Metal Roof Installation Process: Step by Step

What happens on a standing seam roof, step by step?

Here is the order of work, from the old roof to the final walk.

1. Plan the roof before ordering

   McElroy says to confirm the panel system fits the job, check panel lengths and review eave, valley, transition and rake trim before anything is ordered. Snap-lock and mechanically seamed panels need different tools.

2. Tear off the old roofing

   On a shingle re-roof, the crew strips the old shingles down to the deck. This is when hidden problems show up. See roof tear-off surprises for what crews find.

3. Inspect and repair the deck

   McElroy says to inspect the substrate and repair damaged or uneven areas before underlayment. A flat, sound deck also helps prevent oil canning. Our guide to roof deck damage covers the signs of rot.

4. Dry in with underlayment

   The underlayment is the layer between the deck and the metal. Sheffield lists it as the step that dries in the roof before any trim or panels go on. The type depends on the panel maker and the building code.

5. Snap layout lines and set the eave and perimeter trim

   McElroy says to snap lines, mark where panels start and end, and adjust now to avoid a thin sliver of panel at the far rake. Eave trim goes on first, then the layout is rechecked.

6. Flash the valleys

   Sheffield's guide shows perimeter flashing and the valley before the first panels.

7. Set the first panel and attach clips

   The first panel sets the alignment for every panel after it. Clips hold the panel to the deck and let it move with the temperature. McElroy says to use the specified fasteners and spacing.

8. Apply sealant and check as you go

   Sealant type and placement come from the maker, because mistakes can hurt water management. McElroy says experienced installers check modularity (how true the panels are running) every five to seven panels to catch drift early.

9. Seam the panels

   Snap-lock profiles connect directly. Mechanically seamed profiles need special seaming equipment and the maker's procedure.

10. Finish penetrations, ridge and trim

    Pipe boots, closures and the ridge detail go on after the panels. Then the crew walks the roof for a final inspection, per McElroy.

What does Florida require for a metal roof install?

Florida requires a licensed roofer, panels that suit your wind zone and a roof that follows the maker's instructions.

Who may do the work. The Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association says to hire a state-licensed roofing contractor and verify the license with the state DBPR search or your local building department. Licensed contractors cannot subcontract roofing to unlicensed roofers. Our guide to how to verify a Florida roofing license shows the steps. Coastline's license is statewide.

The slope and panel type. A model building code article summarized by Building Enclosure magazine says architectural metal panels (water-shedding, flat pan with side ribs) need a designed slope of at least 3:12, while structural metal panels, whose seams are sealed to resist water, can go at lower slopes. Your roof's pitch decides which style fits. See roof pitch explained.

Wind. IBHS, the insurance industry's research group, says in its FORTIFIED Roof standard that metal roofs must be tested for design pressures set for the specific address, and that the roof deck must be sealed so water cannot get in if the covering is lost. It also calls for ring-shank nails in the deck, which IBHS says can double uplift resistance. FORTIFIED is a voluntary program, not a code, but it shows what strong installs look like.

The permit. Permit rules come from your county or city building department. Our guide to roof permits in Florida and your county's building department have the details for your address.