Metal roofing is becoming more popular day by day. Many people are now choosing metal roofing over regular asphalt shingles. And the main reason for installing a metal roof is it’s last way longer than asphalt shingles.
How to install metal roofing on a shed you might wonder. Well, there are a few easy steps to follow. You need to measure your roof, apply the underlayment, order panels to fit, trim as required, bend the trim ends, set the panels, tighten it with screws, etc.
This procedure might seem a little scary for the first time. You may want to hire someone to install metal roofing on your shed. But metal roofing is a costly process. If you do it yourself, the cost will be way lower than hiring a company to work for you.
So, let us walk you through the whole process to make it easier for you.
Step by Step Guide on How to Install Metal Roofing on a Shed:
To start installing a metal roof, you need to measure your roof and order the right amount of metal sheets. While measuring, keep in mind overlapping and slopes.
Requirements:
Before going to installing processes, you need to know about the right tools and materials to install metal roofing.
Required Tools:
- Basic carpentry tools,
- Aviation snips,
- circular saw,
- metal shears,
- Drill,
- vent kit,
- fall protection,
Required Materials: Metal panels, ice and water shield, roofing nails, eave trim, gable trim, ridge cap, sidewall flashing, self-tapping roofing screws, silicon sealant, inside and outside foam closure strips, butyl tape, roofing vent boots, etc.
Now, let’s jump into the installation process.
Steps to follow
You can easily install metal roofing following these steps:
1. Prepare the roof: The shed should be clean and ready to install metal roofing. Especially for replacing an older roof, remove all the older shingles, screws, or any other materials if left behind. You also can install a metal roof on shingles. In this case, try to remove all loose shingles.
Don’t forget to make sure that your roof is plain and has a decent slop. A plain surface is a must for metal roofing. Slop will be helpful to flow off the rain and snow of the roof.
2. Trimming: You need to cut and bend the leading end before installing the trim. Bending will wrap it around the corners. Make one-inch cuts with snips to bend. Fold the tabs in to meet a wall or a corner. Every trim is different in shape and needs unique cuts and bends.
Eave trim usually goes under the underlayment for hot weather. In case of the weather with ice dams, it goes over to protect from the dams. You will learn about installing eave edging in the next section.
3. Place the Edging and Install Underlayment: Edging is a very important part before setting the panels. Use a scale or any straight material to place the edging. Use one inch-long nails and hammer to fix the positions.
The edges are necessary for installing metal sheets easily as you will see in one of the upcoming steps. It will also help the water to flow off of the roof.
Underlayment is not necessary for an unheated shed. You can screw your sheets directly to the surface of your sheathing.
First, put the eave edging in place. You have to fit the underside of the eave and onto the face. It should cover the entire face of the eave.
Screw the eave edging to the underside of the eave through the lip of the flashing. Then, use finishing nails to nail the faces.
After that, install the underlayment. Make sure your underlayment covers the edge of the eave edging. Then, install rake edging over the underlayment. Installation is almost like eave edging. But use roofing screws to face screws instead of nails. The eave end of the rake edging goes over the eave edging.
In some cases, rake edging may go over installed metal panels. Read the manuals of the manufacturer materials of your metal roofing panel.
4. Placing the metal sheets: Different types of metal roof products have different methods of installation. But in general, you should start at the edge and make sure the first panel overlaps the edging by around one inch.
You can also run your first-panel flush with the rake edge of the roof and one inch over the eave. But if you do not have gutters, it should be around three inches.
You should place the metal panel on an inside foam closure strip. These strips are shaped to fit the underside of the panel. It is also useful to keep the bugs out and prevent water from getting underneath.
The closure strips should be one inch from the edge along the eave. You should stick them with butyl tape and run a bead of sealant on the top of the closure strip.
Don’t forget hammering in the metal roofing while placing from the edging. Remember to use the screws in the right places. The screws should be placed every 18’’ – 24’’. The first one should be a 6’’- 8’’ mark from the edging.
You must use washers on every screw before screwing in. The washer plays a great role in how the screws hold and how tight you fasten them. You also have to make sure you can remove the screws easily if there is any necessity.
Make sure you place the panels so that the large lip hangs over the smaller lip. Seal every panel together with silicone sealant. You should use sealants that are one hundred percent silicone.
If there is any extra length to the metal sheet, you can cut it using a circular saw with a metal cutting blade. Tin snips or aviation snips are the alternatives. But it may be frustrating to use snips to cut long pieces.
5. Install Ventilation: When you have finished positioning your metal sheets in place, you need to figure out the place for ventilation. Mark the places of the ventilation pipe, chimney, or any other outlets.
You can use aviation snip or tin snip to cut the metal as marked. A jigsaw or circular saw with a metal cutting blade can be an alternative for snips. After cutting, install a vent pipe.
Use silicone sealant both above and under the opening to secure the vent. Go under the roof and make sure everything is sealed perfectly.
6. Install flashing: At the final stage of your installation of metal roofing, you’ll need to install a ridge cap or flashing. Flashing is quite easy. As it can be bent by hand, you can bend it like a v shape and install it on your roof.
Flashing will secure you from water from going underneath. You will have an extra layer of protection from water.
After these steps, your roof is good to go. You can use your preferable type of metal for your roof. The process will be almost the same. But the cost can vary a lot.
How much does metal roofing cost:
Metal roofs have a vast variety. The main difference is the metal types. Corrugated metal is the cheapest. It only costs $1.70 – $2.50 per square foot.
Steel and aluminum are in the middle range. They cost between $3.0 – $4.50 and $3.35 – $6.00 respectively per square foot.
Tin has a huge variety. It can cost $3.30 – $14.80 per square foot. And Zinc is one of the most expensive metals. It will cost $5.50 – $12 per square foot.
If you want a fancy expensive house to live in, copper metal roofing is good for you. Copper is also a long-lasting metal. For every square foot of copper roofing, you have to pay $12.00 – $24.00.
It is expensive to have a metal roof but it has its advantages. Let us tell you why you should consider it over asphalt shingles.
Advantages of Metal Roofing:
There are several reasons to choose a metal roof over asphalt shingles. Here are some advantages of metal roofs:
- A metal roof lasts longer than a regular asphalt shingle roof. Generally, it lasts more than fifty years. On the contrary, asphalt shingle roofs barely last twenty-five to thirty years.
- It is more attractive. And it has more variety than shingle roofs.
- There are various types of metal roofing materials. Tin roofs are lighter, easier to install, and less costly.
- You will get an almost maintenance-free lifetime.
- This roofing is more eco-friendly. Because you can recycle the metals.
- Houses with metal roofs get more value while selling.
- You can install a metal roof over shingles.
Disadvantages of Metal Roofing:
No type of roof is perfect in every way. Metal roofing also has its cons.
- Metal Roofs are more expensive. In some cases, you may have to pay double the price or more than regular asphalt shingle roofing.
- Installing a Metal roof is a complex process.
- If you need to repair, you have to replace an entire panel.
- Colored metal can fade away over time due to direct sunshine.
- Special screws are needed for metal roofing which is more expensive than roof nails.
Conclusion:
How to install metal roofing on a shed is a popular question as many people are considering doing it by themselves. We hope we have helped you throughout the whole process for your basic understanding.
If you know your way around roofing, don’t hesitate to install metal roofing for a tension-free life with a long-lasting roof.
