Oh The Places They’ll Go

By Colin Sheehan, RCS Reporter. 

Learn which unique location Roof Huggers have been sent to and why this product has gained popularity around the globe. 

Roof Hugger’s metal-over-metal retrofit systems are an ideal and cost-effective way to replace metal roofs that have reached the end of their service life. It can remain in-place and simply be fitted with new Roof Huggers, which are installed directly on top.  

Metal roofs all over the world are in need of replacement, including one on Amaknak Island located in Unalaska, Alaska. Amaknak resides within the Aleutian Islands and is also the home of the popular Discovery Channel TV show, “Deadliest Catch.”  

Roof Hugger customer, Summit Supply out of Wasilla, Alaska was looking to do a metal roof retrofit over a 16.375” vertical standing seam roof panel located in Amaknak. Summit Supply had already used Roof Huggers for previous projects in Alaska and enjoyed the simplicity of the Roof Hugger installation process.  

Roof Hugger fulfilled their request and fabricated a custom system to install on top of the existing standing seam roof panel. They shipped the product to the freight forwarder and sent it on its way to this remote location.  

Roof Hugger framing systems, like the one used for the project in Amaknak, begin with the fabrication of custom Hugger sub-purlins, formed from a specific high strength grade steel, using sophisticated punching, shearing and press-breaking equipment. This allows Roof Hugger systems to match virtually any existing metal roof configuration or profile, regardless if they are thru-fastened or standing seam while meeting the strength demands of the Alaskan environment 

The system design allows for the option of installing addition insulation to increase the buildings R value. Other Roof Hugger system advantages include: 

• Ease of installation. There is no need to remove the old roof at a high cost or interrupt your businesses daily operations. 

• Simple design. Roof Huggers maintain the desirable “Z” shape of sub-purlins, they are made out of 16ga G90 50KSI galvanized steel, and only require standard tools and fasteners for installation.  

• Improved integrity. Roof Huggers have a unique “nesting” design that achieves a structural connection with the original building purlins, adding strength, and improving its long-term performance.  

• Get up to code. Whether your building is in a high wind zone, or a heavy snow zone, Roof Hugger engineering can design a system that will meet the new building code requirements for your specific area. 

• Possible upgrades. By using Roof Huggers, an existing screw down roof can be upgraded to the newer standing seam roof types without major structural modifications, eliminating most exposed fasteners. 

Learn more about Roof Hugger in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.roofhugger.com.