[TrailerParadise]

I have a metal roof on my trailer. Its rusted out pretty bad, although there are no holes or leaks. It needs replaced or covered, and soon.
Ive checked with local contractors and its upwards of $10k to have it done. If i buy materials, its $600 for those alone. The $600 is doable, the $10k is not. However, i am terrified of heights and therefore unable to do it myself. My fiance is always working, and so is my dad, and my mom cant do it alone. If we just buy the metal and hire a handyman to put the new metal on top of the old metal, will the rust hurt the new metal? Does the old metal have to be ripped off? Can i put some kind of buffer in between them?
Would it be easier to build a ground-supported roof over the existing roof? I dont know what to do!

 

[joecaption]

Might want to check with some commercial roofing companys about A EPDM roof.
They will lay a layer of fiber board and roll out a one piece membrain roof.
Since it's all one piece it's not going to leak, light weight per sq. ft. and if you get it in white it will reflect the heat.
Not going to get much for $600.00.

 

[TrailerParadise]

The $600 will pay for the new metal panels, ridge cap, caulking, neoprene washer nails, and the plastic pieces to block the holes in the end of each metal piece.

I just called and talked to a roofing company about EPDM and he said they cant put it on a vaulted roof. He said that is meant for flat roofs only

 

[jagans]

Joe is absolutely correct. Tear off the metal roof, Install a layer of 1.5 inch minimum isocyanurate black faced insulation, screwed down with 3 inch metal compression plates and roof deck screws 1 per 3 square feet, and install a Fully adhered .060 inch thick unreinforced black EPDM roof on your trailer with a .032 ALuminum metal drip edge all around the drip should have a 4 inch flange on the roof and a 3.5 inch leg down with a 1/2 inch return Hem. Strip in the pre primed flange with 9 inch pressure sensitive flashing. Install witches hat on vent pipe. Coat roof with two coats of white acrylic with a 1/2 inch Nap roller, and you've got a roof that will last basically forever with a coating every 7 years or so.

Value = Cost / Time.

If you are terrified at the height of a typical trailer roof, get a commercial roofer to do the job. Metal does not work well on low slope roofs, especially through fastened with Nails??? Never even heard of that one.

PS to Joe. You do not want white EPDM The carbon black binder in the black membrane is much of what makes it so durable. WHite has had big problems. Better to coat black, or use a premium heat welded white membrane.

 

[TrailerParadise]

i just talked to a professional roofer. He said since my roof is peaked, he cant put EPDM on it. He said its only for flat roofs.
The first pic here shows how high the roof peak is. Maybe a foot in the center?

 

[jagans]

He is full of S**t

 

[OldNBroken]

Your roofer doesn't know much about roofing then. Sorry.
If we could see pictures of your actual roof it may be easier to come up with options. There are numerous acceptable options for you. Without seeing what you have to work with that's tough to do. When they spot ignorance or inexperience on here it will be pointed out (for your best interest) so take that as assistance, not offense.

We all understand what a shock roof replacement costs can be to unprepared people but most on here believe in doing it right the first time...period. We have all seen firsthand the results of people taking shortcuts or "the cheaper option" and, believe us, it never ends well in the long run and ends up costing more in many ways.

Yes, metal is an option here. But how to properly install it on your structure is something we can't help you with if we can't see the roof deck. Ideally you want a clean substrate to install it over. Putting metal panels over metal panels is really not a good idea.

Also it is against code in the US to install more than one roof layer on a mfr'd home.

 

[jagans]

Sorry, Old N Broken is much more gracious than I am.

The reason I suggested .060 EPDM is that it is lightweight, and can be installed in one piece on your trailer. Yes there are options, including metal, but EPDM over a decent insulation makes the most sense to me in this case. ONB is right n that we would like to see the deck, as you want at least 3/4 inch plywood to install roof deck screws, and considering the fact that your interior ceiling follows the roof slope we really dont know what you have there as far as support and substrate go.

Considering the slope you have, you could also go with a two ply peel and stick SBS Modified Bitumen System, or even 90 lb S1S with back nailing cement.

 

[TrailerParadise]

im not sure whats under the metal, ive never been up there. I know the roof is insulated with blown in because i can see it through the holes where the wires run up through the ceiling. You cant pay me enough to climb up on the roof, #1 it might not hold me and #2 its sloped and metal is slick. No way. i just found out i can have a metal cover built over the house, supported by the ground, for about $4k with a lifetime warranty against rust. Would this be a good option?

Ive already talked to my local authorities, local code doesnt specify anything about a roof except for the fact that it "must be made of an appropriate roofing material, such as metal or shingles" i think that means it cant be made of something unintended for roofs

 

[jagans]

I suppose anything can be done but I would be concerned about Varmints living up under there. Putting a free standing roof is also going to cost much more than say a peel and stick or cold process mod bit roof too. Your call. I guess you never go into a hi-rise huh? You should try to get over that fear. Sounds like it owns you. Good luck with that.

 

[TrailerParadise]

Never heard of a peel and stick roof, i will look into it. dont know what that other thing is. and yeah my fear of heights does prevent me from going to certain places, i wont even stay in a hotel that is two stories. If i ever buy a home that isnt a mobile, i wont even consider them unless theyve got a slab foundation. Just the way i am, its never gonna change. ive tried. Thanks for the suggestions

 

[jagans]

Good thing you aren't a roof consultant! I guess you cant fly anywhere either. Sorry for that.

 

[TrailerParadise]

You are correct