Shingles, Nails, and Beyond

If you are ready to replace your old roof with a metal one, then there are a few things you need to consider. Your roof installer can help you with the following tasks.

1.Schedule a Full Structural Inspection

Metal roofs can last decades longer than other roofing options, so it's vital that you make sure the rest of your roof's structure can offer the same longevity. This is where a full structural inspection can help. The installer or roof inspector will check the roof decking for any damage, along with the trusses, rafters, and supports that hold up your roof. If damage is found, it will be repaired before the new metal roof goes on. Your roofer may also recommend installing additional fasteners, such as hurricane clips, to ensure roof blow-offs aren't an issue.

2. Consider Pros of Leaving the Old Roof

One way to save money when it comes to your metal roof installation is to leave the old roof in place. The old shingles will simply become the underlayment for the metal roof. This is a possibility if the old shingles are worn but they are not leaking and the decking below is in excellent condition. If there is any damage, then this is not a good option. Opting to leave the old shingles in place saves money on both the labor for tearing the old roof off and on the disposal fees for the old roof. Your roof installer can let you know if your roof is a candidate for this.

3. Determine Your Ventilation Needs

Every roof and attic requires proper ventilation. It is more difficult to add ventilation to a metal roof after it is installed, so you should have a full ventilation assessment done prior to replacement. For small, simple roofs, you should only need soffit vents at the eaves and a ridge vent at the peak. For more complex and larger roofs, you may also need some vents installed through the metal panels between the eaves and the peaks.

4. Set a Budget to Meet Your Goals

There are many metal roofing material options available at varying price points. First, determine the goal for your roofing. If you want to extend longevity, then budget to spend more on steel or zinc roofing as these are investments that will last a lifetime. If the concern is on fire safety and cost savings, then aluminum or tin offer suitable options but they won't have the longevity of steel.

Contact a metal roof installation service to learn more about pre-installation tasks and decisions.