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Titanium Roof Overview
Since ancient times, roofing materials have been used in Japan to suit a wide variety of environments, including tile roofing, cypress bark roofing, and copper shingle roofing.
In recent years, painted steel roofing and stainless steel roofing materials have also become increasingly popular.
However, both ceramic tiles and metal roofing materials are extremely heavy.
Copper, stainless steel, and painted steel sheet have a specific gravity of 8㎤ and are therefore very heavy castings.
Although a heavy roof has some advantages in terms of holding the building down from above, it is a disadvantage in terms of earthquake protection.
Copper and painted steel roofs also have the problem of corrosion.
Rust and oxidation can cause holes in the roof, requiring regular maintenance.
Therefore, titanium roofs, which are rust-resistant, lightweight, and have high specific strength, have become popular in recent years.
Titanium roofs are much lighter than coated steel sheets and the same material.
It is also absolutely resistant to seawater, making it suitable for use at the seaside.
Furthermore, its high specific strength makes it possible to achieve high strength with the same plate thickness.
Titanium roofing is a roofing material that can significantly extend the maintenance period of long-term durability in Japan, where birthrates are declining and the population is aging.
Features of Titanium Roof
Let us now summarize the characteristics of titanium roofing.
1: Beautiful expression (excellent design)
Titanium is a metal that rusts and decays extremely little without painting or plating.
This means that a variety of design finishes can be applied to the surface.
For example, if a tile-like appearance is desired, alumina blasting can be used, resulting in a look similar to that of an oxidized tile.
Furthermore, by using the chanting oxidation method, a rainbow-like interference curtain can be produced by controlling the oxide film, which is a passive film inherent in titanium.
This gives it a texture similar to that of a green rusty copper plate.
Finally, the ion plating process can be used to create a golden color, giving the roof a gold leaf-like appearance. A durable golden roof gives a majestic impression.
In commercial stores, as with stainless steel, it is possible to create familiar designs such as hairline, vibratory, shot-blasted, and mirrored surfaces.
It is increasingly being considered as a durable option.
2: Easy to process
Titanium is sometimes said to be hard and unbendable, but this is not true at all.
The 0.3 mm titanium used in roofing sheet metal can be bent by hand or cut with metal shears.
It is also a metal that can be roll-formed and bended in the same way as steel.
3: Easy welding
Titanium is said to be difficult to weld, but this often refers to the technical aspect of controlling oxidation during welding.
Compared to other metals, titanium is difficult to weld due to oxidation at the welding site.
However, if oxidation can be suppressed, welding can be performed easily.
If oxygen is blocked by argon shielding, welding can be performed in the same way as with steel.
We also support the latest welding machines such as Tig welding and YA G laser oil theory, which enable high quality welding.
4: Semi-permanently non-corrosive
It has absolute resistance to seawater, and its performance does not corrode in sea breezes or acid rain.
Its ability to withstand harsh environments allows it to perform in any environment in Japan.
This makes it possible to significantly extend maintenance and refurbishment periods.
5：Environmentally friendly, human body friendly
Titanium is an extremely biocompatible metal.
That is why it is used in artificial joints and implants for use in the human body.
The reason for this is that there is little elution of metal ions.
This is the reason why titanium is said to be a metal that is friendly to both humans and the environment, since no metal ions are eluted and no toxic substances are emitted.
Technical Information on Titanium Processing
１：Functional Expressions with Long-Term Durability Using Titanium – Toward a Sustainable Society
２：Does titanium discolor? An in-depth explanation of its principles and countermeasures!
３：About the appearance of thin cut panel butt
４：[Bonding strength verification] Titanium/Silica plate composite panel
５：Mechanical Properties of Titanium
６：Titanium Processing: Its Features and Case Studies!
７：[Easy Panel Installation] Highest Quality Golden Titanium Panel
Titanium Roof Case Study
Titanium roofs have been used in many traditional architectural projects.
Many famous temples and shrines, such as Sensoji and Zojoji, have adopted titanium roofing.
This is because of its excellent properties mentioned above and its contribution to the realization of an earth-friendly and sustainable society.
We would like to introduce some examples of titanium roofing and metal fittings that we have worked on for traditional architecture.
Please see below.
１：Ryuo Shrine (golden roof), Kumamoto Prefecture
４：Handrail for the main hall of Sensoji Temple, Tokyo
５：[Black & Gold] Titanium root bracket
６：Japan’s First ALL Titanium Rokuyou: An Example of Adoption
７：Titanium thin cut panel：Applications
Summary of Titanium Roof
Japan is entering an era of low birthrate and aging population.
It is also a country that is very prone to earthquakes.
The important roofs that protect buildings need to be long-term durable, lightweight, strong, and able to protect buildings solidly for generations to come.
In addition, our society needs to make effective use of resources.
Titanium, with its high specific strength, can be made thinner, enabling a reduction in the amount of titanium used.
Titanium roofs will protect the roofs of Japan in the future.
We hope you will look forward to titanium roofs protecting buildings around the world.