RE: Metal roofing

[velvetfoot]

As an aside, Hogwildz, what should I look for regarding the washers on my roof? Do they look cracked, or something?

 

[eclecticcottage]

Shouldn't be open anywhere... there should be a rake edge that seals the gable ends, and the manufacturer sells a closure strip to seal it on the peak and eave ends.

It looks open to me, unless it's set back up underneath. I wish I had a pic.

 

[eclecticcottage]

Metal roofs aren't common in western NY? With all that snow?

Not where we are, up by the lake. Most of the significant snow fall is in the snow belt, below Buffalo where they get the lake effect from Lake Erie. I think most of Ontario's LES goes west of us. We can see the clouds out over the lake and south of us but we don't get hit with it too much.

 

[firefighterjake]

T

Yes, that is the type your looking for to avoid exposed fasteners. Not sure of this specific brand, but the slots do allow for expansion(as long as you don't crank the screws too tight). Make sure it has a warranted good finish like Kynar or similar to.

While I value everyone's opinion on this topic . . . some folks I was hoping to hear from . . . namely you since I know you know roofs. I was more familiar with the standing seam metal roofs with the clips . . . was hoping to hear from you if this is a decent product. Thanks Hog . . . and yeah, not Kynar, but something similar with a 30 or 40 year finish.

 

[Hogwildz]

As an aside, Hogwildz, what should I look for regarding the washers on my roof? Do they look cracked, or something?

The washers will looked cracked, dry rotted, just like any other rubber/neoprene materials that weather and age. Think dry rotted tire, cracked etc. Don't mess with them unless they are real old or leaking. The underside contacting the roof surface may be ok for a while longer. Make sure you replace then with a a good zinc coated or s.s. screw w/ new washers. Last hing you want is cheap screws that break off.

 

[velvetfoot]

Thanks much. I can inspect some through a window overlooking a porch. How old would be "real old"? 20 years?

 

[FanMan]

My metal roof starts to go on this Saturday morning. It was delivered just before Sandy hit, but the plywood for the addition roof wasn't done until early this week. I'm hoping to finish it in three days with two of us working on it (I did a 2 car garage solo in two days).

 

[Tramontana]

A couple of things to consider while planning for a new roof;

Now is a great time to add additional insulation.

If you have an attic, it is relatively easier to add baffles at your soffit vents, and additional insulation can be blown in. My preference is cellulose, as it has a slightly higher R value than equivalent thickness of fiberglass, has much less embodied energy, and is a recycled product.

If you have vaulted/cathedral spaces, additional insulation can be added in the form of rigid insulation board.

Also there are likely tax rebates and possibly utility incentives for improving your insulation.

 

[Tramontana]

Also, if you already have ice dam problems due to warm roof w/ cold eaves, you might consider over building to create a cold roof prior to installing metal roofing.

Cheers!

 

[FanMan]

I've never had ice dam problems in the past, but I plan to lay a string between the existing roof and the metal roof (the metal is spaced up on 1x4 purlins). This way I can pull heat tape through without disturbing the roof if I decide I need it later. My attic is well insulated so the roof is cold, but that may change when I convert part of the house to a cathedral ceiling.

 

[Hogwildz]

Thanks much. I can inspect some through a window overlooking a porch. How old would be "real old"? 20 years?

20 years is fairly old. But does not necessarily mean they are spent. Depends on sun exposure, weather etc. Look a few over over a few areas of the roof.

 

[FanMan]

Started my metal roof project today. Took a lot longer than I expected to get everything up onto the roof so we only got the first two panels on each side and the rake edge on, but tomorrow should go a lot faster.

 

[FanMan]

YEE HAH I promised myself last week that I would sit on my roof and drink a Scotch when it was done, and tonight I did just that. 5 days of work for two guys so far, and I still have to put in all the alternate row screws (about 900 more to do), but if it rains I don't have to worry any more.

 

[nate379]

I hate trying to figure best bang for buck with construction of something.

You ask around, or on web boards and you get everything from it's the best thing to use, worst thing, need to use xyz product, no, use abc product...

 

[FanMan]

^^^ When I put the metal roof on my garage 10 years ago, it worked out that putting a metal roof on myself cost about the same as paying somebody to put shingles on (more expensive materials offset by free labor), but I'd have a better, longer lasting roof. I didn't get quotes for shingles on my house roof this year but I'd guess the proportion is still similar.

 

[firefighterjake]

Might as well update folks here myself . . . I've ordered some metal roofing from a place in TN . . . delivery should be in a few weeks and I've got a former roofer lined up to put it on when it arrives. I ended up going with standing seam, but without the clips -- instead it has slotted sides to allow some expansion/contraction movement.

For once I am really hoping that the winter snows hold off until the end of December.

 

[peakbagger]

So are you stripping it first or going on top?

 

[firefighterjake]

So are you stripping it first or going on top?

Going over the top with the use of some strapping.

 

[mjbrown]

i did the metal roof on my mobile home and addition....i LOVE the sound of the rain on my bedroom roof...like a lullaby for a baby...also, i love the fact that its not very often that i have to use a roof rake in the winter anymore.

 

[firefighterjake]

i did the metal roof on my mobile home and addition....i LOVE the sound of the rain on my bedroom roof...like a lullaby for a baby...also, i love the fact that its not very often that i have to use a roof rake in the winter anymore.

Ah yes . . . the roof rake . . . one tool I am hoping to not use that often after the roof is done.

 

[Tramontana]

Good luck with the new roof.

Cheers!

 

[maple1]

Ah yes . . . the roof rake . . . one tool I am hoping to not use that often after the roof is done.

You might experience the opposite problem - not being able to get out your door because your roof vomitted a whole crapload of snow in front of it when you weren't looking.

 

[velvetfoot]

You REALLY don't want to be wandering in the line of fire of that stuff.

 

[Tramontana]

Maple1 brings up a really good observation.

Watch the "shedding area" with your new roof. Definitely install snow anchors if it slopes over doorways, watch for your vent piping too. There are lots of cases where a rooftop snow pack on a roof suddenly decides to shed, and takes the vent stacks, chimneys, satellite dish, etc, with it.

Also, if the slopes will discharge onto decks and such, be forewarned. The resultant avalanche can and will destroy things up to and including tearing entire decks off of houses.

Still, good luck.

Cheers!