A ridge cap is normally installed only after all metal roof panels and any other trim are in place. In other words, it’s put on last – the cap to the job.

Most ridge cap comes in pieces 10’6” long. They are meant to cover 10’ of ridge, with 6” of overlap between pieces.

Metal Roofing Closures

To keep debris, insects and blowing rain from getting in under the gaps between the panels and the ridge cap, closure strips are used.  Closures come in two types: solid and vented.

Solid closures – also called “outside closures,” are normally made of dense foam material. They come in 3-foot-long pieces, designed to fit closely over the ribs of the roof panels. They are placed end to end and secured along the edge of the top row of panels, where panels and ridge cap will meet. Each piece is also designed to interlock with the next. Joined up end to end, they form a continuous, watertight, airtight barrier.

Vented closure or “profile vent” has a similar profile to solid closures – matching the ribbed pattern of your roof panels. One common type is 3” wide, and comes in 50’-long rolls. Vented closure helps prevent bugs and water from getting in, while allowing hot air to easily escape from the attic.

Metal Roofing Ridge Cap – Installation Steps

1. Center a piece of ridge cap on the building peak. Make a mark at the cap’s lower edges (both sides), at one end of the ridge. See the illustration below.

    

2. If the ridge is only 15’-20’ long, repeat step 1 at the opposite end of the ridge. For a longer ridge, move along the ridge repeating step 1 every 15’ or so, until you reach the opposite end.
3. Set the piece of ridge cap aside, and snap a chalk line between the marks. You should end up with 2 chalk marks – one on each side of the ridge, and running along its full length.
4. Following steps a-c below, place outside closure strips (or vented closure) along the full length of the ridge, on both sides of the roof. The edge of the closure should be 1/4″ above the chalk line (that is, 1/4” toward the peak). [Note: Steps a-c give one common method for installing closures. Check the instructions for your roofing system before you start, as they may be different.]
• Run a strip of sealant tape the full length of the ridge, about 1” above your chalk line. Repeat on the opposite side. If there is a paper backing running along the top of the sealant strip, remove it.
• Run closure strips the length of the ridge, interlocking them end to end as you go, and pressing them down on top of the sealant tape.
• Run another strip of sealant tape along the top of the closure strips. Leave any paper backing in place, for now.

Vented closure is installed in much the same way, except that it is unrolled rather than laid down in 3’ pieces.

5. Starting at the end of the ridge where the first panel was installed, install the first piece of ridge cap.

• Check the design and instructions for your specific roof, to see whether the ridge cap should be placed flush with the end of ridge, or with an overhang. In the example illustration below, the ridge cap is shown extending ½” beyond the edge of the roof.

• Without allowing the ridge cap piece to touch any exposed sealant tape, center it squarely on top of the ridge, using the ridge itself and the chalk lines you made earlier as guidelines.

•  Once you’re sure you have positioned the ridge cap correctly, set it down on the closures, and press it downward to ensure good contact.

6. Fasten the ridge to the panels below. In the example illustration below, screws are placed so as to go through the center of every other major roof panel rib. You’ll need to consult the instructions for your specific roof for such details.

7.  Lap the next piece of ridge cap 6″ over the first, and repeat steps 5 and 6.

8.  Continue on down the ridge until you reach its end. It may be necessary to trim the final section of ridge cap to fit your ridge length.

Other Metal Roofing and Ridge Cap Types

The steps above explain steel roofing ridge cap installation for the most common metal roof and cap designs. There are other types as well, such as standing seam and shingle-style panels, vented ridge cap, skylight ridge cap, and formed ridge cap. Details of how to install these special types are given in the instructions that should come with them, and in other articles.

For more metal roof installation information, visit Metal Roofing Source

Can I install a new metal roof over shingles?

The answer is: “Yes you can.”  And by doing so, you save in the labor and hassle of tearing off the old roof and you won’t be contributing to filling our landfills. Another added benefit is that the layers of your old roof will further insulate your home.  Metal is the best choice due to its very low weight per square foot and its unique design.  Metal roofing weighs less than one pound per square foot.  Asphalt shingles can weigh up to four pounds per square foot depending on the brand.

If you don’t want to take our word for it check with your local building department.  In some areas building officials only allow a re-roof over one layer of shingles.  Other areas will allow you to re-roof over two layers. In most cases it’s not even an issue if you are only going over one layer of shingles.

Referencing Section R907.3 of the 2006 International Residential Code Book® best answers this question, it reads as follows:
“Complete and separate roofing systems, such as standing seam metal roof systems, that are designed to transmit the roof loads directly the buildings structural systems and that do not rely on existing roofs and roof coverings for support, shall not require the removal of existing roof coverings.”

When you decide to go ahead with this project there are a couple of precautions regarding the underlying material:

• If there are any existing roof leaks, you need to address them and replace any rotten sheeting or rafters.
• If there are any signs of problems caused from the previous roofing weighing too much, they must also be addressed.
• This could include things like sagging decking or buckling trusses.

A couple of options:

A layer of underlayment installed on top of the existing shingles will help keep the granules of the old shingles from rubbing against the back of the metal and causing possible corrosion.

The industry standard for underlayment is often thought of as felt paper (tar paper) but there are also many newer synthetic underlayments that are designed to work well with metal roofing. Standard tar paper has a tendency to stick to the back of metal roofing.  This can cause the paper to tear when the metal roofing expands or contracts as it is designed to do.  The new synthetic underlayments do not have this problem as their design far exceeds the felt paper standards.

“E-Foil” or foil faced, bubble wrap type, reflective barrier insulation can also be used as a cushion between the existing roof and the new metal roofing.   The reflective barrier insulation can also reduce your cooling cost during the summer months by reflecting heat away from your homes roof.  Radiant barrier insulation will perform the best when used with a corrugated panel that has a built in airspace due to the corrugation.  The airspace will also allow natural venting to take place.

I hope this article has been helpful.  But here’s one more thing for you to consider:  Do you realize that if you select metal roofing that this will likely be the last decision you make about the roof of your home?  

More information here http://www.metalroofingsource.com

Thousands of homes are re-roofed each year with ordinary asphalt shingles.  Conventional roofing manufacturers and installation contractors love it when customers use the industry standard again and again.  Why?  Because they have job security, those asphalt shingles do not last nearly as long as they say, especially in extreme heat, extreme cold or the windy coastal regions. “Okay”, you say, “I only want to do this thing once and I want it to last”.  With that in mind let’s discuss the benefits of metal roofing.

Metal roofs are far superior to conventional roofing in many ways.  Maybe one of the most important is metal roofs do not need replaced nearly as often.  The fact is your new metal roof may be the last roof that you purchase for your home.  The life expectancy of metal roofs can far exceed fifty years.  How old are you going to be in fifty years?  Your metal roof will not show its age.

Another unexpected aspect of metal roofing is how much it weighs.  Metal roofing weighs much less then most conventional roofing products.  So much less in fact you can easily install a new metal roof over your old asphalt shingles.  This saves you the costly and time consuming task of tearing off your old roofing.  It also saves space in your local landfill.  Metal roofs weigh from 50-150 pounds per 100 square feet.  Conventional roofing material can weigh in the neighborhood of 750 pounds per square foot. Unexpected but true, metal roofs weigh much less.

So let’s say you live in a rural forested area, you have a really dry year, forest fires start burning in your neck of the woods, and many of your neighbors are panicking.  Not you, you installed that new metal roof in the spring and have one less thing to worry about.  Metal roofs are not combustible, that is why they are ranked “Class A”.  Metal roofing is the most fire resistant roofing your money can buy.  Peace of mind during wildfire season can mean a lot also.  “Class A fire status”, another plus for metal roofing.

Metal roofing can save you money in another way, your utility bills.  Cool metal roofing is a term that popped up a few years ago.  Someone got smart and figured out that lighter colored metal roofing actually reflects direct sunlight and causes less heat to enter your home.  Well, since then, many studies have been done and metal roofing has been given”IR” ratings.  “IR” stands for “Initial Solar Reflectivity”.  Guess what?  The lighter colored metal roofing has the best rating.  Many of the lighter colors are “Energy Star Approved”.  What it all boils down to is, metal roofing can save you money on your utility bills, save energy and help you protect our environment.  Metal roofing can also qualifies for tax credits, the government will actually pay you for your new roof. 

Now the best part, metal roofing is aesthetically pleasing, it just plain looks good.  Metal roofing can drastically change the look of your home and increase its value, you decide.  Find all the information you need at www.metalroofingsource.com

Thinking of installing a new roof but don’t know what to opt for? Looking at the pros and cons of installing metal roofing will help you decide.

When it comes to installing a new roof, there is a wide range of options available on the market and it is quite easy and natural to become overwhelmed by the choices. This is because changing a roof is not something one would do often; it is basically a one time expenditure which an individual bears once in a very long time. Therefore, it is quite understandable that he or she may not be familiar with the options and may get confused as to which one to go for.

As mentioned there are several roofing material options on the market, like- wood shakes, clay roofing tiles, slate, concrete tiles, etc. This list of roofing materials also includes metal roofing which has become one of the most preferred alternatives and has gained significant popularity over the last two decades. Therefore, if you are a home owner looking for a suitable material to replace the roof of your house, then a metal roof may just be the right option for you.

I know it is your hard earned money we are taking about, so it is very important that you are sure of what you want. In order to help you make up your mind, I have listed a few pros and cons of installing metal roofs in the following paragraphs.

Pros and Cons of Metal Roofs:

Advantages:

Durability: Metal roofs are very durable and last for more than 50-60 years.

Protection: Your house is protected from bad weather and these roofs can withstand wind gusts up to 140 miles per hour.

Environmentally Friendly: Metal roofs are considered to be eco-friendly. When it is time to replace, the metal roofing material can be recycled. According to American Iron and Steel institute, steel is considered to be the best material for green buildings, as it helps in achieving the goal of reducing and eliminating the use of chemical substances.

Energy Efficiency: It has been observed that metal roofs save energy and help in reducing your cooling costs by almost 40%.

Low Maintenance: This is another very big advantage of installing a metal roof. A metal roof will not crack, curl, split, rot or lose impact resistance with age and moreover it lasts for 50-60 years. Therefore, the maintenance expenses for metal roofs are minimal.

Disadvantages:

Cost: Installing a metal roof is a somewhat expensive affair. I’d like to put it this way, although it is expensive it can be viewed as an great investment.

Noise: Some metal roof can be quite noisy. This can be prevented by using certain insulating materials at the time of installation.

Scratching and denting: Metal roofs have the tendency of denting and getting scratches. If there is a heavy hail storm there is the possibility of your roof surface being marred.

Abovementioned are a few pros and cons of installing a metal roof which are very important to be taken into consideration. Although in most cases the pros far outweigh the cons, it is advisable that you compare them with regards to your specific requirements before finalizing your decision.

Standing-seam steel roofing is the most popular residential metal roofing today. (The term standing-seam describes the upturned edge of one metal panel that connects it to adjacent sections, creating distinctive vertical lines and a trendy historical look.) But metal roofs can also be made to resemble wood shakes, clay tiles, shingles, and Victorian metal tiles. Aluminum or coated steel is formed into individual shingles or tiles, or into modular panels four feet long that mimic a row of shingles or tiles.

Metal roofs are durable, fire retardant and almost maintenance-free. They are also energy efficient; metal reflects heat and blocks its transfer into the attic. Research by the Florida Solar Energy Center in 1985 showed that metal absorbed 34 percent less heat than asphalt shingles, and homeowners switching to metal roofing reported saving up to 20 percent on their energy bills.

Steel roofs offer other environmental benefits as well. They are made from between 60 percent to 65 percent recyclable material. Because they weigh very little, metal roofing can be installed over existing roofs, eliminating the need to dispose of excess material in a landfill.

Installing some metal roofing can be an intricate process best done by a professional, and the initial cost of a premium metal roof is higher than most other roofing materials. You need to compute the lifecycle cost to see if paying more to begin with for a metal roof will prove to be a better investment than some other form of roofing.