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TOPIC: Is A Metal Roof Right For My House

low-slope roof

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I am working on a project with a roof slope of 1 in 12, and would like to use standing seam or other metal roofing product. I have seen standing seam on low-slope roofs before, but have read that it usually should not be used on slopes less then 3 in 12.
garth goldstein

6/26/2012
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You can use mechanically seamed standing seam roofs down to pitches even lower than 1:12. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

6/26/2012
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3:12 is a usual pitch minimum for asphalt. Mechanical standing seam is good to a 0.5:12 in most cases as Todd mentioned. Eric Novotny
Eric Novotny
An informed customer is the Best Customer!

6/27/2012
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I needed a new roof. I contracted for architectural shingles from a local roofer to replace a deteriorating leaking 8+ yr. old 3 tab asphalt shingle roof. We waited 2 1/2 months for the installation schedule. Today we were to have the roof installed but the roofer phoned and said the roof could not be installed on our 3/12 pitch older manufactured double wide home & attached 2 car garage (total under roof, 26'x84') after all (now he tells me) and suggested raising the roof pitch to 4/12 with new rafters and decking with a 50% increase in cost. He says the 3/12 pitch will not allow the installation of a garrard metal roof or a standing seam metal roof, and his alternative is the only option for our old double wide. Any alternative suggestions ?
Don Schneider

8/28/2013
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Don, virtually all metal roofs can be installed on roofs of 3:12 or greater pitch. Actually most asphalt shingles can be as well. Is there something else unusual about the roof? What sort of climate are you in? Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

8/28/2013
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+1 You can put asphalt down on a 3:12, you will just need to cover the entire roof is an Ice/Water shield instead of traditional underlayment. That all being said...If you can go with metal, it does not suffer the same issues at lower slopes that asphalt will. Asphalt = water shedding Metal = water proof Eric Novotny
Eric Novotny
An informed customer is the Best Customer!

8/29/2013
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I have a flat roof - can a metal roof be put on a flat roof?
Guest User

9/5/2013
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Roof pitch is refered to as rise over a run of 12". For example, 3:12 means 3" of vertical rise for every 12" of horizontal run. There are many metal roofs, virtually all of them, which can be use don roofs of 3:12 or greater pitch. There are some vertical seam roofs that can be used down to 2:12 or even to 1.5:12 On roofs of lower pitch, and even as low as 0.25:12 pitch, you can use metal but it must be a mechanically seamed standing seam. There are also options in some metals for soldered seams and other hand-crafted products. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

9/5/2013
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Barbara, The short answer is "yes". What type and application will be required depends on your situation and roof type. Eric Novotny
Eric Novotny
An informed customer is the Best Customer!

9/9/2013
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