Installing Corrugated Metal Roofing

While it is not absolutely necessary to be an experienced roofer to install corrugated metal roofing, it is advised that you get sound instruction and consultation from someone who knows the pitfalls and drawbacks involved with the process. If you decide to go the route of contracting or consulting a professional group, make sure that you are getting assistance from one of the better and more reputable organizations. It is also advised that you have some experience doing some sort of roofing. First of all, you are going to need special tools to work with the metal. There are also many things that you need to be aware of so that you don't void the warranty in the process of the installation. If you intend to install corrugated roofing on your own home, it is advised that you have written instructions that come directly from the manufacturer that detail specifics about your project. If you hire a roofer for the job, make sure that they follow the manufacturer instructions as well. In general, the installation of this type of roofing is performed by fitting metal sheets over your existing wooden frame. When done properly, an overlap will occur, which allows the pieces to fit snugly in place according to the steepness of the roof. The following instructions should serve as a rough guide:

To calculate the number of sheets that you'll need, measure the length of your roofs ridge. Divide this by 112 (cm), which should be the average width of a standard metal sheet. Now that you know how many sheets you'll need, you can measure the length of the slope of your roof. This is the distance from the top of your roof to the edge of the roof. Find out how many columns of sheeting you need, and divide this number by six. Now, multiply the number of rows by the number of columns and you will know how many total sheets will be required.

You may now begin the installation but putting your corrugated metal sheet at one corner of the roof. At this point, the wooden frame should only be covered by roofing felt. Hammer nails into the sheet periodically to secure its position. Ideally, the nails should be around the center, or lowest point of the metal bend. Try not to drive the nails into areas that are near the edges of the sheet. On average, you should place about 20 nails in each sheet.

The second metal sheet should be placed next to the first sheet, with one hump overlapping. Hammer this sheet in the same manner that you did with the previous sheet, and repeat the process until the bottommost row is complete.

Ridge caps should be hung at the bottom edge of the metal sheets, curving over the lip of the roof. Hammer these ridge caps into place in order to seal the bottom of the sheets. This will cover up the unsightly corrugations, look better, and prevent water leakage under the metal. 40 nails for each length of ridge cap is a good general rule of thumb.

The first sheet of the second row should be placed just about the first row. The overlap should cover the top of the first sheet by about 2 cm. Now, hammer the second sheet into place and do each subsequent metal sheet in the same manner, overlapping with both the sheet below it and the sheet to the left, if you are moving left to right.

Repeat the previous step until the whole roof is then covered with the corrugated metal sheets. Make sure to find the roof edges and ridge the roof with ridge caps. This will prevent water leakage from both the sides and the top of the roof that is exposed to the air and elements. When this is done, you are finished. Congratulations on your new roof.