Here in Jamaica (and many other third world countries) zinc is a cheap, effective and commonly used roofing method. Unfortunately however, zinc is particularly vulnerable to high winds, and with a brand new hurricane season upon us, we hope those of us who have zinc roofs will find these zinc roofing tips handy:
- Increase the number of zinc nails or screws that you use to secure the zinc sheets – ensure that there is one nail on every other corrugation along the edge of the roof, and one nail for every three grooves in the middle.
- Always remember to use fillets
- The wooden laths (upon which the zinc sheets are secured) must not be more than 2 feet 6 inches apart. Closer laths give more places to put in zinc nails and places less stress on the nails holding the lath to the rafter.
