How to Use Tin Roofing Sheets for Walls

Use the sheets as decor. They provide extra fire protection when applied to the walls behind and next to a wood stove, and they're easy to keep clean as a backsplash in a contemporary kitchen. Use contact cement to attach flat sheets of metal to walls. Spread an even coat of contact cement on the wall and the metal. Carefully press the metal in place and run a J roller over the surface to smooth out air bubbles. Alternatively, attach corrugated or patterned metal sheets to walls with heavy-duty staples or galvanized roofing nails.

Hang metal sheets in a shed or a barn in place of drywall or plywood. Roofing metal resists corrosion, so it's a good choice for walls that might be exposed to the elements. After you've built the frame for the shed, staple or nail sheets of metal to the studs, making sure the ends of the sheets are attached to a stud. If necessary, use tin snips or a circular saw to cut sheets to size. While it's not required in an outdoor application, batten trim is an attractive covering for the seams.

Choose metal sheeting in new construction for interior walls. Insulate the space between the joists with insulation batts or rolled insulation rated for the climate in your area, or have a professional blow foam insulation into the space. Install the metal walls using the same method as in an outdoor shed or barn. Conceal the seams by gluing batten trim over them. If the metal is unpainted, treat the walls with paint specifically designed for use on metal. The paint can be sprayed on or applied with a brush. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for application and cleanup.