General FAQ's

ZL-24™Standing Seam Roof
Frequently Asked Questions
If your question isn't listed here, please email us.

1. Why would we set a building up to cut two panels instead of just one?
2. Will the erection drawings show how much of the panel will need to be cut off?
3. Can you make a 1'-0" wide panel?
4. What should be done with the panels at the rake to prevent wind damage until the rake trim is attached?
5. Will wind direction determine which endwall you start on?
6. Will staggered endlaps be available?
7. Will there be standard precut pigtail mastic?
8. I understand that the cinch straps we will be providing are set up for a panel with two ribs instead of three?
9. Why should we supply cinch straps if they are not needed?
10. With a nonstandard overhang and no gutter the holes in the panel ends will be visible can the panels be ordered without the holes prepunched at the low eave?
11. Anything going to be done to prevent rainwater and ice melt dripping off the gutter hangers?
12. Will there be a spreader bar available for modularity?
13. Will we have a roof install first trim option with our ZL-24 roof?
14. Will repair screws be sent?
15. When will we be rolling colored panels?
16. What colors will be available?
17. Will the new roof be offered with cool roof colors?
18. Will color gutter hanger straps be necessary?
19. What will the new purlin bracing look like?
20. Criteria for purlin bracing every bay, tension leg up or tension leg down?
21. Are the slots large enough to bring top and bottom angles side by side?
22. Will this get rid of the need for discrete bracing?
23. Will ridge rods be eliminated?
24. Will using ceiling liner eliminate the need for purlin bracing?
25. Why are our purlin bracing angles galvanized? Would we want to make them primed?
26. Can 1-1/4" screw vs. 1-1/2" be used in X-bracing?
27. Can the purlin bracing be made so it can be bolted vs. screwed?
28. How will we know when seaming is required? When will the builder need to include seamer rental in his bid?
29. Will the seamer be the same as the one we have been using?
30. Do the hand crimpers do the seams?
31. Is using the hand crimper more cost effective vs. renting an electric seamer on larger roofs?
32. Do you have to Triple-Lock before you Quadri-Lock?
33. Will there be an O'Brien metal gage tool for angle on the crimp?
34. When estimating a building how will we know when to add cost for seamer rental and/or labor to install the sections of the Triple-Lock and Quadri-Lock?
35. How much will we see Quadri-Lock in the Midwest region of the U.S.?
36. How much force does it take to hand crimp at the clips?
37. What is the appearance of the building when just hand crimping at the eaves and the clips?
38. Will it be quicker to seam the whole roof with the electric seamer vs. hand crimping?
39. How fast or slow does the electric seamer move?
40. Can we send the seamers that were purchased for the batten cap roof to Seamer Tools to be retooled for the new roof?
41. Can we package better than the competition?
42. Will there be protective peel tape on the panel?
43. Will there be protective peel tape on the trim?
44. Will there be something in between color sheets to keep them from being damaged during shipping?
45. Will there be vertical spacers between panel bundles to allow for the lifting straps when loaded on the trailers?
46. What is the minimum manufactured panel length?
47. What is the maximum panel length?
48. What would the maximum panel bundle weigh?
49. Can the weight of the panel bundles be on the bundle or a guide in the erection manual?
50. How many pounds of roof material can we ship on one truck?
51. Carl said he had an idea to help with potential damage when unpacking panels, what is it?
52. Can bundles be stacked on the ground on top of each other and how many?
53. Cavity fill for insulation with simple saver and long tab applications. How can it be accomplished with the cross bracing between purlins?
54. The purlin glide system by guardian will seam to work well with your purlin bracing and the new ZL-24 roof. Have you looked into that system?
55. What is recommended to hold thermal blocks to insulation and to purlins?
56. How long are the rake slide plates?
57. How long are the eave plates?
58. When will skylights be available?
59. When or will an architectural pan type standing seam roof be available from Behlen?
60. What will the availability of the batten cap panel be for repair?
61. Are the new screws stainless steel or plated?
62. Vise Grip is preferred for hand tools vs. an imported imitation?
63. Recommendations for safety tie off?
64. Will Behlen have other curb manufactures that will be approved for Behlen roof warranties?
65. Who is the third party inspector?
66. How many inspections are required?
67. Will we be doing any direct mail on reroof with the ZL-24?
68. When will we have automated electronic manifest?

1. Why would we set a building up to cut two panels instead of just one?

The computer software system details the panels from the left to the right. When the building length is not divisible by 2'-0" a "start dimension" will occur. By "centering" the panels on the roof there will be equal "start dimensions" at each endwall, thus keeping the panel seams "inline" from one side of the ridge to the other side. This set-up will also detail the correct number of different roof panel lengths when there is different lengths of sidewall eave extensions on each roof surface.

When a "start dimension" is required and if you start at 0" (instead of the requested "start dimension") on the left endwall and proceed to the right endwall, some building lengths could result in a panel rib ending in a location where the standard rake trim would not fit.

2. Will the erection drawings show how much of the panel will need to be cut off?

A dimension will be shown from the steel line to the first panel clip or major rib location.

3. Can you make a 1'-0" wide panel?

No, the panel roller is set up to only do 2'-0" panel widths.

4. What should be done with the panels at the rake to prevent wind damage until the rake trim is attached?

This is an erection issue there may be more than one way to achieve temporary rake attachment. One method may be to place temporary fasteners in the roof panel to the rake slide plate. (Caution screws must be removed before installing rake trim)

5. Will wind direction determine which endwall you start on?

No, wind direction is not a factor with this panel.

6. Will staggered endlaps be available?

No, this will not be available at this time.

7. Will there be standard precut pigtail mastic?

No, the pigtails will need to be cut from the roll.

8. I understand that the cinch straps we will be providing are set up for a panel with two ribs instead of three?

Temporary buyout based upon availability. Cinch strap was designed to fit panels with striations, two ribs or three ribs. Location of the "offset" on the strap was intended to provide for water drainage only.

9. Why should we supply cinch straps if they are not needed?

We won't. Give your builder preference to sales. Standard roof ships without cinch straps.

10. With a nonstandard overhang and no gutter the holes in the panel ends will be visible can the panels be ordered without the holes prepunched at the low eave?

Not at this time. We are investigating options.

11. Anything going to be done to prevent rainwater and ice melt dripping off the gutter hangers?

A "drain" will be built into the hanger when Behlen is manufacturing the hanger. Right now we are buying it and it will not include the drain.

12. Will there be a spreader bar available for modularity?

There are no plans to provide one from Behlen Mfg. Co.

13. Will we have a roof install first trim option with our ZL-24 roof?

Still in development but want to have by fall of 2005.

14. Will repair screws be sent?

Yes, only for #17 x 1 self-tapping screw.

15. When will we be rolling colored panels?

When we are rolling sheet in-house and the colored ridge dams and gutter hangers are available. The "optional" cinch strap will always be uncolored.

16. What colors will be available?

Galvalume will be the only finish available at this time. Current standard SSR colors are being considered and cool roof colors are being evaluated. Color availability will be complete by July 2005.

17. Will the new roof be offered with cool roof colors?

We are currently investigating these colors. (See question #16)

18. Will color gutter hanger straps be necessary?

When a colored roof is ordered they will come the same color. (Colored roofs are still in development)

19. What will the new purlin bracing look like?

Two galvanized steel x braces with tabs passed through the purlin slots located 1-1/2" up and down from the purlin flanges, 5'-6" apart, every other pair of purlins, every bay. Self-drilling screws will be used at each tab and at the intersection point of the double "X" braces.

Ignore the second pair partially shown at the right middle edge of picture.

20. Criteria for purlin bracing every bay, tension leg up or tension leg down?

Based upon the calculation of overturning force using 2004 supplement to AISI 2001, np=2, where all investigated purlins in the field of the roof exhibit positive or negative over turn under design load, in excess of the published capacity of the strap.

21. Are the slots large enough to bring top and bottom angles side by side?

Yes

22. Will this get rid of the need for discrete bracing?

For most projects, yes.

23. Will ridge rods be eliminated?

Yes

24. Will using ceiling liner eliminate the need for purlin bracing?

No. We will test this assembly and, if results are encouraging, modify the bracing.

25. Why are our purlin bracing angles galvanized? Would we want to make them primed?

Galvanized material could provide for better resistance to rusting where the tabs will be bent in the field.

26. Can 1-1/4" screw vs. 1-1/2" be used in X-bracing?

Only 1/4" x 1-1/2" hex washer head screws are available.

27. Can the purlin bracing be made so it can be bolted vs. screwed?

No, the angle would have to be made large to accommodate the bolts, thus adding more weight/dollars to the buildings.

28. How will we know when seaming is required? When will the builder need to include seamer rental in his bid?

We have the software and calculation methods consistent with the patent on zonal locking to allow our detailers to dimension and locate each type of seam lock on the erection plans.

Exact criteria are dependent on importance factor for each building, but most buildings designed with 90 mph wind, exposure "B" or "C" will not need to be Triple-Lock seamed, except in the corner zones (from 3' to 10' rectangular areas).

29. Will the seamer be the same as the one we have been using?

Similiar. The Triple-Lock has (3) sets of rolls and the Quadri-Lock has (4) sets of rolls.

30. Do the hand crimpers do the seams?

The hand crimper will need to be used at the panel ends, panel laps, and clip locations. They can also be used to do the entire seam. A Quadri-Lock hand seamer is an optional extra tool and could be useful in those rare situations where corners will require Quadri-Lock.

31. Is using the hand crimper more cost effective vs. renting an electric seamer on larger roofs?

This will need to be an economical decision the builder will have to decide. See question 38.

32. Do you have to Triple-Lock before you Quadri-Lock?

Yes.

33. Will there be an O'Brien metal gage tool for angle on the crimp?

There are no plans to provide this tool.

34. When estimating a building how will we know when to add cost for seamer rental and / or labor to install the sections of the Triple-Lock and Quadri-Lock?

When quoting a ZL-24 roof contact Behlen Mfg. Co. and we will be able to provide this information.

35. How much will we see Quadri-Lock in the Midwest region of the U.S.?

We predict this will be very rare.

36. How much force does it take to hand crimp at the clips?

It is minimal with the use of the stand up hand crimper.

37. What is the appearance of the building when just hand crimping at the eaves and the clips?

On a roofs with a minimal roof slope it should not be a factor. On steeper roofs slopes you may notice the hand crimped areas. It is recommended if the customer does not like that appearance, to bid the roof to be seamed entirely.

38. Will it be quicker to seam the whole roof with the electric seamer vs. hand crimping?

You must first hand crimp at the panel clip locations, and panel ends prior to running the seamer. Where the field of the roof requires only Roll and Lock, there is a substantial cost and effort saving over seaming.

39. How fast or slow does the electric seamer move?

Thirty feet per minute, after setup for Triple-Lock, substantially less for Quadri-lock.

40. Can we send the seamers that were purchased for the batten cap roof to Seamer Tools to be retooled for the new roof?

We are working on an exchange, that they would have to retool for their batten cap customers. More on this later.

41. Can we package better than the competition?

We are working on that. In the initial period, while rolling at NUCOR-no.

42. Will there be protective peel tape on the panel?

No

43. Will there be protective peel tape on the trim?

Yes

44. Will there be something in between color sheets to keep them from being damaged during shipping?

We are currently working on the packaging of our panels.

45. Will there be vertical spacers between panel bundles to allow for the lifting straps when loaded on the trailers?

(See question #45)

46. What is the minimum manufactured panel length?

6'-0"

47. What is the maximum panel length?

52'-0"

48. What would the maximum panel bundle weigh?

22 gage: 52 ft (30.25/12 ft)(0.0282/12 ft)(470 #/cf)(25 panels=3620 pounds)
24 gage: 52*30.25/12*0.0228/12*470*25=2927 pounds

49. Can the weight of the panel bundles be on the bundle or a guide in the erection manual?

The approximate weight of panel bundle lifts can be added to the erection guides in the future. Use the formulas in question 49 to estimate the bundle weights, for now.

50. How many pounds of roof material can we ship on one truck?

Use 45,000 lbs. / load to calculate freight.

51. Carl said he had an idea to help with potential damage when unpacking panels, what is it?

A 4" or 3" strap with ratchet tightener and reversing witch. Menards has one for $25.00 that has 25 feet of webbing strap.

52. Can bundles be stacked on the ground on top of each other and how many?

Never stack in contact with pavement or soil. Stack with sloping dunnage as shown in the erection manual. Carefully stacked, with all panels sloping to drain, the maximum recommended stack would be 4 rolls high, space with dunnage for fork lifting.

53. Cavity fill for insulation with simple saver and long tab applications. How can it be accomplished with the cross bracing between purlins?

The insulation will need to be slit to fit around the angles.

54. The purlin glide system by guardian will seam to work well with your purlin bracing and the new ZL-24 roof. Have you looked into that system?

Yes, it appears to be a good solution that will avoid purlin bracing interference. Behlen can provide product information and pricing.

55. What is recommended to hold thermal blocks to insulation and to purlins?

Spray-on adhesive

56. How long are the rake slide plates?

12'-0"

57. How long are the eave plates?

12'-0"

58. When will skylights be available?

Currently evaluating the need for panel type skylights.

59. When or will an architectural pan type standing seam roof be available from Behlen?

We do provide a buyout panel now. Behlen Mfg. Co. does not have a date specified when we will manufacture a pan style.

60. What will the availability of the battan cap panel be for repair?

We will develop safety stock levels for galvalume and popular colored panels. We will be initially rolling our ZL-24 at the Inland plant starting June 2005. The second ZL-24 panel line will be placed in the Behlen plant by spring 2006. Before removing the existing line, we will roll the safety stock levels. They will be 40ft. panels.

Older discontinued colors will be available on special order as long as the suppliers at AKZO Nobel and Valspar make the color. Special order will take extra time to fill. The Behlen line will be shipped to the panel line manufacturer to be mounted on a slab plate of the same dimensions as our new panel line. They will be interchangeable. Since there are issues with the "cut-off", the adhesive will take some effort to switch out the lines, rolling to length, to order will involve a "setup charge". We will determine this setup charge and let all dealers and builders know well in advance.

Tooling for clips and batten caps will be retained. The accessories for the existing system will also be "safety stock" item.

We will develop details to allow the ZL-24 panel to be added to existing Behlen SSR panel roofs. These will be available sometime around the startup of the Behlen ZL-24 line in Columbus.

61. Are the new screws stainless steel or plated?

Plated shank with zinc die-cast head on new screw if the head is on the exterior. Screws under roof coverings are plated.

62. Vise Grip is preferred for hand tools vs. an imported imitation?

Will review pricing and will consider when manufacturing the next inventory.

63. Recommondations for safety tie off?

There are several safety tie off systems available in the marketplace. Behlen will make every effort to accommodate those systems. Forward requirements to Behlen for review.

64. Will Behlen have other curb manufacturers that will be approved for Behlen roof warranties?

We will be reviewing several curb manufacturers.

65. Who is the third party inspector?

Behlen Mfg. Co. has been working with Leon Dazey - Metal Roof Tech, Inc. - Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

66. How many inspections are required?

Quantity of inspections will change with roof size and complexity. Review warrantee details when available.

67. Will we be doing any direct mail on reroof with the ZL-24?

We may do direct mail on re-roof after we complete new installation details on related substructure types incorporated with ZL-24.

68. When will we have automated electronic manifest?

Fall of 2005.