Installing Metal Roofing DIY

When you hear a phrase metal roofing, the rusty old metal barns and corrugated steel agricultural buildings are the first things that come to mind. Of course, this couldn't be further from the truth. Modern metal roofing offers very attractive styles, and long lasting protection for your roof. While it is almost impossible to get two decades of life service from an asphalt shingle roof, which by the way is a petroleum based product, modern metal roofs installed correctly can last longer than the building itself while helping you save money on your cooling costs, and giving your home a beautiful look that can be a statement of architecture.

As the awareness about benefits of residential metal roofing grows, many roofing manufacturers are starting to shift their production from the petroleum based asphalt shingles to energy efficient and environmentally safe metal roofing materials and systems.

Today, there are many reputable metal roofing manufacturers offering a great variety of different roofing materials made from metal alternatives to conventional materials such as asphalt shingles. These types of roofing are much more environmentally friendly, durable and attractive. Do it yourself Metal Roofing systems are available in galvanized steel shingles, stone coated steel roofing shingles, aluminum and copper. Metal shingles are available in colors, finishes and styles. Whether to choose standing seam, metal shingles, or Spanish tiles is a decision for the homeowner to make based on the style of the home.

If the homeowner wants to embark on the installation of a new roof, the metal shingle option may be the easiest to install. It has an interlocking system design, and the panels are small enough to be easily installed without using any complicated tools.

The first step is the preparation of the roof deck. In a new construction, metal shingle roofing can be installed over any type of solid sheeting such as plywood or wooden planks / boards that do not have spaces in between them. Alternatively, it may be installed over asphalt shingles, if you do not want to tear it off, and there is only one layer of exisitng asphalt shingles on your roof.

The next step in preparing the deck is to use a roof-underlayment that is made of breathable synthetic material. The material should overlap by six inches and special nails with plastic caps have to be used.

Once the roof deck is prepared, you should install starter flashing or drip edge. This is installed against the fascia of the roof deck. There should be a spacing of half an inch and it should be secured / fastend with aluminum nails (if it is aluminum shingles you are installing) with wash heads, approximately 12 inches apart.

Gable flashing should now be installed against the gable rake. Spacing is also half an inch for this. The gable flashing must overlap the flashing of the drip edge flashing at the edge.

Wall flashing, the chimney and the rest of the roof should now be prepared. The ridge vent spacing may be pre-cut, leaving approximately solid roof deck on either side of the roof. The sides should be approximately two feet each. If you plan to install vent pipes, openings can be cut to allow for those.

Finally, the installation of the aluminum shingles can proceed. To ensure that these are installed in a straight fashion, you can make use of horizontal chalk lines as a guide. You should start metal shingles installation with half a shingle (or in accordance with metal shingles installation manual, which should be system specific.) starting from the left of the starter flashing or gable. Experts recommend that you work diagonally and raising each row of shingle gradually. The first row is followed with a full shingle, finishing the initial row. The second row should be started with a full shingle all the way to the end. Once the ridge is reached, the ridge vents can be installed. It should then be covered with interlocking ridge caps.

Installing metal roofing

There are many benefits to installing metal roofing. Contrary to the popular belief, metal roofs have approximately the same noise level when it rains as the other types of roofs. They are very reliable and long lasting and can sustain extreme weather for many many decades. Some insurance companies offer a reduced rate for homeowners with metal roofs. Some styles of metal roofing have been proven to withstand winds of hurricane force and have the highest rate of fire resistance.

Your personal safety should be your main priority. The ladder should be placed in such a way that it is unable to slip. If you hire professionals to do it, then ensure they are licensed to do so. Installing Metal Roofing is a worthwhile investment to make for your home.