Feeling tired of all the hassle of maintaining your roof? Do you notice your shingles cracking or coming loose? This might be a sign it’s time for a roof replacement. In the last few years, metal roofing has become especially popular, mainly because it’s much more durable and energy-efficient. In fact, one of the most significant selling points of metal roofs is their longevity. When you opt for a metal roof, you can expect it to last between 40 to 80 years!
As a DIY-er, you might feel tempted to install a metal roof on your own. Before you dive into this project, know that installing this kind of roof is much more challenging than working with asphalt shingles. Unless you have no other choice, we advise getting professional help.
However, if you’re confident in your skills, here is our step-by-step guide on how to install a metal roof.
Make a plan
Changing your roof is not something you can just wake up and do. Before you start your project, you should carefully assess the current condition of your roof. Is the decking sound? What about structural integrity?
Once you’ve inspected your old roof, measure the precise square footage of the material panels you need. After all – you don’t want to order too much or too little. That’s also the beauty of working with professionals like Instant Roofer – you never have to worry about overspending due to silly mistakes. Use our calculator to determine how much your new roof is going to cost you.
Get the necessary tools
As you can guess, metal roofing comes in various options, such as corrugated panels, metal shingles, and standing seams. Before you choose the material, make sure it will fit your functional needs. Once you have the materials, you should gather all the tools and equipment, including a power drill, tin snips, tape measure, chalk line, safety harness, ladder, roof jacks, and planks.
Prepare your roof for the works
To install your new metal roof, you obviously have to remove your existing one. The good news is that this is fairly easy. However, as you do this step, make sure your roof structure has no signs of damage. Before you can actually install your new roof, you have to take care of any sagging, water stains, or holes. At Instant Roofer, we’ve seen that many houses require a new underlayment to be installed.
Research local building codes
As a homeowner, you probably already know you can’t always do exactly as you please. Local building codes and regulations limit your options. So, before jumping into your roof replacement project, ensure you have all the necessary permits. Here is a convenient website that lets you find building codes by state.
Install a drip edge
Any homeowner’s worst nightmare is roof leaks. To avoid this from happening to you, it’s critical to install a drip edge, which will ensure there’s no water seeping under shingles. Ideally, the drip edges should be positioned ¼ inch away from the fascia of the roof, so you don’t have to worry about wood rotting.
Add the metal panels
Now, the real action comes! Before installing your metal shingles or panels, start by reading the manufacturer’s instructions. Keep in mind that different materials have different ways of installing them.
So, what is the best way to start? We recommend beginning on one side and then working your way across the entire roof. Don’t forget to add screws for security!
Trim panels (if needed)
Your roof most likely isn’t a flat, empty surface. As you install the metal roof, you’ll have to work around things like vents, skylights, and chimneys. So – if necessary – make measurements and trim the panels (using tin snips) in whatever size you need.
Don’t forget about flashing and ridge caps
When installing a new roof, the goal is to ensure everything is tightly sealed so no water can cause damage. How can you do this? First – install the flashing around your chimney and vents. Then, don’t forget to add caps to seal the ridges along the top of your roof. As you do this, don’t forget to measure your ridge cap with a level.
How to install a metal roof? Leave it to the pros
Whether you have construction experience or not, installing a metal roof is a huge undertaking. While it may seem a great way to save money, it involves many risks, and, most importantly, your roof won’t have a workmanship warranty. If any problems occur, there will be no one to ask for help!
To calculate how much a roof replacement will cost you if you decide to use the help of professionals, you can use our metal roof cost calculator.
Fact checked by Lita Legzdina on 12/04/2024