Before buying a metal roof, it is essential to know how to overlap corrugated metal roofing. Metal is a common type of residential and commercial roofing, and people prefer them because of benefits like longevity, affordability, and return on investment.
Corrugated sheets have a beautiful design that increases the home’s curb appeal, but poor overlapping of the roofing can lead to issues like roof leaks. During installation, professionals determine the overlapping direction and the best part to overlap.
Doing a correct overlapping will ensure the complete effectiveness of the roof and reduce the chances of roof leaks. But before we look at the best ways to overlap a metal roof, we need to understand this roof, how it is made, and why you should buy it.
Let us get started.
What Is Corrugated Metal Roofing?
When shopping for a metal roof, you will come across many roof types. Some have a plain smooth surface, while others are corrugated. Corrugated metal has a repeating wave-like pattern or series of ridges.
The roof pattern is an old style of metal roof introduced many years ago, and homeowners like it because of its aesthetics and perfect water drainage. Besides, this roof is easy to install and suits many roof designs.
Although corrugated roofs are old, today’s manufacturers find more ways to improve them. The manufacturer begins by pressing the flat metal sheet into 3D corrugated patterns using rollers during manufacturing.
There are different types of rollers, and the manufacturer chooses them depending on the size and styles of the waves. The end product of the rolling is a thick, durable and robust corrugated metal sheet.
The manufacturer then passes the metal sheets through the corrugated roller machine to take the desired shape of the panel. The next step is to paint the sheets according to the client’s needs and deliver them.
The Cost of Corrugated Metal
Although corrugated sheets are made with similar roof materials that make the standard metal roofs, they have various characteristics that affect the prices.
For example, corrugated sheets have various thicknesses, and the thicker the roof, the higher the price. Your roof size and the type of metal you choose also determine the price.
You will also get fasteners and hardware, trim, and closures when you order the roof. Also, there is the cost of hiring a roofer to take into account, depending on how experienced they are and their services.
Reasons People Buy Corrugated Metal Sheets
Deciding the type of roof to install or replace in your old building can be challenging. However, there are many reasons to choose corrugated metal sheets. Some of the benefits you will get are;
- Longevity
Roofs are expensive to buy, and you don’t want to replace your metal roof soon after installing. If this is the case, corrugated metal sheets are a good option. They allow proper drainage of rainwater, so you won’t suffer roofing problems like water leaks.
Therefore, the metal roof lasts for up to 70 years. You can also get a corrugated roof that is rust-resistant to ensure it lasts as long as you need it to. It’s also best to contact a qualified roofer to do roof inspections and ensure longevity.
- Durability
A corrugated roof’s wavy design is the reason for its durability. The roof can withstand strong winds and heavy rains. These roofs can also survive in areas that experience snow because of their durability.
- Low Maintenance
Metal roofs are not very needy when it comes to maintenance. You don’t need to schedule monthly cleaning and use expensive heavy cleaning products. With a single annual roof inspection, your roof will function without issue.
How to Overlap Metal Roofing
To enjoy all the benefits of corrugated metal roofs, you need a proper installation. The primary factor roofers take seriously during this roof installation is overlapping the roof. Some of the ways to overlap metal sheets are;
- Side Laps
During installation, some roofers lay the sides of the sheets over their edges, which is called side overlapping. The installer should always ensure the short unfinished sides of the sheets correctly connect with the side of the other sheet.
You can also cover a few inches of the corrugations to ensure no space left between the intersection points of the two sheets. It ensures there are no water leaks by blocking all the possible water entry points using a butyl sealant.
- End Laps
To use the end laps style of corrugated sheets overlapping, ensure the panels have the same profile. For example, if one panel has wavy corrugation, the other must have the same pattern.
The installer joins the two end sides of the metal sheets, ensuring they fit perfectly in the other sheet, and then fastens them together. The roofer then applies a waterproofing material to prevent water entry into the roof.
- Lengthwise Overlap
Another excellent method of installing corrugated metal sheets is lengthwise overlapping. The method ensures a stronger seam for the sheets and better protection from water. Besides, the lengthwise overlap makes it simpler to install corrugated metal sheets.
When looking into how to overlap metal roof panels, note that it doesn’t require flashing or caulking because very few holes are actually created. It’s different from vertically overlapping the metal sheets because more screws and nails are used for each piece at the overlap.
In addition, the lengthwise overlap improves drainage. There are low chances of getting clogged or blocked seams that trap water as the roof slope ensures complete rainwater drainage. To be safe, however, its best to be sure that the gutter installation is done correctly to allow the water to flow properly.
Note that with the lengthwise overlapping method, you will use lesser materials, saving you some money. Besides, fewer materials make the installation easier and faster, lowering the installation cost.
Final Words
Only professional installers know how to overlap corrugated metal roofing, so homeowners should avoid DIYs on these roof types. Although the roofers are expensive, you won’t experience roof leaks and other roof problems. You should also choose the best-corrugated metal roofs to ensure longevity and low maintenance costs.
