Metal Roof Over Asphalt Shingles

Both metal and shingle roofs are great options for your next roofing project.

Metal roof over asphalt shingles.

1 remove the shingles before installing the metal roof the first way to install a metal roof over shingles is by completely removing the old shingles before installing the new metal roof. On this forum from angie s list this person has a strong opinion in favor of metal over asphalt shingles. The second way to install a metal roof over a shingle roof is with the use of purlins or battens. Asphalt roofs typically last 20 to 30 years depending on the installation and shingle quality.

If you don t want to take our word for it check with your local building department. Now there are metal shingles and panels that imitate materials like slate tile wood shake and even asphalt. 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. Asphalt shingles can weigh up to four pounds per square foot depending on the brand.

The vast majority of installations of the metal roofing systems produced by my company are over existing shingles. This is what it looks like when you install a steel shingle roof system over an existing asphalt shingle roof. However metal roofing is surging in popularity as more aesthetic options become available. Yes you can install a metal roof over shingles.

This is what it looks like when you install a steel shingle roof system over an existing asphalt shingle roof. If you are trying to decide between the two materials it s important to carefully look at the metal over shingle roof problems. Asphalt shingle roofing is a dominant material for residences. After all you ll be making a significant and long term investment.

Metal is the best choice due to its very low weight per square foot and its unique design. Steel shingles weigh about 1 4 what asphalt shingles weigh and aluminum shingles weigh about 1 8 what standard shingles weigh. However you ll want to check with your local building department before you make any decisions. The low weight of metal roofing is one thing that encourages this.

A steel roof is a lifetime investment lasting 50 years or more if it s a good one. Tens of thousands of metal roofs have been done this way with no problems. The purlins are screwed or nailed down to the roof deck depending on how the metal roofing manufacturer has testing for their roofing panels and then the metal is installed to the purlins. There is absolutely no reason to remove a structurally sound asphalt roof to install a metal roof other than to add to cost.

Things to know about metal over shingle roof problems. Metal roofing weighs less than one pound per square foot. Asphalt roofs typically last 20 to 30 years depending on the installation and shingle quality.