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Is It Ok To Put Metal Roof Over Shingles

Preparing For A Roof Overlay

“Metal Roof” – Mike’s Ultimate Garage: Inside Look

Before you install a metal roof over shingles, you need to prepare the roofing system for the roof overlay. First, you need to address any potential long-term issues, such as leaks or roof damage. If you dont take care of these problems early on, fixing them down the road will be more difficult since there are two layers of roofing.

Your roofing contractor should conduct a complete roof inspection. They should identify any issues that compromise the structural integrity of the roof. They may also have to renovate the structure or add framework to support the metal roof. Next, your contractor needs to look for roof damage or problems in previous workmanship. The current roof needs to be in like-new condition before you add the new layer of metal roofing.

Issues You Might Encounter

Once youve made the decision to go with metal roofing over shingles, you will have several different issues to keep in mind:

  • Building codes
  • Condition of existing asphalt shingles
  • Aesthetics
  • Ease of installation.

In terms of building codes, many municipalities now have placed limits on the number of layers of roofing a residential building can have before requiring a complete tear-off.

Usually this number is two, meaning that if your roof already has two layers you wont have the option of installing a metal roof over shingles until youve removed at least one of the layers.

Shingle condition also plays a role, since a large number of missing, deformed, or curled shingles may narrow your options, requiring you to use a steel shingle system rather than a standing seam steel system.

Also, if the existing shingles on top are not level or in very poor condition, you may need to put a layer of roofing felt down or wooden frame over the shingles before installing the new metal roof.

In terms of aesthetics, you need to be careful in terms of choosing your metal roof solution so that it will blend into your surrounding neighborhood.

The traditional concern, of course, is that a metal roof will make your house look like a barn or storage shed if not done properly. But thanks to many different choices in color, size and shape, this is no longer a major concern.

Metal roofs on houses can look very attractive and dramatic.

How To Install Corrugated Metal Roof Over Shingles

Ok, so you need a new roof. You may be tired of using shingles and want something else. Something more durable and aesthetically-pleasing than your traditional shingles. Metal roofing materials are always the best option.

But heres the thing, you need a more efficient and effective way to install the new metal roof that will save you time, without incurring extra expenses. You must have asked yourself a dozen times, can I still install my metal roof over this old shingles? The answer to this question and many more hows is what were about to unravel.

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Manufacturer Specifications And Warranty

Even with the best warranties, it may be hard to track someone down after 40 or 50 years so they can assess your roof and write you a check for any damage. Depreciation may also significantly reduce the amount youd receive. This is why its good advice to purchase the best product you can afford, follow the specifications of the manufacturer, and have it installed properly. Then, you can pitch the warranty after about five years.

Manufacturer Warranty And Specifications

Is it OK to Put a Metal Roof Over Shingles?

Some manufacturer warranties will not cover the metal roof if you install it over asphalt shingles. Some manufacturers may offer a warranty but exclude coverage for any problems that are related to the asphalt shingles. Make sure you understand the conditions of the warranty before you purchase the metal roof.

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Can You Repair A Metal Roof

Yes, you can. In fact, it may be simpler to repair a metal roof than a wood frame and shingle or asphalt roof. This is a good thing because a leaking roof can cause damage throughout your building if not found and fixed quickly.

Fasteners

  • Access the roof using en extension ladder.
  • Pull out any nails that are raised up using a nail bar.
  • Apply urethane roof cement where a new nail or screw was installed with a plastic putty knife.
  • Inspect the caulked seams around the upper edges of flashing where pipes or vent ducts go through the roof.
  • Beside above, what is the best product to seal metal roof? Sealants and TapesFor metal roofs, a high-solids polyether or silicone sealant is best. Many of these are pigmented to match popular roof colors so they blend in and form a solid seal.

    Similarly, how do you repair a corrugated metal roof?

    Patching Materials for Metal Corrugated Roofing SheetsApply the cement carefully with a putty knife until youve sealed the hole completely. Obtain some roofing mesh and cut out 2 identical square patches. Press one patch over the roofing cement. Let it conform to the contours on the metal panel.

    Where do metal roofs leak?

    Another area very prone to leaks on a metal roof is the area around stack flashings. Stack flashings are the boots or flashings around pipes that come out of the metal roof. HVAC vents, air vents, and plumbing pipes all have to vent and come through the metal roof.

    Q& a: Is It Okay To Put New Shingles Right Over Old Ones

    After the beating it took this winter, our roof needs to be replaced. Is it okay to put the new shingles right over the old ones?

    If you need to redo your roof, you might be tempted to save some money by having another layer installed over the existing shingles. But any savings you reap could cost you more later if the sheathing under the shingles is damaged and you don’t replace it now. While the building code in most towns won’t require a tear-off down to the sheathing unless your roof already has two layers, we at least a thorough sheathing inspection from beneath as well as an assessment of its condition during a walk-over evaluation. If there’s a history of leaks or insect infestation, it’s probably best to remove even a single shingle layer. This will allow your contractor to check whether rot, mold, or insects has damaged the sheathing.As for which type of shingle to use, three-dimensional, laminated-asphalt, or architectural, shingles used to cost roughly twice as much as ordinary three-tab shingles. But the Owens Corning Oakridge and CertainTeed Landmark CR Best Buys in our latest review of roofing products cost roughly the same as most three-tab shingles we tested$65 and $70, respectively, per 100 square feet, or squareyet performed better overall. Our ratings include 26 laminated and three-tab shingles , and we also covered composite and metal roofing materials.

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    Cost To Install Metal Roofing

    The type of metal roofing will ultimately affect the price of installation. The price for basic roofing types such as corrugated, 5 V Crimp, or R Panel roofing will range from $3 to 5 per square foot for labor. If youre trying to install metal shingles, it will range from $5 to $7 per square foot.

    Standing Seam metal roofing requires a specialized skill set and equipment to install, and thus commands a higher price. These cost on average about $8 to $12 per square foot installed.

    The architectural design of your roof can also add to the price of installation. Various angles, more complex designs, and the presence of skylights all take more time and skill to flash correctly, driving the prices up.

    Another factor that really impacts roofing labor prices is your geographic location. If you live in expensive areas with high real estate prices, local contractors including roofers will be charging premiums for their work.

    In high income areas you can expect to spend up to 30% more on professional labor compared to the national average prices you see often quoted online. Conversely, in low income areas, labor rates can be at least 15-20% lower than the national average.

    Pro Tip Not all roofing companies are created equal. Remember to shop around for a few quotes to find better prices. Also, more expensive prices dont always equal better services. Check for reviews, if available to see if a roofing company will perform a good job

    Installing A Metal Roof Over Shingles

    Installing the Metal Roof

    There are two primary methods for installing a new metal roof over existing shingles. The first involves running a new underlayment over the shingles. The underlayment can act as an effective line of defense in case water somehow migrates beneath the metal roof. The underlayment can also act as a buffer between the shingle roof and the metal roof, preventing the granules from degrading the metal over time.

    The second method involves using battens or purlins to install the new metal roof. With this method, the contractor screws down purlins into the roof deck, depending on the design of the roofing panels. The metal roof is then installed onto the purlin framing. This method provides the contractor with a flat surface for the metal roofing panels without having to combat the many grooves and other irregularities associated with shingles surfaces.

    A reputable roofing contractor can help you determine the most effective installation method for your home. They can also advise you on whether a metal roof is a good idea for your particular situation.

    Need a cost-effective way to replace or repair your existing roof? A to Z Roofing is Colorados top choice for affordable and reliable roofing services. For nearly three decades, weve been restoring, repairing and replacing roofs using top-quality products installed by seasoned technicians who always put our customers first.

    To learn more about metal roofing, be sure to read the A to Z Guide to Commercial Metal Roofing.

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    How To Install Metal Roofing Over Existing Metal Roofs

    McElroy Metal has developed several roof recover systems that contractors can also install over worn-out metal roofs.

    For existing metal roofs that need to be repaired or replaced, our frameless 238T Metal-Over-Metal Recover System is our contractor customer’s favorite recover solution. This roof recover system is most often installed over existing thru-fastened panels. Because of the frameless design, material and labor costs are greatly reduced which allows contractors to offer this option to their customers at a price level competitive with single-ply roofing.

    Another benefit of our recover systems is that they are considered a roof alteration and does not need to comply with current IECC requirements. Removing and replacing a roof requires that the building be brought up to current insulation requirements. This alone adds significant cost to a roof replacement project.

    Finally, McElroy Metals 238T Metal-Over-Metal Recover System includes one more feature that makes it a tremendous value: a symmetrical standing seam. Symmetrical standing seam roof panels can be removed and replaced individually if damage ever occurs or if alterations such as curbs need to be added at a later date. This feature comes in handy for buyers in storm and hail prone areas.

    Metal Roofs Are Not Just A Novelty

    Once, metal roofing was found only on high-end, architect-designed homes. That’s no longer true. Metal roofing is increasingly found in conventional houses, thanks to increasing availability and improved manufacturing processes. According to industry statistics published in 2017, market share for metal roofing increased at a rate of roughly 3 percent each year for a few years and about 15 percent of all roofing installations used metal roofing materials. At the same time, the market share for asphalt shingle roofing fell, and accounted for about 59 percent of the total roofing installed.

    Also Check: How Much Does A New Roof Cost In California

    Can You Install A Metal Roof Over An Asphalt Roof

    So, you want to upgrade your current asphalt roof to a new metal roof, but you’re on a tight budget. After some research or talking to a contractor, you’ve probably heard the possibility of installing a metal roof over your existing asphalt roof.

    But is this a good idea? Because we want you to have all the important information about such a big decision, we’re going to break it down for you.

    The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has been providing the residents of Nashville with high-quality asphalt and metal roofs since 1990. We know what it takes to maximize the life of your roof. Thats why we offer a lifetime warranty on our workmanship.

    What Is The Advantage Of A Metal Roof Over Shingles

    Can You Put Steel Roofing Over Shingles

    There are a couple of advantages when it comes to installing metal over shingles. The first is that it helps you save the labor costs of removing the shingles and prevents them from being thrown into landfills. The second is that the shingles provide an extra layer over your home, which helps insulate it further. Metal roofs over shingles also present a number of problems. Contact your local roofing company to learn more.

    Read Also: How Much To Shingle A House

    Question : Why Leave Shingles When Installing A Metal Roof

    Find a better roofing contractor. The old roofing should be removed, underlayment installed and furring strips screwed down for the metal to be fastened to. Dont let the installer screw the metal to plywood sheathing. It wont hold over time. If the old roof needs to be replaced why leave it there and not make sure there are no underlying problems before covering it over again? Also, the extra weight could be too much for your framing and cause cracking or other structural problems.

    · Todd Shell, Angies List

    1. Some metal roofing contractors are trying to convince people that you do not need roof wrap under metal roofing presumably so they can get their initial installed cost more competitive with other roofing materials. Dont fall for that metal roofs do leak at times, and without the roof wrap you have nothing to keep the water from saturating and rotting the sheathing and rafters, destroying your entire roof.

    2. Also, if your roofing is flat sheet raised seam rather than corrugated, the batts or nailing strips should be discontinuous small gaps are needed every few feet to allow hot air to flow up to the ridge vent , otherwise it just becomes an oven between the roofing and the sheathing, plus the sheathing gets much hotter and makes your entire attic hotter in the summer.

    3. It saves having to fill up landfills with old shingles.

    · Unknown, Angies List

    Why Not Install A Metal Roof Over Shingles

    While installing a metal roof on top of shingles seems like it makes the job easier, metal roofs are a challenging project. If you dont have experience in roofing, or skills with metal roof installation specifically, you should always call in a professional roofer with metal roofing experience to ensure the job is well done and damage is avoided.

    When bringing in a roofing professional to install a metal roof over shingles, this is the process they typically follow:

    First, the roofer creates a slat board base to support the metal roof on top of the shingles. This is created by laying lengthwise furring boards every two feet along the roof, and then attaching them to the roof with 3-inch wood screws from the bottom of your roof up.

    Next, they install metal edging around the perimeter of your roof as well as metal sheets to the framing. Metal sheets need to be installed one at a time with screws spaced two feet apart. Each following sheet overlaps the sheet before it.

    Once the roof is covered in metals sheets and attached with screws, the roofer will install metal trim along the roofs edge and top ridge. They should then use notching scissors to put a notch in the metal in the middle so it bends over the ridge.

    Lastly, the roofer will install closures or a self-adhesive to seal any openings and prevent moisture, debris and pests from getting under your metal roofing.

    This may seem like a fool-proof method.

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    Installing Metal Roofing Over Shingles

    There are two primary methods implemented when installing metal roofing over shingles. The first is running new underlayment over an existing shingle roof, thus covering the old roof. This allows the new underlayment to act as a line of defense in the event that water somehow gets under the metal roof. The second benefit is that it acts as a buffer between the metal roof and the shingle roof. Over time, a metal roof without a buffer can cause the shingle granules to wear away against the back of the metal roofing panels.

    The second method involves installing a metal roof over a shingle roof with purlins or battens. In this method, the purlins are screwed down to the roof deck, depending on how the metal roofing manufacturer has designed the panels. The metal is then installed on the purlins. This method gives the installer a nice flat surface to install the metal roofing panels down to without the many grooves and irregularities of the shingles.

    Overall, it is up to you the homeowner to decide which installation method is right for you!

    Is It Cheaper To Get A Metal Roof Or Shingles

    Essential GAF Roofing System Components for Your Home | We Protect What Matters Most

    Youre probably wondering about the cost to install a metal roof over shingles. While its cheaper to purchase shingles , metal roofing may provide you with better value in the long-term. Not only do they look beautiful and unique, but theyre also designed to last decades longer because of their durability. In fact, a metal roof thats built properly will be able to handle anything Mother Nature throws at it. You will most likely never have to purchase another roof again in your lifetime.

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