When you’re a homeowner, finding ways to save time or money is always a priority. When it comes to your roof, it’s no different. There are parts that are usually overlooked and skipped, when in fact they are crucial to the overall performance of your roof. One of those roofing components are foam closure strips.
At Western States Metal Roofing, being in the metal roofing industry has made us very knowledgeable in what is needed for a successful installation. We offer all the accessories, including foam closure strips, you’ll need to ensure you have a quality metal roof or metal building for years to come.
In this article, we will go over the benefits of using foam closure strips and why you shouldn’t skip this step during installation.
What Are Foam Closures For Metal Roofing?
Foam closures are dense foam rubber strips that can be used on either side of a metal panel that are used to help seal the panel. The strips fill in the space between the roof deck (the base of which your roof lays) and the high part of the waves that make up a metal panel.
When a strip is meant to be used on top of the panel it’s referred to as an outside foam closure, whereas if it’s meant to be used on the bottom of the panel it’s called an inside foam closure. These strips are generally 1” thick and 1”- 2” wide with a length that matches the metal roofing panel it’s made for.
There are different foam closure strips that are uniquely designed to create a snug fit for the specific designs of each panel profile including:
- ⅞” corrugated inside/outside foam closure
- ½” corrugated inside/outside foam closure
- R-Panel inside foam closure
- R-Panel outside foam closure
- Western Rib® (7.2 Panel) inside/outside foam closure
- Western Wave® inside foam closure
- Western Wave® outside foam closure
R Panel - Outside Foam Closure
What Are The Benefits Of Using Foam Closure Strips?
- Moisture Resistance
- Keeps Out Pests
- Noise Reduction
- Durable
- Minimizes Light
Moisture Resistance
Foam closure strips increase the weather-tightness of a metal roofing system. They reduce the chances of leaks by helping to block out wind-driven rain and other moisture.
Keeps Out Pests
Even though there is only a small gap between the high corrugation and your roof deck, it’s still enough room for unwanted visitors to get in and cause damage to your roof. Installing foam closure strips will block out insects, birds, and rodents from getting in.
Noise Reduction
Foam closure strips act as a layer of additional insulation when it comes to sound. They help block out the noises coming from outside your home such as rain or wind.
Durable
The strips are designed to handle a wide range of temperature extremes. The strips are resistant to absorbing moisture and most chemicals. This helps prevent them from being damaged and keeps the strips functioning properly.
Minimizes The Amount Of Light
Metal roofing will have open voids within the highs and lows of the panel. If you did not put foam within those voids the light would shine through them. The foam closures fill that gap. This will significantly reduce the amount of light that will shine through that void.
Are Foam Closure Strips Necessary For Metal Roofing?
Yes, metal roofs will require both inside and outside foam closure strips at various metal roofing flashing details. It's an important step of the installation process that protects against wind driven rain.
Where Do You Install Foam Closures For Metal Roof?
You should always look at the manufacturer's metal roofing installation guide as they will show you which metal roofing flashing details require foam closures. Metal roofs will require foam closures at the following metal roofing trim conditions:
- Eave Trim
- Ridge Cap
- Peak Trim or High Side Eave
- Endwall or Chimney Flashing
- Pitch Break Or Transition Flashing
- Valley Flashing
- Pre-Hung Box Gutter
Foam Closure Maintenance
Once foam closures are installed, there isn’t any necessary upkeep until they need to be replaced. During your regular roof inspection, which should be a part of your routine metal roofing maintenance, make sure the foam closures are checked.
You may even notice them starting to hang out of place prior to your inspection. As the foam ages, the strips will become more worn and will dry out and dissolve. This requires them to be replaced as they will no longer fit and function properly. While their lifespan varies, foam closure strips do not last as long as the metal panels.
When To Use Foam Closure Strips
While some homeowners choose to not include foam closure strips when they buy a metal roof, we recommend using strips as they help increase the performance of your metal roof. They are an excellent solution when you want a weather-tight seal for your roof that keeps pests and noise outside your home.
Do You Need To Buy Foam Closure Strips?
Foam closure strips are an inexpensive requirement of a metal roofing installation. They will usually cost you about $.50 per lineal foot. They're also easy and inexpensive to ship. Foam closures will normally be sold in boxes of 100 pieces each and that will cover 300 lineal feet in most instances.
At Western States Metal Roofing, we inventory foam closures and are able to ship them within the same day. We just need to know what you need and where the foam closures are shipping to. Fill out our quick and easy online foam closure quote form and we will immediately get back to you with a price.
