Instructions / Assembly

Building Design and Construction
In order to ensure the anticipated performance and longevity,
protect metal panels from potentially corrosive situations and ma-
terials. When treated lumber will be in direct contact with metal
panels or ashings please note the following: Galvanized steel
is compatible with the CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate) pres-
sure-treated lumber that was predominantly used before 2004,
but not with the older Penta treated lumber or the new ACQ (Al-
kaline Copper Quartenary), CA (Copper Azole), or CBA (Copper
Boron Azole). Stainless steel or other special treated fasteners
should be used into these non-compatible pressure treated lum-
bers. Aluminum must be separated from contact with all treated
wood since the soluble copper in the preservative is corrosive to
aluminum. Likewise, dissimilar metals also require a protective
barrier between them to prevent galvanic corrosion. Request
FABRAL Technical Bulletins #803, 106, and 107 for more informa-
tion on treated lumber and dissimilar metals.
PLASTIC, BUILDERS’ FELT, BITUMINOUS PAINT, CAULKING,
OR GASKET MATERIAL MAY BE USED TO SEPARATE PANELS
FROM TREATED WOOD AND DISSIMILAR METALS. When us-
ing aluminum panels in direct contact with steel, use a separator
as described above and fasten with Stainless Steel screws.
Fertilizer, lime, acids, feeds, manure, soils, and many other
compounds also cause corrosion in metal panels. Contact be-
tween metal panels and any potentially corrosive materials should
be prevented.
Porous insulation materials may absorb and retain moisture,
and should not be used in direct contact with metal panels. Use a
vapor barrier such as polyethylene plastic or 30-lb felt to prevent
moisture from contacting both the insulation and the metal panel.
FABRAL’s translucent panels are intended for siding applica-
tions only. In all situations, foot trafc should be avoided on trans-
lucent panels. Translucent panels used in roong applications will
break down in a short time and cause staining and premature
corrosion of the metal panels below. If used on roofs, apply butyl
caulking to separate the berglass panels from the metal. Trans-
lucent panels should be cleaned and sealed regularly, as recom-
mended by the translucent panel manufacturer.
Purlins, Girts and Roof Deck
The substructure to which the metal panels are fastened must
be properly spaced and sufciently thick to provide a roof or wall
system able to meet required design loads.
A 2ފ nominal lumber thickness or 1ފ nominal thickness are
both acceptable purlins. If snow guards are to be installed in the
future, a 2 x 8 purlin can be installed in the area for snow guard
installation. Call engineering for locations of 2 x 8 purlins. When
using purlins, FABRAL recommends a maximum spacing of 24ފ
on-center (note that 5V requires solid decking). Pullout values de-
crease if the fasteners protrude completely through the purlins.
Kiln-dried softwood is recommended for purlins or decking (pine,
r, hemlock, and spruce). Hardwoods are difcult to fasten into
without splitting and contain tannic acids that are corrosive to
metal panels. Green (non-kiln-dried) lumber may warp, twist, and
shrink as the wood seasons fully, causing waviness in the panels as
well as loosening and leaking of the fasteners.
Solid decking is highly recommended for all residential appli-
cations. When using solid decking or sheathing, always use 30-lb
felt or underlayment and plan on using closer fastener spacing
and larger diameter #14 screws. (Refer to the tables on page
31).
On re-roong projects where the condition of the old decking
is in question, or where existing shingles will be left in place, new
2x4 or 1x4 purlins should be fastened through the decking and
into the rafters. This will provide a solid framework for attaching
the metal panels. For more detailed information on re-roong
applications, consult FABRAL Technical Bulletin #721, Re-Roong
With Metal. Load tables are available for all FABRAL panels; con-
tact FABRAL for additional information.
Roong
Panel sidelaps should face away from wind driven rain. To
accomplish this, begin by installing the rst sheet square with
the eave and gable at the down wind end of the roof, farthest
away from the source of prevailing winds or away from the primary
viewing location.
In applications requiring a panel endlap, please refer to the
detailed instructions in this booklet. For best results, lap panels as
shown and install in the indicated sequence. ALL ENDLAPS RE-
QUIRE SEALANT. WHEN WEATHER-TIGHTNESS IS CRITICAL,
USE SEALANT TAPE IN ALL SIDELAPS.
To provide a drip edge, allow an overhang of 1 to 2 inches at
the eave. At the gable edge, use a gable or sidewall ashing. This
will keep weather out, prevent lifting in high winds, and provide a
neat, nished appearance. The trim and roong sheet should be
fastened every 12 to 24 inches along the gable edge. Do not step
on panel ribs or on trim pieces to prevent kinking.
Roof Pitch
The metal roong panels shown in this manual require a min-
imum slope of 2½ފ per foot to ensure proper drainage. Refer to
the rain-carrying table in this booklet for the maximum allowable
panel length per slope that will provide adequate drainage. For
longer slopes and lower roof pitches, contact FABRAL for other
suitable proles.
Bending and Bowing
Aluminum and Steel roong and siding sheets are rollformed
from hardened, tempered metal for maximum strength. If a sheet
must be bent, a gentle 90-degree bend is the maximum recom-
mended. Metal should not be re-bent once it has been formed,
nor should it be folded back on itself. When a metal roong sheet
must be installed on a curved roof, screws should be installed at
every overlapping rib at the sheet ends to resist the natural ten-
dency of the metal to spring back. The standard fastening pattern
is permitted over the rest of the sheet. When installing the metal
panels shown in this booklet over a curved arch, the minimum
radius of the arch is 18’ for aluminum panels and 24’ for steel pan-
els. Use sealant tape or butyl caulking at all sidelaps and endlaps.
Additional care and fasteners must be provided when securing
the top and bottom purlins on an arched rafter building to pre-
vent the curved panels from pulling the purlins loose from the raf-
ters. Ring-shank pole barn nails, heavy wood screws, lag screws,
or bolts are often used for attaching these purlins.
Siding
Siding should be installed using the standard fastening and
overlap patterns to ensure optimum performance. For strong,
neat corners use hemmed corner ashings. DO NOT RUN SID-
ING SHEETS ALL THE WAY TO THE GROUND. INSTEAD, PRO-
VIDE A PROTECTIVE BASE OF CONCRETE, MASONRY, TREAT-
ED WOOD, OR SIMILAR MATERIAL AND TERMINATE THE
SIDING SHEETS 6ފ ABOVE GRADE.
If siding sheets are installed horizontally, use sealant tape or
butyl caulking at the vertical laps to ensure weather-tight joints.
Install panels from the bottom up so that water is directed away
from, and not into, the lap joints.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS