Metal material for roofing has become a viable and mainstream alternative for household properties – maybe except for those with a flat roof. If you think of replacing a shingle roof with a metal roof, learn more about it below.
Replacing a Shingle Roof with Metal
The metal used to be a roofing material solely found in architect-designed and luxurious properties. However, it has been increasingly used in all houses because of its availability and the advanced manufacturing process.
The statistical data within the roofing industry has noted that each year, the market share of metal material roofing has increased steadily by about 3% in the last couple of years.
Read also: Disadvantages of metal roofs
Recently, metal roofing is used for 15% of the entire roofing installations. Conversely, asphalt shingles, which used to dominate the roofing market share, have decreased to roughly 59%.
Step By Step on How to Install Metal Roof Over Shingles
If local building codes in your area allow, replacing a shingle roof with a metal roof without tearing off the asphalt shingles is actually possible. While removal is still ideal, it can be messy and costly.
There are two main techniques that commonly used to install metal roofing on top of asphalt shingles.
The first method is to overlay the new underlayment on top of the shingle roof to cover it up. In this scenario, the new underlayment is a defensive structure if water gets through the metal roof.
This method’s benefit is that the underlayment acts as a buffer between the existing shingles and the newly installed metal roof, preventing wear from friction with metal panels.
The second technique involves using battens or purlins when replacing shingle roofs with metal roofs. Here’s how it’s done:
- Screw down the battens or purlins to the deck of your roof. The purlins depend on the manufacturer’s metal panel design.
- Install the metal panels on battens or purlins.
This installation method ensures a great flat surface before laying the metal panels down, avoiding unevenness and grooves from asphalt shingles.
When properly installed by a skilled roofing contractor, metal panels for roofing are comparable to the highest quality shingles, with a durability of about 30 years. However, metal panels can last anywhere from 50 to 70 years in practice. It’s rare for homeowners to have to replace their metal roofing during their residency in the house.
On the other hand, there’s a good possibility that the homeowner needs to replace the asphalt shingle in the span of 50 years two to four times. Even though the initial cost of metal panels is higher than asphalt shingles, you can save money for long-term use.
Beside the fact that metal panels for roofing are only available from particular retailers, it requires expertise and skills to install and repair the material.
DIY enthusiasts often try replacing shingle roofs with metal roofs on their own, but it is not generally recommended.
