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 advent of professional equipment did seam roofing rediscover itself: smooth connections, any length and speed of installation did their job. Want to know more?
Minimum set of manual roofing tools
Good seam roofing roofers have in their arsenal several dozen different tools, the presence of which makes it possible to solve all sorts of problems. Hand tools are vital for installing horizontal seams and individual roofing elements, such as exposed pipes, vents, ridge sections, etc.
A basic set of manual roofing tools is as follows:
- Wedge-shaped or rectangular mallet;
- Scissors that allow you to cut metal both straight and at an angle;
- Seam hammer with short handle;
- Roofing mandrel required for bending sheet metal;
- Pliers that allow you to separate double folds (haps);
- Set of pliers;
- Rebated chalazen.
Conclusion
The installation of a seam roof is accompanied by labor costs, information content and the presence of a special tool. It will be easier and faster to contact a construction company, which is guaranteed to do its job for a fee. However, the installation technology is also available for beginners, so you can handle the task yourself.
There are metal sheets on sale with straight or ready-made edges that snap into place at the joints. In the first case, you will need a machine to form the profile. Ready-made paintings are more expensive, but installation work is carried out faster, since it will be enough to fasten the sheets and fold the folds using the chosen method.
Double standing seam joints
To seam double seam joints, seam pliers or special frames are used, which include two separate devices, thanks to which this work can be completed in two passes. Such frames are especially relevant when arranging roofs in small but extremely inconvenient areas.
The first double rebate tool is required to start folding the corner rebate. There are no particular problems with this, and no physical effort is required, so in the vast majority of cases this operation is performed the first time. To close the double standing seam, it is necessary to repeat the operation with the second device.
Alloys used to make frames include bronze and stainless steel. Tools created in this way have two important advantages - firstly, they glide much better over the surface being processed, and secondly, the polymer layer located on metal sheets is not damaged by these alloys. Some models of roofing tools also have mechanisms for fixing them on metal sheets, which simplifies the work and improves the quality of the created lock.
Frames are perhaps the only tool for installing seam roofing, with which you can perform installation work that is located at a large slope or has a complex shape. Roofing frames are designed for a working width from 200 to 240 mm, and the maximum thickness of the metal with which they can work varies from 0.5 to 0.8 mm. For more accurate data, it is worth studying the documentation included with the tool.
The manual roofing tool for sheet iron roofing produced by STUBAI-Tooling Industries has proven itself to be the best. For production, the company uses high-carbon alloy steel, which is forged and sharpened by hand. Products of this brand are characterized by extreme wear resistance even with intensive use.
For installation and repair
Installation or repair of a seam roof cannot be done without a full set of special tools. We wrote a separate review about the cost of seam roofing, and about the types of seam roofing too. The quality of work, the tightness of connections, the durability of the coating - all these parameters directly depend on the availability of appropriate devices and on the qualifications of the specialists who use seam roofing tools in their work.
The composition of the kit largely depends on the type of roof and the method of joining the edges, but in any case you have to connect some sections manually, using all the necessary devices. Let's look at the most common of them:
Roofing mallet
A roofing mallet is an essential tool for a roofer and comes in many different shapes:
- round
- rectangular
- wedge-shaped
- small
- big
- with beveled handle
- fail-safe
They are made of plastic or wood and are used for manually forming a fold according to the appropriate template. There are a lot of offers on sale from different manufacturers; the user can choose the most convenient and suitable type of tool for him.
Roofing scissors
Scissors are an important tool for standing seam roofing, used in all cases of designing the final sections of the canvas, connecting with transversely directed patterns and in other cases. There are different types of metal scissors:
- pelicans
- perforated
- die-cut
- curly
- scoring
- checkpoints
In addition, there are universal scissors that can perform any of the specialized operations. A special feature of the professional tool is the ability to “cover” the cut with a layer of zinc, tightening the protective layer and joining it together. The cut edge is protected from contact with moisture, which is important for the safety of the fabric.
Roofing pliers
Another name for roofing mites is khapa. They are necessary for most operations and are available in different types:
- envelope
- frame
- edge
- “parrots” (used to open seams during repair work)
- big small
There are models designed to perform special types of connections:
- straight pliers are used to form seam joints
- curved pliers are used for finishing shaped elements, making ridges or edging bends
It is almost impossible to provide a complete list of tick species. This is a universal and multifunctional tool for standing seam roofing, which can be purchased in specialized stores. They are produced by various companies; the choice is very large and can satisfy any request.
Mandrels for forming folds
A mandrel is a specialized tool designed to form a fold by hand joining. There are many types of mandrels, differing in the size and shape of the support bar. Each type can provide only one type of connection, hence the variety of shapes and sizes.
During operation, the mandrel is applied to the side of the seam and, with hammer blows, the fold is bent along the edge of the support bar, making an even and uniform bend along the entire length of the joint.
For different types of folds or seam shapes, there are straight and radius types of mandrels, high or low, designed to form the primary or secondary bend of the joint. The prices for mandrels are quite high. Not every master can afford to have a large set of such devices, especially if he does not do roofing work at a professional level.
Roofing frames, manual sheet benders
Roof frames are used in sets of two types - primary and secondary frames. The primary ones create the first fold of the fold, and the secondary ones provide completion and sealing of the connection. They work on the principle of reverse pliers - the working jaws converge when the handles are pulled apart.
In addition to double frames for rebates, there are frames for cornices, which are used when decorating the lower overhang of the roofing sheet. High-quality frames are expensive, so it is advisable to purchase them only for regular use in work mode.
Do-it-yourself semi-automatic seaming machines
To speed up the process of installing a seam roof, you can use semi-automatic tools - they allow you to perform a high-quality connection of roofing panels in a shorter period of time than when using manual tools. Semi-automatic seaming machines are supplied in a kit that includes two devices necessary for alternate installation of the joint. In order for the seam roofing clamp to be connected, all you have to do is pull the machine behind you.
A semi-automatic machine for standing seam roofing has many advantages compared to manual tools:
- High speed;
- Good quality of the connecting seam along the entire length of the joint;
- Possibility of processing metal sheets of different thicknesses;
- Complete safety for the polymer layer located on the surface of the panels;
- Possibility of quick and high-quality installation of metal sheets on large roof areas.
What it is
The covering is assembled from metal sheets, they are called paintings. They are connected to each other in a special way - with the formation of a fold or technological bend. It can be single or double. In any case, a connection made according to the rules forms a completely sealed and reliable seam. The quality and characteristics of the finished roof depend on the metal from which the picture sheets are made. There may be several options; we will briefly describe each.
Types of metal for roofing
- Steel. It is more often chosen than others for arranging coverage. Good quality steel sheets last more than 50 years. Rolled steel intended for the roof is coated with a protective coating: zinc or polymer film. This improves the appearance of the material and its performance characteristics.
- Copper. The most expensive of all metals. Copper produces a very beautiful and durable finish. It has served for more than 150 years. Over time, copper sheets become covered with patina and acquire a noble greenish tone. The advantage of the metal is its high ductility, which allows it to cover bases of any shape.
- Aluminum. Lightweight and ductile metal. The low weight makes it possible to produce finishes that do not put unnecessary stress on the rafter system. Aluminum is similar in ductility to copper. They can also be used to decorate roofs of various shapes, including those with curves. The service life of aluminum sheets is more than 70 years.
- Titanium alloy with zinc. It is protected against corrosion better than others, so no additional maintenance is required during its entire service life. If assembled correctly, it will last 100-120 years. The alloy is very strong and quite ductile. Over time it becomes covered with a noble patina.
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What you need to protect your roof from: 6 points you should know
Electric sheet metal rolling machines
To minimize the amount of work that needs to be done manually, it is worth using electric seaming machines, which provide high-quality double joints with minimal effort from the roofer.
The work process looks extremely simple: the folding machine is installed on the required area and started. Moving along the site, the device reliably and efficiently closes the double vertical fold - and all this in a single pass over the panels. The result is a significant saving of effort and time.
When choosing electric tools for iron roofing, you should pay attention to the following models:
- Dimos K9. The French device with an electric drive is valued not only for the qualities inherent in similar devices, but also for the ability to process seams on arched roofs.
- Mobiprof FZM. This model of electric seaming machine uses unique profiling and drawing rollers.
- Schlebach Piccolo, FK1, Flitzer. All these brands of electric machines are manufactured in Germany and are distinguished by their original German quality.
Principles of machine assembly
The first and most important thing is to assemble a reliable support with an ideal horizon.
Relative to it and directly to it, the stationary part of the machine is attached - this is a support beam, a metal corner with a bolted connection. A strip of metal is laid between the beam and the table - this creates a groove for pinching the edge. It is important to firmly attach the beam to the support so that during bending it does not rotate along with the traverse from the applied force. The traverse is a lever with a minimum arm of 1:10 - the same angle as the beam, but fixed to a moving axis. The next important step is to center the yoke's axis of rotation. This factor affects the quality of the resulting fold.
What a finished manual folding machine looks like and some design features can be seen in this video:
You can discuss various concepts for assembling machine tools and share your own experience in the comments.
Tools for roll installation of seam roofing
To implement roll technology, domestic Mobiprof machines are most often used, which make it possible to create roofing clamps without seams. It is best to carry out this type of work under the supervision of a professional roofer.
Installation is carried out using the following technology:
- First you need to lift the selected machine and rolled metal onto the roof;
- The metal strip is inserted into the working elements of the machine, rolled and cut;
- The prepared roofing panels are laid properly;
- Clamps (small-width metal strips that allow you to close all the gaps that may be in the roof) are attached to the sheathing;
- Using a hand-held roofing tool, a double seam joint is rolled up.
In order not to bother with manually creating a connection, you can use a machine that allows you to create self-locking folds. The SFPZ machine significantly speeds up the process of installing roofing panels. As a rule, such equipment is used on large gable roofs with a slope above 15 degrees.
Types of bending machines
Although everything is quite simple and unambiguous in the classification of bending equipment, not every machine is suitable for creating a seam connection. The known tool base is divided into three large categories:
- machines for rolling rods: reinforcement, wire;
- pipe bending machines for processing the contours of hollow welded and rolled profiles;
- machines designed to work with sheet and roll materials.
These three groups, in turn, can be divided into manual and automatic devices with hydraulic or mechanical traction. In addition, there are segmental and rolling mechanisms - the first are designed for bending large parts (rolled or sheet steel, fittings), and the second are for processing piece products of a simple configuration.
To create a folded edge, machines of the third group are used - these are manual or mechanized devices designed to work with rolled metal edges of various thicknesses. The advantages of folding machines are difficult to overestimate: a seam created by mechanization is much more reliable than a seam created by hand. In addition, the duration of work is significantly reduced, as is the effort expended. To assemble a high-quality machine, you will have to spend some time, which will still pay off in high productivity.
Advantages of the roll roofing method
Roll technology for arranging seam roofing has the following advantages:
- The roof is installed along the entire length of the slope without transverse seams;
- The panels are created directly on the construction site, which reduces the cost of transporting materials;
- The roll method allows you to create floating fasteners necessary to compensate for the thermal expansion of metal sheets;
- Thanks to the roll technology of arranging a seam roof, it is possible to minimize the amount of trimming and waste.
Conclusion
The entire range of roofing accessories is quite expensive, so it is simply not practical to purchase tools for standing seam roofing yourself if the installation will be done once. If there is a need to install a seam roof, it would be much better to use the services of a construction company with a good reputation that can provide experienced roofers for the work.
Tools and materials
When you have decided on the length of the machine and the installation method, you can move from theory to practice. To assemble a simple folding machine with your own hands, you need to prepare the material base, as well as collect a minimum set of tools for assembling components and metrological verifications:
- welded profile or any other material for assembling the frame and clamping arm;
- metal corner - the thicker the section, the more reliable;
- traverse axis - two short metal rods or hinges;
- parts for mounting bolted connections;
- tools: drill, grinder;
- measuring instruments: corner, level, tape measure.
This list can be continued endlessly, but you can’t do without these tools. So, the last question remains to be answered: where to start assembling your folding machine?
Why do folds bend?
A seam or seam joint is a method of fastening sheet metal when installing a metal roof. Depending on the method of processing the edge of the metal sheet, as well as the location of the assembly seam relative to the plane of the slope, there are:
Typically, when laying metal strips parallel to the ridge (horizontally), a recumbent lock is used, and when installing longitudinal strips, standing or inclined locks are used. Each of the subtypes is determined by the corresponding edge processing scheme, but, in addition, the seam connection is characterized by other parameters. For example, the degree of compaction is single and double folds. In addition to the listed subtypes, there is also an L-shaped rebated lock, as well as a standing one - double-sided or rack.
The need to use seam joints is explained by the thermal mobility of the metal - expansion and contraction with a corresponding change in temperature. For additional mobility, interconnected sheets of metal are attached to the rafters using movable clamps.
Roofing pie
The seam roofing pie is characterized by a special multi-component system, which, in addition to the roofing itself, consists of various other elements. This includes sheathing, insulation, and high-quality waterproofing. Hence the name of the roofing pie - it consists of a large number of layers . If the pie is arranged correctly, a large number of different problems can be avoided. This is an ideal opportunity to prevent the appearance of icicles, the accumulation of condensation and heat loss.
NOTE!
The arrangement of the pie requires special attention, since errors in the design process of a particular layer will seriously reduce the overall strength and durability of the structure.
A competent ventilation system is of great importance in the process of designing and arranging a roof. It removes excess moisture from the entire roofing pie. To drain water through the membranes into the equipped ventilation, it is worth leaving several holes in the roof during the installation process . Wooden sheathing will cope with this process perfectly.
Roofing pie
Simple manual
Shaped metal parts cost a lot of money. Even more than corrugated sheeting or metal tiles, therefore it makes sense to make a simple machine for bending sheet metal, and with its help make as many corners, ebbs and other similar parts as you need, and exclusively to your own dimensions.
If you're worried about appearance, you shouldn't be. On sale today there is sheet metal not only galvanized, but also painted. In all designs, the sheet is fixed tightly, so that when working it does not slide on the table, which means that the paint does not rub off or get scratched. It is also not damaged in places of bending. So the products will look quite decent. If you try, they will look even better than what they sell on the market.
Powerful sheet bending machine from brands
This sheet bending machine will require a flat surface (table), preferably metal, three corners with a shelf width of at least 45 mm, and a metal thickness of at least 3 mm. If you plan to bend long workpieces (more than a meter), it is advisable to take wider shelves and thicker metal. You can use brands, but this is for bending metal sheets of large thickness and length.
You will also need metal door hinges (two pieces), two large diameter screws (10-20 mm), wings on them, and a spring. You will also need a welding machine - weld the hinges and make holes (or a drill with a metal drill bit).
For a homemade sheet bender, a 70 mm brand was used - three pieces of 2.5 m each, two bolts of 20 mm in diameter, a small piece of metal 5 mm thick (for cutting jibs), a spring. Here's the procedure:
- Two brands are folded, and grooves are cut into them at both ends for hinges. The edges of the recesses are beveled at 45°. The third tee is cut in the same way, only the depth of the recess is made a little larger - this will be the clamping bar, so it should move freely.
Cutting notches for hinges
Boil the loops well
Weld pieces of reinforcement to the bolt head
Homemade sheet bender in progress
This option is very powerful - you can bend long workpieces and sheets of considerable thickness. Such scales are not always in demand, but they can always be reduced. The video suggests a similar design of a smaller size, but with a different fastening of the clamping bar. By the way, no one bothers you to also install a spring on the screw - it will be easier to raise the bar. What’s interesting about this design is that you can make beading on it, something that such devices usually cannot do.
From a corner with a different type of clamping bar
This model is welded from a thick-walled angle, the frame is made like an ordinary construction sawhorse, which is welded from the same angle. The handle is from a luggage trolley. The design of the screws is interesting - they are long, the handle is curved in the shape of the letter “L”. Convenient to unscrew/screw.
Small manual sheet bender for DIY production
This homemade sheet metal bending machine has many features:
- The corners are not arranged with shelves facing each other, but are directed in one direction. Because of this, attaching the loop is not the most convenient, but it can be done.
Now let's move on to the design of the clamping bar (pictured above). It is also made from a corner, but is laid on the machine with an upward bend. To ensure that the bar does not bend during operation, reinforcement is welded on - metal jumpers. Small metal platforms are welded at both ends of the strip, in which holes are drilled for bolts.
Another important point is that the edge that faces the bend is cut off to obtain a sharper bend angle.
The bar is set like this
The clamping bar is placed on the machine, and a spring is placed in the place where the nut is installed. The handle is installed in place. If it does not press the bar, it is raised above the surface due to the elastic force of the spring. In this position, the workpiece is tucked under it, positioned, and pressed.
Place a spring under the hole, then a bolt
A good option for home use. It will not be possible to bend thick metal, but tin and galvanized steel can be bent without difficulty.
Fine tuning of equipment
One more aspect. All supplied metal in rolls always has a certain width tolerance. For example, for 1250 mm this is 5 millimeters. If you cut the roll with one pair of knives, you will get a half spacing of 2.5 mm.
But for profiled metal this is undesirable, because such unevenness over the entire width during the production of seam paintings will form ripples and lead to premature wear of both the machine and the installation tool.
Most quality roofing machines are designed to be used exclusively in warm, clean rooms, like a workshop. They are not suitable for placing it outside in the open air. After all, different atmospheric conditions may have their own difficulties.
For example, trapezoidal threads easily become clogged, which leads to jamming and misalignment of carriages with profiled rollers. And such a machine will often have to be returned for repairs.
It is also important to pay attention to the nameplate with the serial number of the machine and the coordinates of its manufacturer. This way you will understand whether such a machine was made in some garage. You can finally be convinced of the quality of the purchased mobile folding machine only after releasing the first roll
You can finally be convinced of the quality of the purchased mobile folding machine only after releasing the first roll
If you see ripples on the first sheet, it’s bad.
You can finally be convinced of the quality of the purchased mobile folding machine only after releasing the first roll. If you see ripples on the first sheet, things are bad.
But here we will make a small digression. An experienced roofer knows that even in a high-quality metal roll, with its exactly the same thickness along the entire length, the rigidity will vary. It depends mainly on the carbon concentration in the metal melt. Literally the next roll may already have different characteristics, although its metal thickness will be exactly the same.
In addition, it is of great importance what kind of metal you purchased to make your paintings. For example, relatively recently, metal from the Novolipetsk Iron and Steel Works with a thickness of 0.55 mm was the market leader. It had excellent stiffness ratings and was compatible with certain equipment.
But now quite a lot of offers have begun to come from all over the market, especially from China, which offers metal with a thickness of 0.4 mm. That is why manufacturers, receiving feedback from their customers, slightly adjust their equipment to new types of metal. Namely, the configuration of the forming rollers and calibration transitions.
For this purpose, for example, in models such as Mini-prof there are special plastic rollers at the very end of the machine. They can be adjusted and fine-tuned to the required metal hardness. That is, you roll the metal and constantly monitor the linearity of the panel, adjusting it so that there is minimal wave effect on the roof card.
Manufacturing eurolining on a milling machine
This is more complex work; you will need solid experience working with woodworking machines. We will tell you about the technology, and select the dimensions of the lining and the profiles of the front surfaces yourself, taking into account the availability of tools and personal preferences.
The design of the machine is quite complex. Complete instructions must be included with such equipment.
We see an example of a homemade machine for making lining, its components and details
We see another example of a homemade machine for the production of lining at home
How does eurolining differ from regular lining?
Photo - Eurolining category B
As the initial data, we assume that the boards of the required sizes have already been prepared, the material is sorted and folded in the proper place.
Step 1. Install a cutter on the machine to make a groove and a side decorative chamfer, adjust the depth. To do this, release the ruler, place the end of the board against the knife and, moving the ruler closer or further, find the desired position. Fasten the milling head and ruler with great force.
Mills used in the manufacture of lumber
Several different knives-attachments for a homemade machine for making lining will allow you to create various wood products
Step 2. Attach the top and side clamping stops, set the desired distance. Such stops greatly facilitate the milling process, improve quality and increase labor safety. Pass all the boards on one side.
Step 3. Replace the cutter with a new one; it should cut the groove and remove the decorative chamfer. There is no need to re-adjust the clamps; the width of all boards is the same and did not change during the first pass.
Step 4. Remove the side cutter and release the ruler and clamps. Install a cutter to make recesses on the inside of the lining. The size and number of grooves do not matter; select them at your discretion.
Manufacturing eurolining on a milling machine
Prices for the popular range of milling cutters
Production technology
The seam-rolling machine is indispensable both for arranging the seam roof itself and for the production of auxiliary roofing accessories. This includes elements of the drainage system, front and end roof overhangs, and it is also used to make galvanized ventilation ducts.
Types of folds
A seam connection is a twist between two adjacent sheets of metal, and in order to arrange this twist, you need to bend the fold along the edge of the sheet, and it is precisely to bend this fold that you need a seam rolling machine.
There are 2 folded joints - these are single and double folds, plus folds can be standing or lying.
The level of tightness depends on the choice of connection.
As for the recumbent connection options, they are exactly the same as the standing ones, only turned to one side.
Nowadays, L-shaped roofing seams are quite common; there is no practical benefit from such a connection, it is no better or worse than a double bend, but many believe that the roof looks much more impressive this way.
The L-shaped rebate looks especially good on rounded radii.
When selecting equipment, keep in mind that there are machines for arranging recumbent folds, standing folds and universal units that can be adjusted as necessary to any type of bend.
General information about machines
The main advantage of a seam roof is that the covering is monolithic, without any fastening or connecting holes. But the roofing metal itself is quite thin and making blanks in production and then transporting them to the site is inconvenient and often unrealistic.
master dry floor screed
A small folding machine makes a big difference. With such equipment, you can make blanks directly on site; moreover, there are models that can be installed directly on the roof.
There is one more important nuance: to bend the edges of sheets, you need a folding machine, and to make a double fold and crimp the connection, bringing it to the final result, a folding machine is used.
The seam settling machine significantly reduces the time of roof installation.
Often, the thickness of metal for roofing works ranges from 0.5-1 mm, with a maximum of 1.2 mm. But a good machine for standing seam roofing is designed to work with metal from 0.3 to 1.5 mm.
Such equipment is already closer to professional, and it can be used to make not only roofing paintings, but also to bend blanks for various kinds of drainage or ventilation pipes, plus make valley gutters and ridge caps.
By the way, the blank for a seam roof (a strip of roofing metal with curved seams) is called “Picture” among professionals.
The very principle of operation of the unit is simple: any folding machine has a number of crimping shaped rollers, which actually bend the edges of the sheet. Crimping rollers are installed in pairs on crimping shafts.
A manual folding machine is well suited for amateur use.
The number of such crimping shafts may be different, but no matter how many there are, they are driven by a gearbox, and the gearbox itself rotates thanks to an electric motor. There is, of course, manually operated equipment, but the productivity there is very low and such devices are rare.
