# DIY Aluminum Roofing
Things You'll Need
- Roofer’s safety harness with line
- Protective goggles
- Gloves
- Ladder
- Roofing spade
- Broom
- Metal roof insulation
- Roofing nails
- Hammer
- Closure strips
- Caulking gun loaded with roof caulking
- Aluminum roofing panels
- Metal shears
- Rain collar for each vent or other protrusion
- Roofing screws, self-tapping with attached nylon collars
- Power screwdriver
- Ridge panel
Instructions
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1
Put on your protective goggles, gloves and roofer’s harness. Attach the safety line from the harness to a secure point on the roof, per the manufacturer’s instructions.
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2
Remove all debris from the roof. If existing roofing must be removed, use the roofing spade to pry it off. Sweep the roof clear of all branches and leaves. Make sure there are no protruding nails or screws.
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3
Unroll the insulation. Put the vapor barrier side down, flat against the roof decking. Use roofing nails every 4 feet to secure it, pulling it snug as you go so there are no bumps or uneven places. It is usually easiest to insulate each section of the roof separately, then cover it with metal panels before moving on to the next section. This helps to avoid damage to the insulation from being stepped on as you work.
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4
Lay the closure strips along the eaves. These prevent insects, wind and rain from getting under the panels. Secure them with roofing nails.
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5
Place a metal panel on top of the insulation. Fit the end snugly over the closure panels. Screw the panel in place with the roofing screws. The nylon washer must in place, as these are used to prevent leaks.
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6
Caulk one edge of the panel, and lay the next panel beside it, overlapping them by a few inches along the side. The caulking will prevent leaking. Start at one corner of the roof, along the eaves, and place a row of panels the entire width of the roof.
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7
Apply caulking across the top of the first panel, and lay the first panel of the second row so the bottom of this panel overlaps the top of the first row by several inches. It should cover the caulked area completely. Screw this panel in place, and repeat the process for the entire row, caulking between panels anywhere they touch. Continue in this fashion until the entire roof is covered with aluminum panels.
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8
Cut out any places where you need to go over or around roof vents or other roof protrusions to make the panels fit. Caulk the area thoroughly. Place a rain collar over the hole and around the pipe or other protrusion, and screw it in place.
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9
Run a thick line of caulking along the top of the panel, and place the ridge panel over the top of the roof. Screw it in place to complete the job.
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