Here is some exciting metal roofing news!
by Tom Donnelly
Versailles Baseball Diamond Club
VERSAILLES - Versailles baseball coaches can now concentrate on training for a winning season instead of trying to stay dry.
Classic Products Inc. in Piqua donated one of their lifetime metal roofs to the Versailles baseball field rebuilding project.
“The project is being funded solely through [...]
Roofing Solutions
April 10, 2010
Roof Donated to Baseball Team
February 11, 2010
Will A Metal Roof Avoid Ice Dams?
This time of year I often get asked whether a metal roof can help someone avoid wintertime ice dams and the resulting damage to their roofs and homes. Generally, the answer to that question is “yes” but there are several things to keep in mind.
First, any time you re-roof your home, it is an opportunity [...]
February 10, 2010
Ice and Snow?
In many areas of the country, this has been a horrible winter for ice and snow. While this situation is a homeowner’s nightmare, it will keep roofing contractors very busy in the Spring.
Check out my podcast on ice dams. It will help you understand why ice and snow ends up being so damaging to roofs.
December 15, 2009
Going Over Old Roofs
I recently received an email asking:
“I hear differing opinions on installing metal over old shingles. Can the metal be too much weight on a home?”
My Answer:
Most metal roofs weigh from 40 pounds per square (aluminum) up to maybe 145 (for stone coated steel). A square is 100 square feet. Asphalt shingles on the other hand [...]
Can A Metal Roof Contain A Fire?
Someone sent me an email recently and asked the following:
“…will a fire explode out of the sides of the house rather than through the roof when a metal roof is on a home?”
My Response:
Good question. Most asphalt and fiberglass shingles get a Class A fire rating. Metal while it is extremely fire resistant to small [...]
November 23, 2009
Metal Roofing Gauge
I was asked the following question:
I am looking at samples of several roofing products. Two of them claim to be 26 gauge, but they feel very different. One is clearly lighter than the other. Can I use a micrometer to test the thickness and figure out which one really is 26 gauge? Is there a [...]
October 21, 2009
October 14, 2009
October 10, 2009
Appearance of Color Difference
A Homeowner Asked:
I have a contractor who is install a snap-lock system roof on my project. He used his roll former to create a “double male” panel which he then installed at the top of the hips on the roof. He did this because he did not feel that he could run his panels up [...]
October 7, 2009
September 30, 2009
September 24, 2009
Install Over Low Slope Roof
Question:
I have a 1950’s home that is in need of new roof. (estimated year left on old, very low pitch torch down roof)
I am interested in placing a metal roof on the home and am curious if it possible to install over the existing torch down assuming there are no leaks and sheathing is placed [...]
Cedar Shake Replacement
A homeowner wrote:
I currently have a Cedar Shake shingle roof that is some twenty years old. Im considering having a metal shingle style roof installed. My concern is the under lay, and future repair to metal shingles. Is it appropriate to install the metal shingles over the cedar shingles ? Once a metal shingle roof [...]
Install Metal Over Old Shingles
Homeowner question:
I was given a quote to install a metal roof over the existing shingles. The shingles are very curled on parts of the roof. Is this an issue? The installer stated the curls would break off when they are walking on it during the installation.
My response:
I suggest two things.
1) Always a layer of [...]
September 4, 2009
Plywood Beneath Metal Roofing?
A homeowner wrote and asked:
We are getting estimates on replacing the tin roof on our house. One contractor has given us an estimate with a plywood sheathing base under the metal and another without. He said that adding the sheathing would enhance the wind resistance and leak resistance of the roof. (We [...]
September 1, 2009
Install Over Old Shingles
A Texas homeowner emailed me the following:
hello,
I found your email on a roofing question website. We’re looking to replace our asphalt shingle roof with a 26 gauge galvalume metal roof.
In your opinion should we have the shingles removed or just have the metal place over the shingles? Also, if leaving the shingles should [...]
August 31, 2009
Structural Insulated Panels
A homeowner asked me the following:
Todd, we are building a home with 8″ structural insulated panels (SIPS) for the roof decking (9/12) and want to use a Fabral SSR roof on top. As an engineer, I know the value of ventilation, but when asked, the roof & SIP manufacturers point at each other and [...]
August 29, 2009
Garage Ventilation
Kelly wrote and asked:
I had my garage roof replaced (attached to the house). They removed my 2 wind turbines and installed 1 ridge roof vent, I have 6 soffit vents on the eaves, But my garage is now extremly hot. They said I no longer needed the turbines with the ridge roof vent. How can [...]
August 14, 2009
Hip Caps and Closure on a Metal Roof
Someone sent me the following question:
I am installing a metal hip roof and am concerned about the possibility of leakage around the hip seams. The ridge cap covers the seams but leaves gaps underneath due to the ridged profile of the roofing. What can I do to seal these gaps?
My answer:
The good thing about [...]
August 13, 2009
New Metal Roof
Question from Al in Texas:
I’ve got a few questions for you regarding metal roof installs.
We’ve currently got a composition shingle roof that is 8 years old. I has some hail damage, but no leak problem at all.
There is a local job we looked at that uses U panel on a new construction, and are [...]
Does Metal Roofing Require A Roof Deck?
A homeowner asked the following:
We just built a 16′x16′ shed, that will be converted into a guest house in a year or two. Our contractor installed a metal roof, but he put it directly on 2×4’s attached to the rafters. The 2×4’s are 3 1/2 feet apart in some places. There is no vapor barrier [...]
Flared Gables
Brent wrote and asked the following:
I own a 60’s style chalet cabin and we just installed a metal roof. My problem is that we have a thunderbird shaped roof (top of roof extends out at angle) on each end of the house and we’re trying to find the proper trim. The first pieces of metal [...]
August 11, 2009
Gutters and Metal Roofs
I was asked the following:
I would like to replace my existing shingled roof with metal.How are gutters attached to maintain the integrity of the metal? Thanx
My Answer:
You will want to use gutters that mount to the fascia board using brackets, rather than gutters that mount to the roof.
Too Much Ventilation?
Someone wrote and asked me:
I had my roof replaced 18 months ago and the roofing company found many of the boards to be rotted and moldy (even though the house had a complete reboard done only 9 years earlier). They informed me it was because I did not have enough ventilation. I had [...]
August 7, 2009
Leaking Skylight in Metal Roof
I received the following question:
I had a metal roof installed over existing shingles two years ago. I have continued to have a laeking problem on my carport 10-15 feet below an old sky light. I had it re-flashed but still have some leaking below. I suspect water above the skylight somehow permeates and gets under [...]
August 4, 2009
Metal Over The Old Roof
A homeowner from Kentucky asked me:
I currently have 2 layers of shingles on my house. I live in south western KY and the house is subjected to lots of thunderstorm with high winds, hail, and heavy rains. We also have several tornadoes. My roof has alot of wind lift from the last storms that went [...]
July 17, 2009
Projections For Home Improvement Industry Very Strong
Particularly in today’s “new” economy, people often ask me how the home improvement industry is doing and what I foresee for the future. From my own company’s perspective, I can tell them that we have been blessed to stay quite busy and growing even during the past 12 months. While I know that some segments [...]
July 8, 2009
What Is That Stuff On My Roof?
As asphalt and fiberglass shingles age, they can sometimes develop streaks of discoloration. This is especially prevalent in damp climates or shaded areas.
While these streaks are often seen as a sign of aging of the roof, they are actually biological growth. As dirt accumulates on standard shingles over time, it gets stuck in the [...]
July 6, 2009
Expansion and Contraction
A homeowner from Texas asked:
I am currently have a galvalume standing seam roof installed on my home. I am seeing lots of oil canning and asked the installer about it. The metal roof is being installed over shingles using a sharkskin underlayment. I noticed that the crew doing the installation is screwing down the pancake [...]
June 30, 2009
Turbine Vents
Danny wrote to me and asked:
Do i have to put turbines on my metal roof?
My response:
Turbines are used to vent excessive heat and moisture out of attics. There is nothing specific about a metal roof in most cases that increases the need for ventilation including turbines.
However, I am a strong believer in good attic ventilation [...]
June 26, 2009
Attic Ventilation
Mike wrote and asked:
my home 34×60,single story,red brick,calonial front,slab floor,havc vents in celing,living and bed rooms have cathediral celings on oppsite ends of home. attic ventilation is an oppening on each end of the 60′ length through the shape of a birds beak, roof is 5/12 pitch. I am replacing the roofing shingles 30 year [...]
June 24, 2009
Standing Seam Over Old Shingles
Robert from Georgia asks:
we are considering installing 26 gauge standing seam sealed concealed fastener roofing panels over our existing shingles. We had planned to lay a 30 lb. felt down first but the question I have is that some of the shingles are curling on the tab ends, will this show through the panels? I [...]
Cathedral Ceilings
Eileen wrote:
My house is a tri-level and the windows on the second floor are very close to the lower roof, so there’s really no room to add strapping over my existing shingled roof. The problem is that I’ve read on your site that it’s code to install metal roofing over strapping if you have a [...]
Mobile Home Roofing
Tammi from Maryland wrote:
I am in the process of looking to replace the roof and my mobile home. Is a metal roof a viable option? The winters can have a large amount of snowfall and the summers can have very strong storms and high temperatures with humidity. The roof is also flat, will that pose [...]
June 23, 2009
Roof Color and Reflectivity
A homeowner from North Carolina wrote and asked me:
I have a question –If I go with the dark green color what does it do to reflecting the sun –will it absorb and heat the house? Thanks
My response:
Dark colors, regardless of the type of roofing, are more absorptive of heat, than are light colors. Absorbed heat [...]
Installing A Metal Roof
A homeowner from Massachusetts wrote:
My husband and I are going to put on a metal roof on our house. We have some experience after building a gamberel roof barn a few years ago and love the results. The barn was installed over purlins attached to the rafters. My questions are:
1. My house is a [...]
Hail Resistance and Solar Panels
A gentleman from Austin, Texas wrote:
I am in the process of getting a new roof along with solar panels. I am considering a standing seam metal roof because it would allow installation of the panels without any roof penetrations (standing seam mounts).
I had initially set myself on getting a regular shingle roof. But concerns about [...]
June 21, 2009
Metal Roof Installation
Robert wrote me and asked:
I have some 26 guage green metal. I want to use it to re-roof my home. I want to install 2×4’s every 2 ft on top of the 3 tab comp singles, and install the metal to the 2×4. Do I need some kind of rigid board insulation or radiant [...]
Metal Roofing Over Insulated (SIP) Panels
Erwin from Idaho asks:
I have a new structure with 12 1/4″ structural insulated panel roof at a 2:12 pitch. (The low pitch is due to code which requires me to retain the snow load.) There is no attic space to ventilate and the roofing must be applied to the top surface of the SIP. Even [...]
June 17, 2009
Low Slope Roofing
Mark from Canada wrote:
I have been reading and it seems that there is some debate whether Metal Roofing can be installed on a very low slope roof such as my own at 2:12 pitch. I understand that there may be some manufactures that have a metal product that CAN be installed on such a roof. [...]
June 16, 2009
Metal on a Round or Curved Roof
Every once in awhile, someone asks me about putting metal on a roof that is either round or else has concave or convex curves up the rafter like a bell shape.
Vertical seam panels, unless hand-formed or customer curved, do not work real well on concave or convex surfaces. On a round roof, standing seam [...]
June 14, 2009
Attic Vents
Dan wrote and asked me the following:
I have a garage in my backyard that I use as a shop and it measures about 24′ x 18′. There is no type ventilation in the roof whatsoever and it gets boiling hot in there when it’s closed up.I’m not wanting to spend a lot of [...]
June 12, 2009
Cool Roofs Tax Credit
Question from DC in Iowa:
What is the different between the Energy Star and other steel roofs.
They are giving you 30 percent of your taxes.
My Response:
Some metal roofs have reflective coatings and are listed on the Energy Star website. These products, if installed this year or next, are eligible for a federal tax credit of [...]
Strapping or No Strapping
Question from June in New Hampshire:
Greetings: - We are in the process of contacting contractors regarding the installation of a metal roof on our home and with each contractor that comes to the house we are getting more and more confused:
1. should it be installed over the existing asphalt or strapping
2.
Standing double locking seam- DOes [...]
June 10, 2009
Finding a Metal Roofing Manufacturer
Kristi asked:
I am very interested in having a steel roof installed on our home. We are looking at a local company that carries a manufacturer called akzo nobel. I did not see them listed in your manufacturers, so I was wondering if their products are any good? It says they offer a 40 year paint [...]
Hot Patio Room
Homeowner from Florida asked:
I have a typical florida cement block ranch house(one story) with a metal roofed screen porch attached to the rear of the house (all of about 7′ high, with slope).
The rear of the house faces west.
Presently, I can only use the porch a few months of the year (nov - feb). as [...]
Hail Damaged Roof
From a homeowner in Kansas:
Hi Mr. Miller, We live in Kansas where there are lots of storms and heavy wind. We have a 12-year old house with wood singles. We’ve just received allowances to replace due to hail damages a year ago. We own the house. We have had a few times bad weather since [...]
June 9, 2009
Underlayment or Not?
Craig asks:
Hi, I’m considering replacing the roof on my hunting camp with new tin. I was curious what to put under the tin as a underlay. I believe there is tar paper now however someone told me I didn’t need an underlay and could just fasten it directly to to the boards. [...]
Installation Manual
A homeowner from North Carolina wrote:
Dear sir, Could you please send me a manual on how to apply flashing around objects. I am putting on a metal roof on and i have skylights and chimmeys. If not could you tell me where to get one.
My response follows:
Installation procedures and flashing methods are [...]
Can Metal Be Installed Over Two Layers?
Dean wrote and asked me:
My cottage has one layer of shingles. But my detached garage has two layers. They are getting very old with mould growing on them and are curling in spots.
Is it advisable to install metal shingles over the existing layer(s) of asphalt singles?
I responded:
The low weight of metal roofing encourages such an [...]
Cold Air Entering Through Vents
Len from Canada asks:
We have just moved into a new home and the draft coming through the fans in the bathroom and kitchen fan is terrible. I have new vent covers placed on the eaves through, but still the cold air is entering the fan. We get alot of wind so the air is still [...]
Metal Roofing On The Beach
Mark from Florida recently emailed me this question:
I have a waterfront house on the gulf in Florida. I need a new roof I was thinking about a metal roof but with the salt water close by would this be a mistake?
Following is my response:
Many of today’s residential metal roofs have coatings that help tremendously with [...]
May 28, 2009
The Value of Reflective Metal Roofing
US Energy Secretary Steven Chu recently made some very good comments about the value of reflective metal roofing in terms of reducing energy costs for our country. The only problem was that he made reference only to roofs that are White in color. This is a pretty significant omission especially considering the current US federal [...]
May 20, 2009
Warranties Need Not Be A War
The roofing industry talks about warranties a lot. On the composition shingle side of things, products will even be referenced in regards to their warranty. They will be called a “20-year” or “30-year” shingle. However, the manufacturers of those products will tell you that their warranty is not a guarantee nor even a prediction of [...]
Start At The Very Beginning
One of the greatest benefits of many metal roofing systems is that the panels interlock with one another. They are not held together and held to the roof by just gravity or fasteners but the panels actually interlock one to the next, creating a continuous protective shield for the structure below.
However, this interlock can also [...]
What Drives Me
We all have things that drive us … those things which we will go to the ends of the earth to accomplish … those things which give us satisfaction and make us feel “real” … those things that we truly believe we are on this earth to do.
For me, that driving force is a desire [...]
Passionate About Metal Roofing
I’ve been in or around the metal roofing industry ever since high school. I’ve had a few other jobs – proofreader, copywriter, features writer, English tutor – but the thing that has always challenged me is metal roofing. I like metal roofing. It just makes a lot of sense to me. The roof is the [...]
Biographies Are For Dead People
Funny thing about biographies. They should be reserved for the dead, I think. If you’re visiting this site, you’ve maybe read my biography. People get paid big bucks to write stuff like that. Stuff that sounds all fancy and impressive. Let me tell you the real story.
In life, we all have certain things that we’re [...]
About Todd
Todd's expertise comes from his years of experience in metal roofing manufacturing. As president of Classic Products, Inc. based in Piqua Ohio, Todd runs two of the world's leading manufacturers of residential metal roofing. His personal goal is to educate homeowners of the long-life benefits of metal roofing.
- Roof Donated to Baseball Team
- Will A Metal Roof Avoid Ice Dams?
- Ice and Snow?
- Going Over Old Roofs
- Can A Metal Roof Contain A Fire?
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