Roofers: They're Number One

If you're getting a new metal roof, you may be excited about how it will change the appearance of your home. However, you may not know what to expect when it comes to the roof installation process. Metal roofing usually comes in long, narrow panels, so the roof goes on a little differently than asphalt shingles, which are much smaller. Here's what to expect with a metal roof installation.

A New Roof Starts With A Dry Deck

Residential metal roofing is usually installed over a deck. The deck might be made from oriented strand board or plywood. If the new roof is being installed over an old deck, the roofer has to inspect the roof first to make sure the deck doesn't have moisture damage.

This is an important step since metal roofing can last for decades, but it may need to come off sooner if it is put on over a deck that has started to rot. If your old deck is rotting, the roofer can cut out the wet portion and patch in new plywood. Then the deck is ready for the new roof installation.

Before the metal panels are put down, the roofer will probably put a water barrier over the deck. This protects the deck from rain in case a roof leak should develop around a screw or other part of the metal panel.

Metal Panels Are Attached To The Deck

There are a few metal roofing styles, and they vary in the way they attach to the roof. Some panels are screwed directly to the deck. The roofer will probably use screws that have the same color as the metal panels so the screws aren't too visible.

Other metal roofing has panels that snap together. Screws are used to secure fasteners to the deck that hold the metal panels in place. The way these panels are installed keeps the fasteners and screws hidden so they have a much lower risk of leaking. Your roofer will explain how the type of metal panels you chose will be installed so you understand the risk of leaking and how to go about making roof repairs later on.

A metal roof needs flashing too, and the roofer might use metal pieces that are the same color as the roofing so the flashing blends in. This gives your roof a uniform appearance when the flashing and screws are the same color as your roof.

When your new roof installation is complete, your roof should be ready to protect your home from hail, wind, and rain for many years. While metal roofs usually don't need many repairs, it's a good idea to have your roof inspected occasionally so problem areas can be found and repaired if they exist.

Installing your roof and then forgetting about it is a bad idea because a roof leak might go on for a long time and cause a lot of water damage if you don't keep up with repairs.

Contact a company like NJ Roofing for more information.