The skate for metal is the final part of the roofing system. Manufacturers produce several varieties that differ in mounting options and configurations. Which type to choose depends on many factors.
Features
A skate for a metal tile is a horizontal element that is located at the upper junction of adjacent slopes. It can be either part of the rafter system, or a separate additional element. It is important to note that the skate is not on all roofs. For example, for tent, domed and bulbous roofs, it is not required, since the ramps are connected at one top point, and not in a straight line. In addition, it must be remembered that the type of roof directly affects the number of skates. Suppose, for a gable roof, only one element is suitable, but for roofing systems of complex design, two or more are needed.
Varieties
First of all, skates for metal tiles vary in cross-sectional shape. There are many varieties of elements, but there are three main types:
- Triangular or flat products. These are the simplest, which are primarily of practical importance. They are not very beautiful, but have a minimum cost. Due to their shape, they can fit snugly to the roof slope. In addition, there is no need to install special plugs on the sides, because the product is well adjacent to the roof.
- Rectangular or figure skates. They look like flat, but have a more broken, complex shape. Products copy the configuration of the gable angle, but are equipped with a small U-shaped kink on top. The figure skate is very attractive.
- Semicircular and round patterns. They are expensive, but the most beautiful. During installation, special pads and plugs are used, which protects the joint from rain, and residents from the wind, which howls in the ridge. Their shape is like a pipe.
Sealant for the ridge
The ventilated skate for metal is installed with the sealant. This will help to reliably protect the attic and rafters from dust and rain. It is worth noting that this is a profitable solution, since the metal material does not always lie exactly on the ramp.
The modern market involves the use of one of three types of seals, which are made of different materials and have specific properties:
- Universal or soft. Their appearance is similar to standard strips of foamed polyurethane. They are soft to the touch, so they fit snugly to the ramps, taking the configuration of the metal tile and filling all its voids. The product has a cellular structure, which makes it possible to retain moisture and dust, let air through. However, in the latter they are inferior to the ventilation openings of the profile seal. This material can last up to 15 years.
- Profile or hard. The main material for their manufacture is foamed polyethylene, which is able to take the form of metal tiles. To provide attic ventilation, the gasket is equipped with small openings over the entire area. Dust and humidity will not be able to penetrate the attic, while fresh air can do this easily. Such properties make this seal most advantageous in terms of air tightness. Its service life reaches 15 years.
- Self-expanding. It is a polyurethane foam tape impregnated with acrylic. After installation, they expand - in some cases, increase by 5 times. Expansion occurs from 2 to 5 hours. This seal will not allow air or liquid to pass through. Experts recommend leaving small gaps - about 2 cm, for every 2 meters. This will allow some ventilation. They have the longest service life - up to 20 years.
Mounting
How to mount a skate on a metal tile? It is important to observe the following steps:
- The straightness of the upper sections of the slopes is checked. From a straight line, the deviation should not be more than 2 cm.
- The sealant is glued into the grooves of the ridge.
- The plank is laid on a pitched joint flush with a side cut.
- The symmetry of the device overlay is checked. Fastening starts from the central part, the ridge should coincide with the center of the axis of the roof, which is previously marked with a stretched cord. It is very important at this stage to take the help of a specialist who will monitor the position of the ridge from the opposite end.
- Screw the butt to the metal tile.
- Self-tapping screws screw along the entire length of the bar. Fixing points must be done on the top wave of metal. The step is performed in 1-2 waves.
- Joining adjacent strips with an overlap of at least 100 mm.
- If necessary, install plugs on the side.
Popular manufacturers
The skate for metal is best purchased from trusted manufacturers. Positive reviews are left about brands such as Vekman, Repruf, Polmukate and Measure Systems. Foreign brands guarantee the impeccable quality of products, however, Russian manufacturers also produce excellent skates. Promintech, MetallProfil and Grand Line are ranked among such brands.