PVDF refers to the resin Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) applied to Aluzinc or Hot-Dip coated steel.
PVDF coating uses premium quality pigmentations and consists of carbon-fluorine, one of the strongest
bonds known. This makes it highly durable and superior to traditional Polyester roof finishes. Apart
from its excellent resistance against the ill effects of UV light and environmental pollutants, PVDF
coated steel also protects against corrosion. It is ideally suited to roofs, wall cladding and panels,
because of its superior colour fastness and gloss retention. Additionally, with a PVDF roof there is a
wide selection of colours from which to choose.

As a homeowner this is question of great importance as a solid roof is vital to the integrity of your
home. Having a trusted, professional roofer do the job will go a long way in making sure your roof lasts
for many years. Once it has been properly installed, and the recommended building specifications have
been followed, a well-maintained roof should last about 20 years. Apart from the quality of the
materials used, here are some additional factors that have an impact on the lifespan of your roof:

• Quality of the workmanship at installation – poor quality workmanship can reduce its lifespan.
• Environmental Conditions – exposure to sea blast as well as industrial conditions, high winds,
  extreme temperatures, and falling debris can decrease the life of your roof.
• Debris and overhanging trees – overhanging trees can promote the growth of moss and fungus
  on your roof. It can also cause dents, scratches, or other damage. These issues, if unchecked
  can lead to corrosion and other problems that will diminish the lifespan of your roof. Be sure to
  trim or cut trees regularly to prevent possible damage.
• Maintenance and inspections – we recommend regular roof maintenance. Inspections by a
  roofing contractor will also allow problems to be detected early so necessary repairs can be
  made as soon as possible.

You should have your roof inspected at least once a year by a roofing contractor. It is a good idea to do
so before the wet season begins.

Washing off the painted surface with clean water from a garden hose or when rain falls will remove
most of the dirt or debris that has accumulated. We do however recommend you clean your roof at
least once a year or more often depending on environmental conditions. For instance, if you live on the
coast where there are high levels of sea spray, or in areas where industrial fallout is high your roof will
need more regular cleaning.

When cleaning, we do not recommend you use pressure washers with a high psi. This can potentially
remove the finish on your roof exposing the metal which will lead to corrosion. You can however use
low psi pressure washers, standard window brushes that have a soft bristle to prevent scratching, or a
well-soaked soft cloth/sponge to help remove build up without scraping your roof.

Before starting to clean your roof test a small unobtrusive area for colour fastness. Begin cleaning from
the top of the panel and move downwards as this avoids streaking. The application should be gentle.
We know mildew and fungal growth can be stubborn, so you can use a mild detergent containing
bleach. Never use abrasive cleaners or industrial solvents, these will damage the paint’s finish. And
remember thoroughly rinse the area with clean water so that all traces of detergent are removed.
Most importantly always practise appropriate safety measures when working from heights. If you have
any doubts or concerns about safety, we highly recommend you contact a professional to clean your
roof.

We also recommend you trim tree branches and brushes regularly as this can cause damage to metal
roofs. If you have guttering, it is important you clean it at the same time as your roof as debris there
will obstruct the flow of water. Water that stays in the guttering will lead to corrosion.

Colour fading on metal roofs occurs overtime because the pigmentation of the paint breaks down from
excessive exposure to the sun. Sometimes this takes years to become noticeable; but this it is a natural
occurrence for all types of paint finishes. While UV rays contribute to fading, other factors can also
have an impact such as moisture, salty air, chemicals in the atmosphere and pollution. Your roof will
also not fade evenly if one side receives greater exposure to the sun than the other. The side that is
often in the shade will look more vibrant than the side that is in the sun.

Some paint finishes are more resistant to fading than others. So, when you’re choosing the colour of
your roof consider the following:

• PVDF vs. Polyester coating – PVDF coatings use the highest quality pigmentations and consist of
  one of the strongest bonds known, called the carbon-fluorine bond. This chemical structure
  gives PVDF the ability to resist absorbing UV radiation, which is the main cause of fading. On

  the other hand, Polyester paint is made from polyester and silicone. While the silicone
  improves the gloss retention and weather resistance of the coatings, the polyester absorbs the
  UV radiation which breaks the paint apart. Every type of Polyester paint finish has different
  levels of polyester and silicone in it. To avoid fading, more silicone and less polyester is better.

• Inorganic colours such as browns and other earth tones have pigments that are less likely to
  breakdown vs. organic colours like reds, blues or greens.
• Lighter colours vs. darker colours – lighter colours tend to deflect sunlight, keeping your house cooler
  with less fading. Dark colours on the other hand absorb UV rays, making your home warmer and the
  colour will also fade faster.

Yes, we do recommend having a well-ventilated roof. This enables the circulation of fresh air and
avoids the build-up of heat.

Currently we carry 2 types of ventilated roofs:

• Perforated Ceiling
• Air Vents.

Sabre Metals is located at Lot 13-14 Coldingen Industrial Estate, East Coast Demerara. You can also visit
our E-store at sabreroof.com.

Coil canning is an aesthetic issue common with the standing seam profile over which Damus Roofing has no control. It can, however, be minimized or eliminated with proper handling and installation. As such, coil canning is not grounds for metal rejection and claims.