Considering Solar? 3 Reasons Why Metal Roofing is Best.

In today’s Build Show, we’re combining the unbeatable duo of solar panels and metal roofs. Discover why this pairing is perfect for your next project, ensuring durability, efficiency, and minimal maintenance. This episode is sponsored by METAL ROOFING ALLIANCE
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[@Tubeytime]

Yes, a green metal roof is exactly what I wanted to get instead of my shingle roof, glad to hear it is the better choice!

[@michaelschiessl8357]

Great video Matt thanks for sharing this.. very valuable information here...👍👍

[@tealkerberus748]

How does the "glancing blows" theory of steeper pitch roofs work when the hailstorm has some wind behind it? I really like seeing Americans discover metal roofs, btw. I wouldn't plan a house with anything else - it's quick, light, durable, and gives good water quality in the runoff. In an area where cloud juice is our only drinking water supply, metal roofs are the winning choice!

[@angusmcbraith]

Near the ocean here in Queensland Australia, you need to be able to wash the metal roof under the solar panels to mitigate risk of corrosion (if the metal roof is steel) and to maintain the metal roof material warranty. Always check the atmospheric conditions for choice of material and warranty. I like the no penetration attachment, great option

[@BLKMGK4]

My county had never seen solar on a standing seam roof. They wanted bolts put through it and all sorts of craziness. Install engineers had to calm them down and 4 years+ later it's doing just fine! "No penetrations" - just do realize this means you will have wiring run in conduit likely down the side of your house and it's fairly ugly...

[@warreng.7407]

I love your show. You always bring new and innovative things for home construction. I'm inspired to be my own GC own my build. Wish me luck.

[@LB_D]

Nice video! What about bifacial glass-glass solar panels? It's much stronger (hail) and on a white roof, the power gain could be 10-20 %. extra....

[@evane8155]

Agreed! Especially with the high reflectivity of that white metal roofing.

[@aggiewoodie]

I don’t imagine the additional would be significant mounted against the roof. Bifacial makes more sense for ground mount arrays, esp like on a concrete pad.

[@LB_D]

@@aggiewoodie , depending on type. Some are 10-20% white-transparant. The 10 % extra power is easily obtained in sunny weather on a sloped white roof , facing towards the sun. Your right about the best array, on a flat, light-coloured surface with panels on a 20-30 degree angle. There the power gain could be up to 25%.

[@marloniai]

What about a concrete roof for an ICF home where I am adding solar panels? What's the longevity of the roof and the solar panels?

[@wildpigremovalinc.executio8028]

I'm a huge fan of solar but beware of products. Chilicon microinverter sold their service to Generac. I had my array installed 2017 and I have had like 9 microinverters fail, that 45%. The solar industry standard 25 year warranty is only valid if the company continues to honor the warranty and remains in business. Frankly, trying to get assistance, warranty help from Generac on the Chilicon microinverters has been very challenging. Their, Generac's, response has been we need a serial number or we can't help you. On my array the top row inverters are 30 feet high on a moving single post tracker. Very frustrating. Choose your solar company and supplier carefully. My 2 cents. Have a nice day.

[@douglassanford8857]

I got quotes of 40k for a 10kw system with no batteries. Bought a 10kw array with 20kw of lithium batteries for 18k!

[@thanatoslrsd]

@@douglassanford8857 May I ask what your strategy was or where you purchased your system from?

[@dominiqueallums-farley6704]

what is the avg cost of material and labor for the type of job you are doing. thanks

[@error-xn7hn]

Hooray for making people join you on the outro "On the Build Show"!

[@TheBlindjedi]

Aluminum bracket against a steel roof in a wet environment…yikes. Galvanic corrosion is going to either erode the threads loosening the bracket or eroding the side of the standing seam when the coating gets damaged in the first wind storm and the bracket moves a little bit.

[@nicolaspiper3437]

I agree, but they said that the clamping force isn't enough to damage the protective coating on the metal roofing. 🤷‍♂️ I'm hopeful that they're right, but thinking you're probably going to be right in the long run.

[@patrickcorcoran4828]

I worked for an S-5! distributor and then we started making our own clamps. They've been around since the 90s and the bullet nose set screws work as advertised. We never had any issues with galvanic reaction.

[@nicolaspiper3437]

@@patrickcorcoran4828 good to hear, but 30-50 year time frame?

[@r.j.bedore9884]

​@@nicolaspiper3437 I hate to break it to you, but the 90's was 30 years ago.

[@kschleic9053]

How are the brackets going to get wet? They are under the panels and raised up above the roof surface... It would take a really significant wind driven rain event to push bulk water far enough under the panels or get the clamps wet. Combined with the fact that if there is any galvanic corrosion, it is going to be the aluminum that corrodes, not the stainless or the roof...

[@CRsolar]

for sure our favorite - standing seam. did my own garage- with exact same system way back .. issue can be HOA wont allow metal roofs IN SOME AREAS - we did in way to hide the metal roof from view - WITH A COOL ROOFER . Call CRsolar Texas SINCE 2007 if you want us to do a install. WOW THAT HOUSE IS COOL-- will it handle a tornado - my next house I plan to build - looking at that. Matt give me a call..

[@carstencroessmann]

What was his name again? Jean-Louis or John Luca? I bet Matt said it at least two times wrong, that accent is french not italian so I guess Jean-Louis is the right name and Matt said it at the beginning only once correct. Greetings from Germany

[@chiwitube]

they are installing the L feet the wrong way. the lomg cut part of the L foot should be receiving the rail. as the roof sometimes bows up or down the rail can be adjusted to keep the modules level. next time.@4:34 you can see how it even looks wrong. plus the L feet come with instructions. this tells me this installer has never use this setup .

[@dondumitru7093]

Can you see whether it is installed wrong on the roof itself? That particular bracket was a prop for the video, it's possible that the parts of the bracket were assembled quickly (by Matt, for example) and not in the same configuration as they are getting installed on the roof.

[@dudesparo]

I'm not sure about IronRidge, but I've talked to Unirac about this exact thing. They said as long as your bolt into the s5 is as close as it can be to the intersection of the L, then you're good to go. Doesn't matter if it's horizontal or vertical. Now, maybe the company you work for doesn't allow you to do things a certain way, that's also possible.

[@kellymoses8566]

A 17KW solar system is HUGE

[@biopop2587]

Ours is double that 88 panels

[@SamamahBoy]

How has the output been?​@@biopop2587

[@bammbamm1961]

Great video - solid information - go Metal roofing.

[@SilasDrewchin]

I love this project

[@iamaricky]

what building is that ?

[@donz327]

What about mounting on a metal roof with R panels or the Classic rib (rounded profile)?

[@Poorehouse]

There are penetrating fastener for traditional rib metal roof, and solar stack has an adhesive based mounting system with no penetrations.

[@000OO0OOO0]

This is just in: Expensive things are better than cheap!

[@19Raven66]

Thanks for taking the time to make the video

[@ReyArteb]

How do you clean those panels, and how often? once twice a year? my neighbor had some roof panels installed and a month later they were covered in pollen and dirt. (and the rain didnt help, it turned it into a crust)

[@dondumitru7093]

He talks briefly about cleaning at 14:29, but not answering your questions precisely.

[@tealkerberus748]

I'd recommend a steeper roof. My solar panels are installed to our winter sun angle and 15 years later, there's a bit of lichen growing in the bottom corner of one but we've never bothered to get up there and clean them. A steep enough angle ensures that dirt and pollen wash *off* in the rain, rather than just getting wet an then sticking there.

[@ej3911]

I’m wondering if you could put some kind of hydronic heat sink on the back of the panels to maintain optimal operating temperature.🤔

[@AngryMan540]

That’s how the panels that Linus tech tips put on his house, the end up putting out a decent amount of hot water and the panels are more efficient because they’re cooled

[@AngryMan540]

That’s how the panels that Linus tech tips put on his house, the end up putting out a decent amount of hot water and the panels are more efficient because they’re cooled

[@dondumitru7093]

I'd be wary of overengineering any mechanical system on the roof. The ideal roof system is dirt simple, no penetrations, no moving parts. You want every last component up there to be rated to last ideally for decades. And you need to find parts and products, you need to get designs, you need to find installers. The more odd/custom you go, the more you end up on an exponential curve of installation headaches.

[@SALVATl0N]

Does the metal panels come rounded like that?

[@shannabolser9428]

Custom bent by the roofing contractor on the job

[@raymondpeters9186]

Pumicecrete and metal siding and roof makes a bomb proof home

[@raymondpeters9186]

Good video

[@levi9385]

I have a standing seam 24 ga metal roof that was damaged by hail last year on possum kingdom lake in Texas. So yes, hail can damage a 24 ga metal roof.

[@triforcelink]

Big difference between dimples and actual leaking.

[@rdoubled1384]

What is a bommer combo?

[@disqusrubbish5467]

There was once an expression "It's the bomb" - meaning roughly "it's the best". If it's a combination of things that he really likes he calls it a "bomber combo".

[@jonathankrautter9321]

Speaking from experience, make sure they they provide rodent mitigation options with a guarantee. The squirrels out here WILL chew your system up. It's not a matter of if but when. Nothing gets the old adrenaline flowing coming out of a building that's on fire because of a short from a squirrel and having to deal with all the insurance companies later.

[@Patty-qh3lm]

I question the aluminum clamps with the steel roof and inistrut. Won't the dissimilar metals corrode each other. It happened on my truck.

[@oldtimefarmboy617]

Those are galvalume panels. That means that they are hot dipped into a melted aluminum and zinc alloy. That causes the alloy to bond with the steel and acts like the traditional baked enamel finish used on roofing panels to prevent rusting or corrosion from the weather. The clamps will not be in contact with the formed steel sheets.

[@dennisoestermann1880]

I can see som pros for a metal roof, but if I would do a new build, i would choose a flat roof with asphalt on, covered with stones to protect from UV. And no i wouldn't be a framed house, but a concrete house. The pro with that kind of roof is its sturdy, requires low maintance and either place solar power on it or even make a sun terrace, where nobody can watch you lick up all that sun.

[@patrickkenny2077]

I just wish there was an elegant way to run the PV conduit down without it being on the exterior and without creating a leak risk.

[@xoxo2008oxox]

Ironic that four homes in our neighborhood are having leak damage from improper solar-roof installs. And these are all those lease-solar installers, not owned solar by the home-owners. Oh, and asphalt roofs, not metal.

[@patrickkayser]

solar panels have a nano coating, just using s squeegee may destroy that coating

[@MtnXfreeride]

Problem I see is that this guy knows what he is doing and read the instructions... if I hire someone in my area they will over torque it and ruin the roof.

[@xcaliber_gaming]

F Wave Synthetic Shingles. There is one aspect i have never heard anyone discuss while talking about a Metal roof installation. Noise when rain or hail hits.

[@tysleight]

Would it be any different than just a metal roof? My shops roof is steel and is insulated and in the heaviest of rain I can't hear the roof, windows yes. I don't have solar but if anything I would assume the air gap would help soften the noise

[@nationsnumber1chump]

Miguel roof better than metal roof 😌

[@rasberry4739]

What is this guy running? A small city? With the about of sun in Texas and these many panels!

[@dondumitru7093]

It sounds like it's a completely off-grid farmstead. With no electrical service coming in, he can't aim for 99% availability of his solar supply, he needs to hit that full 100%.

[@disqusrubbish5467]

Maybe he's running a Bitcoin mining operation...(just joking)

[@tealkerberus748]

How much does it take when you add a couple of electric cars to your household use?

[@Stoic_Pioneers]

They should offer them in steel.

[@ipanzerschrecku4732]

If a shingled roof gets hail damages and need replacing there would be an almost 100% likelihood of the panels needing replacing as well. In March around the Needville area soutwest of Houston a massive 4,000 acre solar farm got hit with a hail storm and almost 100% of the panels got damaged - there's footage from a helicopter flying over the enormous 4,000 acre solar farm with devastation as far as you can see all panels destroyed. If your roof gets hail damage your panels are going to be destroyed!

[@kenth151]

I think the metal roof is awesome. The solar ...not so much.

[@greg925911]

Hey, Matt, how about stepping out of your normal circle? Help some of us and build a Cargo Conversion Trailer, I'm thinking it would be a great way, maybe for some to understand a lot about Building in a very small Environment? For things like Condensation Mold and ventilation

[@maurozammarano6651]

if you do metal roof and solar panels would be better to do a solar roof and get tax incentives on metal roof as well

[@sergeykopil246]

Ни че не понятно

[@MrTexasDan]

My north Austin house has been hit by 2"+ hail twice in the last ten years, each of which would have turned those solar panels into junk. Matt knows this. Who pays? Well insurance of course, for an added premium which NOBODY ever talks about or factors into the stated costs.

[@Michael_0fficial]

How much was the added premium?

[@kschleic9053]

Sounds like a terrible place to live 😂 Seriously though, everything is a tradeoff. This house is miles from a utility grid, so there is a huge expense for power, wether that is a long private line or solar power. Both are susceptible to storm damage.... I think the private power line moreso than panels. At the same time, the panels cost much less than replacing a standing seam metal roof. The cost for panels in this install is less than $5000 wholesale... all the cost these days is in the racking, cabling, inverters, and batteries, none of which would be damaged by 2" hail. Honestly, sacrificing solar panels every 5 years to keep the standing seam metal roof undamaged seems like a pretty good tradeoff 👍

[@jetsetjoey]

Matt is a so-called Global Warming monger. Matt lives in Austin. Matt is probably liberal & we know liberals like to obfuscate the truth to suit their liberal agenda...

[@FredMcIntyre]

😃👍🏼👊🏼

[@oldtimefarmboy617]

Tribble microphone.

[@johnlibak5662]

First

[@95dodgev10]

Ah bummer was hoping this video would be applicable to "barn" metal profile but figured it wouldn't.

[@MrJramirex]

S5! Sells clamps for a lot of different types of metal profiles. They sell clamps for the PBR or "pyramid" ribs that are often used in barns/carports/sheds but you have to screw into the ribs.

[@95dodgev10]

@@MrJramirex i think i have seen those. You wouldn't by chance have experience with them would you? So far the worst part about a solar system is weeding through all the different rail and mounting components which many seem almost gimmicky or just poorly designed. Others are fancy and even overcomplicated but also very expensive once you add up the quantity needed.

[@MrJramirex]

@@95dodgev10 I have no experience using them. I wanted to use them on a chicken coop and run but the area doesn't get enough sun to be worth it.

[@Poorehouse]

Solar stack sells an adhesive based solar mount. No penetrations. I’ve used snap and rack penetrating fasteners on mine with L feet and Ironridge. Big step drilling 57 holes in my roof but held up fine for 5 years now.

[@markodeen4105]

peanut butter and chocolate as well as peanut butter and banana are gross

[@alancoepman5210]

Never put solar on any Roof. Building Codes in all 50 states indicates that once installed on the roof the solar panels becomes part of the roof. Next. The sun comes up in the east and sets in the west. However, you need a tracking system to follow the sun tracking to get the full sun energy. Then you can have a battery backup system.

[@triforcelink]

This comment is either fake, or the commenter is completely ignorant on how solar panels work. Look up what ‘peak sun hours’ are.

[@wildpigremovalinc.executio8028]

I don't know codes, but he has the right Idea. I have 2 locations with solar. One has roof mounted 16 panels, number 2 has single post x-y articulating sun tracking with 20 panels. The tracker supplies more than double the energy of the roof mounted panels. The tracker optimization is far superior, then fixed solar panels. Someone needs to make a small x-y articulated tracker that holds 8-10 panels, strong enough to withstand storms. My 20 panel tracker is hydraulic, galvanized steel, and storm rated low maintenance. But it's big and ugly. But the 100% electric house bill, 2500sqft, on average is less than 20$. Have a nice day.

[@disqusrubbish5467]

@@wildpigremovalinc.executio8028 Is the tracker off the shelf, or made specifically for this application?

[@chrisosti]

Why isn't there more info on ground based solar systems? Seems to be more logical than sacrificing a roof 🤔 🙄

[@mikenotta7079]

Putting solar on a roof is dumb unless you don't have room anywhere else. Ground mount is superior in every way and insurance companies are refusing to insure your property if solar is installed on the roof.

[@disqusrubbish5467]

Sincere question, how so? I can see easier installation, easier replacement - are there also operational benefits?

[@matthewtaylor3308]

Unless you’re completely off-grid solar is a scam.

[@punksjutgbd]

Got to DIY.

[@BobPritchard]

I have a relatively new grid intertied system on a standing seam metal roof in northern NH and am on track for a 8 year payback. No electric bills, no maintenance and with climate change underway it's nice to do something positive. Happy with the cost, payback and tax benefits. I'll probably add batteries when the costs drop further. Makes sense for me and many others.

[@punksjutgbd]

@@BobPritchard the cost may actually go up with the tariff changes. Batteries are cheap right now.

[@dondumitru7093]

It is absolutely NOT a scam the full 100% of the time. But with large incentives coming and going, you do see installers who are not fully experienced running around and chasing the incentives. You need an experienced designer, you need experienced installers, and for example you need to very very carefully look at things like warranties because if the supplier goes out of business the 25 year warranty is not going to do you any good.

[@Cspacecat]

Scam? You must work for the fossil fuel industry. A common question when deciding whether to go solar is how long until the system pays for itself. The average payback period or break-even point is 8.7 years, but your specific timeline depends on several factors. Considering modern panes are good for 35 years, that's an excellent investment initially, and when you replace the old panels, all your wiring and brackets are already there, which means they will be a considerably better investment the second time.