Metal roofing is quite expensive. In fact, it's one of the priciest roofing materials Denver CO homeowners can choose to use in their properties. However, manufacturers place added value because of their long-term durability and performance. Furthermore, they're conveniently recyclable, provides excellent insulation, and can withstand multiple hailstorms. If you're buying a metal roof, you're definitely going to keep it for a long time. However, it doesn't mean you can't save money on metal roofing materials and installations.
One way to save money on metal roofing is to estimate the amount of materials you need. To do this, you'll need to have an exact measurement of your roof. Owens Corning has an excellent guide. Even if it's oriented towards asphalt shingle roof installations, the residential roof measurement technique is impeccably accurate.
How To Measure The Dimensions of Your Roof
To estimate how many shingles you'll need, first estimate the total square footage of your roof's surface. To do this, measure the length and width of each plane on the roof, including dormers. Then, multiply length x width to get the square footage of each plane. Finally, calculate your roof's total square footage by simply adding the square footage of each of the planes together.
For example, this shed roof has one roof plane. Simply measure length (A) x width (B): A x B = 120' x 100' = 12,000 sq. ft. for the total square footage of the roof.
This gable roof has two planes. So, multiply length (A) x width (B) to get the square footage for each plane. Then, add the two planes together to derive the total square footage of the roof:
Plane 1: 120' x 100' = 12,000 sq. ft.
Plane 2: 120' x 100' = 12,000 sq. ft.
Plane 1 + Plane 2 = 24,000 sq. ft. for the total square footage of the roof.
Roof surfaces are measured in "squares." A square is an area of roof which measures 100 square feet. To determine the number of squares on the gable roof above, simply divide its total of 24,000 square feet by 100. The result is 240, and this means you would need 240 squares of shingles to cover that roof. The most common type of shingle, called a three-tab or strip shingle, is generally packaged three bundles per square.For a new roof, you will also need the same amount of underlayment. So, in the gable roof example above, you would need 240 squares of underlayment. Underlayment usually comes in rolls of 4 squares each. So, covering 240 squares would require 60 rolls of underlayment. No underlayment is needed if you are applying shingles directly over an existing asphalt roof. (Continued)
Next, you're going to spend and earn to save money on metal roofing. Sound confusing? Here's an explanation:
Metal roofing is a highly-recyclable material. In turn, all residues from its installation is material you can sell to scrap heap collectors and recyclers. However, you're going to spend money using scrap and trash containment and transportation equipment to sell your scrap materials. Now, not all metal roofing projects will have plenty of scrap that requires heavy equipment, but they do generate more than a handful of scrap in most cases.
Scrap metal is a huge asset for manufacturers looking for raw material to construct new metal roofs. While they won't sell as much as a brand new roof, they definitely help you save money to purchase a brand new roof. If you want to look further into this, Earth 911 has an excellent guide below.
How to Sell Your Scrap Metal From Metal Roof Installations
Recycling Scrap Metal Makes Money
Many people don’t know that most scrap metal can be recycled for cash payments at local scrap yards around the country, keeping this useful material out of landfills.
Scrap metal yards deal with customers in industries that handle metal on a daily basis. For example, construction companies may have tons of steel beams from structures, electricians could have old wires and electrical equipment, or plumbers might have old or broken copper piping and brass fixtures that they need to dispose of. While scrap yards see a large quantity metal from the trade industry, they also welcome homeowners and other individuals.
By bringing your metal scrap to scrap yards, you can make money and recycle the materials at the right place.
A Magnet Assesses Metal Value
Determining if you have a ferrous or non-ferrous metal and separating the two types is the first important step before bringing metal to be recycled.
The easiest and most common way to figure out what kind of metal you have is by grabbing a magnet. Hint: Any magnet will do — even one from your fridge. (Continued)
It sounds like a good idea to go DIY and save money on metal roofing. However, did you know it takes more than $10,000 to have just half the professional roofing equipment reliable and dependable Denver CO roofing contractors own? If you think it's counterproductive to invest in such amount, then you haven't heard about the equipment repair and replacement costs other homeowners incurred through their trial and error roofing with DIY
Because we're contractors, it feels self-serving to endorse services similar to ours when installing metal roofs. However, we save you more time and money by having the right equipment, training, experience, and tried and proven methods yielding results you need. Here is how we can help you save money on metal roofing and achieve your intended results in the best way possible according to Negosentro.
DIY Metal Roofing Won't Save You Money
#1 Safety
Roofing is not necessarily something you do as a beginner, even if you’re handy and know your way around certain tools. You might even be good at plumbing and an aspiring electrician, but building a roof requires a certain higher level of expertise such as the correct tools and a little bit of experience in order to be done safely. The results of making a mistake when handling something that weights more than a ton can definitely be deadly. That’s one of the reasons the task might best left up to a good, certified roofing company.
#2 Time
There are few things as time-consuming as building a roof. It might not seem as complicated, but if you take the needed safety measurements, get the right tools, wait for nice weather and get up there, half a day went by. Contractors have experts that can work while you are at work.
Roof leak repair, depending on the kind of roof that you have, can be even more time consuming. There is a lot to be learnt about isolation and how it actually works before getting to work on it.
#3 Money (Continued)
If you have yet to find a reliable local Denver CO roofer, you can count on us at Roper Roofing. We have decades of experience providing quality services in properties across the local area. Contact us today to learn more about our services.
