Metal roofs. What do I need to know?

[lameduck]

Know that if it gets dented from hail and doesn't leak it won't be covered by insurance. To get that discount you will give up the option for cosmetic claims.

This is why I do not have a metal roof. If I did it would look like crap today.

[DOUBLE.A]

What about noise reduction from rain and cell signal interference?

Cell signal is what I'm worried about. What have yal experienced?

[Boyd1212]

Know that if it gets dented from hail and doesn't leak it won't be covered by insurance. To get that discount you will give up the option for cosmetic claims.

Yup, this is why I don't have a metal roof.

[metalmangeorge]

Know that if it gets dented from hail and doesn't leak it won't be covered by insurance. To get that discount you will give up the option for cosmetic claims.

Not true, but that is what insurance companies want you to believe.
Most roof panels will not dent if the hail us golf ball size or smaller. But when they do get dented the paint or clear coat gets cracked. Those cracks alow water to get to the metal, creating future rust. So, it is not a cosmetic proble. Most insurance companies will pay to replace the panels if this explained to them. I've done hundreds of metal roof replacements from hail damage.

Screw down panels, like R panels, require a 3/12 or greater slope. Standing seam panels, like the one I make, can have a slope as little as 1/4 ~12. Just check with the panel manufacturer.

You can go over your existing roof or tear it off, just depends on the condition.

You can do it yourself, if you have the tools and time.

With a screw down roof, the biggest mistake most people make is over tightening the screws. You need to use a screw gun with an adjustable clutch. Next biggest mistake is buying the wrong or cheap screws. The couple hundred you save on cheap screws will cost you lots more when they start backing out and leaking.

Some standing seam roofs require special seamers and other tools not generally available to the average joe.

PM me if you have any questions.

[stickfigure]

I would agree that it would be best to remove the old roofing down to the roof deck, remove and replace damaged decking, and then install a new underlayment. I would suggest a peel and stick underlayment in the valley areas, and a synthetic underlayment at the other areas of the roof. Unless you have more than a 3 on 12 slope it would probably be best to stay away from panels that require you to fasten through them. (R, M, and V crimp) If your slope is less than 3 on 12, you may want to look at having someone else do the work. Not saying you cant do it, but everything becomes more critical. Also, if you are in a high wind zone you may need an engineers certificate. You should look into the requirements for that before you consider any option.

[Atfulldraw]

Not true, but that is what insurance companies want you to believe.
Most roof panels will not dent if the hail us golf ball size or smaller. But when they do get dented the paint or clear coat gets cracked. Those cracks alow water to get to the metal, creating future rust. So, it is not a cosmetic proble. Most insurance companies will pay to replace the panels if this explained to them. I've done hundreds of metal roof replacements from hail damage.

Screw down panels, like R panels, require a 3/12 or greater slope. Standing seam panels, like the one I make, can have a slope as little as 1/4 ~12. Just check with the panel manufacturer.

You can go over your existing roof or tear it off, just depends on the condition.

You can do it yourself, if you have the tools and time.

With a screw down roof, the biggest mistake most people make is over tightening the screws. You need to use a screw gun with an adjustable clutch. Next biggest mistake is buying the wrong or cheap screws. The couple hundred you save on cheap screws will cost you lots more when they start backing out and leaking.

Some standing seam roofs require special seamers and other tools not generally available to the average joe.

PM me if you have any questions.

Good suggestions.

Except for the part about the insurance.....

The cosmetic damage endorsements are pretty clearly written.....

If it isn't letting water in, it isn't getting replaced.

[mjhaverkamp]

I can give you one suggestion, do not use the company that is installing my roof, they have been trying for 4 weeks, they have the trim on and that is it, I know it has rained a bunch but there has been at least 12 days out of the 4 weeks that they could have worked. Had I not given them over 50 % down I would be finding a new contractor.

[DosToros]

Call Sutherlands, talk to the manager or whoever specializes in selling metal. They should be able to help you out, walk you through diy if that's an option, or recomend an installer. They can special order any metal color, thickness etc. At the least you can get some free info. Let me know how it goes.

[DosToros]

I am assuming that this is in league city...

[Howard]

Didn't read all above remarks but metal roof discounts have gone away or are going away from most all insurance companies

They now want to exclude cosmetic damage to get the discount back.

Metal roofs cost a lot and when they are damaged they cost a lot to replace. The costmetic damage most are using is for hail only and make sure you read it good before signing

[krisw]

What about noise reduction from rain and cell signal interference?

My brother just put a metal roof on his house. It killed his cell signal. He's been talking about getting a booster.

[buckmastertexas]

I am not an experienced roofer, but did help on a few. The last one I helped with,(on a prefabricated home, no attic space) the owner requested the insulating panels(basically styrofoam) with foil backing placed on the roof before the metal roofing was applied, to reduce the heat from the metal going into the home. Probably would help on loosing heat in the winter,also. I thought it was a good idea.

[csmetreyeon]

Just a heads up my brother is building a house now and decided on Muller CF panels the installers were about half way done when we stopped them, thermal expansion was making dents and divots in the roof and looked horrible he's changed his mind and is now going with shingles "wasn't anything the installers did but those panels don't have any expansion room especially since they are 26 gauge steel!!!!!!"

[Tmag]

The pitch is gonna be the kicker. Our metal roof isn't any louder than the shingle roof we had on our last place. No problem with our phone signal, we have Verizon. Friends that have other providers have had problems with signal though. We haven't had any hail damage issues and it has hailed at our house. Also have not had any expansion problems in the 5 years we have lived in our barndaminium.

[mjhaverkamp]

Just a heads up my brother is building a house now and decided on Muller CF panels the installers were about half way done when we stopped them, thermal expansion was making dents and divots in the roof and looked horrible he's changed his mind and is now going with shingles "wasn't anything the installers did but those panels don't have any expansion room especially since they are 26 gauge steel!!!!!!"

I think it is called oil canning or panning, can't remember, they are putting sty rations (sp) in my metal roof, basically they put small bends in each sheet to give it more strength and to eliminate the oil canning or whatever it is called.