Alternative Energy Metal Roofing and Green Home Improvement

Residential Metal Roofing Installation

Are you planning on re-roofing your home this summer, or sometime soon? Have you considered installing a new metal roofing system on your home yourself?

If you already know how to roof with regular roofing shingles, and would like to learn how to install metal roofing DIY way, then this guide is for you!

Why Install Metal Roofing?

Steel Shingles Metal Roofing System

Why waste your time and money on the installation of common roofing shingles, when you can install steel shingles metal roof, a sustainable roofing alternative that, unlike asphalt shingles, is energy efficient, long lasting, and environmentally responsible. In this guide, I am going to show you how to prepare your roof’s deck, and provide instructions on how to do a basic metal roofing installation for your home.

Installation Instructions

Difficulty Level: Moderately Challenging

DIY Metal Roofing Installation requires you to know how to use basic home improvement tools and a ladder safely, and that you have a certain level of experience with general home improvements.

Tools You will Need

• Sheet Metal Sheers
• Chalk line
• tool belt
• Roofing hammer
• tape measure
• 90 degree square
• color string
• metal roofing materials
• roofing underlayment
• Safe Ladder
• Personal Safety Harness

In this guide, I am going to demonstrate the basic principles involved in the installation of green metal roofing system made from metal, a green building material that can help you save over thirty percent on your energy costs. In order to show you the basic steps, I will show you how to install a metal shingle roofing system over a basic gable roof.

Metal Shingles Roof can be made from aluminum, steel, zinc, or copper. Regardless of what material your system is made out of, the installation techniques will be quite similar for metal shingle roofs.

Step 1

In step one, we need to decide weather, we are going to tear-off our existing roof, or install metal shingle roofing system over the existing roof. If your existing roof has only one layer of asphalt shingles, and the roof’s deck is believed to be in a good condition, then we can roof over top. But, if there are two or more layers of roofing shingles, or if the condition of your roof’s deck is questionable, then you have to tear off your old roof, repair the roof deck, and install a breathable roofing underlayment before installing your new metal roofing system.

A Roof Deck with rotten boards just replaced

If your roof deck is made of boards rather than plywood, and there are some spaces in between the boards (You can inspect your roof deck from the attic), then you may have to install 3/4 inch plywood over the entire roof’s deck in order to cover any spaces in between the boards, and to avoid driving roofing nails that secure metal shingles to your roof deck, into an empty space in between the boards comprising your roof’s deck.

Why do we have to install a breathable roofing underlayment before a Metal Roof is Installed?

Roofing underlayment plays a critical role of a roof underneath a metal roof. Installing a breathable
roofing underlayment underneath your metal shingles roof, will allow any moisture that may form due condensation, to evaporate rather than it becoming “trapped” underneath the underlayment, and thereby causing your roof deck’s boards to rot. Certainly, we do not want that to happen, that’s why we will install a breathable type of roofing underlayment over your roof’s deck, or over the existing roof provided that there is only one layer of shingles.

Installing underlayment correctly

Installing roofing underlayment

Roofing underlayment has to be installed from the bottom-up with a six inch overlap over and after every row of underlayment. During the installation, your roofing underlayment has to be well stretched from side to side to ensure that it does not wrinkle, when you sit or walk on it. In other words, it is not enough to simply roll it from side to side and nail it in. There has to be some tension from side to side in your roofing underlayment.

Should I install Ice-and-Water over eaves and valleys of my roof?

If you happen to live in a northern climate with frequent snow fall, then you will need to install one row of Ice-and-Water over eaves, and in the valleys of your roof, if you have any. You can then continue installing your roofing underlayment with a 6 inch overlap over the preceding row.

Step 2

Installing a drip edge flashing...

Once our roof deck is fully covered with a breathable roof underlayment, it is time to install a drip edge/starter metal flashing. We will start out by installing a starter/drip edge flashing, by securing it to the eave of the roof deck with a metal roofing system manufacturer approved fasteners. For aluminum shingles, it would be ring shank nails made out of aluminum, while for steel shingles it would be galvanized steel nails.

The drip edge flashing is usually installed starting from a left gable, and progressing towards the right. It gets secured to the roof deck by appropriate fasteners every 12 inches on center.

Once your drip edge flashing is in place, it is time to install a gable flashing. We will start at the bottom corner of our gable, and we will align our gable flashing to the side of the gable of our roof overlapping the starter/drip edge flashing. Each successive gable flashing will overlap the one below by a minimum of 2 inches. Gable flashings can be inserted into each other, but it has to be inserted in such a way that a rainwater running down never gets underneath the system.

Gable Metal Roofing Flashing Installation

Step 3

Now, it is time to install our first metal roofing shingle. When installing metal shingle, it is usually recommended to start with half of a shingle, or 3 quarters of a shingle length depending on the system design and manufacturer’s specs. Some metal roofing systems, have small indents that indicate where and when to make a cut, and for which raw of shingle in order that metal shingles are laid out and installed in a correct pattern.

Refer to the pictures of metal shingles being installed below to get an idea. Note that a metal shingle has an interlocking design. We lock our first shingle into both gable and starter flashing. We will have to use metal sheers to make a small cut in the bottom left corner of the shingle to allow gable flashing protrude through the bottom of our first shingle. All we have to do is make a small cut in the lock of a metal shingle about six inches away from the left side of the shingle, and bend that small portion of the lock tightly to the shingle itself.

Thus, it will be as if the first six inches of the lock were never there. The rest of the locking mechanisms of the shingle get locked into both the gable flashing on the side, and at the starter / drip edge flashing, at the eave / bottom. Once our first shingle is installed, we secure it with nails or special screws in accordance with metal roofing system manufacturer’s specifications.

Metal Shingles Installation - Locking into a gable and starter flashing

Now that our first shingle is installed and locked into gable and starter flashing, it is time to cast some straight lines in order to ensure that all metal shingles are installed in a correctly aligned fashion according to vertical and horizontal alignment lines.

We will use a special tool called “square” and a level in order to cast the lines, and then we will use color strings to be our visual guidelines of the straight lines that we can adhere-to when installing successive rows of metal roofing shingles.

Steel Shingles Roofing Installation

Steel shingles are being installed using a so-called row-and-column diagonal installation methodology, which makes it easy to add and secure metal shingles working your way up from preceding / lower rows of shingles upwards along a diagonal.

Metal Roofing Installation using a diagonal methodology

When we reach an opposite, or a far side of a gable, we have to cut off a part of a shingle so that it will fit and lock into the gable. Use carpenter’s pen to indicate where a shingle needs to be cut in order to insert it into the gable flashing.

Step 4

At this point you have reached a ridge of the roof. Now, you may choose to install a ridge vent before installing ridge caps that come with the system. You will want to install a ridge vent, only when and if you also have soffit vents in your roof. If you do not, then installing a ridge vent will be useless, and you will get a better ventilation of your attic by installing gable vents, or system specific passive vents, instead.

Should you choose to install the ridge vent, make sure that you lay it out nicely, and secure it with the ridge cap that gets installed over the ridge vent as you go along. I recommend using some straight line guides to ensure that your ridge vent and system specific ridge caps are installed in a straight line.

Ridge Caps are installed by nailing it down on each side, and inserting next piece into the preceding ridge cap

At this point you are all done, congratulations!

I have intentionally left out chimney and skylight flashing in order to keep the instructions easy to follow.

Here is the picture of the chimney flashing to give you an idea how it is done. This step is quite complicated and I recommend hiring a pro to show you how it should be done. You will also need to use caulk and water stop when installing a metal flashing.

Chimney Metal Flashing Installation

We have covered the basic steps to install metal roofing yourself, and at this point you should at least have a basic idea of what is going on. Now, may wonder how to get metal roofing materials, and what kind. You will want to buy Energy star rated metal roofing materials that qualify for green building tax credits. I recommend using steel shingles roof system that can be obtained at a professional Metal Roofing Supplies warehouse for contractors.

Tips and Warnings

• Metal Roofing is a green building material that can offer as much as forty percent in energy savings, lasts two to three times longer than conventional roof, weighs significantly less than asphalt, helps to pay for itself over time, provides energy efficient tax credits, and helps to appraise the value of your property.
• When a new metal roof is installed correctly, it eliminates the need for on-going roof maintenance and repairs.
• Safety is the key. Make sure your ladders are properly secured at the top and at the bottom. Wear a safety harness, and make sure that you know how to properly use your fall arrest equipment. Never work alone. Install your safety anchors into the studs of the roof, and not just into the plywood. Use quality screws, rather than the cheap nails that will pull out should you take a fall.

Why even consider metal roofing in the first place?

Before we look at pros and cons of metal roofing, let’s first figure out what is wrong with roofing shingles…

The problem with asphalt shingles roofing is that it is a petroleum based product, which means that it is inherently ecologically and environmentally unfriendly choice. There is no easy and effective way to dispose off all the asphalt shingle roofs that require replacement other than to tear off the old shingles, and send it into the landfill where it will be buried in the ground and left there to decompose for many decades to come.

Petroleum based Products should be Eliminated as much as possible, not recycled.

One does not need to be a hardcore environmentalist to see how detrimental asphalt shingles roofing products are to the nature and the environment. So, the big question comes up, what is an environmentally friendly and practical roofing alternative to an asphalt shingle roof? The answer is simple, for the last few years metal roofing has been gaining market share and popularity as a green roofing material of choice.

Metal roofing can last much longer than an asphalt shingle roof, which only averages 10 to 20 years of service life. Metal roofing on the other hand, can last well over 35 years when properly installed.
The key to a long lasting metal roof is strict adherence to the metal roofing manufacturers installation guidelines.

Metal Roofing Installation Video

Installing metal roofing correctly involves preparation of the roof deck, proper application of roofing underlayment, and correct installation of metal roofing system. Whether or not you hire a professional metal roofing contractor, or choose to go do it yourself way, be sure to follow the installation instructions thoroughly. This way your metal roof will last for decades providing energy savings, maintenance free roof protection, and durable and long lasting beauty.

Here are a few reasons to consider metal roofing for your home

Metal roofing is reliable and long lasting green building material, which means that you can earn green building credits for the installation of the energy efficient metal roof that is rated by Cool-Roof council and by Energy Star for its solar reflective properties.

Metal roofing can help lower your homeowner’s insurance by as much as 35%. Metal roofs are fire retardant, which means they do not support fire, which can be a significant factor if you live in a heavily wooded area. Metal roofs can withstand powerful storms and category four hurricane winds. This may be very helpful if you live in a hurricane prone area.

Metal roofs provide excellent protection in the cold climates. Coated with specialty coatings, metal roofs shed snow and ice, which may help you prevent ice dams from forming on your roof.

As far as aesthetics go, modern metal roofs may add a unique touch of modern architecture to your home. You can choose from than traditional metal shingles and shakes profiles available in beautiful metal roofing colors, to the vertically oriented lines of standing-seam metal roofing panels that can easily be enhanced with roof integrated solar roofing panels. This combination will make your house not only energy efficient, but also capable of generating electricity from the sun.

Do not let the initially higher metal roofing costs to deter you from considering installing metal roofing for your home. Metal roofing will help you lower your cooling costs, appraise the value of your property, and provide many years of reliable and worry free service to you.

Top 5 metal roofing myths to promote metal roofing awareness.

Not too long ago, I had the old rusty barn roof image in my mind. But now, after having been involved with metal roofing for nearly 10 years I have developed a true appreciation for this roofing material, and I would like to share some of the insights dealing with unexpected benefits and advantages of metal roofs, with you.

After reading these tips you will gain a better understanding, and appreciation of metal roofing technology.

Myth 1:
Metal roof has a higher risk of getting struck by a lightning.

Reality; No, metal roofing does not increase chances of your home getting struck by a lightning. But, if your house does get hit by a lightning, metal roof will help to dissipate the charge. Because metal is a non combustible material, your roof will not catch fire.

Myth 2: Metal roof makes a lot of noise when it rains.

Reality; You probably envision the old and rusty corrugated metal roofs that you can see covering old barns. You probably also think that modern metal roofs will sound like a machine gun burst when it is raining, but this is far from the truth.

Modern metal roofing is typically installed over solid sheathing such as plywood or solid wooden boards that comprise your roof deck. With the solid sheathing and roofing underlayment, your new metal roof will make no more noise than a regular asphalt shingle roof.

Myth 3: Metal roofing costs a lot of money.

Reality; It may seem like metal roofing costs a lot, but if you look at the cost of metal roofing over a long enough period of time, you will realize that it is actually the best remodeling investment a homeowner can make.

You may be surprised to find this out, but a metal roof will actually costs less than an asphalt shingle roof if you stay in your house long enough. A metal roof, which is an energy efficient roofing retrofit will increase the resale value of your home in terms of remodeling costs vs. value, but it will also help you save significantly on your cooling costs. Metal roofing can result in up to 35 percent savings in energy costs during summer months.

Metal Roof installed right is a very long lasting roofing system, and it may well be the last roof you will ever have to install on your home, provided that you get a quality installation from a qualified metal roofing contractor.

Metal Roofing Costs Vs. Shingles Example

Learn from this hypothetical example of the cost of metal roofing vs the asphalt shingle roof, from a homeowner’s stand point.

Myth 4: Metal Roof is susceptible to rust and corrosion.

Reality; Modern metal roofing is built to last for decades. Steel metal roofing has a metal coating protection layer made with zinc or aluminum, which is bonded to the steel and then painted with a high quality paint designed to withstand the toughest abuse from bad weather, and provide the desirable color and looks that homeowners want.

Myth 5: Metal Roof is susceptible to dents.

Reality; Modern metal roofs are built to withstand years of abuse from severe weather such as hail, extreme winds, and snow. Hail will not dent a metal roof, and extremely high winds are not a threat either, as many modern metal roofing systems are rated for 120mph winds. In fact, metal roofs perform extremely well in the hurricane. It is not unusual to see the metal roof with no damage, next to naked regular roofs that have lost all its shingles and plywood in hurricane.

As I was writing these 5 metal roofing myths, yet another metal roof myth came to my mind! This one in a bonus! Please enjoy!

Bonus Myth: You cannot walk on metal roof without damaging it.

Reality; While you should definitely take all the necessary precautions before venturing out for a walk on your roof, metal roofs are completely walkable. I would recommend using sport shoes with rubber soles, because they will provide good traction for your feet when on the roof. Avoid walking on your roof when its raining as you could easily slip and fall. Rule of thumb is to stay off the roof whenever its surface is wet. Contact your roofing contractor for special techniques on how to walk on the metal roof they have installed.

I hope that you enjoyed reading my metal roofing tips, and that you have learned something new about metal roofing.

I would love to get your comments and feedback on this article, as well as your request for another metal roofing article. If you have something to contribute, please feel free to offer your perspective at the bottom of this page.

New England Metal Roofing Company www.newenglandmetalroof.com – Learn about the true cost of metal roofing features useful information about metal roofing, providing facts, answering questions and dispelling metal roofing myths. Provides always current metal roofing prices, and explains advantages and benefits of the metal roofs.

References:

Cost of metal roof vs shingles

Are you confused about the difference of Tin Roofing Vs. metal?

Some metal roofs are still referred to as tin roofing. The term dates back to the period of time when roofers used tin sheets to handcraft and install tin roofing panels that looked similar to modern standing seam panels. Back then, a roof that was made purely out of tin, would require a special coating applied to the surface of the roof every few years in order to prevent corrosion.

If the special tin coating was not being re-applied every few years, then the tin would begin to deteriorate and ultimately become corroded with rust. Nowadays, pure tin is no longer used for roofing applications. Galvanized steel, and galvalume steel became synonymous with what was previously referred to as a tin roof. Steel roofs coated with a layer of zinc and aluminum provide a reliable solution for residential and commercial roofs that have a slope.

Modern steel roof is designed to last for a minimum of 35 years, which is at least a double the amount of lifespan you would ordinarily get from an asphalt shingle roof. A rise in popularity of metal roofing has given consumers a wide variety of choices in terms of colors, and styles of metal roofs.

Consumers find that modern metal roofs coated with a Kynar paint can provide energy savings of up to 35%. Consumers in the southern region of the United States report the greatest gains in terms of energy efficiency, and a far superior longevity of the metal vs. asphalt. Consumers in the north of the U.S. benefit from strength and durability of metal which performs far better than asphalt shingles in places with heavy snowfall. A specially coated metal roof helps prevent the heavy accumulation of snow on top of the roof, which causes the snow to slide off the roof before it has the chance to form an ice dam.

Architectural standing-seam roofing panels have become a most popular choice for residential metal roofing. Standing-seam panels are usually made out of galvalume steel, which provides excellent degree of protection and long lasting performance. Thin film photovoltaic solar laminates have been designed to be integrated with standing-seam metal roofing panels.

Thus, homeowners who want to take the energy efficiency of their home to the next level can choose to outfit their home with solar roofing panels that can be seamlessly integrated with a standing-seam roof system. The U.S. government has provided tax credit incentives to homeowners who choose to invest in a cool roof systems such as energy star rated metal roof in year 2010.

Additional federal and state solar energy rebates are also available to the building owners who invest in solar roofing panels for the purposes of generating electricity for their home, or commercial building.

The original roofs made out of tin, are no longer being installed in the U.S, at least not by the majority of roofers. However, a more durable and longer lasting type of metal that is still sometimes referred to as tin roofing systems, which is really made out of zinc and aluminum coated steel, can now prove to be a superb energy efficient alternative to the old fashioned tin roofs that used to be installed by handy craftsmen in the 19th and early 20th century.

Although corrugated steel roofing dates back to the 19th century, it was not until the 1930s that a first aesthetically pleasing and durable standing-seam metal roof has been manufactured in the United States. Nowadays, standing-seam metal roofs are being manufactured by many prominent metal roofing manufacturers who have been producing metal wall and metal roof panels for industrial, commercial and residential markets for a long time.

Most metal roofing manufacturers sell their products for the distributors such as beacon sales and ABC Supply. If you’re working with a metal roofing contractor, or a sheet metal shop, then they can order a custom standing-seam metal roofing system for you. You can select from either Kynar coated aluminum or a 24 gauge galvalume steel panels for your standing-seam metal roof. Most sheet roofing panels are available in 12, 16 and 19 inches wide panels.

There are two types of standing-seam metal roofs; architectural and structural. The architectural standing seam metal roof is intended for residential and light commercial applications. It requires solid substrate that is at least ½ inch. Structural standing-seam metal roofing panels are used for commercial and industrial applications. They do not require a solid substrate and can be installed over the metal frame.
Most architectural standing-seam metal roofing panels require a minimum of 3 to 12 roof pitch and a roof underlayment in place.

While a steel standing-seam metal roof costs less than an aluminum one and is appropriate for use in most areas, you will want to use the aluminum panels if you live near the coast or in the place with a high concentration of salt in the environment.

Most standing-seam metal roofing panels average in cost from $400 to $500 per square of roofing material plus the necessary trim. You may reduce the material costs when your standing-seam metal roof is formed in the field rather than in the metal shop. If you’re roof is relatively large in size, then it will also bring down your costs.

Metal shingles roof is a less expensive alternative. Metal shingles are pre-manufactured in standard size panels, which reduces its cost. While some metal shingles roofs are available from dealers only, there are others systems that anybody can buy through a roofing supplier. Metal shingles roof is appropriate for homes where the traditional look of shingle is preferred.

Although, metal roofs costs more than asphalt shingles, it may be worth it to pay higher metal roofing prices for a system that will provide many years of reliable service and energy savings.

Have you ever considered getting a rainwater collection system for
your home? A standing-seam metal roof with its smooth surface provides
an ideal platform for harvesting rainwater using a sloped metal roof.
Englert Inc. a metal roofing and leafless gutter manufacturing
company committed to the environmental cause is now offering a 3 in 1
fully integrated standing seam metal roofing system combined with a
leafless gutter, and enhanced with a rainwater collection system that
collects rainwater for non-potable use.

The way that the rainwater collection system works is very simple; It
starts with the rainwater running down the slope of a standing seam metal
roofing system. Once the water gets into the gutter system, it flows down
the drain until it reaches the connecting point to a water storage
tank. It than flows through an initial filter that removes large
debris like leaves and twigs.

The rainwater is then collected in a water storage tank. Englert Inc.
offers the following water collection tank capacities: 225 gallons,
400 gallons, and 1700 gallons. Custom water collection systems can be
ordered as well for commercial, and institutional use.

Once in the water storage tank, the harvested rainwater passes through
more filters to remove any debris from it. The collected water is
then available for use through the use of a controller providing
pressurized water supply for use such as landscape irrigation, toilet
flushing and laundry needs.

Water is a finite commodity that needs to be preserved. The water
collected from rain is water saved. That is the water you do not have
to pay for. It’s good for you and it’s good for the environment.
Water collection system may be a good solution for the areas where the
water is scarce.

Areas that are prone to flooding can also benefit from the water
collection systems.

Architects and builders working on building green homes can integrate
an environmentally correct standing-seam
metal roofing system with a water collection system.

If you’re a homeowner considering investing in an Energy Star rated,
and a green building accredited standing-seam metal roof coupled with
the Englert leafless gutter system, and water collection system, then
contact Englert Inc. and they will put you in touch with a local
roofing company.

If you are considering several green roofing options, then a
comprehensive overview of seven popular roofing
materials will offer some great tips and information on pros and
cons of major roofs.

So, your old asphalt shingles roof is leaking again and you want to find a good replacement that won’t leave you drenched from roof leaks. Metal roofing is a green roof alternative that is energy efficient, environmentally safe, and can last for well over half a century.

Unfortunately, and all too often, our good old cheap asphalt roofs fails on us when we least expect it! And we used to think that, it could never happen to us… I have been in those shoes myself!

Let’s face it, a roof that is leaking is not a kind or problem that can be ignored. A leaky roof could cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to your home, and the sooner you take care of your roofing problem, the better off you will be. I know this is not the most exciting moment of your life, but you will have to make some decisions as to what roofing materials you will choose for your house. There are many different roofing options available, and I am going to suggest that asphalt roof is not the option you will want to pick, because they are becoming obsolete. Yes, I said obsolete!

Like it or not, but we live in the 21st century and it seems as though the good old cheap asphalt roof no longer cuts it. Unless, of course, you plan to sell your house in a few years and move out so that the new owner will get stock with the inferior roof. It is estimated that an average lifespan of an asphalt shingle roof is only 15 years. Add a few years in a temperate / good climate, and subtract a few years for Northern and extreme Southern climate such as Florida, Arizona, and Texas. This is not a very lucrative option to know that your roof is bound to fail and you will have to spend your money on re roofing your home all over again. So what is the solution you may ask…

In the last decade, there has been a quite sizable increase in the popularity of metal roofing installations, and I am not talking about the old barn style naked roof that makes the rain drops sound like a machine gun rattle. No, that is not the case, and in fact, modern metal roofing choices have become very sophisticated. They come in a variety of metal roofing colors from white snow to Vermont slate blue, and shapes that will blow your mind. For example, there are metal roofs that look just like wooden shake with unique texture and coloring. If you like the look of slate roofing, then you can get a metal roof that looks like slates.

Whatever your style and color preferences are, metal roofing seems to provide a solution to satisfy those unique needs and desires, from red Spanish tile – stone coated steel roof, to  aluminum shakes reminiscent of traditional Cedar Shakes. But, here is the best part, unlike asphalt roofing that is bound to fail soon, quality metal roofing installations are known to last as long as 100 years. As for the material manufacturer warranty, many modern metal roofing products come with up to 50 years non-prorated warranty.

And by the way, metal roofing can save as much as 25% on the air-conditioning costs. If you choose a white colored, sun reflective metal roof, than your energy savings could be as high as 50%. And did I mention, there is also a 2010 $1500 tax credit available from the government if buy a metal roof.

Finally, as far as cost goes; metal roofing prices, may initially seem as high vs asphalt shingle roofing, but if you stay in your house long enough it will more than pay for itself. Best of luck with your roofing project.

Original Metal Roofing Articles source:

21st Century Roofing Technology

I wanted to share this new calculator that roofing and green building companies can use to let their perspective customers understand projected energy savings and roof pricing based on the size of the roof, and roofing materials used. Energy savings are calculated based on average summer temperatures of 85 degrees Fahrenheit, which converts as 29 degrees Celsius. You can see this for yourself by using our helpful temperature converter in the right column.

This roofing calculator will estimate annual cool roof energy savings and roof prices for such green roofing including Metal Roofing and Cool White flat roofs.

If you want to put this Roofing Materials Calculator on your website, use the simple code here.

Roof Energy Savings and Prices Calculator:

Roof Calculator allows you to estimate roof installation prices for different roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles, metal roofing and EPDM rubber roof, as well as calculate roof pitch and the size of your roof.

Also, if you want to integrate Temperature Conversion Calculator into your blog, we have developed a WordPress Temperature Converter Plug-in.

If you use a Google Chrome browser, we also developed a Temperature Converter extension for Chrome.