7 Steps on How to Replace a Metal Roof
Metal roofing is widely popular all over the world. It’s known for its durability, style, and variety. Not only they can make your rooftops safe and secure, but they also make your entire house look more beautiful. This is the reason several homeowners always want their old metal roofs replaced by the new ones instead of going for shingle or tile roofs.
Though replacing metal roof is time-consuming and requires a lot of equipment to carry out. However, the job isn’t as complicated a task as some may think.
So, if you are planning to install one the right way, here are a few steps you need to follow.
Step 1: Measure the entire area
First things first. Before you plan anything, it’s all crucial to measure the entire roof area. First, it will allow you to order enough metal material for your roof efficiently. Second, you can get a fair estimate of how much the entire project would cost you.
Step 2: Order the necessary materials
Once you have measured the roofing area you could then order metal plates. Since they are available in different colors, you can pick an appropriate one that complements your house. Moreover, you should also order other materials necessary to completely replace metal roof smoothly.
Generally, metal roofing panels come in standard sizes and are available in home improvement stores. When you have a standard sized roof with a slope, it’s recommended to for a default size sheets. So, even if you need to cut those sheets around the vent or chimney, you can easily use a power shear to cut them in the shape you need.
Step 3: Tear off the old roof
Before you can proceed with installing a new metal roof on the top of your home, you need to remove your old one carefully. In most cases, you need a pry bar, hammer, and safety gloves for this.
It’s best to remove the old roof on a dry sunny day. This would prevent the chance of any water or moisture damage to your house.
Start from the highest point on the roof and go down gradually. When you get done with it, you will see bare bones of the roof and plywood sheathing. Make sure you perform any necessary repairs before you move to the next step.
Step 4: Add Insulations
To keep your home safe from the effects of moisture, it’s necessary to add a layer of insulation to your roof.
For the majority of homes, a single layer of roofing felt would do the job, however, homes located in extreme weather conditions do require a double layer of roofing felt. You would require to secure this double insulation to the roof frame with a staple gun and roofing nails.
Step 5: Install Metal Plates
This is the most important step in this process, hence requires patience and most effort. Make sure you have all the materials and tools ready before you proceed with it. Else, you might have to go through all the steps once again.
Bring the corrugated metal sheets on the top of the roof. Make sure it’s perpendicular to your roof’s edge. Next, mark the screw areas across your underlayment and arrange them according to your roof panel. Now, drill screw holes across the roof, but make sure you give at least 12-inch space between each screw.
However, if you are not sure how to install metal plates on your own, you can get in touch with a professional roofing contractor Naples FL. Not only can they help you with this step, but they can take care of the entire metal roofing replacement process from start to finish.
Step 6: Add the Flashing
It’s now time to give some finishing touch to your roof to ensure the metal plate remains protected against the effects of rain, snow, or hail.
Flashing is a metal trim that is installed over the joints of the metal plate. They prevent leakages and helps with insulation. They make the joints stronger and act as an extra layer of protection on the roof.
Step 7: Inspection
Once you are done replacing your metal roof, gather up all the supplies and tools and dispose of any waste. Get the roof cleaned up and perform a thorough inspection.
Make sure every inch of your roof is covered in metal plates, all the joints are protected with metal flashing, and the edges of the roof are protected with edge flashing. Keep all the extra metal panels at a safe place, in case your roof needs repairs at some point in the future.
Following all these steps one-by-one can help you replace a metal roof at your home without going through a lot of trouble. Nonetheless, you can always hire a professional team that can do the job for you perfectly while giving you a work guarantee.
