Metal weighs less wood, making it an ideal selection for roofing a tiny home, especially if you plan to move your home around. However, before installing a metal roof, there are several things you should consider. Take a look at these tips:
1. Insulate for sound control.
Rain beating on a metal roof can be a romantic sound, but it can also be loud when echoing through your tiny home. If you want to deafen the sound, add insulation under your metal roof. For example, put plywood over your joists, lay down a layer of batting, and then, place your metal roof on top of that.
2. Use rubber washers for waterproofing.
Whether you apply the metal roofing directly to the joists or over plywood, you need to ensure that it is as water tight as possible. When you attach the metal to the rest of your home, use rubber washers with your nuts and bolts. These washers create a seal that prevents water from seeping in around the hardware.
3. Choose a light coloured metal.
Metal conducts heat, and to reduce the transference of heat into your tiny home, make sure that you choose a light colour of metal roofing. You can opt for metal painted a light colour, or you can stick with a plain rustic silver colour. In the later case, you enjoy the effects of a light colour without having to worry about repainting.
4. Consider a reflective coating.
In addition to choosing a light colour, consider adding a reflective coating to your roof. This helps to bounce the light rays off your roof instead of letting them be absorbed. If you order flashing to seal the joints between your roof's seams and to cover corners more accurately, make sure that you have the same reflective coating put on the flashing as well.
5. Don't forget soffeting.
Remember you will need some ventilation in your tiny home as well. So that you don't have to cut vents into your metal roof, integrate the vents into the soffeting of your roof. Soffeting is the straight piece of wood between the eaves of your roof and the wall of your tiny home. Ideally, you should cut a series of small holes in these pieces of wood to allow in air. Cover the holes with a bit of chicken wire so that they don't become an entry spot for birds.
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