The old covering comes off, the deck is checked and repaired, underlayment goes down, edge and valley flashing is set, then panels are laid from one end and held with concealed clips. Seams are closed by hand or by machine, and penetrations are flashed individually.
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The sequence is fixed, and the parts that decide whether the roof lasts happen before any metal is visible from the ground.
how metal roofing is installed explains what each component does.
Because metal expands and contracts with temperature, and a panel pinned rigidly at every point has nowhere to go. Clips hold the panel down while letting it move along its length.
Fixed clips are used on shorter runs and floating clips on longer ones, where the movement is greater. Getting this wrong is not a cosmetic error: it shows up as buckled panels and stressed seams a few seasons later.
Three things, all of which happen where you cannot see them once the job is finished. Whether the deck was actually inspected rather than assumed sound. Whether underlayment was specified properly or defaulted to the thinnest roll. And whether flashing at valleys and penetrations was detailed or sealed with a bead of caulk and hope.
Those three are also where a low quote usually finds its savings. what a metal roof costs installed covers what a full quote should list.
On a straightforward house it is usually a matter of days rather than weeks. Complexity, weather and discovering a bad deck are what extend it.
Often yes, over one layer of shingles, subject to local code and the condition of the deck. It saves tear-off but means nobody inspects the deck.
Not through the face. Clips are fastened to the deck under the seam, and the panel engages the clip, so no fastener penetrates the weather surface.
Commonly a synthetic underlayment across the field with a high temperature ice and water membrane at eaves, valleys and penetrations. Metal gets hot, so the high temperature rating matters.
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