Sheet-metal roofing advice
Answers to the questions almost everyone asks about a roof, chimney or window sill. Short, with figures from installation guides and standards, and a link to the source.
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- own text
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- list of articles
Basics
- What are sheet-metal roofing products?an overview of the range on the section’s main sheet
- What does a sheet-metal roofer do?What the work of a Slovak sheet-metal roofer (klampiar) covers, how it differs from a roofer or tiler, what tools and skills it takes, and which jobs... · revised 14 October 2026
Chimney and roof
- How is a chimney flashed properly?installation steps on the Chimney flashing sheet
- Why does my chimney leak?Diagnosing a leak around a chimney – how to tell a flashing fault from condensation, where to look for the cause (counter-flashing, back gutter, front... · revised 14 October 2026
- Common roof flashing mistakesTwelve mistakes in roof flashing that cause leaks and corrosion – from laps against the flow of water to copper above galvanised steel – with an... · revised 14 October 2026
- How does a roof valley work?the full detail on the Valleys sheet
- What is a parapet?dimensions and rules on the Parapet coping sheet
- How is an old metal roof repaired?Repairing an old metal (standing seam) roof – inspection, assessing corrosion, local repairs and coatings, replacing the flashing details, when a... · revised 14 October 2026
- How to spot damaged flashingA checklist for inspecting flashings from the ground and from a ladder – corrosion, loose trims, cracked sealant, deformation, water marks on the... · revised 14 October 2026
Window sills
- How to choose an exterior window sillChoosing an exterior window sill step by step – material and type (pressed, extruded, galvanised steel), depth and projection, colour, end caps, noise... · revised 14 October 2026
- How to measure a window sillA guide to measuring an exterior window sill – reveal depth, adding 10 mm under the frame and a 30–40 mm projection, length with end caps and when set... · revised 14 October 2026
Gutters
- When do gutters need replacing?Signs that a rainwater system is due for replacement – widespread corrosion, undersizing, recurring leaks, rotten brackets – and when a repair is... · revised 14 October 2026
- What does a new gutter system cost?A budget for a new rainwater system using a family house as an example – gutters and downpipes from KJG’s price list (8/2026), installation from the... · revised 14 October 2026
Materials
- How long does galvanised steel last?The service life of galvanised steel by environment – a calculation from the thickness of the Z275 zinc coating and ISO 9223 corrosion rates, the... · revised 14 October 2026
- Aluminium vs galvanised steelAluminium and (pre-painted) galvanised steel compared for window sills, gutters and flashings – cost, weight, stiffness, corrosion, thermal expansion... · revised 14 October 2026
- Titanium-zinc vs copperTitanium-zinc and copper on roofs and gutters – appearance and patina, service life according to manufacturers, 2026 prices, soldering, galvanic... · revised 14 October 2026
- Which metal is best for a roof?Choosing metal for a roof and its flashings according to what you want from the roof – cost, service life, appearance, pitch, other metals on the... · revised 14 October 2026
- How long does copper flashing last?The service life of copper flashing according to the manufacturer (more than 100 years), how patina forms, what harms copper sheet and what copper... · revised 14 October 2026
Maintenance and enquiries
- Maintaining flashings and guttersA yearly maintenance plan for flashings, gutters, downpipes, window sills and parapet copings – what to check and when, how to clean them, how to... · revised 14 October 2026
- How to prepare an enquiry for a rooferchecklist for measurements and photos
In preparation: snow guards and their effect on gutters, flashing around dormers and roof windows, standing seam roofing step by step. We will publish them once they are backed up as thoroughly as the other articles.