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TOPIC: Roof Pitch

ROOF OPTIONS FOR LOW PITCH (1.5 TO 12)

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I CURRENTLY HAVE A OLD SHINGLE ROOF THAT'S OVER 20 YEARS OLD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I AM CURRENTLY SHOPPING FOR A NEW ROOF. MANY CONTRACTORS HAVE TOLD ME THAT MY ONLY OPTION IS PAPER OR GRAVEL ROOF. I WAS INTERESTED IN METAL ROOF BECAUSE OF ITS WARRANTY AND ITS FINISH LOOK. MY PITCH IS LESS THAN 2' TO 12' AND IT'S CONSIDERED A FLAT ROOF. METAL CANNOT BE INSTALLED. I AM LOOKING FOR A ROOF THAT WILL GIVE ME ENERGY SAVING AND BENEFIT MY FAMILY ESPECIALLY IN THIS ENVIRONMENT (HOT WEATHER AND HURRICANES). THE PAPER ROOF I FIND THEM NOT TO BE APPEALING. THEY DON'T GIVE THE HOUSE A NICE CURB APPEAL. DO I HAVE ANY KIND OF ROOF OPTIONS. I CONTACTED A ROOFING COMPANY UP IN TAMPA REGARDING A NEW PAPER ROOF WHICH IS WHITE AND STATE OF ART FOR THE HOT WEAHTER, BUT VERY EXPENSIVE. MY HOUSE IS 1500 SQ. FT. BECAUSE OF THE NEW REGULATIONS IN FLORIDA THE PRICE JUMP 30%. THEY QUOTED ME 27,000 FOR PAPER. DOES THIS SEEM RIGHT? I REMEMBERED GROWING UP AND I WOULD HEAR A ROOF WOULD COST 8-12,000. PLEASE HELP...... THANKS ALEX MIAMI, FL
ALEXANDER FERNANDEZ

11/17/2007
Alex, You mention a white paper roof and state of the art. The only thing I can think of that you could be talking about is TPO--thermoplastic polyolefin. It's not paper and it is big in the market. It comes in several thicknesses. Do a search on TPO and you will find several manufacturers. I would get several quotes. GAF did make a plasic rib that glued to the TPO that would make a roof look like a white standing seam. I don't know if they still make it as we never used it.
Guest User

11/19/2007
thanks.....
Guest User

11/22/2007
Also, there are metal roofs that can be used at pitches as low as 1/4:12. You may want to contact a commercial metal roofing contractor. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

11/22/2007
A great standing seam roof for this slope would be a 2" tall mechanically seamed panel. It can be used on slopes as low as 1/2:12. This panel is freguently installed on 1:12 slopes over open framing. Another alternative would be a Ziprib panel due to your stringent wind uplift requirements down there. Regionally, the price for installation will vary. I would think a 1500 square foot house with the slope you describe can be done with metal for about $12-$15,000. Good luck
Brian Selig
Architectural Building Components Metal Roof and Wall Panels

11/23/2007
Thanks Brian. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

12/1/2007
Alex, The easy solution to your situation, is to tear off the existing composition roof down to the deck. Install a 40 mil ice & water shield membrane over the deck, then install a double lock standing seam roof with a 2''vertical seam height. Add extra fasteners to the integral seams to meet the hurricane codes. The roof requires a factory sealant on the internal portion of the rib. Berridge Manufacturing is the best known source for this type of roof. You can look them up on the internet. Good Luck Larry Kinsey Roof Consultant Dallas,Texas.
Guest User

7/2/2009
Thanks Larry. Hopefully since Alex's post was from 2007 he has things figured out by now. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

7/3/2009
Im having the same problem as Mr. Fernandez. I have a flat roof house and I would like to replace with metal even if it requires purchasing new decking to give it the pitch. But it seems that none of these roofers here know about that 1/4:12 metal roofing that you mention. Can you steer me in the direction of someone who installs it?
Guest User

9/8/2009
BTW I should have mentioned that I live in Lake Worth Florida.
Guest User

9/8/2009
I would go toward a commercial / industrial roofing contractor for that. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

9/8/2009
Hello Susan, If your roof is completely flat, then a metal roof would not be a good solution. The newer roof systems like TPO's and even a modified bitumen would be more economical. Contact a commercial contractor for this and stay away from the residential guys that think they can do flat roofs. Call someone like GAF or Firestone and get a list of approved commercial contractors in your area. If you want the metal look, then you would probably need to re frame over the existing roof then install new decking etc. Just a guesstimate at this point but you're looking at $12-$14 a square foot to accomplish this. Send me photos of your house and I can advise you with a more detailed view. Good Luck Larry Kinsey Roof Consultant Dallas, Texas
Guest User

10/23/2009
I live in ne ohio. can i install a metal roof? if so what type? would this TPO--thermoplastic polyolefin work in ohio? if yes i will research. any help will be appreciated. thanks!
Guest User

10/24/2009
i asked the previous question ("i live in ne ohio") but forgot to say my roof is ~41/2-12 pitch. thanks!
Guest User

10/24/2009
sorry again! i will get this right sooner or later, my roof is actually 3 1/2 - 12 pitch. thanks once again!
Guest User

10/24/2009
Most metal roofs can be installed on all roofs of 3.5:12 or greater pitch. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

10/25/2009
does it have to be commercial grade? does the seam need any special processing? dose the seam need to a certain height? do i double seal at the seam? any help will be appreciated! thanks!!
Guest User

10/25/2009
If the pitch is 3.5:12, then pretty much any style or type of metal roof will work. There are a couple of metal shingles that require 4:12 in snow areas but that is the only requirement I can think of that would affect you at 3.5:12 Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

10/27/2009