Todd Miller: Roofing Expert

Roofing Solutions

April 26, 2013

Metal Roofing and Leaving Your Home to the Next Generation

Filed under: Metal Roofing
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I am frequently asked the following questions: “Is a metal roof right for me?” and “Is a metal roof right for my home?” Those questions then lead to an interesting exchange in which I ask about the home and also about the homeowner’s needs. One question I always ask is “How long do you plan [...]

 

April 7, 2013

Copper Metal Roofing Shingles

Filed under: Metal Roofing
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Copper roofing has been the stalwart during my time in this industry. Over the years, I have seen many advancements as well as trends in residential metal roofing. I have seen increased market share as well as the development of more products specifically for homes. The thing that has been consistent, though, is that copper [...]

 

April 6, 2013

Exposed Fastener Metal Roofing: Is It Standing Seam?

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I get a lot of questions about exposed fastener metal roofing. Also called “screw-through” metal roofing or sometimes “channel drain”, these are rollformed products that are vertically oriented on the roof. They have some sort of corrugated wave or rib pattern formed into the panels. Some common names to the corrugated patterns are “R Panel,” [...]

 

March 24, 2013

Metal Roof Contract Consulting

Filed under: Metal Roofing
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If you are considering signing a contract to have a metal roof installed on your home, let me put my years of metal roofing experience to use and provide you with real world advice that leads to a good metal roofing contract decision. I frequently answer metal roofing questions free of charge. Many times each [...]

 

March 10, 2013

Metal Roofing and Home Shows

Filed under: Metal Roofing
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Spring Home Show season is upon us and you may find yourself looking for a metal roof at one. I am hearing of record attendance at many shows. Contractors across the country are telling me that they have huge backlogs and are expecting 2013 to be a very active year with more and more homeowners [...]

 

January 11, 2013

Tax Credit For Energy Efficient Metal Roofing

Filed under: Metal Roofing
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The federal tax credit for reflective Energy Star-rated metal roofs was renewed for 2013 as part of the Fiscal Cliff deal. Homeowners who choose the appropriate roofs are eligible for tax credits of 10% of the value of their roofing materials. This is a part of other energy efficiency tax credits, all of which carry [...]

 

September 22, 2012

Mansard Roof Solutions

Filed under: Metal Roofing
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Mansard roofs present very unique challenges to property owners and to contractors. Oftentimes a true architectural focus of the building, mansard roofs are near-vertical roofs that cover the top portion of a building. In many cases, a low slope roof covers the building above the mansard. I have found that metal shingles are often a [...]

 

August 18, 2012

Fire Protection Provided By Metal Roofing

Filed under: Metal Roofing
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The summer of 2012 has seen a drought hold much of the United States. And, when hot and dry weather prevails, unfortunate wildfires will grab hold and spread, destroying everything in their paths. Well, almost everything. ABC News recently has done a couple of stories which have shown metal roofs providing protection. Metal roofing provides [...]

 

July 4, 2012

Wind-Damaged Roofing Repair or Solution?

Filed under: Metal Roofing
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Wind and hail storms have damaged roofs in many areas of the country in recent weeks. This has left homeowners who felt that they had years of service left in their roofs frustrated as they face insurance claims and extensive repairs or replacement. Furthermore, even if repairs are possible, the damages have jeopardized the futures [...]

 

April 28, 2012

Energy Efficient Roofing

Filed under: Roofing Solutions
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Have you ever wondered what role your roof plays in the energy efficiency of your home? It may be much bigger than you thought! I have recently produced a Youtube Video which explains how the right roofing system choice can make your home more energy efficient and even healthier. Click on the below link to [...]

 

March 3, 2012

Roof Damaged By Hail?

Filed under: Metal Roofing
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Unfortunately, severe spring storms are upon us and those storms often include one of your roof’s worst enemies – hail. Hail storms damage countless roofs each year. It is not unusual in some very hail-prone areas for homeowners to have their roofs replaced several times within the same decade due to hail damage. And, adding [...]

 

February 8, 2012

Buying A New Roof Youtube Video Series Is Now Complete!

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I have completed my eleven-part video series on “Buying A New Roof.” This is a compilation of more than two hours of solid advice and “insider information” to help your next roof investment be successful. You will learn how to determine your purchasing criteria, assess your roofing needs, choose a contractor, establish a good contract, [...]

 

January 28, 2012

Buying A New Roof Video Series – Parts 4 and 5

Filed under: Metal Roofing
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I am producing a series of informative Youtube videos for homeowners who are anticipating buying a new roof. Filled with “insider information” based upon my 30+ years of experience, these videos tell homeowners how to follow a specific process to ensure that they end up with a roofing system which meets the needs of themselves [...]

 

January 23, 2012

Buying A New Roof Part 3 – Special Circumstances Video

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Part 3 of my video series on Buying A New Roof can now be viewed on Youtube. This segment explains how to recognize Special Circumstances on your roof which, if they exist, will impact how you buy a new roof. Things like Offset Eaves, Low Pitches, Dead Valleys, and Flared or Flying Gables are explained [...]

 

January 20, 2012

How To Buy A New Roof – Part 2 Video Released

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The second in my series on how to buy a new roof has been released. This video focuses on helping the viewer assess their current roof situation. It is important to know some details of your roof before you begin investigating products or talking to contractors. This will help you make a wise product choice [...]

 

January 19, 2012

Buying A New Roof Video

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I am starting a series of videos on how to buy a new roof. About 6% of US homes are re-roofed each year and for the most part homeowners go back to a roofing system that will eventually be yet another part of the 6%. If you’re interested in researching your way to a roofing [...]

 

January 14, 2012

Cool Energy House Chooses Classic Metal Roofing

Filed under: Metal Roofing
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Classic Metal Roofing Systems’ Oxford Shingle aluminum roofing system has been chosen for use on the Cool Energy House being built in conjunction with the International Builders Show. The Cool Energy House is a joint effort of the Building America Retrofit Alliance and the Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings. The home will be open for [...]

 

January 9, 2012

New Metal Roofing Website For Denver, Colorado

Filed under: Metal Roofing
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Homeowners interested in metal roofing can find many great websites for information. Colorado Metal Roofing, LLC has recently launched a new website where there are details on the company, the products they offer, and the benefits of steel roofing for Colorado homeowners. Owned by Steve Becker, Colorado Metal Roofing is a division of National Home [...]

 

January 2, 2012

Would A Metal Roof Work On My Home?

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I often have homeowners ask me whether a metal roof would work on their home. Fact is, metal roofs can be a great addition to just about any home. The key considerations in making a decision, though, are what the homeowner’s goals are with a new roof and also what special considerations there may be [...]

 

December 2, 2011

Metal Roofing: The Lifetime Solution

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Rustic Shingle: The Lifetime SolutionClassic Metal Roofing Systems recently released a “retro video”. This nearly 20-year-old video rings as true today as it did when it was new in regards to the benefits of metal roofing. Even though the company’s corporate name is now Isaiah Industries and their logo no longer looks like a scary [...]

 

November 21, 2011

The Benefits of Metal Roofing

Filed under: Roofing Solutions
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Classic Metal Roofing Systems has recently launched a brand new website showing their high quality (and beautiful!) metal roofing products. Part of their website includes a list of the great benefits offered to homeowners by metal roofing. If you’re interesting in knowing more about metal roofing for your home, this is a great place to [...]

 

Is Increased Attic Ventilation Ever Not A Good Idea?

Filed under: Roofing Solutions
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A few years ago, some folks had me come to their home to try to evaluate an odd issue they were having after their new roof was installed. They were suddenly getting condensation on the inside of their home’s exterior walls. This condensation was worst behind couches and other items that were located up against [...]

 

November 7, 2011

Battens or no Battens?

Filed under: Roofing Solutions
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Greg from Florida recently sent me this question: I am looking to have a metal roof installed over my existing single layer shingle roof. I have had several estimates from companies but the one difference I see is that some companies want to use purlins and others do not. Are there a advantages / disadvantages [...]

 

August 13, 2011

On The Radio – WELW

Filed under: Metal Roofing
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I had the great pleasure of being a guest this morning on The Home Toolbox radio program on WELW out of northeastern Ohio. I greatly enjoy these opportunities to tell folks about the benefits of metal roofing. If you heard me on the program (or even if you didn’t) and you’d like to visit my [...]

 

August 7, 2011

Metal Roofs and Hot Climates

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Residential metal roofing enjoys especially strong popularity in warm climates. This is because high temperatures and intense sun are especially damaging to roofing materials, prompting homeowners to seek out more durable, lasting, and energy efficient options. Let’s take a look at why metal roofing is popular in hot climates, as well as special considerations to [...]

 

July 27, 2011

Todd Miller’s Metal Roofing Story

Filed under: Roofing Solutions
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Watch this video to learn about how metal roofing allows my wife and I to spend our resources making the inside of our home more enjoyable while all of our neighbors are buying the third roof for their homes.

 

July 15, 2011

Todd to Appear On At Home With Gary Sullivan

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Tune in the weekend of July 16 to the nationally syndicated “At Home With Gary Sullivan” radio program and hear Todd speak on the benefits of residential metal roofing. Gary Sullivan, a well-known home improvement talk show host, will have Todd on his program to share helpful information and ideas about roofing. Todd will also [...]

 

May 26, 2011

Roof Replacement After A Storm

Filed under: Metal Roofing
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While I have had a long and fun career in the roofing industry, nothing breaks my heart more than when the roofing market is stimulated by the results of devastating and destructive weather patterns. Between snow, ice, wind, and hail storms, we have seen far too much bad weather in recent weeks and months. The [...]

 

May 24, 2011

Please Pray For Storm Victims

Filed under: Roofing Solutions
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My heart and prayers go out to the hundreds of thousands who have been affected by the horribly devastating tornadoes and other storms that have pummeled our country in recent weeks. I do not understand the relentlessness of these weather patterns nor the continuing destruction but I pray that, in the midst of this, somehow, [...]

 

May 9, 2011

My Own Metal Roofing Story

Filed under: Roofing Solutions
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While I normally try to keep this website focused on answering questions about metal roofing and its benefits, I want to take a moment to share my own metal roofing story. I think it is an interesting one and I hope you will agree. My wife and I bought our current home in 1994. We [...]

 

Manufacturing Metal Roofing In Ohio

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I was recently interviewed by the Ohio Department of Development as to why our company is located in Ohio. My first response was “because I live here” but after getting over that they really did help me look at the great things Ohio has to offer. Every state is great in its own way though! [...]

 

April 10, 2011

Replacing Your Roof Due To Hail Damage

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Spring 2011 has started off like a lion in many areas of the country. In fact, some of the most severe weather has been in areas that normally don’t see hail and tornadoes to this great of an extent. States like North and Saouth Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Iowa, and Wisconsin have been hit especially [...]

 

February 23, 2011

Your Next Roof Can Pay For A Wedding!

Filed under: Roofing Solutions
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Click below for a very interesting video on how one young couple intends to pay for their wedding … one used beverage can at a time. An aluminum roof manufactured by Classic Metal Roofing Systems is comprised of approximately 1,815 used aluminum cans per 100 square feet of roof area. The average installed Classic roof [...]

 

February 19, 2011

How To Determine If You Need A New Roof

Filed under: Roofing Solutions
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I frequently get asked by homeowners for suggestions on how they can determine if this is the year when they need to re-roof their home. That’s a good question and I suspect that, with the tough winter that much of the country has had including lots of ice dams and snow and rain troubles, many [...]

 

February 15, 2011

What To Think About When You Buy A New Roof

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Todd was recently interviewed by the Metal Roofing Alliance and asked what homeowners should consider when buying a new roof. Click on the link below to hear what he had to say. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf7_tTZbOg4&feature=player_embedded

 

February 13, 2011

Ventless Gas Stoves and Condensation

Filed under: Roofing Solutions
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Beverly recently wrote me the following: I saw your e mail address on a net page about metal roof problems. So i’m hoping you can give me a little help. My story, My parents have lived in the same house for 37 years. It has a tin roof with nothing under it . They changed [...]

 

February 12, 2011

Ridge Ventilation and 2nd Floor Conversions

Filed under: Roofing Solutions
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A homeowner from Tennessee wrote and asked me: I have ridge vents for a metal roof that I had installed this past year. To prevent wasps and leaves from coming in, the roofer told me he’d put metal screens in the vent. However, a man he sent over put in a black foam that he [...]

 

February 3, 2011

Snow, Ice Dams, and Metal Roofing

Filed under: Roofing Solutions
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I was looking recently at my website statistics and one thing popped up clearly – folks are really searching for information on roof ice dams and also metal roofing as a possible solution to ice damming. This has been a tough winter with snow and ice in areas of the country that do not normally [...]

 

January 10, 2011

Metal Roofing and Condensation

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Bob wrote and asked me the following: Hello. I was reading about what you said concerning metal roofs. I have one and it sweats when the sun hits it in the morning. Can you help ? I understand the need to reduce moisture from the inside, so I took the boiling pan of water off [...]

 

November 11, 2010

The Best of Metal Roofing at MetalCon

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MetalCon is the annual trade show for metal roofing. Follow the link below for a taste of what went on at MetalCon 2010 a couple of weeks ago. Be sure to check out pages 4 and 5 for a feature article about Classic Metal Roofing Systems and a special interview with Todd Miller! http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/95f389f9#/95f389f9/1

 

November 10, 2010

Hot Attic Increases Energy Costs

Filed under: Roofing Solutions
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A homeowner from Alabama, recently sent me the following question: I live in southern Alabama in a home that was built in 1992, The inspector while inspecting this summer said my attic was running 150 – 180 degrees and suggested that something be done. Roof is original there are wind vents and soffit vents. There [...]

 

October 23, 2010

Close The Recycling Loop With A Metal Roof

Filed under: Roofing Solutions
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In recent years, most people have become more aware of and careful about separating the recyclable materials out of their trash. We all keep our special bin for materials like aluminum, paper, steel, and plastic and we haul that bin out to the curb once a week. But what happens to those materials after we [...]

 

Metal Roofing Plant Tour

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Have you ever wondered how metal roofing is made? Check out this video of yours truly giving a tour of the Classic Metal Roofing Systems production facility in Piqua, Ohio. I hope this also shows how your next roof can be American-made and American-tough! http://www.classicmetalroofingsystems.com/factory-tour.php

 

Metal Roofing Alliance

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Check out this video clip of one of my co-workers, Chuck Roberts, talking about the Metal Roofing Alliance. For a homeowner looking for a metal roof, it makes sense to choose a contractor who is a Metal Roofing Alliance member.

 

September 25, 2010

Does A Metal Roof Need To Be On Battens?

Filed under: Roofing Solutions
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A homeowner by the name of Ed wrote the following to me: Todd, I have removed all the old shingles from the roof boards (not plywood) the roof is in great shape and have installed an ice shield over the roof. Can I install the metal roof over the Ice shield or do I need [...]

 

September 19, 2010

Impact on a Metal Roof

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A Michigan homeowner asked: My home is adjacent to two horse chestnut trees. In the fall I hear the nuts falling and rolling off my current dimensional shake roof to the 1st floor roof below. I am considering a standing seam metal roof but wonder if it will look like it endured several hailstorms after [...]

 

Low Pitch Roofing

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A Colorado Homeowner wrote and asked: We are reroofing our mountain cabin. There is a large portion of the roof that is virtually flat and has, historically, been the source of much leakage. It was covered a year ago by new asphalt. We are now planning to install a metal roof. Is metal a good [...]

 

April 10, 2010

Roof Donated to Baseball Team

Filed under: Metal Roofing
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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 [...]

 

February 11, 2010

Will A Metal Roof Avoid Ice Dams?

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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 [...]

 

February 10, 2010

Ice and Snow?

Filed under: Roofing Solutions
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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

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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 [...]

 

Can A Metal Roof Contain A Fire?

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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 [...]

 

November 23, 2009

Metal Roofing Gauge

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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 [...]

 

October 21, 2009

Benefits of Metal Roofing – Video

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October 14, 2009

Can a Metal Roof Reduce Energy Bills? – Video

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October 10, 2009

Appearance of Color Difference

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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 [...]

 

October 7, 2009

Can a Metal Roof Help Save the Planet – Video

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September 30, 2009

Why Choose a Metal Roof? – Video

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September 24, 2009

Install Over Low Slope Roof

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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 [...]

 

Cedar Shake Replacement

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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 [...]

 

Install Metal Over Old Shingles

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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 [...]

 

September 4, 2009

Plywood Beneath Metal Roofing?

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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 live in [...]

 

September 1, 2009

Install Over Old Shingles

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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 [...]

 

August 31, 2009

Structural Insulated Panels

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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

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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 [...]

 

August 14, 2009

Hip Caps and Closure on a Metal Roof

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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 [...]

 

August 13, 2009

New Metal Roof

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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, [...]

 

Does Metal Roofing Require A Roof Deck?

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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 [...]

 

Flared Gables

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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 [...]

 

August 11, 2009

Gutters and Metal Roofs

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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?

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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 5-6 [...]

 

August 7, 2009

Leaking Skylight in Metal Roof

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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 [...]

 

August 4, 2009

Metal Over The Old Roof

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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 [...]

 

July 17, 2009

Projections For Home Improvement Industry Very Strong

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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?

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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

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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 [...]

 

June 30, 2009

Turbine Vents

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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 [...]

 

June 26, 2009

Attic Ventilation

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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 [...]

 

June 24, 2009

Standing Seam Over Old Shingles

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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? [...]

 

Cathedral Ceilings

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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 [...]

 

Mobile Home Roofing

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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 [...]

 

June 23, 2009

Roof Color and Reflectivity

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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 [...]

 

Installing A Metal Roof

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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 [...]

 

Hail Resistance and Solar Panels

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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 [...]

 

June 21, 2009

Metal Roof Installation

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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

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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. [...]

 

June 17, 2009

Low Slope Roofing

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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 [...]

 

June 16, 2009

Metal on a Round or Curved Roof

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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

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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 money [...]

 

June 12, 2009

Cool Roofs Tax Credit

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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 [...]

 

Strapping or No Strapping

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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 [...]

 

June 10, 2009

Finding a Metal Roofing Manufacturer

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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 [...]

 

Hot Patio Room

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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 [...]

 

Hail Damaged Roof

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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 [...]

 

June 9, 2009

Underlayment or Not?

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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. This camp [...]

 

Installation Manual

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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?

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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 [...]

 

Cold Air Entering Through Vents

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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 [...]

 

Metal Roofing On The Beach

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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 [...]

 

May 28, 2009

The Value of Reflective Metal Roofing

Filed under: Metal Roofing
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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 [...]

 
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