Seal The Metal Roof With Liquid Plastic

Whether as all-round parapets, wall cladding or as an entire flat roof covering - metals on the roof are becoming increasingly common in construction practice. Liquid plastics are used to seal the metal roof and thus reliably protect it from corrosion and impact damage.

Author: Dipl.-Ing. Jan Wittemöller | Photos: Triflex

Compared to many other roof covers, metal roofs are extremely light and at the same time very stable. They can be implemented inexpensively, are easy to assemble and are not flammable. Compared to components made from other building materials, sheet steel covers can be recycled and thus represent a sustainable alternative. In addition, they are in demand due to their variety of designs: Whether wave, trapezoidal, cassette profile or sandwich element - different colors and shapes give buildings an individual character and meet the requirements a modern architecture.

Seal metal roof: Permanently tightly connected

Since metals such as aluminum, copper materials or stainless steel are resistant to the effects of the weather, roof surfaces made with these materials are considered to be tight and durable. But they can only meet these expectations if they are provided with appropriate surface protection. Therefore you should seal a metal roof. The challenge for a functional seal lies initially in the seams: whether folded, riveted, screwed or soldered - the connection points between the individual sheets as well as penetrations, drains or screw connections are possible points of attack for the occurrence of moisture damage. To prevent this, special resins such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) have proven their worth. Applied liquid,the material adapts seamlessly to all conditions and does not slide off even vertical surfaces. Fleece-reinforced products adhere to all common metals such as copper, zinc, aluminum or stainless steel. Due to the low basis weight, the PMMA resin accommodates the lightweight construction of metal roofs. Above all, the transitions between the individual metal elements and other roof connections are sealed long-term by the liquid plastic. The fleece reinforcement ensures that temperature-related linear expansion of the material is absorbed without damage. Above all, the transitions between the individual metal elements and other roof connections are sealed long-term by the liquid plastic. The fleece reinforcement ensures that temperature-related linear expansion of the material is absorbed without damage. Above all, the transitions between the individual metal elements and other roof connections are sealed long-term by the liquid plastic. The fleece reinforcement ensures that temperature-related linear expansion of the material is absorbed without damage.

Liquid plastic: barrier against rust

If all details are securely encased in a long-lasting seal, the focus is on the entire surface of the metal roof to increase its service life and extend maintenance intervals. For reliable protection against corrosion and impact damage, a special sealing of the surface is required in addition to the professional detailed sealing. This can be produced, for example, with a one-component functional coating. It forms a flexible membrane and is protective around the roof. Elastic high polymers ensure a waterproof surface and protect it from weathering, dents, cracks and flaking. Anti-corrosion pigments create a safe barrier against rust. The application is simple and efficient: trained specialist companies apply the coating in two layers,either with a paint roller or with larger areas with an airless device. Since the material dries quickly, it can be reworked after just two hours. The functional coating withstands mechanical and chemical loads for many years. It is available in different colors and can be adapted to the look of the building.

Sealing the metal roof: primer from a can

If corrosion damage is already visible on the surface, it is advisable to use a special metal primer to ensure that the subsequent layers adhere to the surface. An alternative to rust removal and sanding is a primer based on high-quality alkyd resins. This is also available in a spray can in addition to a bucket and ensures a perfect, non-stick surface within a very short time. The application is noise and dust free, thanks to the spray technology even complex details or hard-to-reach areas are seamlessly primed. The primer also provides increased liability for system solutions based on PMMA.

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PraxisPlus

Triflex is the European leader in the development and application of high quality sealing and coating systems based on liquid plastic.

For metal roofs, Triflex offers the following products, for example:

• Triflex ProDetail (2-component, pigmented seal based on polymethyl methacrylate resin)
• Triflex Metal Coat (1-component, aqueous functional coating)
• Triflex Metal Primer (1-component, quickly paintable metal primer based on high-quality alkyd resins, which is also available in a spray can in addition to a bucket)

www.triflex.com