How to Attach Corrugated Steel Roofing on a Barn

This corrugated steel roof has endured the elements.

Corrugated steel roofing can be found on barn roofs around the world. This metal is long lasting and can be easily installed by the average do-it-yourselfer in one to two days, depending on the size and scope of the project. By following a few tried-and-true methods developed by the roofing construction industry, you can easily install corrugated steel roofing on your own barn.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Chalk line
• Screw gun
• Corrugated steel roofing

Instructions

1. 

   This is the rake end of a roof.

   Measure over from the rake end of the barn at the top and bottom, making a pencil mark at 35 inches. Because the corrugated steel roofing sheets are 36 inches, this will allow the outside sheets of metal to overhang 1 inch. Snap a chalkline onto the roof, connecting the two marks. The left edge of your first sheet of metal will align with this mark.

2. 

   This corrugated steel roofing has raised ridges and flat valleys.

   Lay the first sheet of steel, beginning at the bottom of the barn roof and aligning the left edge of the sheet with the chalk line. The right side of the sheet should overhang the roof edge by 1 inch. Allow the bottom of the sheet to overhang by 1 inch, as well. Attach the sheet using metal screws with rubber washers. These screws can be purchased along with the corrugated steel roofing sheets. Space the screws 12 inches apart, and do not insert them into the raised ridges of the steel sheets. This will bend the roofing sheets, causing them to be ineffective. Instead, place the screws into the lower, flat areas of the sheets.

3. 

   This corrugated steel roof covers both sides of the barn on each side of the barn roof ridge, which is the highest point of the roof.

   Place the next sheet of steel above the first, allowing it to overlap by 6 inches. Align the left side of the sheet with the chalkline and attach using the metal screws. Continue installing the sheets in this way, always overlapping them as you advance up the barn roof. Once one row is complete to the top of the barn roof ridge, begin back at the bottom and to the left of the prior row with the next sheet. Allow the next row to overlap the row to the right by one ridge. These sheets are designed to overlap at the ridges and valleys so that they are water tight. Continue working your way up the barn roof and to the left. Once one side of the roof is complete, complete the other side of the barn roof in the same way until both sides are covered to the barn ridge.

4. Cover the roof ridge with a corrugated roof cap. These caps are 10 feet long and must be overlapped by 6 inches at the seams. Snap a chalkline along the top of the roof ridge 8 inches down from the top of the metal sheets and align the ridge cap to this line. Attach the cap using the same metal screws used to install the corrugated sheets.

References

• "Roofing Construction & Estimating";Daniel Benn Atcheson;1995
• "Barns, Sheds and Outbuildings: Plan, Design, Build";John D. Wagner, Clayton DeKorne;2005
• "Miller's Guide to Framing & Roofing";Mark R. Miller;2005