Metal Roof - Will it work for me?

[101mph]

I have a small cottage in a fairly heavily wooded wooded area of Northern Michigan. We get tons of snow there and I'm already getting tired of shoveling my roof and shed (this is our first winter owning it).

I am considering getting a metal roof installed on it to help with getting rid of the snow on it's own.

I have a couple concerns if it will be worth the time and money.

1 - The roof doesn't have much of a pitch (maybe 2" in 12") so I don't know how effective it will be getting the snow to slide off of it.

2 - Since there are lots of trees around, I'm not sure how if enough sun gets through to help with getting the snow to slide off.

3 - There is a deck around the cottage and I'm not sure if the snow does slide off the roof if it will destroy the railing of the deck.

I'd like to know from the experienced folks here think I should do.

Here are a few pictures pictures of the place:

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Thanks.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Metal will always shed better than shingles on the same roof. The railing will be fine, my second story salt box sheds on our deck and mudroom, no problems.
Metal will also last longer, especially standing seam.

 

[volleyball]

You'll appreciate a metal roof if there ever is a forest fire coming your way. It looks like a 4/12 pitch. I have panels on a partially built sunroom that has a 2/12 pitch and it looks almost flat and it drains no problem.
Add 4" hi den foam board under the metal and on top of the shingles if your ceilings are vaulted.
The snow comes out about a foot past the edge.

 

[101mph]

Thanks for the info guys.

Volleyball, what is the purpose of have the 4" of foam board under the metal roof?

(I do have a vaulted ceiling in one of the rooms).

 

[volleyball]

Insulation. You can unvent your attic and seal it.

 

[finn]

I've got (I think) a 5/12 steel roof on my shop near Houghton-Hancock and it sheds quite nicely. A 4/12 is pretty common, but I've never seen a shallow roof like yours shed in the dead of winter. Spring/fall/mild winter yes, it may shed, but Dec-March when it's cold , I think it will still build up.

If you get anywhere near the snow that we do, that railing is history if it does shed. If the snow is mild in your area like in the pictures, you'll be fine.

 

[PugetDude]

A metal roof will work great! Install a couple of rows of snow jacks on the roof about a third of the way up to help control the sliding. It will only allow the first third to slide freely, the section above will melt when the sun hits the exposed metal below.

 

[101mph]

OK I see.

+1 for trying to shed the snow in the dead of winter. I think I may have a problem with that. The weather has been so cold here that I think getting the snow to come off in January or February is going to be tough (and believe me....we get SNOW there).

I've seen other houses around me with metal roofs and some have the snow come off, while others did not. They all had steeper roof lines than mine.

Still trying to decide what to do....

 

[volleyball]

Sun in below freezing weather will cause the snow to slide. Or heat loss. My shed is 12 x 14 with the same metal roof as the house. It rises 12" over 12', way flatter than your slope. It is open to the weather inside so zero heat and it sheds the snow when the sun is out. The paint is reflective so it warms the snow on bottom and melts it enough to cause the slide.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I've seen other houses around me with metal roofs and some have the snow come off, while others did not. They all had steeper roof lines than mine.

Still trying to decide what to do....

The reason some of the snow may not be coming off some roofs is they might be using snow guards, either clips or bars. These slow the snow/ice down or help break it up so it doesn't come off in sheets hitting whatever is below.
info link
http://www.snojax.com/
I wouldn't want to be under this.

One thing that I would suggest doing if you put on a metal roof or when you reshingle the current roof is to add a cricket at the chimney. Looking at your pictures, it doesn't appear that you have one.

 

[mygarageone]

OK I see.

+1 for trying to shed the snow in the dead of winter. I think I may have a problem with that. The weather has been so cold here that I think getting the snow to come off in January or February is going to be tough (and believe me....we get SNOW there).

I've seen other houses around me with metal roofs and some have the snow come off, while others did not. They all had steeper roof lines than mine.

Still trying to decide what to do....

I swear I know this place ? looks just like one I have done a couple service calls too ?
Where is your place? South of Shingleton , mi ?

Now , a steel roof is always desirable over shingles , but with your shallow pitch I do not believe it is going to be much help , a 4/12 roof barely works .
I have a 6/12 pitch on the house and garage and this year I have had to shovel both because it been so cold it won't release , it piled up to over 3 ft. And my trusses are designed for our snow loads.
But having said all that a steel roof carries a very long warranty .
But I wouldn't assume it will take care of the snow build up issue.

So far this year I have received 200" of snow or 18 feet

By the way do not use snow guards , that effects the whole purpose .

 

[mygarageone]

Sun in below freezing weather will cause the snow to slide. Or heat loss. My shed is 12 x 14 with the same metal roof as the house. It rises 12" over 12', way flatter than your slope. It is open to the weather inside so zero heat and it sheds the snow when the sun is out. The paint is reflective so it warms the snow on bottom and melts it enough to cause the slide.

Apparently you don't get much snow . Snow is a great insulator and the sun does no good unless the air is some what warmer. Like right now we have had several very sunny days but the air temp hasn't risen above 0 , In fact it's -17 below right now and the sun is shinning brightly.
Example , I can dig into my soil under the snow we have and it's still soft .
We have had several days of - 20 + below zero temps .
The only steel roofs up here that have released snow this year are roof pitches 8/12 and over.
The rest have been shoveled off.

 

[mygarageone]

I've got (I think) a 5/12 steel roof on my shop near Houghton-Hancock and it sheds quite nicely. A 4/12 is pretty common, but I've never seen a shallow roof like yours shed in the dead of winter. Spring/fall/mild winter yes, it may shed, but Dec-March when it's cold , I think it will still build up.

If you get anywhere near the snow that we do, that railing is history if it does shed. If the snow is mild in your area like in the pictures, you'll be fine.

Not only the railing . I have seen several decks like his gone too. Snow when warm enough to slide off the roof is very heavy.

 

[volleyball]

I get plenty of snow. Not Mich. snow though. I am a little too far East to get a lot of lake effect. Snow is a great insulator as far as heat transfer but a strong sun radiates through the snow. The radiation, not the temp is the key.

 

[mygarageone]

I get plenty of snow. Not Mich. snow though. I am a little too far East to get a lot of lake effect. Snow is a great insulator as far as heat transfer but a strong sun radiates through the snow. The radiation, not the temp is the key.

Well you need to make a trip to the U.P and see what the sun hasn't done for us. It;s been so cold we haven't even had any snow melt .
I just said we have had several sunny days and it has done nothing to help with the snow release , been to cold.
Untill you live here you haven't a clue.

Yes the sun may warm up an inch or two of the snow but when you have 3 ft on your roof , doesn't do a bit of good and then at nite what did get warmed up turns to hard crusty snow or ice.
Hell right now after having the roof shoveled off , and about 3 " of snow on the roof it still won't release. The steel is so cold it has bond the snow to it.
Untill the air warms up to above o here sun won't help. I live here I should know .

Define plenty of snow ? and what have you average daily temps been for the last 3 months

 

[mygarageone]

I have a small cottage in a fairly heavily wooded wooded area of Northern Michigan. We get tons of snow there and I'm already getting tired of shoveling my roof and shed (this is our first winter owning it).

I am considering getting a metal roof installed on it to help with getting rid of the snow on it's own.

I have a couple concerns if it will be worth the time and money.

1 - The roof doesn't have much of a pitch (maybe 2" in 12") so I don't know how effective it will be getting the snow to slide off of it.

2 - Since there are lots of trees around, I'm not sure how if enough sun gets through to help with getting the snow to slide off.

3 - There is a deck around the cottage and I'm not sure if the snow does slide off the roof if it will destroy the railing of the deck.

I'd like to know from the experienced folks here think I should do.

Here are a few pictures pictures of the place:

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Thanks.

That roof sure looks to be a 4/12 pitch ?

 

[volleyball]

There are waxes that will stop the snow from sticking. You can put heat tape along the ridge. Things to promote snow clearing.
101 says some roofs are cleared. Maybe they have different type of metal roof. I went with panels as opposed to standing seam for this reason.
Old metal that has been hand painted is another that would slow the release also. There is a farm near me with 2 out building with metal roofs. The panel newer roof shed snow much quicker than the old one.

 

[mygarageone]

Well the longer the metal is exposed to the summer sun , the more it's ability to release snow decreases.
I would love to see some kind of Teflon spray for this roofs , i think that would be a great.

 

[volleyball]

Do your roof with different types this summer and report what works best. Maybe a skiers wax for one. a silicone sealer, and regular car wax.

Do we have any auto detailers that want to chirp in?

 

[mygarageone]

Do your roof with different types this summer and report what works best. Maybe a skiers wax for one. a silicone sealer, and regular car wax.

What are you drinking ?

 

[volleyball]

You got to come up here, what are you drinking. Well it isn't the know it all **** you are drinking.
I have 3 metal roofs and not a problem. So whatever I am doing must be right.

 

[mygarageone]

You got to come up here, what are you drinking. Well it isn't the know it all **** you are drinking.
I have 3 metal roofs and not a problem. So whatever I am doing must be right.

We'll tell me what your average temps have been for the last 3 months , how much snow have you had and the roof pitch you are dealing with.

If you have conditions close to what we have had then maybe I pay more attention to your comments.

 

[volleyball]

Then please ignore me. You don't have to believe anyone here.
Reread the thread, I stated my low pitches.

 

[mygarageone]

Then please ignore me. You don't have to believe anyone here.
Reread the thread, I stated my low pitches.

Well let's state some facts , you are hardly qualified to give advise to a northern mich home owner about his snow load issues.
Yet you talk like you know exactly what he needs to do , hope he doesn't pay any attention to that.

 

[finn]

After looking at the pictures a little closer, I believe that roof pitch is, in fact 4/12. If so,there will be some shedding in the "shoulder" months. In the dead of winter it likely will still not shed because the snow accumulation and inherent cloud cover from Lake Superior,and limited winter daylight overwhelms the Solar energy.

I also agree with the poster who suggested that a cricket be added above the chimney.

 

[bczygan]

More importantly...

What lake are you on...

And when can I borrow the place...

I'd even shovel the snow off the roof...

 

[101mph]

Great info guys. I appreciate it.

I will definitely get up there at some point and make sure what the pitch is.

I think mygarageone may be on to something though. The roofs that did shed some snow around me are VERY steep pitches. They almost look like an A frame type of roof line.

I'm near Mancelona MI and though I don't know the exact # of inches of snow, I have to believe we have had at least over 100" of snow so far. Today it was -20F and the sun is blazing away.

I've already shoveled the amount of snow you see in these pictures twice this year. It's not a fun job.

So I think the amount of snow we get combined with the cold will be an issue getting the snow to come off.

I am still considering it though just because of the durability of it. Do these roofs do well with regards to ice dams and that sort of thing?

 

[mygarageone]

Great info guys. I appreciate it.

I will definitely get up there at some point and make sure what the pitch is.

I think mygarageone may be on to something though. The roofs that did shed some snow around me are VERY steep pitches. They almost look like an A frame type of roof line.

I'm near Mancelona MI and though I don't know the exact # of inches of snow, I have to believe we have had at least over 100" of snow so far. Today it was -20F and the sun is blazing away.

I've already shoveled the amount of snow you see in these pictures twice this year. It's not a fun job.




So I think the amount of snow we get combined with the cold will be an issue getting the snow to come off.

I am still considering it though just because of the durability of it. Do these roofs do well with regards to ice dams and that sort of thing?

Well from what a have seen Gaylord has received over 150" so far this yr , I would think you close to that amount?

Normally I don't even have issues with snow sliding off my roof but this yr it's just been bitter cold and the snow won't release. But come temps of around 20+ it will take off like a ski jumper

 

[SARG]

I've already shoveled the amount of snow you see in these pictures twice this year. It's not a fun job.

It is an exhausting job and I've shoveled off our 1000 sq. ft. every time is snows over 12" for the last three decades. Three times this year so far.

Makes for achy muscles but it sure feels good when it's done.

 

[mygarageone]

It is an exhausting job and I've shoveled off our 1000 sq. ft. every time is snows over 12" for the last three decades. Three times this year so far.

Makes for achy muscles but it sure feels good when it's done.

I am thankful our trusses are designed for lots of snow or we all would be shoveling roofs all the time too.
Like I said had mine done this at about 3ft sitting on it , some places are not shoveled at all and they are a bout 4 + ft . When I roof caves in it's not a pretty site.
One guy last yr had 3 classic cars in his pole barn when it collapsed .
Insurance comp was having a fit.

 

[upndown]

OP, Sorry i can't be of any help when it comes to snow!(obviously) Just wanted to say..Love your cabin, gotta be heaven in the summertime!

 

[Rod N]

The place does not look that old. Are sure it can't bare the weight of the snow?

When I did my metal roof I found out very quickly that you can only walk on it when it is dry. My point is that if you go metal, and still have to clear it, it can be very scary walking around up there.

 

[mygarageone]

The place does not look that old. Are sure it can't bare the weight of the snow?

When I did my metal roof I found out very quickly that you can only walk on it when it is dry. My point is that if you go metal, and still have to clear it, it can be very scary walking around up there.

Normally that's true , they are slippery but when it this cold it bonds to the metal and you shovel off all but a few inches off the roof.
Like I said had 2 buildings shoveled off amounting to aprox 4000 sq ft and no one came off the roof.

 

[101mph]

The place does not look that old. Are sure it can't bare the weight of the snow?

When I did my metal roof I found out very quickly that you can only walk on it when it is dry. My point is that if you go metal, and still have to clear it, it can be very scary walking around up there.

No doubt. That was another thing I was concerned with....slipping on the metal. I don't want to make hard/dangerous job even more so.

I honestly don't know what to look for to determine if the trusses can hold a lot of snow. this is my first time dealing with all of this. We just bought the place last July.

upndown - thanks! Yes the place is awesome in the summer. Very quiet and peaceful. It's even nice in the winter... except for all this snow shoveling

 

[SH7mi]

I honestly see no dispute in a metal roof compared to asphalt, the metal roof installed properly wil last 5x longer if not more. I would not worry about the snow, as long as the roof is strong and can support the load, it acts as a great insulator and will help hold the heat in the cabin.
Metal roof is considerably more expensive to install but well worth it in longevity.

 

[101mph]

mygarageone has got me thinking about the trusses now...

Can you tell by these pictures if these trusses and the way they are engineered look to be able to handle any excessive load? Are they "special" in any way?

 

[readhead]

We deal with lots of snow here in Colorado also. Our minimum snow load is 50# and I can go ten miles north and be in 130# country.
Most new homes built in the last 20 years have shingle roofs. You have to consider the other half of the equation. The snow that falls! Every spring our company gets calls to repair or replace deck rails. There is brisk business in deck repair, siding replacement, window repair, landscape replacement and so on. All on buildings with metal roofs.
Believe me I am not anti metal roof. In the proper conditions it can be the right choice. I do think standing seam is superior to screw down. Never did understand why you would install a metal roof and then drill a thousand holes in it. I know that for the most part it works but it is not my first choice.
Around here the idea is to keep the snow on the roof and let it melt. Snow guards have their place also. Most new construction has rope tie off's built in.
There a lot of things to consider but don't get paranoid about snow on your roof. You just need to manage it and it may mean shoveling is required sometimes. Temper that with the snow that might slide of the roof all week and be frozen like a rock when you arrive on Saturday and will be there till spring.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I'd have to ask how the rails and decks that fail from falling snow are constructed. My snow falls from 20' onto my deck, mudroom, and rails with no ill effects, not even close. We did build the **** out of it, the way you should in snow country.....deck is 2x12 on 12" center, railings equally built..... hence my question. Not trying to be a smartass, just a serious question for those that have seen stuff fail to falling snow.

Pics...
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10200605860369131&l=6e00879be6

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10200605859369106&l=8ce9d7d21f


Oh, and my credentials are: 120" or so a year, and here is all my personal Davis weather station data via the Weather Underground site, we get cold, feel free to explore.....
http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KVTTOPSH2

 

[Buckgnarly]

We deal with lots of snow here in Colorado also. Our minimum snow load is 50# and I can go ten miles north and be in 130# country.
Most new homes built in the last 20 years have shingle roofs. You have to consider the other half of the equation. The snow that falls! Every spring our company gets calls to repair or replace deck rails. There is brisk business in deck repair, siding replacement, window repair, landscape replacement and so on. All on buildings with metal roofs.
Believe me I am not anti metal roof. In the proper conditions it can be the right choice. I do think standing seam is superior to screw down. Never did understand why you would install a metal roof and then drill a thousand holes in it. I know that for the most part it works but it is not my first choice.
Around here the idea is to keep the snow on the roof and let it melt. Snow guards have their place also. Most new construction has rope tie off's built in.
There a lot of things to consider but don't get paranoid about snow on your roof. You just need to manage it and it may mean shoveling is required sometimes. Temper that with the snow that might slide of the roof all week and be frozen like a rock when you arrive on Saturday and will be there till spring.

You do bring up two really good points....snow is a great insulator, and if the roof is built for it, best to leave it!
Second being that the falling snow becomes cement REAL quick! I caretake for my neighbor, and once his roof unloads you MUST move it before it refreezes. Once it does, forget it until Spring!
Keep that in kind when choosing your roof!

 

[readhead]

Sometimes the path of the sliding snow lines up perfectly with the rail. First time there is a big slide it will take the rail right off. I have seen the rim board peeled right off the deck with the rail still attached.
We have built removable rail sections in slide prone areas that can be stored for the winter.