Home Improvement DIY

If you are a home owner and plan on upgrading your current roof or you are having a home built for you, thinking about what roofing materials you are going to use is very important.  Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on how you look at it), there is a wide variety of roofing materials on the market.  When thinking of roof materials you might have created a list in your head which includes slate, concrete tile and asphalt however you might also want to include tin on that list of materials.  It’s not always the most obvious choice but before you discount it, please have a look at some of the advantages.  Tin was a very popular roofing material in the 1800′s because it’s easy to manufacture and install.  Even today you can still see examples of tins roofs in the countryside.

Tin is made into thin sheets which are very lightweight and this then makes them very easy to handle.  Although it is a cheap material to produce, unfortunately it can actually cost more than you might have thought purely because of labor costs.  It’s advised that you have tin roofs installed by a professional, so this is where the bulk of the costs go.  However having a professional install your tin roof also means they should soundproof it.  Often the problem with tin roofs is that they can be very noisy when there is rain pelting against it.  So having it soundproofed will help alleviate this problem.  Rain battering against the tin all night is enough to turn anyone crazy!  By insulating the roof you will also help keep your home warm in the colder months but cool during the warmer months, which is very important if you want to keep energy bills down.

Prevent Your Tin Roof From Going Rusty – As you know, tin is a type of metal but tin roofing is actually iron plated with tin.  Although it can be very resistant to corrosion, the coating which is applied can eventually wear off.  This is a particular problem if you live somewhere that gets a lot of precipitation.  Rusting is therefore a problem with roofs that experience a constant hammering from the elements.  If you want to prevent this from being a problem then you should ensure that you take care of it through regular maintenance.  Tin roofs need to be painted regularly otherwise they will corrode and the iron then can turn rusty.

How to Get Rid of Rust on Your Tin Roof - If you already have a tin roof which is rusting then you need to first of all remove loose rust, dirt, grease etc.  If there is any paint that should be removed, use a piece of sandpaper or a wire brush.  Once you have done this, make sure that you clean the tin well so that all the dust caused by sanding is cleaned away.  Then you will need to paint your roof with a primer which is corrosion resistant and then top coat.

How to Get that Rusty Look on Your Tin Roof – Some people particularly like the appearance of a rusty metal roof but it’s important you don’t have one which is genuinely rusty otherwise you’re home wouldn’t be wind and water tight.  If you are still eager for a rusty look, then check out Rusty Corrugated Metal (RCM) which is ideal for those of you who want to create a home which looks like the old houses from gold mining towns.  Some people in the industry claim that it doesn’t have the longevity of regular galvanised roofing however RCM claim that the product has a heavier gauge

Have Your Tin Roof Installed by a Professional – Make sure you find someone who is experienced in installing tin roofs otherwise you could run into problems.  If you want to ensure your new roof is free of leaks making sure that the fastenings have been set properly is essential.  Although I’ve already mentioned how your tin roof can erode because of rain, you should also know that it can corrode from condensation caused from within your attic.  If condensation in your attic is a problem, you might want to have a look at installing a solar attic fan.

So although a tin roof might not be at the top of your list of roofing considerations, it’s still worthwhile having a think about it and view some samples.  It doesn’t matter whether you are extending your current home, installing a new roof or having a brand new home built, a tin roof can look really great.  Just make sure you have it insulated and maintained so that you can have a roof for many years without any troubles.  The only circumstance when you wouldn’t want to have a tin roof installed is if you live in an area prone to hurricanes or very high winds.