How To Install Metal Roof Panels

Table of Contents

Can I install a metal roof myself?

While most metal roofing styles can be installed as an advanced DIY project, metal roofing installation is complicated and can vary slightly based on the brand of panels or shingles that you select. We recommend that you install a metal roof with one or two helpers and fall protection equipment designed for roof work.

Do you have to put plywood under metal roof?

As long as the interior of your roof is protected from moisture accumulation, underlayment is not required, though homeowners planning to insulate their house heavily may choose to install plywood to protect their investment.

Can metal roofing be installed directly over plywood?

Metal roofing should not be installed directly over the top of bare plywood. You do not have to install roofing shingles or other roofing material, but a felt sheet over the plywood is the bare minimum. When the metal expands or contracts with changing temperatures, it can tear or wear away the felt sheeting.

Does a metal roof need strapping?

Single wood strapping is better than no strapping, as it creates a wider gap between the existing roof decking and the metal roof, but doesn’t afford enough ventilation to resolve condensation issues. It also does not allow leveling of the roof, which corrects swells and swales on the roof.

Do I need furring strips under metal roof?

When installing a metal roof over an existing roof, insulate the spaces between the wood strips with rigid insulation to prevent condensation before installing the roofing. You also need to add furring strips. Twenty-four inches is a common spacing of furring strips for a metal roof.

Do you need a vapor barrier under a metal roof?

To avoid condensation buildup with your metal roof, you will need to have a moisture barrier in place. It depends on air temperature, water vapor near the metal panels, the prevalence of warm air in and around your roof assembly, and other conditions.

Can metal roofing be screwed to OSB?

No, you do not need to screw into solid lumber (joists, stripping,etc.). As you can see, the thinnest material they recommend is 1/2” (7/16”) OSB board at 9” on center up to 24” on center. Be sure to follow their instructions in order to obtain the warranty.

What is the screw pattern for metal roofing?

Lap screws are spaced 12” to 18” on center. The panel screws are spaced out so that every third corrugation has a screw including both sides of the panel sidelap. When the corrugated sheeting is 39” wide instead of 37” wide the screw placement will be slightly different as shown in the diagram below.

Where do you put the screws on a metal roof?

And most U.S. metal roofing manufacturers say that you should put screws into the flat, because this location offers a solid wood surface just beneath the metal panel, resulting in a safer, tighter, more secure seal.

How far apart do you put screws in metal roofing?

Make sure that the roofing screws are not too close to each other. It is best to place each roofing screw about one and a half to two feet apart, but not more than that.

Do you need felt paper under metal roofing?

Metal roof underlayment is an important component of a metal roofing system. Some might choose to skip using underlayment to save money. However, the metal roof underlayment acts as an added layer of protection. The short answer is yes, your metal roof does need underlayment .

What are the steps to installing a metal roof?

Step-By-Step Step 1: Measure the roof area. Step 2: Order the materials. Step 3: Remove the old roof. Step 4: Add insulation. Step 5: Install the eave flashing. Step 6: Metal Roof Installation: Add metal panels. Step 7: Add the flashing to the roof. Step 8: Finish.

How much overhang should there be on a metal roof?

A typical metal roof overhang may be 2 to 4 inches, or even less. Some slight overhang is recommended, in conjunction with a drip edge flashing, to prevent water from getting under the roofing and onto underlying wood.

Should a metal roof be vented?

Proper ventilation is needed to ensure the energy efficiency a metal roof provides. An effectively ventilated metal roof helps to prevent energy waste and excess cooling cost that can occur when attic heat builds up with.

Is it okay to overlap metal roofing?

Metal roof panels are designed to overlap with one another, helping you keep water from leaking where two panels meet. The amount of overlap that is required generally depends on the overall slope of your roof. During the installation process, start by calculating the pitch of your roof.

How much should corrugated sheets overlap?

Corrugated sheeting should always overlap by a minimum of one corrugation, this can be known as side laps. When overlapping corrugated sheeting its advised you use cladco lapping tape. For maximum sheet lengths in corrugated, we can supply 5m in a 0.5mm thickness and up to 6m length in the 0.7mm thickness.

Can you put a metal roof over shingles without furring strips?

One option for installing a metal roof over shingles without furring strips is to use a cross-batten style. A cross-batten technique involves laying down vertical battens first. Next, the battens attach through the roof deck to your rafters.

Can I install metal roofing directly over shingles?

In almost every case, the answer is yes, you can lay down a new metal roof over an existing shingle roof. This is one of the many reasons metal roofs keep growing in popularity – their installation doesn’t require completely tearing off the existing roof, which is a time-consuming and expensive job.

What do furring strips look like?

If you’re unfamiliar with a furring strip, it’s best described as a long, slender strip that’s constructed from either wood or metal. In most cases, furring strips are 1” x 2” or 1” x 3” in size and can be applied either horizontally or vertically.

What underlayment do you use on a metal roof?

Known by many different names (including felt paper, roofing tar paper, and asphalt-soaked felt), felt underlayment is the most commonly used type of underlayment material on steep-slope metal roofs.

What underlayment should be used under metal roofing?

While metal roofing needs high heat ice and water shield as underlayment, it’s also used with premium roof systems (slate and cedar shake) to add extra protection. However, it will be more expensive than the other types of underlayment and adds to the cost of your roof replacement.

What is the best insulation to put under a metal roof?

Property owners choose fiberglass batts because: It’s one of the cheapest and easiest ways to insulate a metal roof. It’s versatile, meaning you can cut it according to your specific needs. You can also either have it placed under the metal roof panels or installed onto an existing roof’s surface.

How do you install a metal roof over plywood?

How to install metal roofing over plywood Inspect your plywood. After the original roofing is removed, what you will want to do first is look for bad pieces of plywood sheathing that you’ll need to replace. Applying the underlayment and the slip sheet. Installing the roof.

How do you install a metal roof over shingles?

How To Install Metal Roof Over Shingles 3.1 STEP 1: Get a precise measurement of your roof surface. 3.2 STEP 2: Lay down roofing felt over the entire roof. 3.3 STEP 3: Start putting the metal panels into place. 3.4 STEP 4: Install rubber or foam closure strips. 3.5 STEP 5: Attach the ridge cap.

How often do you screw metal roofing?

Corrugated roof panels and other exposed fastener metal roofs are usually held together with screws every 18 inches or 2 feet. You will want to note your metal roof screw pattern, so you know where to look for potential problems.

Do you need tar paper under metal roofing?

What do you put down under metal roofing?

The traditional and most common material used for roof underlayment on a steep-slope metal roof is non-perforated, asphalt-impregnated felt underlayment. There are several types of felt underlayment including both organic reinforced and inorganic reinforced.

Can you put metal roofing directly on rafters?

Metal roofing can be installed directly on open rafters. The vapor barrier built into such insulation helps to minimize the amount of condensation that drips down from the roof, and the insulation itself can help to keep the interior of the building at a comfortable temperature.

Can you put metal roof over shingles without furring strips?

Should I put my metal roof over shingles?

It’s absolutely fine to install a metal roof over shingles. People are accustomed to thinking of metal roofs as being heavy or cumbersome. In fact, metal roofs are so beneficial because they’re very light. They’re fast to install, and they come in large sheets rather than individual tiles.