How To Install Metal Roofing?

Durable and low-maintenance, metal roofing is the best way to secure your home against the effects of time and weather. Available in a variety of styles, metal roofs add style and enhance the value of your property. Although we highly recommend that you leave the installation process to professionals for safety and quality assurance, if you’ve got advanced DIY skills and think you can take on the project yourself, this blog covers everything from underlayment installation to cutting metal strips to the final inspection—making each metal roofing project a success.

Metal Roof Installation Step-by-Step: From Planning To Completion

Let’s say that you’re planning on replacing your current worn and tired roof with a metal roof, but you just don’t know the exact method. Instead of scouring the internet to find the best way, scroll down, read along, and take notes as we lay the whole metal roofing process bare.

Join us to learn how to set up your metal roofing.

Step 1: Planning & Prep Work

Before you get on a ladder, it’s important to determine what type of metal roofing you want. Depending on your personal preferences, you’ll need to apply for the appropriate material, ensuring that you have enough through careful measurement. Also, set a realistic budget, leaving about 10-15% extra for unforeseen circumstances as you work.

Step 2: Underlayment Installation

Once the old roof is stripped, carefully assess the roof decking to isolate and repair any damaged or rotting wood. Next, lay down the underlayment so that each strip overlaps the previous by about 6-8 inches. Make sure it’s flush against the decking so that it creates an impenetrable seal against water intrusion.

Step 3: Install Drip Edge

Once the underlayment is secure, it’s time to move on to the drip edge. This is a thin strip of metal attached to the edge of the roof to protect the edges against water damage from rain or snow. Secure the drip edge with nails and make sure it’s snug against the roof for a seamless finish.

Step 4: Mark Out Your Reference Lines

Now that the base is ready, you should clearly mark where all the metal panels will go. Using the 3-4-5 rule, carefully measure and mark three feet from the drip edge, then four feet from that line, and then five. The 90-degree angles need to be precise for proper overlapping. Ensure that each marrow is at a 90-degree angle from the drip edge.

Step 5: Laying Down The First Panel

Now, carefully measure the metal panels and, using a circular saw, cut them to size. Lay them down on an inside foam closure strip. Set the closure strips along the eaves, leaving about an inch of gap, and attach them to the metal panels with butyl tape. Seal them, and then attach the first panel, being mindful of the overhang.

Step 6: Secure All The Panels

After all the panels have been laid following the reference lines you made, use screws with rubber washers and secure all the panels, starting from the edge and making your way to the ridge of the roof. Hammer screws at both sides of the rib close to the eave and space them evenly by about 24inches. Ensure they’re laid flat to create a flawless seal against water damage on top. 

Step 7: Add The Ridge Cap

Once all the panels are secured, it’s time to seal the top-most part of your roof. The ridge cap doesn’t just give the roof a polished look; it also acts as a barrier against falling rain, letting it slide right off instead of the water droplets sliding underneath the metal panels.

Step 8: Install Flash. 

Almost there! Now, carefully screw in flashing along every edge of the ventilation, skylight, and chimney. As before, water can slip into even the smallest of gaps in your roofing, leading to hundreds—if not thousands—of dollars in repair costs. So it’s always better to ensure that the flashing is properly installed to keep your roof and home dry. 

Step 9: Final Inspection

Once you’re satisfied, do a thorough inspection of your handiwork. Examine the OncOncey seam and assess every nailhead, fixing any small issues that you may come across. Once everything looks flawless, carefully climb down the ladder, and your metal roofing is good to go!

Conclusion

To conclude, metal roofing is a fantastic modern roofing material, with a lifespan of over half a century. It requires advanced skills to install, so it’s best left to professionals. However, if you have the necessary expertise and tools, this article goes over the entire process, guiding you from budget planning to laying down the final screw, guaranteeing that your metal roofing project is a success.

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