Have you ever purchased a new desk or bookshelf from one of those big-box stores where you had to take it home and assemble it? The recommended instructions and step-by-step details for items like this make it far easier to put together, right?
Now, let’s think of it on a larger scale. Would you want something as important as their roof put on your property without the installers following any set guidelines or tested methods of installation?
The answer is probably no. Whether you’re a property owner, roofing contractor or installer, the metal roof should be installed according to the manufacturer’s recommended installation details.
At Sheffield Metals, we put a significant amount of time and testing into our installation details for all of our engineered standing seam metal roofing profiles. These guidelines for how to properly install the flashing materials are critical to the success of the roof system, and that’s why we want to share:
- What installation details are and why they’re important
- Inadequate/inferior installation detail scenarios
- How to avoid problems from bad installation details
What Are Metal Roof Installation Details?
Metal roof installation details provide an in-depth product guide detailing the location of components and accessories, and then explain basic practical installation methods for these products at various points on the roof. Installation details will vary depending on the manufacturer, but most details are broken down according to (or a combination of these attributes):
- Panel profile type
- Metal material used
- Roof deck substrate and assembly (i.e., included insulation)
From there, details are typically long documents that outline the information of the panel profile, applicable industry standards or testing, maintenance, warranties, hemming and then the installation details shown as drawings.
For example, let’s look at the details provided on the SMI 1.5-inch SnapLock 550 Plywood Installation Details. On this set of installation details, you can find details of how to install at the:
- Eaves
- Eaves with a gutter
- Rakes/gables
- Valleys
- Penetration points
- Headwalls
- Sidewalls
- Hips and ridges
- Vented ridges
- High side eaves
- Roof transitions
- Curbs
- Lightning protections
- Roof/fascia transitions

All of these roof points have a detailed, layered drawing of how the components come together and are to be installed, including the order, types, measurements, exact locations/spacings and special installation instructions. Commonly, details should include the installation of:
- Flashings
- Fasteners
- Sealant
- Butyl tape
- Substrate/deck
- Underlayment
- Pipe boots
- Miscellaneous accessories

Your installation details will coordinate to the layout of your roof plan, which will show:
- Where the panels are at in that region of the roof
- How the building looks at that region of the roof
- Any other roof structures or penetrations that might affect that region of the roof (i.e., vent pipes, etc.)
Not having or not using any installation details for a metal roof system provides no frame of reference for installers to follow. While some contractors or installers might be able to get by with little guidance, failing to use details often results in a guessing game of how the manufacturer wants their products installed. This simply doesn’t benefit the property owner, contractors, or anyone else involved.
Protect Your Installation from Bad Details
When trying to avoid bad installation details, the best course of action involves being proactive instead of reactive, so it’s easier to fix an aspect of the installation before it’s complete. That’s why it’s critical to educate yourself and, if you’re a property owner, go through the installation details with the installer before the project begins.
Here are some steps you can take to avoid any metal roofing issues related to details before it even begins:
Talk to a specific manufacturer and ask for referrals to contractors who they know will follow their verified installation details. Doing this will help take some of the guesswork out of finding a contractor on your own.
During the consultations with the contractors, you can stipulate that you want to install a specific set of details on your project. If the contractor is unable or unwilling to use the details you want, it’s best to find a more qualified contractor.
Ask questions. You’re encouraged to ask questions during the consultation process. Whether it’s a question about the right profile for your roof, how much sealant you should use, or what the details are for the installation — the contractor should be able to confidently and clearly answer your questions.
When in doubt, check the contractor’s reviews and ask for referrals. You can learn a lot about a business by its ratings and reviews on Google, social media channels, and other ratings-based websites. And don’t just stop there either. If you have a friend, family member, or neighbor who recently had a metal roof installed on their home or business building, they are one of the best places to look. Ask them who they hired as their contractor and if their contractor followed the manufacturer’s details.
When going through the installation details with a contractor, look for secondary protections used on the roof, such as laps or sealant. For example, all of our details at SMI have a secondary defense component if something drastic were to happen to the original flashing.
If you’re still questioning the installation details, you can always hire a third-party consultant who can come in and be there during the installation. They’re more likely to be objective and ensure installation details are followed accordingly. However, keep in mind that this is an expensive course of action to take.
About the author: Julianne Calapa is a writer at Mazzella Companies, Cleveland. For more information, go to www.mazzellacompanies.com.
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