Metal Roofing:Mobile Home Owners Have Questions

September 30, 2020 | Filed under: Consumer Education, Home Ventilation, Roofing Help, Roofing Installation

Most contractors do not understand the installation and benefits of metal roofing for a mobile home. These good folks shared their challenges, and perhaps you’ve encountered the same.

The ASK:

We live in a mobile home. Today, we had two contractors tell us two different things regarding the installation of a metal roof on my home. One tells me it needs to be installed directly on top of the shingles, and he says he would cut the metal to keep the vents. The other one says “yes” that could be done but suggest strips be put in and cover the vents for a better-looking roof. We need your advice because we appreciate your videos, and you make sense.

At this point, we want to know: what you would do for your home? The contractor who suggested the strips is $1500 more than the other one but is within the average cost for our state. We just want the best solution for our mobile home with no additional problems with leaks.

Mike and Lisa K,  Rockwood TN

September 19, 2020

Answers: Your Mobile Home & Metal Roofing

Thanks for your note. It is good to hear from you, and I hope to be helpful to you and to other mobile homeowners.

I am a bit concerned about installing directly over the shingles. Your home does not appear to have much attic space, and I also suspect the attic ventilation is minimal. We all generate warm moist air inside our homes that then rises to the peak of the house. That warm moist air naturally wants to drive to the outside of the home, especially when it is cooler outside. If that warm moist air hits a cool surface, it condenses, like outside air on the sides of a cool glass of lemonade at a summer picnic.

So, installing the metal directly to the roof deck will drop the roof deck temperature and increase the likelihood of condensation inside the home – not good.

However, not bringing vents through the roof is against building code. Also, if they just have horizontal straps, warm, moist air coming out the attic vents will be trapped between the roof deck and the metal panels and will condense, eventually causing problems like rotting the strapping. Also not good.

My suggestion in your case is strapping but still bringing the vents and other protrusions up through the new roof.

Make sure that the metal panels being used are approved by their manufacturer for your low roof pitch and also for going over strapping.

I hope this helps in your roofing decision making.

Todd Miller, September 20, 2020

Do You Have Questions About Re-Roofing Your Home?

Mobile home roofing is challenging, and I always look forward to hearing from homeowners. Like Mike and Lisa, I hope you’ll send me a note about your roofing challenges.

todd Miller

has spent his entire career in the metal building products manufacturing industry. He is president of Isaiah Industries, an organization recognized as one of the world’s leading metal roofing manufacturers. Todd is currently Vice President of the MRA (Metal Roofing Association) and a Past Chair of MCA (Metal Construction Association). Through his website, he strives to raise the bar on standards and practices to provide property owners with the best possible products for successful roofing projects.

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