Systems and Methods for Secure Metal Roofing

Abstract

Systems and methods for a secure metal roofing system are provided. The secure metal roofing system includes one or more elongate bars. The elongate bars include a number of slots spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal direction. Fasteners are disposed within the respective slots for securing the elongate bars to the roof structure. In this manner, the slots are sized and shaped to accommodate a difference in thermal expansion between the elongate bars, the fasteners, and the roof structure so as to minimize or prevent the fasteners from backing out of the roof structure due to changes in thermal and/or environmental conditions. The secure metal roofing system includes one or more roofing panels and a number of fasteners configured to secure the roofing panels to the elongate bars. Further, a moisture barrier is disposed between the roof structure and the elongate bars and roofing panels.

1 . A secure metal roofing system for attachment to a roof structure, the secure metal roofing system comprising:
 at least one elongate bar comprising a plurality of slots spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal direction;   a plurality of first fasteners each disposed within a respective slot of the plurality of slots for securing the at least one elongate bar to the roof structure, the plurality of slots being sized to accommodate a difference in thermal expansion between one or more of the at least one elongate bar, the plurality of first fasteners, and the roof structure so as to curtail the plurality of first fasteners from backing out of the roof structure;   at least one roofing panel;   a plurality of second fasteners configured to secure the at least one roofing panel to the at least one elongate bar; and   a moisture barrier disposed between the roof structure and the at least one elongate bar and at least one roofing panel.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the roof structure comprises at least one of: a plywood roof structure, one or more wood rafters, one or more wood battens, or any other wood deck structure. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one elongate bar is fastened to at least one of: the plywood roof structure, the one or more rafters, the one or more wood battens, or any other wood deck structure. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the roof structure comprises a finished roof having a plurality of shingles, and wherein the at least one elongate bar is fastened directly on top of the plurality of shingles. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the roof structure comprises an unfinished roof, and wherein the at least one elongate bar is positioned on top of the unfinished roof 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the roof structure comprises a roof line, and wherein the at least one elongate bar is fastened to the roof structure generally parallel to the roof line. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one elongate bar comprises a generally rectangular strip of metal, and wherein the plurality of slots comprise elongated slots in the longitudinal direction of the at least one elongate bar. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the generally rectangular strip of metal is approximately ⅛ inch thick and approximately 1.5 inches wide. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the elongated slots are approximately 0.75 inch long. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of slots are spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal direction by spans of about 8 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one roofing panel and the elongate bar comprise materials having similar coefficients of thermal expansion. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one roofing panel and the elongate bar comprise materials having similar electrode potentials to reduce or prevent galvanic corrosion. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one roofing panel and the elongate bar comprise the same material. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one roofing panel comprises sheets of metal. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the sheets of metal comprise ridges. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one roofing panel comprises at least one of: galvanized steel, stainless steel, or aluminum. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one elongate bar comprises at least one of: galvanized steel, stainless steel, or aluminum. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one elongate bar comprises a plurality of elongate bars. 
     
     
         19 . A secure metal roofing system for attachment to a roof structure, the secure metal roofing system comprising:
 at least one elongate bar comprising a plurality of elongate slots spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal direction, the at least on elongate bar being configured to be secured to the roof structure via and the plurality of elongate slots; and   at least one metal roofing panel, the at least one metal roofing panel being configured to be secured to the at least one elongate bar in overlying relation to the roof structure.   
     
     
         20 . A method for securing a metal roofing system to a roof structure, the method comprising:
 positioning at least one elongate bar on the roof structure, the at least one elongate bar comprising a plurality of slots spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal direction;   securing the at least one elongate bar to the roof structure using a plurality of first fasteners each disposed within a respective slot of the plurality of slots for securing the at least one elongate bar to the roof structure, the plurality of slots being sized to accommodate a difference in thermal expansion between one or more of the at least one elongate bar, the plurality of first fasteners, and the roof structure so as to curtail the plurality of first fasteners from backing out of the roof structure;   securing at least one roofing panel to the at least one elongate bar using a plurality of second fasteners configured to secure the at least one roofing panel to the at least one elongate bar; and   positioning a moisture barrier between the roof structure and the at least one elongate bar and at least one roofing panel.