- February 25, 2025
While incredibly durable, a metal roof is only as good as its installation. Many people from home, farm, and commercial sectors are drawn towards metal roofing as it offers long-lasting strength, sleek aesthetics, and is energy efficient. But, to reap its benefits to its fullest, steel roofs must be installed correctly. Installation errors on metal roofs are the most common reason for their failure.
Wondering how long does a metal roof last? Well, with proper installation, fastening, and minimal care, they can last for 50 years or even more. But how to install it properly? Let’s see.
Top 7 Metal Roof Installation Mistakes With Dos & Don’ts
Though mistakes can happen anytime and by anyone, these are some of the most common metal roof installation errors you must avoid to prolong the lifespan of your residential metal garages & buildings.
Mistake #1 – Incorrect Measurements Of Vertical Roof Metal Garage
A lot of problems can arise during installation if you don’t have the correct size, thickness, and length of the metal panels. Ensure you choose the right roof metal panels for your garage or outdoor shed. Here’s how you can measure panel size correctly.
- Gather basic tools like a measuring tape, ladder, pencil & paper for notes, level, & safety gear.
- Place the level horizontally on the roof & measure vertically to get the pitch.
- Now, measure length [from eave to ridge] and width [long the eaves].
- Calculate the total no. of panels you’ll need.
- Add a waste factor of around 10% for cuts or overlaps.
Dos: Measure size correctly and double-check if necessary. Include roof overhangs as well.
Don’ts: Avoid guesswork or eyeball measurements.
Mistake #2 – Using Wrong Metal Materials
Another important factor is choosing the right material. Some common materials used in metal garage roofing are galvanized steel, aluminum, copper, zinc, tin, etc. Choose one with higher durability and better performance against severe weather. We provide metal panels with 26GA and 29GA thicknesses so that you can pick one based on size, location, type of project, and climate.
There are many types of metal roof designs, such as standing seams, corrugated shingles, etc. Both standing seam & corrugated metal panels can last for 50 years or more with regular checks and little care.
Dos: Research your local wind pattern & climatic conditions before choosing a roofing style. You can choose between vertical vs. horizontal roof metal garages that suit your property the best. Some roofs need more care, while others have a better traditional appeal. So, choose as per your preferences.
Don’ts: Avoid choosing material, thickness, and design based solely on metal roof cost. Cheap material may seem to cut initial costs, but it can be costly in the long run. Also, look for aesthetic compatibility with your home before making a decision.
Tip: Avoid incompatible pairings, such as pairing aluminum with copper, which can lead to rapid decay.
Mistake #3 – Poor Roof Deck & Underlayment Installation
It’s the most common mistake that can be avoided to ensure the longevity & effectiveness of the roof. An underlayment adds a barrier against weather, helps regulate temperature, and prevents water from entering the building.
Also, ensure you have a solid, level roof deck that divides weight & structural load evenly, especially for a commercial garage building or structures that are 30 ft. or wider.
Dos: Choose high-quality underlayments such as synthetic, felt paper, rubberized asphalt, etc., and ensure they are properly overlapped [~ 2 to 4 inches for horizontal & 6-12 inches for vertical seams] with each other.
Don’ts: Avoid incorrect overlapping & cheap quality of underlayment to ensure the roof lasts long.
Mistake #4 – Incorrect Fastening For Regular Roof Metal Garage
Incorrect screws and bolts can cause a lot of trouble in the future. Most commonly, it can lead to leaks, and at worst, it can lead to structural issues & easy wear & tear. Hence, it is important to choose the right type of fasteners for attaching panels to the roof.
Where To Place Screws On Metal Roofing?
You can place screws on flat areas [valleys] of the corrugated metal panels instead of ribs [peaks] to ensure a tight seal. Another thing to keep in mind is to place screws evenly [~ 12 to 24 inches spacing]. To avoid uneven drilling, you can choose panels with pre-drilled holes that reduce the risk of damage.
Always use a drill bit that matches the size of the screws for clean & correct holes. On overlapping areas, place screws closely to ensure a tight seal & avoid wind uplifts. You can opt for matching colored screws for a seamless finish.
There are many types of roofing panel fasteners, like self-drilling screws, self-tapping screws, pancake head screws, nails, rivets, clips, etc. Choose one that is galvanized and matching with your roofing style.
Dos: Always buy high-quality fasteners with rubber or neoprene washers for a watertight seal. Ensure screws are not too loose to let water seep in. Always conduct a monthly check on the roof to ensure all fasteners are in place; if not, replace them with new ones.
Don’ts: Avoid overtightening the screws to prevent metal panels from getting deformed. Don’t try to cut-cost with fewer screws, as improperly secured panels can lift in the wind.
Mistake #5 – Ignoring Ventilation For Steel Roof
Adequate ventilation is crucial for long-lasting metal roof panels. Proper ventilation also improves the overall comfort & energy efficiency of your home. It helps maintain temperature, control moisture, preserve the roof from developing molding/ condensation & extend the roof’s life.
There are mainly two types of metal structure ventilation to choose from – natural/ passive & mechanical/ active vents. For example, you can choose a ridge vent or soffit vent for a vertical roof metal garage and a gable vent or powered vent for a regular roof metal garage, depending on your local weather pattern.
Dos: Install a proper ventilation system for adequate airflow. Make sure there is a proper vent in the attic and under the metal roof to prevent condensation.
Don’ts: Avoid blocking the wind path with an insulator, debris, or other materials.
Mistake #6 – Improper Flashing & Sealing
Flashing and sealing give protection at vulnerable points on the metal building roofs against water leaks, insects’ entry, and more. Improper leaks can lead to leakage during rainy seasons & winters, structural damage, and costly repairs for metal building owners.
Some common examples of flashings are ridge, valley, eave, wall, chimney, wall, skylight, & vent pipe flashings, which you can install to redirect water away from your prefab metal garage. To create a watertight barrier, you can use silicone, polyurethane sealant, butyl/ foam tape, or caulking.
Dos: Always use high-quality flashing and install them properly. You can ask for help from professional installers. Ensure that joints and edges are sealed to create a continuous watertight barrier, especially in agricultural barns, and inspect them regularly.
Don’ts: Avoid using incompatible materials, such as copper flashing with aluminum, which can cause corrosion. Avoid skipping sealants, especially around the edges of flashing. And don’t rely on temporary fixes like duct tape for sealing.
Mistake #7 – Skipping Warranty & Upkeep
After a careful installation, you must schedule a monthly routine check for the roof as it bears the most blow of weather. Metal building roofs usually don’t need high upkeep. Some tips for care of steel buildings & roofs include regular cleaning, inspection, repairing minor issues, etc., to ensure longevity.
Note: Skipping warranty and regular care can cause wear & tear, costly repairs, and even replacements down the line.
Dos: Read the fine print and T&C on the warranty to know its duration, what is covered & what’s not. Keep all documents & records safe in case you need to make any claims. Inspect around seams, corners, edges, fasteners, etc., to know if anything needs minor repair.
Don’ts: Don’t avoid warranty, neglect its terms and conditions, or skip registrations. Don’t ignore minor issues, as they can lead to costly repairs in the future, and avoid the use of harsh chemicals for cleaning the roof.
Enjoy A Smooth Metal Roof Installation With Long-Lasting Durability
With proper installation, you can maximize the lifespan of a metal garage, carport, or other steel buildings. Thus, it’s crucial to avoid these common mistakes we talked about above. If you are looking for a new vertical metal garage & building, contact us at (704)-741-1587 today. We provide shipping & installation included in our final quote, so you don’t have to worry about these roof installation errors.
Alabama