If you're switching from asphalt shingles and putting on a metal panel roof, you may be wondering what the installation process entails. It involves many of the same roofing installation steps as any other type of roofing, but there are some steps unique to installing metal panels. Standing-seam metal roofing is a common choice for homes. Here are some steps involved in installing this type of roofing.
The Old Roofing Will Probably Come Off
Metal panels are light, so it's possible to do the roofing installation over the old shingles, but your roofer may not recommend it. Metal panels can last for decades, so you may not want the old shingles to stay under the panels for that long and slowly deteriorate. Plus, there might be moisture damage in some areas that get covered up and cause the roof to rot. The roofer can avoid these problems by removing all the old roofing and making the metal panels the only layer of roofing on your home.
The Metal Panels Are Custom Made
An advantage of standing-seam metal panels is that all the screws and washers are hidden under the seams. That means the panels have to be the exact length needed for your roof so they don't have to be seamed together horizontally and have the screws exposed. The roofer will probably bring a truck to your home so the panels can be extruded on the spot as they're placed on your roof. Once the panels are on, they can be seamed together vertically.
Standing Seams Help Prevent Roof Leaks
One reason standing-seam metal roofing installation is a popular choice for homes is the seams are locked together and the screws are all under the panels so there is a lower risk of leaking. The screws can be a vulnerable part of a metal roof when they are exposed to the sun and rain for years. With standing-seam installation, the screws are protected. Also, the seams themselves lock together rather than just overlap. Once they are locked together, the seams are folded over using a seaming machine, so it is nearly impossible for rain to get through a seam and cause a roof leak.
Metal Roofing Needs Flashing And Underlayment
Like asphalt shingle roofing, the metal roofing installation process also requires underlayment and flashing to be put on. The underlayment is adhered to the bare deck to create a waterproof barrier and the metal panels are placed over it. Flashing is put around pipes, skylights, and other things that create breaks in the roof. The flashing seals the roof so rain can't leak in around a pipe or your chimney.
Contact a local company to learn more, like Supreme Roofing LLC.
When you develop a roof leak, you don't have time to ignore it. Issues with leaks can cause problems as simple as incoming water and as wide-ranging as mold accumulation inside your home, which is why you should never let an issue sit. However, if you aren't careful, you could develop problems with roofing that is simply open to the elements, allowing rain and snow to enter your home, melt, and contribute to problems like mold growth. On this blog, you can learn more about the kinds of roofing issues that you could be faced with, and what to do about them.