Top FAQs

Is the metal that Metal-Era uses safe to use with ACQ treated wood?

Metal-Era is committed to long lasting, quality products, and the following quick facts demonstrate that our metal edges are designed to be safe with ACQ treated wood.

• Any Kynar© painted material in steel or aluminum is chemically inert and can be used in direct contact with ACQ pressure treated wood.
• The galvanized steel sheet use by Metal-Era is a hot dipped galvanized steel sheet produced on continuous coating line, by passing raw steel through a bath of molten zinc. Metal-Era galvanized steel has a G-90 coating (1.25 oz. per square foot), and can be used in direct contact with ACQ wood.
• All Anchor-Tite Systems use an extruded aluminum bar to terminate the roof edge. The membrane is covering the treated wood nailers, due to water proofing issues before the installation of the extruded aluminum bar. The extruded bar does not come in direct contact with ACQ, therefore, there is no reaction.
• Mill finish aluminum should not be used in direct contact with ACQ treated lumber. Spacer materials or other physical barriers are recommended (i.e. rubber, felt, etc.) to prevent direct contact of ACQ pressure-treated wood and mill finish aluminum products.
• Metal-Era recognizes the importance of using non-corrosive, code compliant fasteners. All Metal-Era Anchor-Tite products carry a Lifetime, 170 mph wind warranty, and therefore require the fasteners to be provided by Metal-Era. Metal-Era has changed all specifications to only provide stainless steel fasteners.

Metal-Era also provides private labeled metal edge products for roof membrane manufacturers (Carlisle, FiberTite, Firestone, GenFlex, Johns Manville, Koppers, Sika Sarnafil, Stevens, US Ply and Versico). All fasteners are provided as part of their full system warranty program. All private label specifications have been changed to provide stainless steel fasteners and hot-dipped, ring shank galvanized nails.

What are the benefits of proper ventilation?

• Extends the life of shingled roofs by minimizing the temperature differential between the attic air and the outside air. It keeps the roof system cool during the hot summer months, preventing premature deterioration and less shingle replacement.
• Extends the life of metal roofs systems by preventing moisture from condensation that develops on the underside of the roof, ultimately causing rust & other structural problems.
• Prevents ice damming caused when the heat from inside the building and the sun melts the snow at the ridge. This causes water to run to the eaves and refreeze and the repetition of this process causes ice dams.
• Provides energy savings in the summertime by cooling the roof sheathing, preventing premature roof deterioration, premature roof replacement and increased servicing of cooling units due to their excessive use. It prevents heat build-up in unvented systems which radiates downward and increases the demand on cooling systems.
• Provides energy savings in the wintertime by preventing hot and cold air to interact and cause moisture from condensation that causes soaked insulation, corrosion and water infiltration.
  

What does Miami Dade approval mean?

For a product to be Miami-Dade approved means that the Miami-Dade Building Code Compliance Office has reviewed and tested the product and it meets specific criteria for construction in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

What does the IBC require of roof edge systems?

The 2007 IBC, §1504.5: "Edge securement for low-slope roofs. Low-slope membrane roof system metal edge securement, except gutters, shall be designed and installed for wind loads in accordance with Chapter 16 and tested for resistance in accordance with ANSI/SPRI ES-1, except the basic wind speed shall be determined from Figure 1609."

The ANSI/SPRI ES-1 document can be downloaded in its entirety for free from SPRI.

What does the incorporation of the ES-1 Standard into the IBC mean for me? Do you have any recommendations?

ES-1 tested products assure a long-lasting, quality product. It is important to frequently check your local requirements because additional states, counties and municipalities are in the process of adopting the IBC. Understandably, it can be difficult and sometimes confusing to keep track of each locality's requirements, so to play it safe and avoid the risk of not coming up to code, specify  ES-1 tested roof edges.

What is a full system warranty?

A full system warranty (also called a total system warranty) helps limit your liability should there be a problem with the roof system. It will provide repairs for any qualifying leak in the roofing system caused by:

• Ordinary wear and tear

• Manufacturing defects

• Workmanship on installation

What recommendations are there for managing the corrosive effects of ACQ pressure treated wood?

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• For long-lasting roof edges, specify nails which conform to the ASTM A-153 specification for hot-dipped galvanizing.  
• Specify stainless steel screw fasteners. 
• Aluminum should not be used in direct contact with ACQ treated lumber.