Should You Install Metal Shingle on Top of a Wood Roof?
Is a metal shingle installed on top of a wood roof a good idea?
Raneri and Long Roofing and Solar can never recommend installing a metal shingle roof on top of a wood shingle roof. It’s important to be aware of the fire dangers associated with this type of installation. In this article, we’ll explore why metal roofs can dramatically increase the risk of fire and what you can do to minimize the danger.
Metal roofs, although now not as popular for residential use, for a time became popular in past years due to their perception of durability, low maintenance, and energy efficiency. They were touted, by unscrupulous sales people, as an alternative to conventional roofing systems. We were told that they could be installed on top of existing roofs, which could save time and money on the installation process. However, it became painfully obvious that installing a metal roof on top of a wood shingle roof was a terrible idea!
One of the main concerns with this type of installation is the increased risk of fire.
Because the metal roof is installed on top of the wood roof, firefighters quickly found that trying to extinguish flames, blazing under the metal shingles, became difficult, if not impossible to extinguish.
Another issue to consider is the potential for trapped moisture between the metal shingles and the wood shingle roof, caused by condensation, leakage, or other types of moisture intrusion. If moisture is allowed to accumulate, it can lead to rot and decay of the underlying wood, which can increase the risk of weakening of the structure due to wood rot, etc. Last but not least, the metal shingles.because they are very lightweight sheet metal, are not walkable, due to their lack of strength.
Bottomline, they are not a good idea at all and have proven so wherever they have been used.
When you need answers, call Raneri and Long Roofing and Solar! You can trust us to tell it like it is.