You’ve got a huge choice when it comes to types of roofing, and standing seam roof installation is one of the most popular options right now.
Each type of roofing material has their advantages and disadvantages, so you’ve got to pick the roofing that makes the most sense for your home.
What is a standing seam metal roof, and how can you install it on your home?
What Is a Standing Seam Roof?
Firstly, what is standing seam roofing?
This style of roofing, rather than using shingles, uses large panels to cover your roof.
The panels run vertically up your roof, and are designed to fit together snugly with the seams on each edge of the panel.
This allows for a solid roof covering that is easy to install and will be long lasting.
The Benefits Of Standing Seam Roofing
There’s lots of reasons why you’d want to consider standing seam roof installation for your home. Here are just a few of them:
— Durability: These roofs are known to be some of the most durable around. They’re able to stand up to most weathers, without taking excessive damage. They’ll even cope with expansion and contraction due to fluctuating temperatures, so you don’t have to worry about stress and strain damaging your roof.
— Watertight: It’s so easy for water to get under regular roofing shingles. If there’s the slightest bit of damage, the water will get under the shingle and into the roof proper, causing mold and mildew to develop. Over time, this will rot away the wood and leave you with an extensive repair bill. Standing seam roofing doesn’t have this problem, as the seams fit together tightly. You won’t have to worry about water getting in, as it’s more watertight than most other roof styles.
— Visually appealing: It’s important that your roof fits in with the rest of your home. A good roof will complement the other architectural features of the house, ensuring that it looks great and has excellent curb appeal. You can buy standing seam roofing in all kinds of colors and styles, so you’ll be able to find the one that is right for you.
— Long lasting: No one wants to replace their roof before they have to. It’s an expensive job and who wants to think about how much money they’ll have to spend on it? Standing seam roofs are much longer lasting than other models, in some cases lasting up to twice as long as regular shingled roofs.
— Reflect heat: Standing seam roofs are a type of metal roofing, and so it will reflect heat. They’re a popular choice for warmer climates, as they’re so good at keeping your home cool. If you’re looking to lower your energy costs, then this is a good way of doing so.
Caution When Installing A Roof
Before you begin new standing seam roof installation, you need to be aware of the dangers this entails. It’s a very large home improvement job, and so you need to ensure you’re able to do it correctly.
This means having the right equipment, the right knowhow, and the time to get it done properly.
Ensure you have the right safety equipment when you start working on your roof. This includes a body harness and shock absorbing lanyard, to protect you if you should fall.
Also, be sure that you never work on your roof alone. You’ll want someone to watch out for you while you’re up there.
If all this sounds dangerous or difficult to you, then you’ll want to call in a roofing company to handle it for you.
You’ll save money doing it yourself, but roofing experts have installed thousands of roofs, and know exactly what they’re doing. You don’t want to put yourself at risk if you don’t have to.
Standing Seam Roof Installation Tips
— Step One: Before doing anything to your roof, you’ll need to take off the old roofing. This will include any old shingles, as well as old or rotten wood. Replace any wood that had started to rot away, as this will give you a new and good basis to lay your new roof on.
— Step Two: Next, you’ll need to prepare your roof for the metal roofing you’ll put on it. With this style of roofing, you’ll want to place underlayment on the roof first. This helps create a seal against water and the elements getting in. Ensure you cover any weak points, such as your chimney flashing, to ensure they’re totally watertight.
— Step Three: Now the underlayment is down, you’ll need to install the drip edge to your roof. This is what will allow water to roll off your roof. The way you install this will depend on your roof, so look at the manufacturer instructions if there are any, or talk to a roofer to see how it should go on your roof. You’ll also need to install the gable or rake trim too.
— Step Four: Now, you’ll be ready to install the first panel. The placement of this is important, as it will affect the way all subsequent panels lay on your roof. Ensure that it’s level, and snap it in next to your drip edge. Once it’s in, you can start adding in more panels next to it until the whole roof is covered.
— Step Five: You’ll need to cut holes for any vents you need in your roof. Again, this will depend on where the holes will need to be, and what they’re for. For example, if you need a vent pipe, you will need to buy a new pipe and install it in the hole you cut for it, caulking it securely so the hole is watertight.
— Step Six: Once this is done, your roof is finished. This should last you for years to come.
Conclusion
Standing seam roof installation is a job that can be done yourself, if you have the right knowhow.
If you’re looking for a roof that’s long lasting and durable, look into getting a metal roof installed.
