What does a sheet-metal roofer do?

Sheet-metal roofer, roofer, carpenter

On smaller jobs one firm often does everything. On larger ones the work is split, and then it matters who is responsible for the detail at the interface – for example for connecting the underlay to the chimney beneath the flashing.

What a sheet-metal roofer makes and fits

• roof flashings – underlay drip flashing, eaves flashing, valleys, verge flashings, ridge and hip caps,
• abutment flashings – chimneys, walls, dormers, roof windows and penetrations,
• rainwater systems – gutters, brackets, hoppers, downpipes, bends,
• parapets, cornices and window sills,
• metal roofing from coil, joined with standing seams,
• facade and plinth trims, cladding for industrial buildings,
• made-to-measure items – folded profiles to a drawing.

Tools and methods

A sheet-metal roofer works with snips (hand, compound and electric), a folding machine, seaming pliers and a seaming tool, a soldering iron for titanium-zinc and copper, and a riveter. Sheet must not be cut with an angle grinder – the heat and sparks damage both zinc and paint; KJG forbids it in its installation guide, and Lindab and Ruukki both exclude it from their warranties.

What to ask a roofer

• who measures up and who is responsible for the dimensions,
• what material the items will be made of, and from which manufacturer,
• how they will deal with expansion and fixing,
• who will connect the underlay and the substrate under the metal,
• what the warranty is and what it covers.

More on the Sheet-metal roofing work sheet and when preparing your enquiry.