Further Reading

Standing-seams roofs are made up of many shingles or panels that interlock on the vertical axis, running from the roof's edge to its eaves. The point where two panels interlock (the seam) is raised a little off the flat roof surface, which allows water to run off the roof without any seeping between panels. Based on seemingly simple structural principles, the complexities of installing a standing-seam roof are not to be underestimated, the reason that DIY standing-seam roof installation will seem like a risky proposition to anyone in the know.

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, if you've already got your roofing materials, that trying to do a DIY standing-seam roof installation is going to be so much more trouble than it's really worth. If this sounds like a load of codswallop to you, and you intend to forge on no matter what the challenges, then here's a couple of metal roof installation tips. First off, after everything's been covered with a protective plastic membrane to prevent unexpected water seepage from entering the house, you should put down some roofing paper. Scratch that - lots of roofing paper. In fact, it needs to fill just about every bit of roofscape you can find, including the roof valleys (these are the spaces in between roof surfaces, which often resemble gutters). On top of that you'll need to lay a ridge cap, a preformed cover that fits over the roof's peak. The edges of this will be covered by your shingle, but it rounded apex will still peak out from the shingles, giving the roof it its essential character.

If you're intent on going through with your DIY standing-seam roof installation, however, here's a few tips. You'll probably want to lay down some kind of waterproof plastic membrane over the existing roof structure, followed by a good layer of roofing paper which will ensure that water stands no chance of making it through and into your home. Don't neglect to fill in the roof's valleys (the spaces between roof surfaces). Then you'll need to cover the roof's peak with a preformed ridge-cap, which you'll need to get made to order unless you really intend to go into the roofing business professionally.

Now, all this is well and good until you realize that your roof isn't regularly shaped. And I'll tell you, most peoples' roofs fall into the category of irregular. Just about everyone's roof has some kinky little feature, like a skylight or a chimney or a dormer, that needs to have pre-made shingles cut in accordance with its shape. Should you attempt to use your regular shingles without consideration for the unique requirements of these areas, you're going to end up with a roof that is either ugly or practically ineffectual. The fact is, the tool for this job is not a saw or a hammer, it's a hydraulic powered shear with teeth sharper than razor blades that trained professionals use to quickly cut standing seam roofing panels to size on site. It's called a brake, and it's the reason you want a pro doing this kind of a job.

So maybe, on just this one occasion, it's the time to loosen those fists and hand over the cash for a skilled roofer's work. Indeed, if your worker as recommended by the manufacturer, or at least is recognized as qualified to install standing seam roof panels, it'll mean that your roof is subject to warranty - and that you can look forward to fifty or more years of being secure in the knowledge that you've a strong roof over your head.

If under such circumstances you persist in your DIY efforts, the odds are that patch jobs around irregular areas are either going to look bad or result in your standing-seam roof being compromised, leading to leaking and other forms of weather damage, such as the negative effects that swelling ice can cause when caught between panels. Properly installed standing-seam roofs are subject to warranties of up to fifty years, given the nigh-on invulnerable hardiness of the materials. So don't skimp now - a once-off investment could leave you with a roof that lasts a lifetime.

For more interesting articles on DIY Standing-Seam Roof Installation check out www.DurableMetalRoofs.com