How to Measure Lengths of Tin for a Roof and Walls

Tin roofing and siding are inexpensive and effective materials for covering the exteriors of barns, sheds and utility buildings. When you are measuring to determine the lengths of tin that you need, take overlaps and overhangs into account. It's better to get pieces that are too long than too short; you can always cut a bit of length off with a circular saw and a metal cutting blade.

Measuring tape
Ladder
Paper
Pencil
Scissors

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the length and width of the roof and walls that you will be covering with tin. Write down these measurements as you take them.
- 2
  Make a scale drawing of the surfaces that you will be covering with tin. On a separate piece of paper, make scale drawings of the pieces of tin that you have or that you intend to order. Cut these out with a pair of scissors and place them on your scale drawings to determine the best layout for the sheets of tin.
- 3
  Allow 10 or 12 inches overlap between sheets of tin if you will be using more than one along a vertical run of roof or wall. Overlapping the bottom of the upper sheet over the top of the lower sheet reduces the risk of leaks.

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