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TOPIC: Standing Seam roof

Poor man's metal roof install questions (long post)

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Hello all, I am so very glad I found this forum! First, this may get lengthy but I want to post the most as I can about my situation. I have an old house I am remodeling for my wife and I that we bought very cheap. It has 2 small flat roofs that leaked. This house is very old and the rest still has metal roofing but no leaks. I am going to paint those and leave them for now. They have worrked for 100+ years already :) The one flat roof over the bathroom had built in gutters that we eliminated. We have sheeted it with 3/4 plywood and replaced all the rafters. That is it, I have a tarp over it now. This area is about 18' long by 6 foot wide and 8 foot wide (Two different roofs meet, it is kinda a mess but really no way around it) To my point now. I have some brand new commercial metal sheeting that was given to me by a family friend that builds commercial buildings. It is heavy gauge steel. I plan on living in this house as long as possible. Rubber roofing was an option I really couldn't afford but I want something to last. So instead of building a shop like I had planed, I am thinking about using it on the roof. Can I make this stuff work for a standing seam roof? I may be mistaken with what I am trying to do. I do have a 5 gallon bucket of the rubber washer screws used on metal buildings. I planed on using them with double sided tape for the seams. I do not care about the screws showing. BUT, I do want it to last and no holes sound much better. Can I buy the standing seam brackets and use them with this type of metal? Or are they made for a specific type of metal used on roofs only? This that I have is the same ridged metal used on pole barns. Am I kidding my self here? I am on a limited income right now trying to get a livable house for my wife and I as cheap as possible. I do not want to "rig" this roof or I would have already had roll roofing or peel and seal or something on it. That is why I am making this long post. I can be talked out of this if it is not possible. But like I said before I am limited to how much I can spend on materials right now. This one small roof is what is keeping me from getting my electric turned on and drywall up. I need something asap. I have many questions that I will ask in other posts if this is considered do-able with what I have. I also have pictures of the roof. We were able to get some slope. Thank you very kindly for taking the time to read this and any advice you may give. My father and I do have some traditional roofing experience and we both have plenty of common sense. We have the skills to do it correctly with advice, just no knowledge of metal roofing systems. My email address is [email protected] if anyone would like to email instead of replying. Thanks again for your time and this forum. I will read old posts after I post this. Sorry if this is something that has been covered many times already. Ric
Guest User

4/24/2005
Well, so far reading on the site it appears I am talking about a vertical seam roof and not a standing seam. Should I re-post this question on the DIY forum? Sorry, Ric
Guest User

4/24/2005
Hi Ric, Good questions. Good to hear from you. Many of the commercial metal roofing panels require that a mechanical seamer be run down the seams after they are installed. These are the types of panels which normally work on very low pitch roofs. Many of the other types of metal panels are not designed for "flat" roofs. Is there any chance at all that you can send me some pictures of the metal panels that you have, including and especially an end view of the profile? That will help me to determine what you have. Thanks. My email is [email protected] Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

4/24/2005