Metal roofing
What they do:
Metal roofers are specialists in building exteriors. They design, manufacture, and install sheet metal and other metal components used to protect and waterproof buildings. They plan and produce everything needed to ensure that a structure is weatherproof and secure – gutters, downpipes, roofs, edge profiles, cladding, channels, cornices, joints, snow guards, and fall-protection systems.
They work with thin sheet metal and composite materials, adapting to different roof shapes and inclinations, from flat to steep roofs, and also cover walls, ceilings, and façades. Metal roofers also produce ventilation ducts for air and climate systems, as well as industrial metal structures such as pipes, tanks, and systems made of copper, aluminium, or stainless steel.
In the artistic and decorative field, they may create ornamental or functional pieces, such as vases, chimneys, or architectural details. Most of the production takes place in a workshop, while assembly and installation are carried out on site, often in collaboration with other trades. Even though modern tools and machinery are used, a significant part of the work still requires manual skill, precision, and craftsmanship.
Key skills:
- Working and shaping metal and thin sheet materials
- Designing, fabricating, and installing roofs and façades
- Knowledge of materials, welding, and joining techniques
- Reading technical drawings and planning work processes
- Precision, craftsmanship, aesthetic sense, and safety awareness
Education and training:
- Duration: 4 years (dual apprenticeship combining work and vocational school)
- Qualification: Skilled craftsperson diploma in metal roofing
Career opportunities:
- Professional diploma (dual qualification): 1 additional year
- Team leader training
- Master craftsperson qualification
- Specialisation: Building Envelope Engineer (4-year programme, Hochschule Rosenheim – Germany)