I'm getting ready to install metal roofing on my building project. Wee! But I'm not sure how I should cut it.
The roof is a simple gable, 20ft long, with 8ft rafters. The roofing I'm using is 3ft wide, and length is in 1ft increments.
I'll need to trim all the panels them to length (taking off an inch or so). 2 panels I'll cut to width. I'll also need to cut the trim pieces to length.
I figure a total of about 60 linear feet of cuts. All are straight, and nearly all are square to the edge of the material.
The roofing is 29ga steel. Here's the manufacturer's product page: http://www.championmetal.com/Default.aspx?Redir=ProductTypePage&id=1&Type=Ultra-Panel#
My friend is storing an air compressor with me, so air-powered tools are an option. I'd need to buy fittings and an air hose, though.
I do own red (left) aviation snips, but for this much cutting, I think I'd buy yellow (straight) snips for ease of use.
The manufacturer gives this guidance:
Steel roofing and trim should be cut with nibblers, tin snips or a
profile shear. Although Champion Metal of WA. does not advocate the
use of a saw, the reality is many people use a power saw in some
manner. There are two concerns when using a saw. First, be sure that
no burrs are left on the ends of the panel. The rough edges are not
protected and will rust. Second, the filings coming off the blade are
hot and will adhere to the surface of the panels and these will rust.
Be sure all filings are removed from the surface as they will rust and
pit the surface of the sheet.
Should I just use hand-snips? Buy an drill attachment? A metal blade in a circular saw? Buy an electric- or air-powered tool? Try to rent something? Maybe the roofing dealer will loan a cutting tool?
Best Answer
I used to use a 7 1/4" metal cutting wheel on a circular saw. Works good, but wheel wears down fairly fast. There are also some good shear attachments that mount on drills. I'd advise you to make the cuts on the end going to the top, not the exposed bottom. Definitely have some spray paint or primer to treat the cut end, because it will rust. If you put the cut ends at the top under your ridge cap, you will be fine. The other alternative is to buy your panels cut to length before they land on the job. Several manufactures cut to order such as Everlast Metal Roofing.