How to Install Steel Roofing | Step-by-Step Guide
How to Install Steel Roofing | Step-by-Step Guide
I didn’t remember, but two years back, my dad and I decided to tackle the barn roof ourselves. I knew absolutely nothing about roofing. We almost called a contractor. But we gave it a shot anyway, and honestly, it worked out great. Let me walk you through what we did.
Getting Your Steel Roofing Project Going
First thing – you gotta measure your roof area. So I grabbed my tape measure and climbed up there with a pen and some paper. Wrote down every measurement. The supplier helped me figure out how many panels I needed based on those numbers.
You can get steel panels in pretty much any length you need. We ordered ours custom-cut to match our roof size. Saved us from having to make a bunch of cuts later.
You need a few basic tools. A drill with a hex head bit for the screws. Some tin snips for small adjustments. A ladder that actually reaches your roof safely.
Preparing Your Roof Deck
We pulled off loose nails and hammered down any boards that were sticking up. The surface has to be flat and solid. Any bumps or soft spots will cause problems later.
We put down roofing felt across the entire deck. We started at the lowest point of the roof and moved upward from there. My dad told me to make sure each new row covered about six inches of the row we had just put down.
Installing the Steel Panels
Start at the bottom corner of your roof. We began on the left side and moved right. The first panel sets the tone for everything else, so get it straight. I mean, really straight. Use a chalk line if you need to.
Each panel overlaps the previous one. Ours had a special lip that locked into the edge of the next panel. Made things pretty foolproof. You slide them together until you hear a click.
Here’s what my dad taught me about screw placement – put them in the raised ribs, never down in the valleys where water runs. Otherwise, rain sits there around your screw holes and eventually leaks through. We put screws every other rib, spacing them about 18 inches apart, going up the roof.
Don’t overdrive those screws. I stripped out a few by turning them too tight. You want them snug enough that the washer seals against the panel.
Working Around Roof Features
Every roof has vents, chimneys, or other stuff sticking out. These spots need careful attention. We used special flashing pieces that seal around these areas. You can buy them premade or cut your own from flat steel sheets.
For the ridge at the top, we installed ridge caps. These are bent pieces that cover where the two roof sides meet. They keep rain and snow from getting under your panels. Screw them down through both sides into the ridge board underneath.
What I Learned Along the Way
Wear gloves. Steel edges are sharp, and I got several cuts before I wised up. Trying to wrestle those long panels around on a slope by yourself is basically impossible. My dad held things steady on one end while I screwed down the other side. Made the job so much easier.
Don’t try to power through the whole thing in one shot. Roofing takes a lot out of you. We would put in a few hours before lunch, then take a break to eat and cool off. After that, we would head back up and knock out another section.
Wrapping It All Up
That steel roof on our barn has survived two full winters now. Rain, snow, wind – thrown everything at it. Still looks great. No leaks, no problems. The installation took us one long weekend, and we saved thousands by doing it ourselves. If we could figure it out, you can too. Just go slow and stay safe up there.
Also Read