You’ll have to juggle many choices when making metal roofing. From the panels to the gauge to the color, there’s a lot to consider after the process has started. Hence, you might get overwhelmed and forget one important aspect of the roof: the underlayment. Does metal roofing need underlayment, though? There are many advantages of using an underlayment for your metal roofing. We will discuss why you should consider it for your project.
Why Does Metal Roofing Need Underlayment?
Many don’t know that underlayment is a crucial part of your roof. This is because the underlayment adds a protective layer under the metal roofing. You might skip it, assuming that this will help you save money. However, adding the underlayment is a way to save money, too — because it prevents damage, you may have to pay for it later.
Here are some benefits of using underlayment for your metal roofing:
1. Adds Insulation
By adding underlayment, you can reduce the heat and cold gain. This is because it acts as an insulator, keeping your home comfortable in both winters and summers. Moreover, this helps lessen the probability of fluctuating heating and cooling bills.
2. Acts as a Noise Barrier
There’s more to an underlayment than protecting you from the harsh effects of extreme weather. It also works as a sound blocker by absorbing the noise from outside elements hitting the roof, like rain. It doesn’t mean you won’t be able to hear the soothing sound of rain — it just won’t be too loud or noisy. In this manner, the underlayment between your roof deck shields you from the noisy elements.
3. Makes an Even Surface to Lay the Roof
Metal roofing has many advantages, but it can be challenging to lay the decking perfectly. Therefore, your metal roof might look uneven when you put it directly on the roof deck. Using underlayment helps resolve this issue by providing an even surface for roofing. In short, you might need underlayment for metal roofing to lie perfectly flat.
4. The Building Code Might Require It
Constructing requires you to abide by any building codes or regulations. Some building codes ask you to use underlayment if you’re going with a metal roof.
5. Additional Protection
Underlayment under metal roofing helps offer additional protection you may not think you need. In instances of severe weather, the underlayment will help shelter the inside of your home from being exposed to the elements. So blow-offs or water penetration through the roof covering might have minimal effects due to the underlayment.
When Does a Metal Roofing Not Need Underlayment?
There’s never a case where using underlayment for metal roofing is not recommended. However, you can skip it in certain scenarios only. For instance, you may not need it for a patio with an open beam architecture. This is especially true if you can attach the panels directly to the beams with no sheathing. Moreover, if you’re replacing an asphalt roof with metal, you may not need to have underlayment. This is because an asphalt roof already has an underlayment. Nevertheless, you can get the underlayment if the previous one is in poor condition.
What Should I Do?
Metal roofs do need underlayment, save for a few rare scenarios. Get the best supplies for constructing a metal roof from Fort Bend & Steel Supply. You can give us a ring at (281) 499-5800.