Cutting sheets and flashings
Manufactured to length sheets should require minimum cutting. However, when cutting on site is required there are various ways to cut the steel sheets, depending on the quality and speed of cut required.
Specialist metal cutting tools like steel sheers, guillotines and nibblers are great if you have them, but for one-off projects they are not usually worth investing in.
For cutting trims, usually a good quality pair of tin-snips will be sufficient, however they are not so good for cutting longer lengths and may be awkward around angles and profiles.
When using a power tool to cut the steel, it is important to take your time and try to avoid generating heat as much as possible, as excess heat will damage the sheets coatings.
For long straight cuts a circular saw with a metal cutting or TCT blade, is a good compromise between speed of cut and leaving a good edge.
A jigsaw or reciprocating saw with a fine-toothed metal cutting blade is usually a good option for cutting shapes.
An angle grinder will cut fast, but leaves a 'raw' edge which will need extra work before it can be protected, it may also melt the Plastisol coating.
It is important when cutting, to take care to remove any swarf from the sheets, otherwise it will rust and look unsightly, it may also affect the life expectancy of the coating.
Wherever possible, it is recommended to cover the cut edges with a trim as this will help protect them. It is also advised to treat any cut edges with a touch-up paint for additional protection.
