Metal roof tear offs and installations are becoming more and more popular among people in Clark County, WA seeking an alternative to traditional asphalt shingles. It is generally considered an environmentally friendly alternative, and it is sometimes made from recycled materials.
Additionally, metal roofing comes in a variety of aesthetically pleasing options with several colors and styles to choose from.
Metal roofing is also a good option for those who are looking to save money as they don’t cost a lot. Despite a somewhat higher up-front cost, metal roofing has an average life span of about 50 years and requires little to no maintenance.
Further, a metal roof is convenient for snow removal in colder climates and aides. With all these advantages, all you need to know is how to install a metal roof the easiest way possible.
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Metal roofing tear-off
While it is cost-effective and easier to install the new metal roof over the existing shingles, sometimes it’s best to tear off the existing shingles before installing a new roof. Well, the job can be messy and raise the cost of installation, but it’s worth doing for the better long-term effects. Different people and even contractors have different opinions about this, and sometimes you can find it a little confusing, but just to be sure, here are some of the reasons for metal roofing tear-off.
- Water vapor can easily build upon existing roofing causing the build-up of mold and even rotting. If this is the case, it is recommended that you tear off and remove the old roof before installing a new one.
- If the existing roof is rough, tearing off is important so as not to affect the appearance of the new roof.
- When there is already too many layers of the existing roof, local and national codes will restrict you from installing more with the only option remaining for you is tearing off the existing roof.
- Too many layers of the existing roof will also prevent the nails and screws from penetrating when you’re installing a new roof.
Environmentally friendly roofing info here
While these are more than enough reasons for metal roofing tear-off, there are also situations where you can just install over the existing roof apart from the fact that it’s relatively cheap and requires little labor.
- There are only one or two layers of the existing roof hence no local or national codes restricting you and screws and nails can easily penetrate when installing a new roof.
- The deck beneath the existing roof is in good condition and shows no sign of rotting or getting damaged soon.
- The existing roof is in good shape, not uneven or irregular hence won’t affect the appearance of a new one.
After going through all the reasons why you should tear off the existing roof and why you should install over the existing one, you should take time to inspect your roof and come up with the best way to do it. Whether you decide to tear off the existing roof first or install over the old one, here is the roofing installation guide that you should follow.
Choose the right contractor
Choosing a contractor is the first step you need to take when you want to install a new roof, of course, All County Roofing is going to be your first choice. if you’re not going to do it yourself.
Choosing the right contractor is very important especially because there are many unqualified and inexperienced contractors out there who will not do the work according to how it’s supposed to be done.
If you find it difficult to choose the right contractor, you can also ask the manufacturers to recommend one for you from your local community. Make sure to get a licensed and insured contractor that has a good track record on roofing installation.
Understand all the roofing hazards
Just like any other construction work, roofing also comes with several safety hazards that you should think about before the beginning of the installation process. One of the most and dangerous safety issues is falling.
This can happen to even experienced contractors, and all the precautions need to be in place to avoid such accidents. It is essential to hire a professional roofer to install it rather than do it yourself.
You should also ensure that the roofers are using fall protection devices to protect them just in case the unexpected happens.
Decide whether to tear off or install over-top
After seeing all the reasons why you need to tear off the old roof as well as why you should install on top of the existing one, it is time to inspect the existing roof with a professional to make a final decision.
The tear off
If you both agree that it is best to tear off the old roof based on the results of the inspection, it is now time to start the messy and difficult work of removing the old roof.
Make sure all the equipment required to do the work is in place, and they include; shovel, work gloves, face cover, sunglasses, tarp, etc. You should do a complete tear off of the existing roof so that you replace all the old materials including the wood and any rotten plywood to come up with a brand new roof that will serve you even longer.
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Installing the Starter or Eave Trim
The installation process should commence now, and it starts with installing metal flashing at the eaves, a process called starter trim. This process should follow the manufacturer’s installation guide but generally needs to leave ¼ inch space at the eave and secured in place with screws at every 12 inches at the center.
Ensure that water doesn’t collect underneath the drip edge due to condensation by ensuring you lay your roofing underlayment over the fascia trim.
Installing the metal panels
After installing the metal trim, it’s now time to begin installing your first metal roofing panel. It starts by cutting and bending an inch underneath to hook it at the starter trim. You will then need to use screws to secure metal roofing panel at the top.
Install metal holding clips and secure with a screw to the roof deck. Install the next roofing panel in the same manner and follow the same procedure until your entire roofing system is fully installed.
After all the panels have been installed, it’s now time to put a fastener through the nailing flange using a screw. After the completion of the process, you’ll notice that a portion of the panel bends at 90 degrees. The reason for this is to ensure any wind-driven rain, snow or ice does not get into the house at the ridge level.
Conclusion
This guide is only an introductory, and there are many details that you should consider during roof installation that are not covered here. Please make sure you see them and familiarize yourself with everything beforehand, then call us to get you started with your metal roofing system.
