Installing a metal roof can be a great way to upgrade your home while saving on labor costs. Metal roofs are durable, energy efficient, and can boost curb appeal. While tackling a DIY metal roof installation is no small feat, with the right tools, materials, and knowledge, it’s a project that many homeowners can successfully undertake. This guide will walk through the essential steps, materials, and considerations for installing a metal roof, helping you decide if it’s a project you want to take on yourself or leave to the professionals.
Tools and Materials Needed for Metal Roof Installation
Gather all the necessary tools and materials before starting a DIY metal roof installation. Having everything on hand before starting will help you have a smooth and efficient installation.
Essential Tools
Here are all the tools you’ll need to install a metal roof:
- Smooth-faced hammer: For simple tasks and adjustments
- Tape measure (20–30 feet): For accurate measurements
- Chalk line: To mark straight lines on surfaces
- 24″ x 16″ square: Useful for measuring and marking angles
- Aviation snips (left and right-facing): For cutting metal panels accurately
- Duckbill vise grips: To hold pieces in place during installation
- Caulking gun: Essential for applying sealants
- 12-inch tin snips: Additional cutting tool for versatility
- Adjustable-torque handheld drill: For fastening screws at precise torque settings
- 24–32-foot ladder: To safely access the roof
- Utility razor: Useful for cutting underlayment and trim
Tool breakdown from The Metal Roofing Channel
Required Materials
Here are all the materials you’ll need for the project:
- Metal roofing panels: The main material for your roof
- Roofing underlayment: A protective layer that goes under the metal panels
- Self-tapping screws (#12): To securely fasten metal panels to the roof structure
- Metal-to-wood screws (#12): For additional fastening where wood is involved
- Caulking or metal roof sealant: For a watertight fit around edges and protrusions
- Ridge caps: For covering the roof peaks
- Gable trim: Finishes the edges of the roof to prevent leaks
- Eave trim: Directs water away from the roof edge into the gutter
- Sidewall flashing: Protects the intersection of the wall and roof
This video is a basic guide to metal roofing screw placement.
Step-by-Step Metal Roof Installation Process
Installing a new roof requires careful planning and execution. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the process:
Step 1: Obtain Necessary Permits
Before starting any work, check local building codes and get the required permits. Most areas require permits for roofing projects, including new roof installations, roof replacements, re-roofing, and roof repairs that involve structural changes or alterations to the roofline. Make sure you take care of this step first to prevent any legal issues or potential fines down the line.
Step 2: Take Accurate Roof Measurements
Measure your roof area carefully, adding 10%–15% extra material to account for waste and mistakes. That way, you have enough materials to complete the project.
First, you’ll have to know the minimum slope required for a metal roof and calculate the slope of your roof. This is a simple “rise over run” number. You’ll have to get on a ladder next to your gable ends. Using a long level, measure from a starting point even with the end of your shingles. At the 1-foot mark on your level, use a tape measure to see how many inches up your roof has extended.
A 4-inch measurement means that your roof has a slope of 3/12 or 3 inches of rise for every 12 inches of run. Next, you can use this slope in conjunction with your home’s footprint to find your total roof area. This will require some simple math, shown in the steps below:
- Square your roof slope. We’ll use the measurement above. 3/12 simplifies to 1/4. 1/4 squared is 1/16.
- Add 1 to 1/16 to get 17/16.
- Calculate the square root of this number. The square root of 17/16 is 1.03.
- Multiply this number by your home’s footprint (not its total square footage). If yours is 1,500 square feet, you’ll need 1,546 square feet of roofing material.
- If you’re buying 15% extra to account for error or other factors, you’ll need 232 square feet of extra material, totaling 1,778 sq. ft.
This area measurement method is most effective on simple A-frame roofs. For odd corners or outcroppings, such as dormer windows, you can simply measure length and width.
Step 3: Purchase Materials
With accurate measurements in hand, it’s time to buy the necessary materials. Choose high-quality metal roofing panels, underlayment, fasteners, and trim pieces that match your home’s style and local climate conditions. Opt for materials that will give you longevity and weather resistance so you can count on the durability and performance of your roof.
Step 4: Remove Old Roofing
If you’re replacing an existing roof, carefully remove the old materials and inspect the roof deck for damage that needs repair before installation. This will give you a clean slate on which to build your new roof.
Step 5: Prepare the Roof Surface
Clean the roof deck thoroughly and make any necessary repairs. You’ll need a smooth, solid surface for proper metal roof installation. Address any issues with the roof deck, such as rot or water damage, so the new roof will adhere properly and provide long-lasting protection.
Step 6: Install Underlayment
Roll out the roofing underlayment, starting at the bottom edge of the roof and working upward. Overlap each row by 2–3 inches for proper water shedding. The underlayment acts as a secondary barrier against moisture, adding an extra layer of protection to your roof.
Step 7: Install Edging
Attach eave flashing along the bottom edge of the roof, overlapping pieces by 2–3 inches. This step helps direct water away from the roof edge and into gutters. Installing your edging properly prevents water infiltration and keeps your gutter system working properly.
Step 8: Install Metal Panels
Here’s how to install the metal panels:
- First, snap chalk lines on your panels to mark screw points. Begin 6 inches from the top of each panel. Then, snap additional lines every 2 feet further down. Within each line of screws, the fastening points should be about a foot apart.
- Begin at the peaks of the largest squared sections of your roof. Ideally, each metal piece should extend from the high point of your roof and overhang your eaves by ¾ inch. Cut your panels to size before securing them.
- Using your #12 metal-to-wood screws, fasten each panel along the snapped lines.
- Where your panels overlap and join (by 3–4 inches), use your #12 self-tapping screws to join them at 2-foot vertical intervals.
- Next, move on to the less squared-off sections of your roof. Take precise measurements of these areas and cut your panels to size at ground level. Your flashing will cover the non-vertical edges, so don’t worry if your cuts with the large tin snips aren’t perfect. Remember to account for overlap when measuring these sections.
- Fasten these to the substrate just as you did for the previous sections.
- If you live in an area that’s heavily exposed to the elements, place a bead of silicone sealant before driving in each screw.
Step 9: Add Flashing and Trim
Install flashing around chimneys, vents, and other roof penetrations. Add ridge caps, gable trim, and other finishing pieces to complete the roof and get a watertight seal. Proper flashing installation prevents leaks and damage over time, so be meticulous with this step.
Common DIY Metal Roof Installation Mistakes To Avoid
While installing a metal roof can be a rewarding DIY project, you should be aware of common pitfalls that can compromise the roof’s integrity and performance.
Inaccurate Measurements
Take precise measurements. Overestimating or underestimating the amount of material needed can lead to costly delays or waste. Double-check all measurements and consider enlisting help.
Improper Panel Overlap
Failing to overlap panels correctly can result in leaks. Follow manufacturer guidelines for proper panel placement and overlap. Incorrect overlaps can lead to water infiltration, compromising the roof’s effectiveness.
Overtightening Fasteners
Overtightening screws can damage the metal panels and compromise the roof’s ability to expand and contract with temperature changes. Use an adjustable torque drill to avoid this issue. Proper torque settings will secure your fasteners without over-stressing the metal.
Neglecting Proper Flashing Installation
Flashing is a critical component that prevents water from seeping into the structure. Improper flashing installation around roof penetrations and edges is a common source of leaks. Take extra care when installing flashing to get a watertight seal.
Skipping Underlayment
While it might be tempting to skip the underlayment to save time or money, this layer is critical for protecting the roof deck and providing an additional barrier against moisture. Underlayment helps safeguard the roof during extreme weather conditions and prolongs the life of your roofing system.
Pros and Cons of DIY Metal Roof Installation
Before installing a metal roof as a DIY project, weigh the advantages and disadvantages carefully.
Pros
These are the pros of installing a metal roof yourself:
- Cost savings on labor: Completing the installation yourself can significantly reduce the cost of installing a metal roof.
- Personal satisfaction: There’s a great sense of achievement in completing a major home improvement project yourself.
- Quality control: You decide on the materials and can ensure each step is done to your standards.
Cons
Here are the cons:
- Time-intensive: Be prepared for a significant time investment, as it can take several days or weeks
- Potential for mistakes: Errors can be costly and affect the roof’s performance.
- Safety risks: Roofing work is inherently dangerous and requires proper safety measures.
- Lack of warranty coverage: DIY installations might not come with the same warranties and guarantees as professional work.
When To Consider Professional Installation
While many homeowners can successfully install a metal roof, there are situations where professional installation is probably a better choice. Consider hiring a professional if:
- The roof has a complex design with multiple angles or dormers. Intricate designs can be challenging for DIYers.
- There’s significant existing damage to the roof structure. Structural repairs might require professional expertise.
- Local building codes require professional installation.
- The homeowner lacks the necessary tools or physical ability to complete the project safely.
FAQs About Metal Roof Installation
Should you hire a contractor to install a metal roof?
Hiring a contractor to install metal roofing is always a good idea. Doing so will help with the quality and longevity of your roof and will come with greatly reduced personal risk. Falling injuries and related hazards are risks that you will have to contend with if you try a DIY installation.
How long does it take to install a metal roof?
This will depend on a few factors. If you’re staging a DIY installation, and have to tear the shingles off your old roof, then you should budget an extra couple of days to get the job done properly. Weather, roof size, and type of metal material that you’re using will all play a part in determining this.
Can you put a metal roof over shingles?
In many cases, you can actually lay down metal roofing over an existing shingle roof. Aside from the durability metal roofs provide, this is one of the many reasons for their popularity among homeowners.
How long does a metal roof last?
A properly installed and cared-for metal roof can have a lifespan of 40 to 50 years. A roof made of asphalt shingles will typically have to be redone after 15 to 20 years, for comparison.
What are the disadvantages of a metal roof?
The main disadvantages of installing a new metal roof are as follows:
- Affordability: Metal roofing materials can cost more than double what a shingle roof would.
- Noise: You’ll only notice this during heavy rain or hail. However, if you live in an area with more extreme weather conditions, then you may want to reconsider your choice of roofing material.
- Color matching: If your roof needs a repair or extension after a long period of time, then finding the exact color of the material you need could be tough. Due to fading from the sun, newer manufacturing techniques, and evolving color palates, you may be hard-pressed to find an exact color match.
- Fastener longevity: Metal roofing expands and contracts with the temperature. This is an intended feature of its design but can cause fasteners and other hardware to wear out over time.
