Frequently Asked Questions

Foam closures are dense foam rubber strips that are used on either side of a metal panel to block out wind-driven rain and insects. The strips fill in the space occurring between the rib pattern and the flat surface below or above it.

Underlayment is a critical part any metal roof installation process. There are two underlayment options recommended on a roof. The first is high-temperature, self-adhering membrane type applied in valleys, on eaves, gables or any other high risk water or heat loss areas. The second is a synthetic underlayment that is applied throughout the rest of your roof as an extra layer of water protection before your metal roofing is installed. Underlayment is also used to protect your plywood from deterioration caused by condensation on the back of the sheets.

Exposed

Exposed fastener roofing systems offer an economical and classic look to any project. Exposed Fastener roofs involve driving fasteners through the panels and directly into the roof deck. The edges of the panels overlap, and fasteners are screwed through both layers. The fasteners remain visible. The only maintenance required on a properly installed exposed fastener metal roof is a walkthrough every decade or so to ensure the fasteners are still in good shape.

Hidden fastener/ Standing seam

Standing seam roofs have been around for hundreds of years and offer an elegant and timeless solution to your design. The absence of exposed fastening and concealed clip attachment reduces the risk of water infiltration and allow for expansion and contraction that comes with our Canadian +40 degrees and -40 degrees. This roof is the NO maintenance roof

A metal roof is not any noisier in the rain than a traditional asphalt roof. Your typical new construction roof systems require R40 insulation (11 inches) and 7/16” osb or ½” plywood which deadens the sound that may occur with heavy rains. The sounds tends to get lost within the roof cavity. Many people get metal roofs because they actually find the metal roof noise relaxing. Metal roofs are also energy efficient and eco-friendly.

For new residential construction, the recommended substrate is 7/16” osb or ½” plywood and an approved underlayment directly over the trusses. No strapping is required unless specified.

You can install a metal roof over 1 layer of existing shingles only if you strap over the existing roof every 16” on center. It is not recommended to install DIRECTLY over the shingles without any strapping. It is best to ensure that your wood substructure is in sound condition before installing your lifetime roof.

The warranty on the paint systems are on average 45 years but the metal itself can last over 150 years! The paint system warranty offers protection against peeling, cracking and fading.

Metal roofing does fade with time although paint technology has come a long way over the last decade. Canadian ASTM standards allow for a certain level of fading. This is addressed in the warranty.

Metal roofing is available in a wide variety of colors. Depending on the profiles or styles, the selection may vary. The steel industry offers approximately 32, however some suppliers offer many more colors options. Contact us for more details.

Ottawa Valley Metal offers a wide variety of styles and colors. We offer different options in exposed fastener, standing seam and metal shingles (even some that look like asphalt shingles!). Our showroom showcases all these products and our staff is always ready to help you find the perfect balance between vision and budget.

It is recommended that you fasten on top of the ribs for the majority of residential roofing application as the water sheds off the rib. It is not recommended you fasten on the flat as water tend to pool around the screws as it travels off the panel and eventually could make its way through. As for wall applications, it is recommended to fasten on the flat parts because it stands vertically to the elements and water sheds off quickly without pooling.

Depending on the profile and style, metal roofing can be from 1.5 times more to 3 times the price of a fiberglass or asphalt shingle roof.

A typical asphalt shingle roof may last anywhere from 9 years to 20 years depending on the conditions and sometimes have a prorated warranty which goes down every year in value. A metal roof has a non prorated warranty of 40 years and can last up to 150 years. You should never have to re-roof again.

Painting an older existing roof is quite common. There are speciality companies who provide this service. Should you choose to do it yourself, we recommend contacting a speciality paint store to guide you on the best paint for the application and instructions.

Colors shown are an approximation of actual painted products and may vary. We strongly recommend visiting our showroom prior to confirming your final color choice.