Sheet Metal Roofing Course

Lesson 1 • Workplace Safety Fundamentals

Establishes compulsory safety practices for roofing environments. Prepares students to comply with fall protection and hazard regulations before site entry.

Lesson 2 • Industry Overview and Career Pathways

Introduces the sheet metal roofing trade, its scope, and professional roles. Establishes context for all subsequent technical learning.

Lesson 3 • Metal Roofing Materials and Properties

Covers steel, aluminium, copper, and zinc alloys used in roofing. Students match material properties to application requirements.

Lesson 4 • Reading Roofing Plans and Specifications

Teaches interpretation of architectural drawings and project specifications. Students extract dimensions, slope data, and material callouts accurately.

Lesson 1 • Tool Maintenance and Inspection

Establishes routines for cleaning, sharpening, and inspecting tools. Proper maintenance extends tool life and ensures consistent cut quality.

Lesson 2 • Hand Tools for Sheet Metal Work

Identifies and demonstrates correct use of snips, mallets, and seaming tools. Proper tool selection reduces material waste and injury risk.

Lesson 3 • Fabrication Equipment Operation

Introduces shop-based equipment including folder brakes, roll formers, and slitters. Connects shop fabrication to field installation quality.

Lesson 1 • Roof Geometry and Area Calculation

Teaches calculation of roof area for gable, hip, and complex roof forms. Students quantify material requirements from plan dimensions.

Lesson 2 • Panel Layout and Marking Techniques

Covers scribing, chalk lines, and template use for panel layout. Accurate marking ensures consistent seam alignment across the roof field.

Lesson 3 • Material Estimation and Takeoff

Develops systematic material takeoff skills from drawings and site measurements. Accurate takeoffs reduce over-ordering and project cost overruns.

Lesson 4 • Slope, Pitch, and Angle Calculations

Applies trigonometry and pitch ratios to determine rafter lengths and panel angles. Students solve real layout problems using these calculations.

Lesson 1 • Forming Curved and Tapered Panels

Addresses roll forming and hand techniques for curved roof surfaces. Students adapt standard forming methods to non-planar geometries.

Lesson 2 • Quality Control in Fabrication

Establishes inspection criteria for cut edges, bend angles, and seam profiles. Students identify and correct fabrication defects before installation.

Lesson 3 • Bending and Brake Operations

Teaches setup and operation of hand and box brakes for precise bends. Students form flanges, hems, and returns to specified angles.

Lesson 4 • Seam Forming and Folding

Introduces Pittsburgh, snap-lock, and standing seam profiles. Consistent seam geometry is critical to weathertight panel connections.

Lesson 1 • Roof Deck Assessment and Repair

Covers inspection of wood, concrete, and steel decks for defects. Deck integrity directly affects panel attachment and long-term performance.

Lesson 2 • Underlayment Installation Techniques

Teaches proper lapping, fastening, and sealing of underlayment layers. Correct installation prevents wind uplift and moisture intrusion.

Lesson 3 • Underlayment Types and Selection

Compares felt, synthetic, and self-adhering underlayment products. Selection criteria include slope, climate, and panel system requirements.

Lesson 1 • Starter and Eave Installation

Establishes correct eave conditions including starter strips and drip edges. The eave detail sets alignment for all panels above it.

Lesson 2 • Standing Seam Panel Installation

Covers clip attachment, panel engagement, and mechanical seaming sequences. Students install panels that accommodate thermal movement without leaks.

Lesson 3 • Exposed Fastener Panel Installation

Teaches lap sealing, fastener placement, and torque control for exposed systems. Correct fastener installation prevents pullout and panel distortion.

Lesson 4 • Fastener Selection and Load Requirements

Covers fastener materials, coatings, and pull-out values for various deck types. Students select fasteners that meet wind uplift and corrosion requirements.

Lesson 1 • Flashing Principles and Design

Establishes the function of step, counter, and base flashings in metal roofing. Understanding water management principles guides correct flashing design.

Lesson 2 • Valley Flashing Installation

Covers open, closed, and woven valley configurations for metal roofs. Valleys concentrate water flow and require precise fabrication and sealing.

Lesson 3 • Penetration Flashing and Curbs

Addresses pipe boots, curb flashings, and skylight surrounds. Each penetration type requires a specific flashing strategy to remain leak-free.

Lesson 4 • Wall and Parapet Flashings

Teaches fabrication and installation of wall base, step, and cap flashings. Correct wall flashings prevent the most common metal roof leak locations.

Lesson 1 • Preventive Maintenance Programmes

Develops scheduled maintenance plans that maximise metal roof service life. Students create maintenance checklists and service interval schedules.

Lesson 2 • Systematic Roof Inspection Methods

Establishes a structured inspection protocol covering panels, seams, flashings, and drainage. Consistent inspection methods identify problems before they cause interior damage.

Lesson 3 • Common Failure Modes and Diagnosis

Identifies causes of leaks, corrosion, fastener failure, and panel distortion. Accurate diagnosis ensures the correct repair method is applied.

Lesson 4 • Flashing and Penetration Repairs

Addresses re-flashing walls, valleys, and penetrations on aging roofs. Flashing repairs require careful integration with existing panels and substrates.