Quick Guide: How To Install Metal Roof

How To Install Metal Roof

How to install metal roof is something you’ll want to know if you’re building a shed or some other kind of storage structure. You may even want to install one on your own home. You should note that if you are unable to walk on the structure, because the roof is too steep, you should not attempt to install the metal roof yourself. Call a professional roofing company so you don’t risk your safety. If you are ready to proceed, follow the instructions below to learn how to install a metal roof.

What You’ll Need:

  • Drill with three bits (1/4-inch screw head bit, 5/16 screw head bit, standard Phillips bit)
  • Orange chalk
  • Extension ladder
  • Step Ladder
  • ½ pound of 1.25-inch roofing nails
  • Hammer
  • Metal roofing screws: (1/4-inch wood screws, 5/16-inch metal lap screws)
  • 10 pounds of Phillips head screws (3 inches long)
  • Metal cutting scissors
  • Bag to hold screws
  • Metal roofing (see a roofing supply company for this)

Steps On How To Install Metal Roof

Step 1: Decide your metal roofing needs by measuring your dimensions. Make sure to account for how much hangover you’re going to want. You will also need to decide what type of metal roofing you’d like. There are two main types: R-panel and V-crimp. R-Panel metal roofing has high ridges and requires 5/16 lap screws to install. V-crimp roofing is easier to put up, because it does not use lap screws.

Step 2: If necessary, remove the old shingles from your roof before starting. You can use a pitchfork to remove shingles. Then place 30-pound tar paper down as the base for the new roof.

Step 3: Put your metal edging around the perimeter of the roof. You will attach this using 1.25-inch roofing nails and the hammer.

Step 4: Use ¼ inch metal screws to attach the roofing to the wood slats. If you don’t have wood slats, use the chalk to draw straight lines every two feet, lengthwise. Either one of these methods is acceptable for making your guides. Exception: On the very first sheet, you will put screws on every two feet, starting from the center and going to the inside edge of the sheet. Do not put screws on the outer edge, because you will be putting the trim edging on later.

Step 5: Allow the next sheet to overlap with the first one. Note: for V-crimp sheets, the crimp in the sheet above will fit into the dip in the sheet beneath (or vice versa). For R-Panel, one ridge will overlap with the lip of the panel already there.

Step 6: Do this all the way across the roof. Once you get to the last sheet, use the tape measure to see how much the sheet spills over past the edge of the roof. With the chalk, mark the first ridge that is past the roof edge. Next, cut this line with your scissors, and then screw down the last sheet. Repeat this process on the other side of the building.

Step 7: Attach the metal trim to each side of the building by using ¼-inch metal wood screws. If you are using R-Panels, put your closures in now (foam rubber that follow the R-Panel hole designs). Push them into the openings to prevent animals from going inside the ridges.

Step 8: Screw your bottom sheets down, and begin work on the ridge. An R-Panel comes with a foam enclosure, which should be placed on top of the sheets to fill gaps. Next, you will take a special metal ridge and put it at the highest point of the roof with a 5/16 metal lap screw. Repeat this every two feet on either side of the ridge. Note: use ¼ inch metal wood screws if you have a V-Crimp sheet. They should be placed on close to the highest point, but not the at the highest point. Do this every two feet on both sides.

Step 9: You now know how to install a metal roof. Double-check your work.

Now that you know how to install metal roof, you can assist your friends and neighbors when they need a job like this done.