Metal spotlights for the roof - types and installation

The construction process is long and expensive, so at the finishing stage most homeowners try to save money. In an attempt to reduce costs, they use remnants of building materials for filing roof eaves, overhangs and ebbs and make an unforgivable mistake. Experienced builders know that it is these small details of the decoration that attract the most attention to themselves and, when using artisanal facing, they look handicraft. In order not to suffer the appearance of the roof, and the internal structures served longer, use metal soffits for filing.

Device

Soffits are special panels made of metal or other materials that are used for filing roof elements, if they are butt-mounted with horizontal partitions.. This is an indispensable thing for arranging eaves and roofing overhangs, ebbs. Visually, the spotlights look like several siding panels joined together and have the same mounting system. Their feature is the presence of holes intended for ventilation. According to the surface area occupied by the perforation, metal soffits are divided into three types:

1. With full perforation. A fully perforated metal soffit has a surface that is completely covered with air vents. With the help of this type of panels, the internal surfaces of the roof elements, protected from ingress of water, are hemmed. Fully perforated soffit is suitable for decorating eaves, ceiling visors, terraces, gazebos. A large number of holes provides air access inside the roof frame, which has a beneficial effect on the condition of the truss system elements.
2. With partial perforation. Partially perforated soffit differs from the first type only in the number of holes on the surface. As a rule, metal panels with central perforation are produced. This type does not obstruct the access of air to the roof frame and better protects against water penetration. Due to its properties, partially perforated soffit is used for filing on all elements of the roofing system and is considered universal.
3. Without perforation. Solid metal panels better protect wooden structures from moisture than perforated soffit. Therefore, it is used for plating vertical surfaces, for example, pediments and equipment of ebb and roof overhangs.

Note! Metal soffits are more convenient for filing than siding, wall paneling or other materials. They are up to 35 cm wide, so the lining process is 3 times faster. The length of products reaches 6 m, and trim the panels to the desired size can be grinder with a disk designed for metal or a hacksaw.

Functions spotlights

To make the roof construction last as long as possible, its horizontal sections, which are not protected from below by waterproofing, must be hemmed. Previously, when metal products were not mass produced, they used materials left over from the construction of the house: trimming, boards, wall paneling, siding, or other PVC panels. However, only the use of spotlights solves all the tasks assigned to this element of decoration:

• Moisture protection. The upper surface of the slopes reliably protects the roofing material from the destructive effect of precipitation. The lower part is bare, and truss legs, made of wood, eventually rot and become unusable. To prevent damage to the bottom of the roof frame, it is hemmed to protect it from drops bouncing off walls.
• Provide ventilation. Tightly sewn overhangs and eaves do not allow air to circulate inside the truss frame of the roof, which is the cause of high humidity of wooden elements and the spread of mold and mildew. Before the advent of special panels, in order to open access to the air in the siding used for filing, the holes were drilled using a saw, but the appearance of these products left much to be desired. Soffits with perforation look neat, do not spoil the appearance, prolong the life of the roof.
• A harmonious addition to the aesthetic appearance of the roof. Correctly selected perforated panels hide the unsightly "inside" of the roof structure and emphasize the choice of roofing material.

Important! Metal perforated panels are the most practical type of materials for filing cornices, overhangs, ebbs. The service life of such products often exceeds the lifetime of the roof itself. And to take care of them is simple: you do not need to paint or apply antiseptics on them, it is enough to wipe the panels with a rag with soapy water once a year.

The advantages of metal spotlights

Construction stores offer soffits for filing of polyvinyl chloride and metal, but experienced builders recommend to buy metal models. Manufacturers explain their popularity with the following qualities:

1. The quality of the material. Soffits are made of aluminum, copper and zinc or molybdenum alloyed steel. Copper panels are considered the most expensive, they are used if the roof, elements of the drain are made of the same metal.
2. High anti-corrosion properties. Due to the properties of the metal, the spotlights do not deteriorate from the action of the falling water, without reacting with it, without being oxidized.
3. Resistance to mechanical and chemical stress. Metal soffits do not react with aggressive chemical compounds, do not burn, they are difficult to break or just bend.
4. Immunity to mold and mildew. Metal does not suffer from the harmful effects of mold and putrefactive microorganisms.
5. Long service life. The operating time of the metal panels is unlimited; therefore, they do not require replacement and keep their aesthetic appearance for a long time.
6. Wide palette. With the help of powder paints, metal colors are given various colors, and the external coating of plastisol, pural or polyester makes it possible to imitate the texture and shade of natural wood. Therefore, metal soffits are suitable for any type of roofing and wall decoration.
7. Easy installation. Soffits of their metal are mounted on a metal profile, connecting the segments of the panels together with a special hook lock.

Note! The cost of installing metal soffits is more profitable in terms of cost savings than using other materials. Their price is about the same level as that of vinyl models. And cheaper wooden ones require constant renovation, coating with protective paintwork.

Mounting methods

They buy metal soffits together with a metal profile, necessary for its fastening, and roofing screws. Paneling the overhang with panels is performed in one of the following ways:

• Diagonal. For the overhangs, the length of which is not great, and the steepness of the slopes is less than 20 degrees, use the diagonal method of filing spotlights. For this, the profile for fixing is fixed directly on the rafter legs, therefore the surface of the spotlights is not parallel to the surface of the earth, but at an angle equal to the slope of the roof.
• Horizontal Horizontal filing with soffits begins with the arrangement of a wooden frame. Parallel to the edge of the roof overhang a wooden bar is fixed on the wall. The ends of the truss legs are also tied with a bar of wood. The profile is fixed on the frame and the panels are installed. This is a more convenient and simple method of arranging the overhangs, while reducing the consumption of spotlights.

Note! The cost of one panel on average is 250-700 rubles, and the remuneration of hired roofers who will perform installation work is 350 rubles. Therefore, it is much more profitable to install them with your own hands, especially since it takes only 3-4 hours.

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