How to Install a Sheet Metal Roof

The two most common materials used for roofing are shingles and sheet metal. Shingles are often used because they are less expensive than sheet metal, but a sheet metal roof will outlast a shingle roof if it is installed properly. When you decide to go with sheet metal roofing, you first have to decide if you are going to install it over the existing material or if you will remove it to be completely replaced by the sheet metal. This article will provide you with instructions for installing sheet metal roofing that will completely replace any other roofing, which requires you to remove the materials first. You will then start with a basic plywood base.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ladder Measuring tape Chalk line Metal or tin snips Electric or heavy duty battery operated drill Regular, 5/16 inch screw, and ¼ inch screw drill bits 5/16 inch metal lap screws ¼ inch wood screws Hammer 1 ¼ inch roofing nails 10 pounds (or more) 3 inch head screws

1. Purchase your sheet metal roofing based upon the requirements that you need from the measurements of your roof. Remember to add four inches for the overhang. Also remember to buy the proper amount of metal edging.

2. Install the metal edging first. This will run along the perimeter of the roof and is nailed using the 1 ¼ inch roofing nails.

3. Lean the sheets up lengthwise against the house and pull it on the roof one piece at a time.

4. Attach the first sheet to the wooden slats on your roof using the ¼ inch wood screws. You will need to add these screws every two feet on the center and inner edges of the sheet. The outside edge will be fixed in place with trim edging later.

5. Attach the second sheet in the same manner, overlapping the sheet with the first one. V-crimp sheets will have a crimp where the top sheet will overlap the bottom, while R-panels will have a lip where the top sheet overlaps the fixed sheet.

6. Continue working on one side of the roof, adding sheets and screwing them down with the ¼ inch wood screws, until you reach the last sheet of that side. Make sure that the bottom of each sheet is also getting screwed down. (If you are using R-panels, do not screw down the bottoms because you will need to install foam closures to keep out animals).

7. Measure the roof and the sheet. You will need to figure out how much extra material you have.

8. Cut the sheet to remove the extra material using the metal/tin snips. Attach this sheet just as you have attached the others. If you are using V-crimp sheet metal, skip to Step 10.

9. Go back to the first sheet and attach the 5/16 inch lap screws where the sheets overlap, making sure that there is a distance of four feet for each one.

10. Repeat these steps for the other side of the roof.

11. Install the metal trim along the sides and on the peak of the roof using the ¼ inch wood screws. You will have to bend the trim as you are installing it on the peak. Make sure that the screws are two feet apart.

References

• Install A Sheet Metal Roof