outside radiuses. A 36″ radius is nominal, but can be made tighter depending on the type of material. This edge bender adjusts to bend heights ranging from 0.2″ to 0.98″, with an easy to read scale with both inch and millimeter dimensions.
Use this hand seamer to start, finish, or seam the entire roof! With its unique leverage design, hard to reach places are no match to this ESE Machines tool. It features a lightweight design with steel handles and brass jaws that will not scratch or peel paint. Compatible with profiles that measure 1/2′ across the top, with a maximum bending gauge of 24 ga. for steel, .032″ for aluminum, and 20 oz. of aluminum.
The Universal Safety Anchor provides a fall protection tie-off location anywhere on the metal roof you need it and meets OSHA 1926.502 (d) (2) (3) (4) (15) and OSHA 1910.140. The simple yet robust design features a simple clamping mechanism that is easily placed over the panel rib, tightened with a socket wrench, then torqued to 70 ft⋅lb.
The Freund Pipe Expander for Round Pipe is an easy to use tool that comes in three standard sizes for quick and easy expansion of all common copper and zinc downspouts in the field. Maximum tested metal thickness is 1.0 mm (.040″) for use with a wrench or a power drill!
The Perkeo Heavy-Duty propane soldering iron is a quality product that is made from the finest materials, including stainless steel, solid brass, and indestructible teflon. Exceptionally durable, low maintenance and easy to operate, this tool is ideal for everyday use. Its performance is not deterred by moisture, soldering chemicals, or even tough jobs, making it a tool that you can really depend on.
The SeamerPro from Freund was one of our favorite new tools introduced last year. It combines single-lock, double-lock, and seam cutting into one great tool. The SeamerPro is lightweight, easily attaching to panel seams with no prep and averaging speeds from 27-40 feet per minute! It even comes packed in a durable carrying case with custom foam inserts, cutting wheels, and a mounting key.
Referred to as the Swenson Shear “utility knife”, the Stone Coat Cutter is designed for use on a multitude of applications from stone coated metal shake and shingle to 14 gauge stainless flat sheet. It’s equipped with a 34-inch blade that is made of long lasting, high carbon steel. This go-to tool is safe, efficient, transportable and weighs just 65 pounds.
Freund Notch Punching Tool makes a 1/8″ x 5/8″ notch in vinyl siding, zinc or aluminum materials. Featuring an adjustable depth stop with a range from 3/8″ to 7/8″ deep, this tool can punch materials up to 22 ga (0.030″) in thickness. *Not recommended for use with steel products.
Materials & Attachments
The New S-5! S-5-N seam clamp is a the latest design from S-5! and features significant improvement over the original S-5-N seam clamp. The new design features an innovative insert that ensures a superior fit for new and wider nail strip profiles, as well as older ones. The NEW S-5-N (standard) clamp is the best choice for snow retention such as ColorGard, and other heavy and load-critical applications.
It is designed for use on the most popular 1″ nail strip metal roofs, including: Taylor Metal’s Easy Lock™, ASC Building Products Skyline Roofing®, McElroy Metals Meridian, New Tech Machinery FF100, Schlebach 1″ Nail Strip, and roofing profiles with similar profiles.
The Plasti-Grip PMF attaches rigid continuous insulation to concrete / masonry substrates. Available in multiple lengths for foam thicknesses of 1/2″ – 5″. Pre-drill hole with 5/16″ masonry bit, then tap flush with hammer. 2-1/4″ diameter head sits flush on insulation.
Use for fastening EPS foam in PB EIFS systems, rigid foam insulation, and waterproofing drainage fabric into concrete or masonry block applications.
ProteaBracket is the most versatile exposed-fastened metal roof attachment solution on the market, fitting most trapezoidal sheet profiles with and without intermediate insulation. Each ProteaBracket includes four (4) 1/4-1″ Stainless Steel Self-Tapping EPDM Washer Head screws
The S-5-S clamps are extraordinarily versatile clamps, specifically created for popular snap-together standing seam profiles. The S-5-S can be used to avoid having to crimp-seam profiles such as Firestone UC4 and New Tech Machinery SS550 and SS675. They also accommodate horizontal seams where the horizontal projection is under 0.54 inches without the need to double fold the seam! S-5-S clamps include one (1) stainless steel M8-1.25x16mm hex bolt and two (2) stainless steel set screws. S-5! understands bigger isn’t always better, we also carry the S-5-S Mini Seam Clamp.
Our Copper Roof Vent Pipe vent Pipe Flashing Boots feature solid copper construction with a soldered in place zinc “bellows” that adjusts to fit the pitch of the roof. These roof vent pipe flashings are suitable for any slate (natural or synthetic), copper, asphalt shingle, clay tile, wood shake or composite shingle roof with a roof slope between 2/12 and 12/12. All units feature a copper base plate for flashing to your existing roof. *Caps are included.
An integral part of the S-5!® ColorGard® system is the ColorGard cross-member. 8′ Lengths.
ColorGard Unpunched: This 8′ cross-member should be used anytime the panel width is not divisible by 4, or when running ColorGard on angles (up valleys, etc). When using the ColorGard-Unpunched, the Versa-Clip adapter is required for each clamp to cross-member connection.
ColorGard Pre-Punched: After installing S-5! seam clamps on the metal roof panel seams, the ColorGard pre-punched cross-member is bolted directly to the clamps, eliminating the need for VersaClip. This cross-member features pre-punched slots 4″ on center along the entire 8′ length of the part. This is ideal for roof panels that have widths divisible by 4, such as 12″, 16″, 20″ and 24″ panels.
Rodenhouse Thermal-Grip ci Prong Washer (1000 pcs.) is designed for to attach rigid insulation, including polystyrene (XPS), polyisocyanurate (polyiso), expanded polystyrene (EPS) mineral wool and rock wool , etc. to walls. Its flexible perimeter compresses on surface and reduces tearing. See for yourself, here.
The Equitone Linea collection is a unique 3D shaped, through-colored facade panel that plays with light and shadow by displaying a linear texture that highlighting the raw inner texture of the core fiber cement material. Throughout the day, the changing angle of the sunlight gives the facade material a different aspect, rendering it one of the most ingenious creation. Equitone Linea facade panels come in large sheet size of 4’x8′ and 4’x10′ (nominal) and can be transformed into any size or shape in the workshop or on site.
The Equitone Tectiva collection has a sanded surface and natural hues from within the material. Equitone Tectiva facade panels come in large sheet sizes of 4’x8′ and 4’x10′ (nominal) and can be transformed into any size or shape in the workshop or on site.
The SolarFoot provides an ideal mounting platform to attach the L-Foot* of a rail-mounted PV system to the roof. This solution is The Right Way to secure rail-mounted solar systems to exposed fastener metal such as AG-Panel or R-Panel.
Our copper gutter system features components manufactured in Germany, Italy, and the US all designed to create the perfect traditional European style copper half-round gutter system. Contact us to discuss your project requirements and let us quote you a complete package.