How to Install Tin Roofing

Tin roofing is one of the most resilient roofing materials known to man. It comes in sheets of 42 inches wide and lengths of 10 feet, 12 feet, 16 feet and so on. Tin roofing offers an alternative to asphalt shingles, and it is cheaper to install. The tin roof reminds us of days long gone by when we sat on our grandpa's front porch and listened to the pitter-patter of the raindrops as they fell on the rusty tin roof.
Tin has come a long way since those days of old. Now it can be purchased in almost any color imaginable and, with a little careful attention, can be installed by any ambitious homeowner. The time for installation depends entirely upon the installer. As for the difficulty, it really can be done by just following some basic steps and setting aside a day or two for the completion.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Measuring tape
• Chalk line
• Ridge cap
• Vapor barrier
• Metal screws
• Tin roofing

Roofing With Tin

1. Roll out the vapor barrier over the roof. It doesn't matter if you already have shingles on the roof or not. The tin will cover right over the shingles. The purpose of the vapor barrier is to prevent sweat from accumulating on the bottom of the tin on a hot, sunny day. Staple the vapor barrier about every 3 feet horizontally and vertically. It is OK if the barrier hangs over the existing roof edges; you can trim that off once the tin has been installed.

2. Choose which side of the roof that you will be starting on. The tin will run vertically along the roof from the bottom overhang and up to the roof ridge lengthwise. Because the tin is 42 inches wide, you will measure out 40 inches from the edge of the existing roof overhang and make a mark. Do this at the top of the roof ridge and at the bottom. Have a helper hold the end of the chalk line on one mark, while you place it on the other. Snap the line on both sides of the roof.

3. Align the tin with the chalk mark. Before you purchase the tin, the retailer will need to know the length. An employee will then cut the tin into the desired lengths. Your tin should run the entire vertical length of the roof from top to bottom. Making sure that you have an overhang of 2 inches on the outside, screw the tin down with metal screws. You should place the screws about every 12 inches apart and up and down the tin. Make sure the screws go into the concave part of the tin. The retailer will supply you with screws in the same color as the tin.

4. 
    
   Tin roofing

   Overlap the next run of tin so that the convex rib of the next sheet wraps over the convex rib of the previous sheet.

5. Install the ridge cap. Once you have completed the tin across the entire roof, then install the metal ridge cap. The ridge cap comes in 10-foot lengths and must be overlapped about 2 inches. Screw it down with the supplied screws.

Tips & Warnings

• Always be careful when working with tin. The sharp edges will cut very easily.

Resources

• General information on roof installation

[t2tibz]

on 8/19/2009 Hello,
I have an existing garage(under an existing porch)with metal sidings (tin roof material was used as siding) I want to turn a portion of the garage into a small insulated study room ( 7 feet x 11 feet). How do I insulate the walls without removing the existing metal sidings and how do I insulate the soffit ceiling? The garage is under a porch. I live in Vancouver BC and it sometimes becomes very cold.Thanks for the help. Pls. email me at [e-mail]