Metal Roofing Installation -- Should You Hire A Contractor, Or Do It Yourself?

Metal roofing installation is a fairly simple process, and can be done more quickly than a traditional roof. So can you install your new roof yourself, or should you bring in an expert?

The short answer is -- it depends. You can certainly install a metal roof on your own and save money on your overall costs, if you are confident that you know what you are doing and are willing to do a little research before you start out. On the other hand, hiring a professional will save you time, and possibly heartache later on.

Hiring An Expert
Your new roof is an investment, and one that you considered carefully... so if you choose to hire a contractor to install your metal roof you want to be as selective as you were with your roof. You want to seek out a contractor who has had at least three years of experience with installing metal roofing.

If you know people who have installed a metal roof, then get their recommendations and references for contractors. If you do not know anyone who has had this kind of work done, you can use a contractor-finding site online or work through your local Yellow Pages. You can also call builders or architects who have used metal roofing in their buildings, and find out who they used.

Doing It Yourself
If you are comfortable with building projects, then you can install your new metal roof yourself. Keep in mind, however, that metal roofing installation is slightly different than traditional roofing installation, so you want to make sure you know what you are doing before you get started.

You may need a few special tools, such as a nibbler to cut around vent pipes and across corrugation. Otherwise, you may already have most of the tools you will need. A circular saw with a metal-cutting blade will come in very handy if you need to cut or trim panels. Metal snips, a screw gun, caulk gun and some other simple tools are pretty much all you are going to need.

You can attach metal roof panels using screws or nails. Nails need to go in to the high rib of the panel, while screw fasteners have to go into the flat part of the panel. Screws are generally better than nails, as they withstand pull-out and are more weather-tight.

You will also need to use an underlay, which will increase your protection against water and other elements. Use a high-quality synthetic, and peel-and-stick rubber for the eaves, on very low slopes, and 24 inches past the exterior wall if you live in a northern climate.

So should you have your metal roofing installation done by an expert, or can you do it yourself? Either is possible, but the bottom line is that if you are not experienced with roofing or building, then you should probably leave it up to an experienced contractor. If you do want to tackle it yourself, then make sure you read up on metal roofing and know exactly what you need to do to make your installation safe and effective.