What Is the First Step to Putting on a Metal Roof?

Safety

• Roofing can create dangerous for the average homeowner, so if you plan do perform any of the installation yourself a key step is taking adequate safety precautions. Wear a body harness and anchor yourself to the roof deck with a lifeline. Nail the metal anchor to the roof ridge so that each section is fastened to a separate side of the roof. Avoid having more than one person tied to an anchor.

Tear Down

• You can place metal shingles over asphalt shingles, however, metal roofing panels should be placed directly on the roof deck. If you plan to install metal panels or you simply prefer to fasten your metal roofing to the sheathing, then tearing down the existing shingles is a necessary first step. The job goes much faster if you use tools such as a special shovel with serrated edges. After removing the shingles, make sure that no old nails protrude above the decking. Find a few friends to help you. Three or four people can tear down a roof in one day.

Underlayment

• Before any installing any metal roofing, you must complete the critical step of placing a waterproofing underlayment on the roof sheathing. Newer underlayments made of synthetic materials mark an improvement on older methods of waterproofing, such as felt or tar paper. Overlap the sections of underlayments by 12 inches on lower pitched roofs and by 6 inches on steeper roofs. Run the underlayment 6 inches up the sides of any chimneys.

Flashing

• Complete your drip edge and gable flashing before installing the metal panels or shingles. Nail the drip edge flashing to the edges of the roof over the underlayment. Space the nails 8 to 12 inches apart and make sure the individual pieces of flashing overlap by 2 inches. Install the gable flashing, making sure that it overlaps the drip flashing where the two meet. Other flashing, such as chimney flashing, is installed as your reach the area when applying the panels.