All About Metal Roofs
Its hard to top the versatile looks, longevity, and peace of mind that come with a roof made of metal. Read this guide to learn what you need to know before putting one on your own home.
The advantages of metal roofs are tough to ignore. Theyre strong, able to survive hurricanes, hail, and wildfires. Theyre durable, enjoying a life span of up to 50 years or more. They can save energy, thanks to their ability to reflect the suns heat. And properly installed, they need virtually no upkeep.
In America, copper and lead roofs appeared on important public buildings beginning in the 18th century, including New Yorks City Hall in 1764. By the mid-1800s, metal roofing became more common as mass-produced steel began covering ordinary homes and barns. By the 1920s, lightweight, no-rust aluminum entered the market, as did paint coatings that added color and longevity to both aluminum and steel roofs.
Today, metal roofing is on the rise again: Its popularity has nearly quadrupled in the last 20 years. And while it commands a premiumthe components are expensive, as is the skilled labor for installationa metal roof can boost a homes resale value by up to 6 percent in some areas. Up ahead: a look at materials and styles to consider, plus how to get the job done right, so your house will stay cool and dry for decades to come.
Finish With Ridge Caps And Gutters
Lastly, you can finish by installing the ridge caps and gutters. Ridge caps are metal or plastic panels that run along the roofs uppermost edge to protect it from water damage. At the same time, a gutter is a system for directing runoff rainwater away from your homes foundation. These will be the finishing touches and give your new roof nice clean lines and no exposed seams or edges.
How To Install A Standing Seam Metal Roofing System
Youll start installation of standing seam metal roofing starts with the drip edge. Prep your deck by removing the old drip edge. Install the underlayment, then the drip edge itself. The drip edge can be installed using either screws or nails, overlapping each individual section by at least two inches. Youll want to install the drip edge along every eave.
Next comes the installation of your gable trim. This can be done either now, at the beginning of roof installation process or later, at the end of the process, depending up on how you are laying out your roofing panels. After youve prepared and laid out your first or your last panel, youll want to line that panel up to the rake board to hook your gable trim. Sometimes you may need to use a drip edge rather than a custom gable trim. Depending on which you use, youll bend it to hook it accordingly.
Now its time to install your first panel. Regardless of whether youre utilizing gable trim or drip edge, the first panel is the most important in order to keep your roof square. Be sure to hook the first panel carefully to the drip edge, aligning it with the rake board, and installing one screw through the pan at the top of the panel to hold it in place while panel clips are secured. Youll need flat head screws to attach the panel to the roof deck itself.
Recommended Reading: A& a Roofing Fremont Ne
The Pros And Cons Of Galvanized Steel
How is galvanized steel used? Galvanized steel is one of the most commonly used building materials in modern âsteel frameâ buildings. Steel galvanized is commonly used in the construction of structures such as balconies, verandahs, staircases, ladders, and walkways. Galvanized metal is an excellent choice if your project will be outdoors once it is finished. Is galvanized steel rust proof? Galvanized steel can take a long time to rust, but it will eventually rust. Carbon steel is made up of galvanized steel or zinc-coated steel. In addition to providing corrosion protection, the zinc acts as a barrier between the steel and oxygen and water. Is galvanized steel more stable than other types of steels? It is generally less expensive to purchase galvanized steel as opposed to stainless steel. Furthermore, while it retains a significant amount of strength, it is easier to manipulate than stainless steel because it is less robust. The various appearance of galvanized steel is one of the most visible aspects. Is galvanized steel not toxic? Galvanized steel is an excellent choice for corrosion protection in environments where food is consumed due to its excellent corrosion resistance.
How To Avoid Rot Under A Metal Roof
So will your roof require venting? That’s a really important question to ask. In this case we’re spraying eight inches of open-cell spray foam insulation in the roof deck typically with that kind of installation you won’t need to vent the roof because it’ll be all sealed up from that spray foam. However, we’re using a product called Techshield that has an aluminum face on the bottom which reflects all the radiant heat from the roof, and that needs a 1-inch airspace. So we have to put vent baffles up in the rafter bays to create some airspace and have that breathe. Essentially, we’re creating a vented roof. So we’ve got a vented soffit that’s gonna allow air to get in from the low end of this roof right down below and travel up the rafter bay through that 1-inch airspace and out the roof. If that moist air gets trapped inside of our roof framing, and it gets really cold outside, that moist air is gonna condense into little water droplets and where is it gonna go but rot our wood framing so we really have to make sure that we vent this roof.
See the full transcript here.
Recommended Reading: How Many Feet Are In A Square Of Roofing
What Are The Many Benefits Of Metal Roofing
Metal roofs are one of the strongest, most durable, and longest-lasting roofing materials you can use for both residential and commercial roofing. They have many benefits that put them leaps and bounds beyond any other roofing material. Aside from slate and clay, metal roofs can last for a long time without the hefty price tag, thus, are a growing choice for homeowners, today. Benefits of a metal roof include:
By Step Metal Roof Installation
To explain how to install a metal roof, well use a 10×10 shed with a simple gable roof running down the center of the structure, with a 4:12 slope. Well also be using a standard raised rib metal panel that uses exposed fasteners to attach the panel to the roof sheathing.
Keep in mind that you can use either OSB roof sheathing or plywood for a roof deck beneath your metal roof panels. You can install a metal roof directly on top of either. The key is making sure they are at least ½ thick, at a minimum.
You can use furring strips instead of a solid roof deck such as OSB or plywood. If you are not heating your shed, then furring strips are totally acceptable. If you do heat your shed, furring strips greatly increase the amount of condensation youll have on the underside of your metal roof, so they should be avoided in that instance in favor of a solid roof substrate.
You May Like: Should You Power Wash A Roof
Snap A Square Reference Line
- A square reference line is important for installing roofing panels evenly. Use the 3-4-5 method to establish a reference line 90 degrees to the eave.
- First, make a mark along the eave three feet from the corner. At that mark, measure four feet toward the ridge. Then, from the original corner, measure five feet and mark where it intersects the second mark.
- Snap a line from the first three-foot mark through the intersection of the second and third marks. Since the Getaway roof is larger, I measured to 21 feet, 28 feet and 35 feet to make my square reference line.
Having The Wrong Roof Measurements
The old adage, Measure twice cut once, should definitely be on your mind when measuring your roof. Measure each roof sections length and width carefully, including any dormers or other such areas. When purchasing materials, buying 10% to 15% more than you think youll need will help to avoid this and should account for any mistakes made during the project. For reference, the average American home has 1700 square feet of roof space.
You May Like: Do Metal Roofs Make Your House Hotter
Tools And Materials Needed To Install A Metal Roof
There are a few tools and materials needed to install metal roofing properly. They may vary slightly depending on the type of panel or shingle youre installing, but heres a general list:
- 24 and 12-inch squares
- Safety equipment
And of course, youll need your metal roofing materials which you can purchase at your local big-box home improvement store or online through the manufacturer.
When In Doubt, Get Help From The Professionals
As we said, the key to getting a truly proper metal roof installed is to call the pros. And when you decide to go the route of a new metal roof, make sure to call the experienced team at Gouge Quality Roofing. Well make sure you get the roof of your dreams and install it with the care and expertise you need. Contact us today for a FREE Quote
Galvalume Roofing Sheets And Its Installation
Pre-coated with Zinc, Aluminium,and Silicon the Galvalume metal roofing sheet is high light reflective,corrosion-resistant. It is used for roofing and categorized as an effectiveroofing sheet for every weather condition.
It is also known asBare Galvalume Steel Roofing sheets, and if painted, it is known as thePre-painted Steel roofing sheets.
The main advantage ofusing the Galvalume Sheet is that it is corrosion and temperature resistant aswell as energy saver in nature.
Read Also: How Much Does It Cost To Have A Roof Cleaned
Can You Roof A House Yourself
Make no bones about itroofing is hard work. Theres no hiding from the elements. You cant be afraid of heights and you need to be pretty fit. Before committing to this how to roof a house project, try this: Get out a ladder and climb up onto your roof. If you cant walk around on it comfortably, hire a pro. If you passed this first test, go to the lumberyard or home center and throw a bundle of shingles onto your shoulder. Imagine yourself carrying that load up a laddermany, many times.
If youre still feeling positive about this how to roof a house at this point, why not give it a shot? You can skip a lot of heavy lifting by having your roofing supplier hoist the shingles onto the roof. Be sure you spread the load evenly across the length of the roofs peak. However, dont have the shingles delivered to the roof if you still have two layers of old shingles to tear offit could be too much weight for your trusses.
After youve obtained a permit and safely stripped the roof clean, nail drip edge flashing flush along the eave.
Cover the rest of the roof with No. 15 asphalt-saturated felt underlayment . Each layer overlaps the lower one by at least 2 in. Follow this step by nailing drip edge along rakes , on top of the underlayment. As you did with the flashing, always lap upper pieces over lower pieces. The felt keeps the roof deck dry before shingles go on, protects against wind-driven rain as shingles fail and increases fire resistance.
Measure The Roof And Measure Again
Before you do anything, you must get accurate measurements of your roof. Youll need to know the square footage, the length of each section, and the width of panels youll need to order. Youll measure from the roofs ridge down to the eaves. Then measure the width and determine your square footage for each section of the roof.
Its easier when you have just two sides, but separate areas like over the garage or any dormers can complicate measurements, so keep that in mind. You can then order your materials based on square footage, plus add a few extras for mistakes or waste.
Also Check: How To Install Evaporative Cooler On Roof
Metal Roofing Installation Guide Step By Step
When installing a metal roof, there a many steps you will need to take to make sure the roof is installed properly. Following this metal roofing guide will help to ensure you do not run into any issues installing your metal roof or afterward the metal roofing shingles are in place. To install your metal roof, follow these steps:
Types Of Metal Roofing
Before we get into the steps on how to install metal roofing its important to understand what types of metal roofs exist. While metal roofing can be made from a variety of metals, tin, zinc, steel, aluminum and copper are the most widely used and most commonly available options. Each metal has its own advantages and disadvantages, as well as cost considerations. Steel, for example, is the least expensive option while copper is the most expensive.
In addition to material choices, metal roofing is also available in three design styles: through-fastened panels , modular panels and standing-seam panels.
- Through-fastened corrugated metal panels are the most common and readily available type of metal roof. They can be installed over roof sheathing or purlins.
- Modular panels, which mimic other roofing materials like asphalt shingle and tile, are also available in a wide range of colors and styles. They, too, can be installed over solid sheathing or wood battens.
- Standing-seam panels install over solid or skip sheathing and have the most complex installation process, so are typically best left to professional roofing installers.
Don’t Miss: Can I Pressure Wash My Roof
Types Of Metal Roofing Available
There are a few types of metal roofing available on the market today. Its come a long way since just large metal panels were being used for pole barns or lean-tos. Metal roofing shingles today can nearly imitate asphalt or slate shingles, but with the benefits of metal.
Also, the type of materials used to manufacture metal roofs vary and are most commonly tin, zinc, steel, aluminum, and copper. There are four main types of metal roofs: metal shingles, through-fastened or corrugated panels, modular panels, and standing-seam panels.
How To Install Galvalume Roofing
Installing any metal roof is a big project, even if youre not doing it from scratch. If you dont feel comfortable doing the installation on your own, you may want to consider hiring a professional metal roofing contractors. This may cost you a bit more, but it will save you time and frustration.
The most important step in installing galvalume metal roofing panels is making sure the roof is structurally sound.These roofs are installed practically the same way as other metal roof panels. Galvalume is typically installed through corrugated fasteners. The corrugations make it much easier to cut the sheet into manageable sizes. Galvalume roofing nails are also easy to work with, and theyll stay in place even when its icy or snowy.Although it is mainly used as a roofing material, it can also be used in other applications including gutters, siding, boat hulls, and truck beds.
Also Check: Do I Need A Permit For A New Roof
Place The Ridge Caps And Gutters
Your ridge caps and gutters will be the finishing touch. First, lay your ridge cap so it evenly laps each side of the roof and mark on either side where it will sit. A chalk line connecting the marks will ensure you put it in the right place before securing it.
Then, run sealant tape the entire length of the ridge, up from the line you laid. Repeat on the other side of the roof. Youll then run more sealant tape along the top and both sides of the roof on the closure strip.
Youll continue installing the ridge caps by overlapping each by about 6 inches and adhering with your roofing nails or screws according to the manufacturers direction.
And there you have it! Youve installed your metal roofand hopefully, it went as seamlessly as youd hoped.
How Long Will It Take To Install Metal Roofing
How long it takes to install metal roofing can depend on many factors: the availability of materials, the size of the project, and the skills of the installer. Smaller projects, like a shed or small outbuilding, can be completed in less than a day, where a homes roof may take an expert installer a few days to complete.
Don’t Miss: How To Find Out How Old A Roof Is
Prevent Moss Growth Before It Becomes A Problem
The most effective way of preventing moss growth on your roof is to trim back overhanging tree branches. These branches provide additional shade which promotes the growth of moss. Leaves and twigs which fall on the roof also provide the right nutrients for moss.
Make sure to keep your gutters clear of leaves and debris, too. When leaves clog your gutters, water overflows onto your roof. Remember, moss grows in moist, shady environments.
How To Use Galvalume For Your Metal Roof
One of the best features of a metal roof is its durability. Making a good thing even better is GALVALUME®.
You may have heard of GALVALUME while searching for metal roof materials. Its a specific galvanized sheet metal product coated with a mixture of aluminum and zinc alloy with a touch of silicon. It was developed by Bethlehem Steel in 1972, and nearly all large steel manufacturers produce it using their patents.
GALVALUME® is only one trademarked name for the material and the process others include ZINCALUME and Galval, Cincalum, or Zintro-Alum .
GALVALUME PRODUCTION
GALVALUME is produced through a continuous hot-dip process in which coils of cold-rolled steel are laid out, cleaned, and welded into one long piece. The sheet is placed on a coating line that can run as fast as 600 feet per minute and moves the sheet through the hot dip process.
Once the sheet is coated and finished, it is re-coiled around a reel until used.
WHAT IS SO GREAT ABOUT GALVALUME ROOFS?
Included amongst the many benefits of GALVALUME roofs, they are durable, even more so than a bare steel roof.
The coating on a GALVALUME roof panel provides significant outdoor corrosion resistance. In fact, the coating is projected to last about nine times longer than galvanized steel with an equivalent thickness of coating.
RECOMMENDED ROOF TYPES FOR GALVALUME PANELS
REFLECTIVITY BENEFITS
BEWARE OF PRESSURE TREATED WOOD
LETS TALK ABOUT COSTS
Read Also: How To Insulate An A Frame Roof
