How To Steel Roof Over Shingles

Before you reshingle a roof read our step by step guide for adding new shingles over old ones.

How to steel roof over shingles.

If you want to install steel over asphalt your best choice for installing metal roofing is to use a steel shingle system like the one shown instead of the more common and more expensive standing seam steel. Anatomy of a steel roof. A steel roof is a lifetime investment lasting 50 years or more if it s a good one. Other areas will allow you to re roof over two layers.

In some areas building officials only allow a re roof over one layer of shingles. Asphalt shingles can be laid over cedar shakes or shingles however this is a roofing project best left to pros. However you ll want to check with your local building department before you make any decisions. In a standing seam roof long single panels run vertically all the way from the eave to the ridge.

A metal roof is an alternative to a shingle covered roof but a metal roof can actually be installed over shingles. Asphalt roofs typically last 20 to 30 years depending on the installation and shingle quality. Otherwise you will need to remove the shingles. However before you decide on reroofing with a metal roof you have to keep in mind that there are specific conditions that make reroofing with a metal roof safe.

If you don t want to take our word for it check with your local building department. A benefit to doing it this way is that you can see if there is any rotten plywood that needs to be replaced before installing the new roof. In contrast steel shingles are. For instance decking isn t suitable for a third replacement regardless of condition so a third installation with the same decking won t be structurally sound.

Building officials in some areas will only allow a re roof over one layer of shingles while officials in other places may allow you to place the roof over two layers of shingles. However you should only install a metal roof over shingles if you have less than four layers of shingles on the roof. Beveled wood pieces called horsefeathers must be laid along the thick edges of the shakes to make a fairly flat surface. Make sure roof is square.

Asphalt shingles can weigh up to four pounds per square foot depending on the brand.