Steel roofing replacement opinions.

[twarren]

I’m looking for advice on steel roofing for a 12 year old house and attached garage. I’m 71 and able to do a shingle reroof myself, but with normal life expectancy of ten years I’ll be 81 and probably not able to do it again so steel is looking lake a reasonable choice.

My preference would be to remove present asphalt shingles and install steel directly to the roof plywood with out strapping. I welcome opinions as to whether this is feasible or not.

Location; South Central Ontario, Canada.

Warren………..

 

[James-W]

I am not sure if it is feasible to do a metal roof by yourself, at least I have never seen one person installing a metal roof. Every time I have seen a metal roof going on a building there has been a crew doing the job.

 

[sledneck32!]

My house has a metal roof screwed right on top of the old shingles. Works just fine and u cant tell unless u get right up by the gutter an look.

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk

 

[rburke65]

Why wouldn't one man be able to install metal roofing by ones self?

 

[James-W]

Why wouldn't one man be able to install metal roofing by ones self?

Most people want to use the longest and the widest sheets of steel they can so that they have fewer seams. It may be possible for one person to handle the sheets and do the job, but I have never seen one person doing it. Typically there are two guys on the roof, one guy on the scaffolding and one guy on the ground. I suspect it is like one person putting up trusses. Can one person put up trusses? Maybe, but it sure goes a lot smoother with more than one person doing it.

 

[MushCreek]

I did my metal roof single-handed, with sheets up to 21' long. Would have been a lot faster/safer with help, though. Just be careful; a tin roof is slick, and if there's the slightest rain or dew, stay OFF of it! If there are exposed screw heads, all they do is rip chunks of meat off of you as you slide down.

 

[Big Bad Dad]

I have never liked the idea of screwing the metal to just plywood. The metal roofing screws are 1-1/2' long for a reason. I would recommend the cross stripping with at least 1x4s on 2 foot centers.

 

[gungatim]

we did a 50x100 steel roof on polebarn directly over the shingles using cleats. it is doable, or you can tear off the shingles if weight is a concern. I don't think putting the steel directly on plywood gives enough air flow to keep trapped moisture from forming underneath.

at 71, you've earned the right to not have to get up and do a shingle job by yourself. I hope you have friends and family to give you a hand. I'd be ashamed if I had a Grandpa that had to shingle his own roof without any help...

 

[maxpower_hd]

I've been researching this as well and may do the same thing. There are basically 3 methods to install. One with strapping but this is usually for non-insulated spaced below so you get the airflow. One manufacturer, Fabral I think, shows all three methods on their web site and the pros and cons of each. If strapping is used the roof is louder when it rains. If you go the method you're talking about it is about the same as an asphalt roof. There is a membrane that goes between the base and the metal roof. Ice and Water Shield can be used as well.

One can do it themselves. In fact I've been told by people who have installed them that it is easier than shingles. The panels in my case will be 3'wx12'L so they aren't very heavy compared to bundles of shingles. They can be stood up against the roof edge, my house is a low ranch, and pulled up from above. Although I agree it would be easier with help, if you are like me and used to having to do most everything yourself it is doable IMO. They usually use crew for shingle roofs too but I have done several myself or with minimal help.

I'm going to strip the shingles off of mine and make sure the wood is in good shape since mine is about 30 years old. Another reason for strapping on a shingled roof is for uniformity. A shingle roof should last you more than 10 years though if you get a good shingle. You should get at least almost the 25 year life expectancy out of it unless you're in a hurricane belt or something.

The metal is typically a faster install too.

 

[readhead]

There are a lot more details to a proper metal roof install than if you are installing shingles. What does the roof look like? Hips, valley's, roof to wall conditions, vents and pipes, etc. Are you looking at a screw down roof or standing seam.

You need to study up on install procedures for the particular brand you intend to buy. I install metal roofs and it is a great product. We do a lot of screw down installs because it is inexpensive. I personally don't like the idea of installing a metal roof and drilling a thousand holes in it. I would recommend one of the standing seam systems if you can afford it. By the way I removed the metal on my roof and installed 40 year shingles.

I am curious about your existing roof. Any shingle roof should last longer than ten years.

 

[Elginz]

"I would recommend one of the standing seam systems"
I have been using Pro Snap from Menards. Put up 27, 14' sheets in about 2 hours by my self. about 5 sq. there was nothing in the way, like pipes or valleys.
Screws down, hidden fastener, I like not having hundreds of holes in my roof.

 

[bcoke]

Ten years ..........that may be your life expectancy [I hope you are way off] but with the architeckual shingles the minimum is 25 years out to 50 years.......I would have roofers do a tear off and reshingle ,,,,,with their discounts the difference of you doing it is not as much as you expect and usually one day and a yard cleanup......just for laughs my Dad needed a new roof as I had put on the last on [second so needed a tear off] at 60 yo I do not do roofs any more had a 35 year shingle put on he said " can't we get a 50 year one!!!" oh he was 95 at the time so I felt 35 years was ok!

 

[Jess]

You should look at the Vicwest web site and check their options and installation procedure for each type. I have several metal roofs on large outbuildings which are fastened through the sheet. These have trees nearby and the fire needles catch on the screws. Next time, I would use standing seam type with concealed fasteners. For my home, which has an aging cedar shake roof, I am considering the metal shake/shingle product. It can be installed on a plywood decked roof, with the proper underlayment and will look as good as the shakes did. There are several options and in Ontario you may have some I don't out west. Whatever you choose, don't let anyone convince you to leave the old roofing and be sure to have the right underlayment and attic ventilation to prevent deterioration of the wood under the new roof. My sheet roofs are done on 2x4 strapping, 30lb felt and sheet laid on top. No roof sheeting. Never have had an issue with moisture into the attics. Lots of choices, be sure to look at some installations in your area.

 

[beakie]

I'm down the road in Gores, almost useless at heights, but I may be able to lend you a hand depending on your roof (height/slope)

Seriously, message me if I can be of help in anyway.

Tom

 

[dfiler2]

I've done several myself and if it's not steep, like a 4/12 pitch, it's not that hard. Once you get the first sheet lined up correctly then use a clamp on the bottom to hold the two sheets even, then go to the top and make sure the overlap is correct and start fastening. On a roof without strapping I like to pre drill the holes and it can be done with strapping as long as you are careful with the measurements. On steeper roofs I use an aluminum ladder with a Ladder Hook to work off of.

 

[Justanoldguy]

Why wouldn't one man be able to install metal roofing by ones self?

Yep.
Done plenty of them by myself.
Wind is the only deterrent.

 

[bob15]

Ten years ..........that may be your life expectancy [I hope you are way off] but with the architeckual shingles the minimum is 25 years out to 50 years.......I would have roofers do a tear off and reshingle ,,,,,with their discounts the difference of you doing it is not as much as you expect and usually one day and a yard cleanup......just for laughs my Dad needed a new roof as I had put on the last on [second so needed a tear off] at 60 yo I do not do roofs any more had a 35 year shingle put on he said " can't we get a 50 year one!!!" oh he was 95 at the time so I felt 35 years was ok!

I agree. What brand shingle and who is installing them to have them last only 10 years? Even 3 tabs are 25 year warranty.

I like metal roofs and put Classic 5 Rib by Metal Sales panels on my garage and barn and like them very much.....but, I also question the 10 life span on asphalt shingles.

 

[maxpower_hd]

After doing quite a but of internet research I have been looking for places here in the northeast area, preferably southern NH or NE Massachusetts to go and look at some of this in person. Lowes and Home Depot claim to sell it but you have to order it and they don't have as much as a single sample on site to touch and feel.

Anyone know of someplace that might have some in stock I can actually feel? I can't see myself ordering a bunch of stuff having not seeing any in person.

Thanks

 

[gungatim]

If you have a Menards in your area, they stock steel roofing panels, you can see it and feel it if you want. I bought the white thinner stuff when I added a lean-to. self serve in the lumber yard...I imagine most colors are special order though.

 

[nonhog]

By the way I removed the metal on my roof and installed 40 year shingles.

Can't just leave us hanging, why?

 

[hoffman912]

I had a steel roof installed a year ago overtop asbestos shingles. worked great, looks good, and has held up to our ohio winters, which shouldnt be too different from Ont. Canada winters. I hired a local handy man install it, and he did it with a friend. the roofing material came from menards.

before:

after

 

[ishiboo]

I’m looking for advice on steel roofing for a 12 year old house and attached garage. I’m 71 and able to do a shingle reroof myself, but with normal life expectancy of ten years I’ll be 81 and probably not able to do it again so steel is looking lake a reasonable choice.

Pretty impressive you're 71 and can still do an asphalt roof - most 20 and 30 year olds can't!

Modern asphalt roofs last a lot longer than 10 years though, figure 15-20 minimum "looking good" for your 30 year warranty shingle.

Steel roofs last forever, but they do start to loose visual appeal over time before they are structurally deficient.

 

[readhead]

The roof was getting old and the color had faded badly. It was very noisy when it rained and I hated the piles of snow and ice around the house. We get a lot of snow here and most houses have shingles to keep the snow on the roof.

 

[readhead]

Hoffmans roof is the textbook reason for not using metal. The pitch break which is probably the result of an addition is going to accumulate a lot of snow. That pitch break is okay if it was designed for a metal roof and additional snow load which it may have been. Metal is an excellent product but it has to be used carefully.

 

[twarren]

Although I created the original post I haven't kept up with the traffic here. To answer a couple of questions, my roof is actually just over twelve old and will probably be okay for a couple more years but then I'll be 73. I think I'd better do the deed while I can.

BEAKIE (Tom) if you're in Gores Landing I may well take you up on your offer next year. You could be the 'ground supervisor'.

Interestingly I attended our national plowing match and machinery show in mid September and asked a few suppliers for quotes on steel roof installs. Last week I had a call from a supplier who was viewing my house on Google Earth and gave me a quote over the phone. Technology! The quote btw was $23000, I think I can save a lot by doing it myself.

We seem to have an abundance of suppliers and manufacturers in the area so there will be lots of choices.

Warren......

 

[hoffman912]

To be fair i probably would have installed my own asphalt shingle roof, had it been any other material originally. In my case containment was cheaper and safer than asbestos mitigation. other roofs would not have looked right laid on top of the asbestos tiles.