Things To Consider When Replacing Your Roof With Metal
Posted on: 7 July 2021
If you currently have an asphalt, tile, or bitumen roof and you'd like to replace it with a metal roof, there are some things you need to know. Metal roofing can be better suited for one roof than for another, for instance. And you'll need to think about which options you'll take for the replacement, such as whether you'll build over your current roof or tear it off.
Here are some of the considerations to keep in mind as you plan a metal roofing installation to replace your non-metal roof.
1. Overlay or tear-off
Tearing off your current roof is a must if the structure of your roof (the roof deck or rafters) has experienced any water damage or other structural damage. However, if your current roof hasn't failed yet and the structural integrity is fine, you may consider simply building a metal roof over your existing roof structure.
2. Pitch of the roof
Metal roofing materials are typically designed for roofs that have at least a mild amount of pitch. They also work well for steep roofs, but if you have a flat roof, you may need to modify it in order to install metal roofing. Building up one side of the roof so that it's more slanted can accomplish this, allowing your metal roofing to shed water easily.
3. Attachment and type of fasteners
If you're installing a metal roof in place of a different roof style, you'll need to check with your contractor to see whether you'll need extensive retrofitting to fasten the metal roof correctly. Different types of metal roofs may have different attachment requirements.
You'll also need to make sure that you use the correct fasteners for the style and material of your metal roofing. Screws are often recommended because they have better holding power than nails.
4. Metal materials used
The types of metals used in your roof and your screws are also important. If you use fasteners with a different type of metal in them, they could react with the metal in your roofing material to cause corrosion. The same goes for any existing metal components nearby, such as flashing, gutters, and more. Make sure your new roof is installed with this in mind so it doesn't end up touching other metals that could damage it over time.
These are some of the considerations to keep in mind when installing a metal roof in place of another type of roof, such as a shingle roof. Get in touch with a local company like Independent Roofing today to learn more about the challenges and opportunities inherent in replacing your roof with a metal one.
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