How to Install a Metal Roof in Place of Shingles - Part One

There are a few ways to install a metal roof. Thoughbottom of the panel to hold in place.(These should be
I recommend this method.measured to keep uniform. Continue this method until
On a conventional shingle roof, first, tear off allyou have reached the end of the roof. It will
shingles, and remove all nails sticking up. This can beprobably be necessary to cut the final piece to fit.
done with a roofing spade. You will want a smoothFor this you can use a rock blade in a circular saw, or
flat surface to work with. The steeper the roofa pair of tin snips, but if you choose this method be
pitch, the more difficult it is to walk on.sure to wear thick leather gloves. It is almost
I am assuming you have basic carpentry knowledge.impossible to install a metal roof without getting a
After you have swept all debris of the roof, the firstfew nicks. If it is necessary to cut around vent pipes
thing you will need to do is install a #30 felt paper toor vents, these cuts need to be precise and tight as
cover the entire roof. Start at the lower corner ofpossible. Your metal supplier should have special boots
the roof and run horizontal leaving the bottom edgefor fitting over vent pipes. These are pretty self
hanging off the edge of the roof about ¼ inch.explanatory.
I use a staple gun or slap stapler and 3/8 to ½When all of one side of the roof is finished, I usually
inch staples to attach paper. Staple the paper aboutgo back and screw it down, though you may choose
every 12 to 16 inches side to When that run isto do this as you go if it is extremely windy. I place
completed, start a new run just above the otherscrews 2 ft apart vertically and to the Right of the
allowing about a 2 inch overlap. Most of the timeridges if your going left to right, (ridges are approx 9
there are lines on the paper for you to go by, justinches apart on conventional metal roofs, place
overlap to the first line. Continue this process untilscrews about ½ inch out from ridge), or
you reach the peak of the roof. Overlap any valleysopposite the lapping ridge. You can use a chalk line to
or ridges about 2 to 3 ft. This does not have to bemake sure you keep your screw rows straight. This
pretty as it will not show. But cover all roof areas sois only necessary to do on horizontally. When this side
moisture cannot penetrate.is screwed down completely, repeat on opposite side
Now for the important part, getting the 1st metalof roof.
sheet started straight and I use this procedure. EachNow you are ready to install closures and ridge cap.
piece of metal roofing has a lap edge and a lappedA closure is a piece of neoprene foam used to keep
edge. The Lapped edge has a bout a ¼ inchmoisture and bugs out of the ridge cap. You will want
flat spot before the raised ridge, and the lap edgeto measure the width of you ridge cap and split the
does not. You should always start with the lappeddifference on each side of the ridge and pop lines
edge away from the direction you are going so that(Chaulk lines)on either side. Other words if you have
when you install the second piece, the lap edge will fita 10 inch wide ridge cap, pop a line 5 inches down
snugly over the lapped edge for support. First,from peek on both sides of peek.
position the first piece of metal about 1 to twoIf you have done everything right you should have 2
inches from the peek of roof, depending on how youto 4 inches of metal above this popped line.
measured it, I like to leave about ¾ of an inchNow take out your closure strips and place about
hanging over the bottom so water will flow into the½ inch above the line all the way down the
gutters. You will want both sides to measure theroof on both sides. They will interlock on the ends.
same and flush with the outside edge of the noseCut of excess at the finishing end. Now place your
board going up the roof edge.ridge cap over the closures and being sure to stay
Now go down to the other end of the roof andon the popped lines for trueness. Install a screw
measure down the same distance from the peek anddown through the cap into a ridge on the metal
mark a line. Now chalk a line from top of panel to theroofing(not in the flat), you'll be installing a screw
line you just marked. This will be your line in which toabout every 9 inches apart into every ridge on both
align the top of the panels. Now slide your next panelsides, cut last ridge to fit.
into place, Top to the chalked line and the bottomComing soon, part 2 will be cutting valleys and hips,
should match up to previous panel edges edge. Iand installing trim accessories. Good luck and have
usually install a couple screws at the top most partfun, but most of all be careful, and be sure to take
of the panel just aside the ridges in the metal. Thenevery safety precaution.
apply 2 or 3 screw up about 6 inches from the