Steel roofing panel support

Abstract

A steel roofing panel support system is disclosed herein. The system generally includes a support element positioned on a roof surface, the support being configured to support at least a portion of a steel roof panel to be placed thereon. The support element may be cut from a block of expanded polystyrene such that the support is substantially wedge-shaped. A support element as disclosed herein may also be used in installations of steel panels over existing wood shakes or other roof surfaces.

1 . A device for use with steel roofing panels and a roof surface comprising: 
 a support element configured to be disposed between a roof surface and a steel roofing panel, said support element having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the support element is substantially wedge-shaped  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the support element is made of expanded polystyrene.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the support element is cut from a larger block of polystyrene using a hot wire.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the support element is configured to underlie a plurality of roof panels.  
   
   
       6 . A roofing system comprising: 
 a steel roof panel;    a roof surface;    a support element disposed between said roof panel, and said roof surface;    wherein said support element is not conformed to a shape of the steel roof panel.    
   
   
       7 . The roofing system of  claim 6 , wherein the support element is made of expanded polystyrene.  
   
   
       8 . The roofing system of  claim 7 , wherein the support element is cut from a larger block of polystyrene using a hot wire.  
   
   
       9 . The roofing system of  claim 6 , wherein the support element is configured to underlie and support a plurality of roof panels.  
   
   
       10 . The roofing system of  claim 6 , wherein the support element comprises a quadrilateral wedge shape.  
   
   
       11 . A roofing system comprising: 
 a steel roof panel;    a roof surface;    a wedge-shaped support element having a flat upper surface, and disposed between said roof panel, and said roof surface.    
   
   
       12 . The roofing system of  claim 11 , wherein the support element is substantially wedge-shaped.  
   
   
       13 . The roofing system of  claim 11 , wherein the support element is made of expanded polystyrene.  
   
   
       14 . The roofing system of  claim 13 , wherein the support element is cut from a block of polystyrene.  
   
   
       15 . The roofing system of  claim 11 , wherein the roof surface comprises previous roofing tiles.  
   
   
       16 . The roofing system of  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of strips disposed vertically on the tiles;    horizontal battens secure to the top of the strips;    a riser disposed between the strips, and underlying the horizontal battens.    
   
   
       17 . A roofing system comprising: 
 a steel roof panel;    a roof surface;    means for supporting a central portion of said panel on said roof surface.    
   
   
       18 . The roofing system of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 existing roof tiles;    a plurality strips disposed vertically on the tiles;    horizontal battens secure to the top of the strips;    a riser disposed between adjacent strips, and underlying the horizontal battens.    
   
   
       19 . The roofing system of  claim 18 , wherein the means for supporting comprises a wedge of expanded polystyrene.  
   
   
       20 . The roofing system of  claim 17 , wherein the roof panel comprises a corrugated shape.  
   
   
       21 . The roofing system of  claim 17 , wherein the means for supporting a roof panel underlies a plurality of roof panels.  
   
   
       22 . A method of assembling a roof covering, comprising: 
 providing a steel roof panel;    providing a wedge-shaped support element;    placing said support element on a roof surface;    placing said panel on said support element;    securing said panel and said support element to the roof surface.    
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the support element underlies a plurality of roof panels.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the roof surface comprises a plurality of existing roof tiles, the method further comprising the steps of: 
 placing a plurality of strips vertically over a plurality of roof tiles;    placing a riser between adjacent strips;    placing horizontal battens over said strips and said riser.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the support element is cut from a block of expanded polystyrene.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the support element provides a thermal resistance rating of at least 4.