Related Articles

Composed of numerous panels or shingles that lock into one another on the vertical axis, the lines of a standing-seam roof run from the edge of the roof to its peak. Water is prevented from leaking or pooling on the roof by the presence of the design's characteristic crimped panel-edges, which are raised off the surface of the roof and thus prevent water from seeping between the panels. Yet, despite the apparently simplistic principles behind its structure, a DIY standing seam roof installation will probably sound like a rather loony idea to anyone in the industry.

That said, metal roofing panels are generally much easier to move around than traditional clay or fiber-glass shingles. Weighing in at only one to two pounds apiece, their portability makes the logistics of lugging them onto a rooftop much simpler, so your contractor's unlikely to charge you the same rates he would for a more challenging job. You can also forego the need to tear the old roofing off, as installing a standing seam roof over the old roof is no more difficult than normal installation.

This is why a DIY standing-seam roof installation is just more trouble than it's worth. But if you're not convinced and intent to push through with your project, here's some metal roof installation tips. After you lay down your waterproof plastic membrane (an essential feature for making sure you don't let any water through your roof), you'll need to chase it with a layer of roofing paper, which you must ensure covers every nook and cranny including the spaces between the different roof surfaces (the roof valleys). One part of the job you'll definitely want to done for you (unless it's your goal to become a professional roofer and you're just practicing on your own home) is the making of ridge-cap, which is preformed to fit over the roof's peak. Once this groundwork has been laid, you're ready for the shingles.

Now that that's all done, you're ready to start worrying about the shingles, or roof paneling. Ask around at the construction outlet or hardware store where you first procured your shingles and find someone that can demonstrate the manner in which the shingles need to be fitted together. If you haven't bought the materials yet, you should know that there are a bunch of companies that make panel solutions that are really easy to clip into place, designed for DIY standing-seam roof installation and requiring nothing but your hands and perhaps the most rudimentary assortment of tools. Check out the website of Permanent Roofing Systems (permanentroofing.com), where you'll find a PDF full of DIY metal roof installation tips available for download and instant reference.

If your roof is irregularly constructed - with features like skylights, dormers or chimneys - then you need to reconsider what your goal is in doing this job on your own. In such cases, pre-made shingles just aren't going to be enough to cover the entire roof surface. The irregular areas are going to require custom-cut shingles, and working with a saw and some chalk just isn't going to be enough. What's needed is hydraulic shear called a break, a portable device used by professionals to shape standing-seam panels on-site, a feat that would take a human ten times as long to replicate.

Should you attempt to do the job yourself, the most likely result will be a standing seam roof that either looks slapped together or else is easily damaged by leaking or swelling ice caught between panels. This is when the cost of DIY standing-seam roof installation can actually outstrip that of professionals - because you'll probably need to redo the entire job at some point.

So don't be tight-fisted now. Well installed standing seam roofs often come with manufacturer-warranties of up to fifty years - assuming the roof was installed by a certified professional. A once-off payment now could be the key to a home that retains its value for decades.

For more interesting articles on DIY Metal Roof Installation Tips check out www.DurableMetalRoofs.com