Even when you aren’t planning to have a DIY roofing project, you still should know how to overlap corrugated metal roofing correctly so you know the facts. This knowledge can also help you find the right service to do the installation.
After all, you don’t want to risk hiring someone who doesn’t know how to do it right, do you? And if you know, it helps you make a better and educated decision that prevents you from spending a fortune.
The Specialty of Corrugated Roof Sheets
Why is corrugated sheets so popular? It’s one of the easiest (roofing) options that can be installed in no time. Thanks to the simple overlap installation method, everyone can do it. That’s why a lot of homeowners like to have DIY roofing projects with this sheet.
Basically, you need to overlap the sheet’s lengthways and widthways with only minimal cuts.
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You may not believe it, but the sheet has been around for quite a while. It was invented in the 1800s to be a lightweight and more adaptable option for roofing installation. Even today, this roofing type has been considered one of the fastest and easiest sheeting options for any roofing project – commercial or domestic.
What Is the Correct Way to Overlap Metal Roofing?
When you learn about how to overlap corrugated metal roofing, you want to learn the proper way to create a watertight shelter or cover. When you overlap the sheets, you create a watertight cover over the roof because the overlaps (between the sheets) help avoid leaks and seal the roof.
That’s why you need to carefully plan the project before the actual installation, such as considering the specific requirements for the overlap depending on the roof’s pitch and such things.
How Do You Join Corrugated Roofing Sheets?
If you want to overlap the corrugated sheets, you should do it with the prevailing wind direction. It will increase the roof’s longevity. But if you install it against the direction, you will risk having the open side (of the overlap) and also the fixings exposed to even greater force and winds over your roof’s lifetime.
Are you not sure about determining the prevailing wind direction? You should observe the wind or weather in your area for several weeks before you execute your project. It will help you determine the right wind direction. Consult the internet to find tips and information about this matter.
The Calculation
Installing a metal roof can be a good way to protect your house, but you should also consider the proper amount of overlap. Overlapping can deliver better results, but you shouldn’t do it more than you need to.
If you overlap it too much, big chance you only cause a leakage issue. So, what is the proper minimum overlap for metal roofing?
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The first panel rows should overlap the next one by around 6 inches. Make sure the same number should be implemented for the next (row) overlap. The overlap itself is around 1.5 inches, and then you can proceed to the next row installation.
Don’t forget about the ridge spacing between every panel. The spacing itself depends on the steel’s thickness as well as the type. If you want to overlap those panels longitudinally, allow several inches of overlap for both sides. It will help secure the roof, not causing it to leak.
It’s important to take your roof’s width and length measurements, so you can decide how much overlap is needed. Let’s say that you have a 20-foot-long roof, requiring at least ten inches of overlap.
It means covering the roof with a panel of 12 feet in length. Don’t forget about both sides of the roof during the measurement. Plan a 4-inch overlap.
Conclusion
If you are clueless about the roofing stuff, don’t do a DIY project. Consult a pro to have it done. But the knowledge about how to overlap corrugated metal roofing won’t hurt anyone, so don’t stop learning.
