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Small Cabin Forum / Cabin Construction / Cabin Roof- Metal or Asphalt?
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Sorcha
Member 		# Posted: 24 Jul 2008 14:11
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We're having a number of maintainance issues this summer, the roof being #3 of 5 (septic pump failure, floor disaster, mink invasion, and fallen trees [causing roof,gutter damage]). We clean the moss and plant growth from the roof each spring/summer, but this causes loss of sand/weakening of shingles over time. We've been advised to go with a metal roof. One contractor said remove the old shingles, another said install the metal directly over the old shingles creating insulation; cooler in summer, warmer in winter. We're on a tiny peninsula and 2.5 sides of the cabin are in heavily wooded area, 1.5 sides are exposed to a lake, only 10-15 feet away. It would seem this may create a problem with moisture (rotting the 1st layer of roof) by placing a metal one over it. Due to weather, time, $$$, and help availability- We don't have a lot of 'wiggle-room' for error... Again, any positive/negative experience with either?
Pyro
Member 		# Posted: 5 Aug 2008 13:17
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You are locked into thinking that there will be moisture under the metal roof. In reality, one hot day & all the moisture will steam away. It will lonly leak 30 to 50 years out when the metal rood starts to fail.

I agree with the one who said to leave the asphalt shingles in place. If you want, you might even install 3/4" purlins (strapping) & install the metal on top of those. Even better, insulate with 3/4" rigid foam insulation between the purlins. It will support the roof better, keep the metal roof very quiet during rain, & add even more insulation for all seasons. The purlins also make it easy to walk on the old roof as you install the (slippery) metal one.

A metal roof, on tar paper, on plywood, is rather noisey in the rain. But once you add insulation, (Inside or out) that noise disipates quite a lot.

A metal roof on purlins & insulation on asphalt shingles on tar paper on plywood will be so much quieter. You simply won't even know it's raining!

Also remember to install screws on TOP of the high points of your metal roof. (Depending on the brand & type) Read the mfg's installation instructions & I'm sure you will enjoy choosing metal.

Good luck!

Joe

Central Maine Woods
& Southern NH Cities.
littlesalmon4
# Posted: 5 Sep 2008 13:48
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You absolutly do not install metal roofing by screwing it on the highs. You will kink the profile of the sheet. Look at any metal roofing the is installed with screws. You will not find one screwed on the profile highs.
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