Metal roofing

[Wade Joseph]

Have to redo the garage roof since the storm blew off most of the shingling. Wanna go with Metal. Is this easier than shingles? Anyone got any suggestions as to the best place for prices and selection?

[sparcebag]

I would'nt say its easier than shingles,Most metal needs strapping,2x4s horizontal on roof nailed to trusses or rafters.cutting is fairly tough with a metal cutting blade in circular saw,just take your time,but you could order it to length,but then you better be EXACT on prep and begining sheet or you'll find yourself in trouble placing last pieces when your overhang goes from right on to a few inches short or long,or gable end does'nt align

[Roofer]

Metal needs a professional install and then it only works sometimes. In short, I'll just say they are not a good idea with the weather up here.

Since it is storm damage, why are you even messing with it? Get a Contractor and do it right.

[Wade Joseph]

To make a long story short, Ins says since the original roof was rolled roofing, thats what they are paying to replace, minus 25% depreciation, and only wants to pay me 1200 bucks to get the roof on my 16x32 garage and breezeway done.

[sparcebag]

I've done a number of metal roofs! Never had one leak! It was older style metal.With the newer stuff installs are easier and more water tight.They have I think 100yr.warrentee and chip resistance.If you do get a metal roof GET PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE!! Maybe a pole barn company! Dont rely on roofers they have little or no experience seeing only pole buildings and barns were metal not many roofers involved in that bussisness

[jps]

Cutting rib steel with a saw blade can produce heat, may have paint spots rusting after a short period of time. jps

[jps]

One thing you might want to consider is pitch of the roof. Why did it have rolled roofing? I suppose it is less expensive to use rolled roofing. In our case we raised one side of the roof on a 1 1/2 story house to get more room on second floor. Roof was then pretty flat. Now have rubber roof on it.One thing about the ribbed steel. Most I have had on the farm lost it paint after 20 years.Just what the warranty time was. A lot of different grades of steel out here! Our house originally had the old three tab shingles, which I think were heavier than they are now. They held up for 30 years. jps

[Roofer]

There isn't a product made that lasts 100 years, so that is a joke.

You will get your depreciation back if you hire a contractor and have proof the job is done.

This is what the ins. companies do. The money is not the homeowners really. The money is to fix the house. If they can get by with you accepting the responsibility yourself, they can save 25-30%.

They started this because too many people were using contractor bids to get their ins. money and either not fixing at all or doing their own work and pocketing the money. All of this is not legal. It's called ins. fraud as far as I know.

Polae barn companies have a short warranty, and I'm not sure if they are even licensed with the state. Shingles don't last as long, but they work better in the mean time and are replaceable. Materials are made as throw aways, so everything must be accessible for replacement.

Some metal roofs are very good, but most homeowners don't want to pay for it. It's just not cost effective.

[sparcebag]

JPS thats true,But you put all cut ends up on the ridge,they get covered with a ridge cap,also metal is accepted on lower pitched roofs,where 3 tab isn't.

[sparcebag]

If it lost paint after 20yrs you had the old stuff for sure! if its 20yrs old,this new metal is far superior.

[jps]

I'm not sure metal roofing has been used on homes long enough to know how long the paint will last. At least that's what I see in our area. There are a lot of different grades.Paint is fading on some of the colors pretty bad on buildings in our area. Darker color more so. Some is galvanized under paint, some has just primer. It's a big job to repaint these buildings. Some much better than others! We pretty well know what a good grade of shingles will do. As for cutting steel with a skillsaw, just the hot shavings will burn the paint but won't be noticed for awhile. jps