Metal Roofing and Condensation
January 10, 2011 | Filed under: Home Ventilation, Misc, Roof Repair, Roofing Answers
Q: Hello. I was reading about what you said concerning metal roofs. I have one and it sweats when the sun hits it in the morning (condensation). Can you help? I understand the need to reduce moisture from the inside, so I took the boiling pan of water off of the wood stove. Is this a start ? It is an open beam ceiling. From the inside out are 4×8 beams, then 1×12 shelving board, then felt paper then 2x4s laid horizontally as lathes with 2 1/2″ styrofoam insulation, then the metal roof. I was told to take the metal off again and put this moisture barrier sheeting down then put the metal back on. What do you think? I have someone else who wants to take the metal off and just put some sheeting down, then the metal back on. Will this work? Please help.
A: I assume that the decking they want to put down would be plywood or OSB, and then cover it with another layer of underlayment before the metal is put back down.
These situations are always a bit of a guessing game. First of all, eliminating any sources of excess moisture inside the house is important … make sure bathroom and laundry roof vents go outside. Ventless gas stoves also create a lot of moisture.
Would the decking alone be enough to tip the scale and end this problem? I really cannot predict. It would be a good step, undoubtedly. But my preference would be to add the vapor barrier behind the 1 x 12 boards as well as add a layer of decking and underlayment beneath the roofing. Of course, I’d also love to se soffit to ridge ventilation occur beneath that decking as well.
In addition to minimizing excess moisture inside the house, these three things (vapor barrier, Ventilation, and decking) I feel certain would end the problem. Is there a chance that one or two of them alone would fix the problem? Yes, but no guarantees.
Todd Miller has spent his entire career in the metal building products manufacturing industry. He is president of Isaiah Industries, an organization recognized as one of the world’s leading metal roofing manufacturers. Todd is currently Vice President of the MRA (Metal Roofing Association) and a Past Chair of MCA (Metal Construction Association). Through his website, he strives to raise the bar on standards and practices to provide property owners with the best possible products for successful roofing projects.
You may pull quotes from this article provided you include a link back to the original article on this site. You may not reprint this full article, or even a significant amount of the article, without explicit permission. To gain permission, click here.
Could I use this metal roffing on a double wide mobile home? I realy am serious about this. Thank You – – Debra
There are metal roofs which can be used on double wides. Do you know the pitch of your roof? Feel free to email direct to me at todd@asktoddmiller.com
Please reply to me by my e-mail. Could this meetal roffing be used on my mobile home? I am serious about this and would like to know asap. Thank You – – Debra