A metal roof is a great way to provide an attractive, durable and low-maintenance finish for your home. However, there are some circumstances where you may want to install the metal roof on a wall instead of on top of other surfaces.
To flash a metal roof to a wall, you will need: Metal roofing panels, Flashing tape or self-adhesive flashing strips, Sheet metal screws that are galvanized for exterior use.
These should be long enough to go through the panel and attach it to the house’s siding with at least one inch of screw showing above each
If you need to know how to flash a metal roof onto a wall correctly, this post will give you all the information that you need!
Steps To Flashing a Metal Roof to a Wall
With the rise in popularity of metal roofs, it is important to know how to flash these roofs against a wall. They are relatively easy to install if you have some basic roofing knowledge and experience.
The main thing that people have trouble with when installing these types of roofs is flashing them correctly to prevent leaks.
Flashing a metal roof against most types of walls is relatively simple with three basic steps:
• Step 1: Apply sealant to the roofing edges and corners – Identify the direction that water will run off your roof.
Generally, it will be one of two directions: overhanging or downspout. If you have an overhanging roof, install a drip cap on the edge of the roof to keep water from dripping onto the sides of the wall as it cascades from the eaves.
• Step 2: Flash the valley and hips (when applicable) – Flash the location of any valleys and hips on your roof, including areas where a valley may be exposed due to a dormer or chimney.
Install metal flashing over the exposed area and then install drip edges that follow the same steps as step one.
• Step 3: Flash any penetrations or other openings in the roofing surface – Flash any penetrations, skylights, etc… that will be covered by the roof.
This is important to help prevent water from running into these areas rather than down the sides of the wall.
Flashing a metal roof may seem daunting at first glance but is relatively painless with these three steps.
They are only slightly more complicated on dormer and chimney roofs, but can still be done with a little patience.
Tools Needed to Flash Your Metal Roof to a Wall
As mentioned above: To flash a metal roof to a wall, you will need: Metal roofing panels, Flashing tape or self-adhesive flashing strips, Sheet metal screws that are galvanized for exterior use.
Metal Roofing Panels – The type of panels you choose will depend on the purpose for your installation.
If you are flashing a metal roof onto an existing wall, any exposed fasteners should be covered with sheet metal to prevent leaks and provide additional support against wind uplift or other forces that might cause movement in the panel.
Flashing Tape – Flash tape is a self-adhesive product that can be used for different types of flashing.
It should come with instructions for installation and may require the use of sealant to ensure a proper bond between materials.
Sheet Metal Screws – To complete your job, you will need galvanized screws long enough to go through each panel and penetrate into the house’s siding by at least one inch.
Whether you are building a new structure or repairing an existing wall, flashing the metal roof to the surface is easy if you follow these three simple steps: apply sealant on exposed edges and corners of the roofing panels as well as over any penetrations such as valleys and hips; install sheet metal screws long enough to go through the panel and penetrate into the house’s siding by at least one inch; flash any areas where a valley may be exposed due to a dormer or chimney.
With these three simple steps, you will have no problem flashing your metal roof against almost any surface!
Reasons for Flashing a Metal Roof to a Wall
Concrete is poured around the perimeter of a home to form both the foundation and footers. The concrete forms what will become the walls of your house.
Installing metal roofing sheets onto these walls can be done in one of two ways: either by nailing or screwing the metal roof sheets into the wall substructure, or by flashing the roof to the wall juncture.
The latter method is generally preferred because it creates a clean, professional look by hiding the screws or nails securing your metal roofing sheets to your walls from view.
Flashing a metal roof onto a wall consists of installing a sheet of special adhesive-backed metal weather resistant barrier material that adheres to both the wall and the sheet metal.
The material is available in pre-measured rolls so no cutting is necessary.
It’s simply a matter of peeling off the adhesive backing, placing it against your building surface, pressing it down firmly, then beginning to attach your sheets of roofing using screws or nails.
Flashing a metal roof onto a wall takes extra effort but it’s usually done in conjunction with other roofing materials, such as shingles.
The aluminum flashing is installed between the wall and the metal roof sheet to create a weather-tight seal where they meet when fastened together.
Why Flashing Is Used
Flashing ensures that no water can pass through your home’s wall. It creates a waterproof barrier that keeps water from entering your home’s interior, rather than allowing it to seep through the cracks between your metal roof and wall.
Flashing is also used on any junctures where different materials come together, such as between different types of roofing, or at the top of exterior walls.
Summary
Flashing a metal roof onto a wall is very similar to flashing any other type of building material.
It involves applying weather resistant barrier sheeting, and screwing or nailing the sheeting in place so that it forms an airtight seal between the wall and your roof. Flashing is typically done on brick walls.
