Metal roof condensation

Metal roof condensation is a fall/ winter subject many tin roof owners seek information.  Here is my webpage with suggestions to control moisture inside the home:
Metal roof condensation in vintage structures.

Grey is grey, or is it?

In Mt. Holly, NJ, we applied a grey acrylic to this home in 2010.  Now one year later, we revisited for minor touchup work.

As you can see the grey coating looks different, but the grey coating IS THE SAME.

Over the last year or so, coating and painting manufacturers have been required to change certain solvents and glycols in their formulas in order to meet EPA (Enviromental Protection Agency) standards to reduce VOCs (Volatile Organic Compound levels).  Due to these alterations, manufacturers are encountering difficulties in duplicating the exact color of certain popular choices.

Think of this example:  You bake a cake from scratch using whole milk.  To reduce calories, you substitute the whole milk with skim milk.  The result would be different.

Contractors, like me, just have to be careful to work closely with the manufacturers about color.

Metal porch roof restoration in progress

Photo shows a porch roof with vintage metal panels.  At this stage, the project has received primer and the foundation of the fully reinforced system (coating/mesh/coating).

Note the following:
1) metal roof panels are still due one more coating of rusty red acrylic
2) drainage area is awaiting a rust red version of a coating that will withstand the ponding water that usually occurs in these old standing seam gutters.

Stamped metal shingle -- an old, old style

A rare sight:  1.  medium and small size metal shingles.
2.  1870 style, only seen twice by me in 15 years.

This Carolina home is in the process of renovation.  The determine owner is preserving its historical features, such as the roof with the "witch's hat."

Pricing for metal roof painting

Do you keep the existing metal roof? Or replace with new metal panels? Or install asphalt shingles?

Pricing for new metal panels or asphalt shingles is readily available from local roofers.

For a maintenance coating (means few leaks or extra repairs), $4.50 per square foot is a planning figure.   For a truly worn tin roof, (means double material and work), $8.50 per square foot.

For pricing and other FAQ, check this page .

Here's a quick method to estimate roof area--take the width and length of your house, then add 50%.  Not a perfect method, but should offer an idea

Metal roof green coating

From 2010 onward we have been applying a green top coating that resists any chalking action.

This roof on a home near Philadelphia illustrates the appearance of this chalk-resistant green coating. To understand "chalking", see this entry of my blog.


The coating formula meets customer concerns about long-term attractiveness of a green roof. On the other hand, my crew hates it.  The coating smells during application.  They have to mix three elements exactly.  Then they have to apply immediately, or the mixture hardens.  And there are other temperature and weather challenges to using this product correctly.  

BUT the green tint in this formula will outlast any acrylic tinted green.   So we grumble quietly about this unpleasant application, knowing we are leaving the customer with a better roof than an easier application with acrylic.

A seven year old green roof

Since the 1990s green acrylic (elastomeric) has tended to chalk before the reds, blacks and pastel tints.  The reason is that the liquid tint used for green interacts with the required zinc in acrylic formulas (Zinc prevents moss, mold, etc., from growing in the acrylic).  The powdered red and black tints resist chalking more effectively.

By year seven, a green acrylic roof may look like this photo taken on a rainy day at our 2004 customer's home. 

Is the acrylic now "bad"?  Not at all.  The acrylic is still adhering without flaking to the metal panels.  The acrylic has not worn away.  The only thing "wrong"  is......the appearance is unattractive.

A simple coating of acrylic will freshen the appearance.

Patina: one of the popular choices for tin roofs

In Mt. Holly, NJ, the owner requested a patina tint on her roof.....last year.  Her roof leaked, flaked, and looked cheap.  In addition to the roof's concerns, her first grandchild was arriving...so money was limited.

In 2010, we cleaned, primed, repaired and applied an acrylic with the patina color.

In 2011, we returned to apply Wearcoat 44, in the patina color.  The reason for deciding against the acrylic formula for the topcoat is the tendency of green tinted acrylic to chalk, thereby causing the roof to appear old.

Bloody roof for Halloween in Mount Holly, NJ

Just in time for Halloween.  The GhostHunter store on Church St in scenic Mt. Holly, NJ, is open to the predators of spirits, goblins and ghosts.  On other vintage metal stores, this roof coating is called "rusty red".  Not here.....bloody red is a truer description.  Even the banner over the #16 street entrance is dripping blood!

Winter Metal Roof Restoration project completed

During December and January, we applied the foundation of the fully reinforced portion of the reroofing project.  The owners were dry by mid-January.  We top coated the roofing panels during the summertime.

Five military family members recognized

 
Near St. Michaels, MD, on a renovated site, five military men from the same family were recently honored.  The tribute area is surrounded by farm-style structures.  We were pleased to coat older roofs to match newer green painted structures.

Maryland green roof

Upon entering St. Michaels in Maryland, along the main road, this long-time resident hired us to refresh his green roof.  On this 2010 project  we applied the newer finish that will avoid the chalking identified with acrylic applications.

Their home is constructed on "ballast bricks".   Ballast bricks, used on nearly empty ships, the bricks were unloaded and replaced with fine goods for other destinations. Some bricks became part of original construction of colonial homes on the Eastern seaboard.

Early design of the embossed tin shingle

This 1878 tin shingle roof with an early designed has been treated with primer and a single coat of light grey acrylic.  A second coat will be applied.

This style of shingle is rare.  On this home in Newton, NC, the new owners are taking steps to preserve the historical features of the structure.  Their selection of light grey is a traditional choice.

Two long-time neighbors have commented that the roof has never "looked so good"

Green tin roofs

Green tints have been a challenge to manufacturers since the 1990s.
Recently, materials have come available to resolve the early chalking that characterizes acrylic green coatings.

The application is tricky--certainly not recommended for the do-it-yourselfer.

The photos illustrate the messy mixing required and the finished green panels:

Historical Pennsylvania tin roofing

In Addison, PA, on the old National Highway through the Laurel Highlands, a new owner is saving this traditional structure.  She started with the roof and chimney in 2008. 

First, a local expert rebuilt her chimney.  Then we addressed her oversize embossed tin shingles with bronze acrylic from Preservation Products. 

Notice along the bottom right corner.  Extra work was completed to repair damaged shingles, resulting in a tolerable straight line and appearance.  Photo was taken in April 2011. 

What are they?

Snow jax
Snow birds
Snow angels
Ice angels
Snow guards
Ice guards

These metal roof addons are known by many names.

A sloppy job

My crew did not apply the mesh in the photo.

The wrinkles in the mesh illustrates a sloppy application by a newcomer to metal roof restoration.  In addition to the newcomer failing to apply fabric properly, he/she skimped with the white acrylic coating, leaving bare areas.

My crew chief and his men are experts in working with mesh.  Seeing a roof job like this one reminds me how fortunate I am to work with a talented team.

Leaking metal panels

An example of a winter repair on metal panels with the red top coatings applied several months later.

Rare embossed tin roof shingle design

Built in 1878, this early design of embossed tin shingles illustrates a more elaborate design compared to the stamped shingles of the turn of the century.

The owners have advised us we will be restoring this gem in Newton, NC, sometime this spring.  In keeping with  tradition, they have selected a light grey tint, an coating similar to the original shingle.

Although my recollection may be faulty, this project represents the earliest embossed tin shingle roof we have restored. 

Pennsylvania rural homestead

At first glance, this metal roof just south of Harrisburg, PA, appears clean and ready for applying a roof coating.  The lack of flaking,and  rust might lure some roofers to begin painting without any prepping.

Big mistake.

A simple test determined that there is a layer of organic debris on most of the panels.  If a coating had been applied, flaking would occur within several years.


One of our solutions is a scrubbing of outdoor, enviormentally-safe clorox.

Trim on New Jersey metal roof

Almost my first words to this couple were, "You have visited Cape May!"  Initially, they had  decorated their facade with seven different colors,  Now they are in the process of freshening all of the colors.

Our role was the roof in the traditional red tint.  Usually owners ask us to coat the trim with the same material as the roof.  Not here.  The aging blue painted trim will be retained.....a rare decision by a homeowner. 

When the painting work is completed, the house could fit into any street in lovely Cape May.  And on this street in Pennsauken, outside Philadlephia, their home will be the eye-catching beauty midst asphalt shingles and standard-looking facades.

Tin roof colors

Color is the most important decision in preserving a vintage metal roof.  After the bill is paid and the leaks are halted, everyday you will see the tint you selected. 

March weather project in New Jersey

March--a challenging time to perform work on a metal roof with waterbased materials.  Nighttime temperatures may be too cold and rain appears from nowhere.  A waterbased coating may freeze off the roof surface or, in the case of rain, wash away.

On this project in Pennsauken, NJ, we used a winter formulation as a substitute for the base coat.  The winter coating material is more expensive, stronger and difficult to apply.  But for a contractor, like me, we can work on a 32 degree day.

Note the different color of the roof on the upper left side.  Prep work had revealed a series of unexpected breaks in the tin.  Our primer dripped into the attic area.  With the owner's approval, we applied the fully reinforced approach just on this weak area.  The photo below illustrates the repair.

All that remains is a top coat of the traditional red acrylic....to be applied on a warm, sunny spring day

Old House Fair in Philly

Check out my booth on March 26th at the Germantown Friends School on Coultier St.

See the Old House Fair link for more information

Winter work on a vintage metal roof

Temperatures can be in the 30s, wind can be blowing, snow can be falling in 30 minutes.....still a leaking, rusty metal/tin roof can be leak-proofed.

Certain coating materials can be substituted for the standard coatings applied in spring/summer/fall.  On this project,  all that is left to perform on the 7000 sq ft roof are two top coatings of the owners' tint preference.

The roof does not leak and the attractive acrylic tint will be applied on a lovely spring day.

http://www.roofmenders.com/Winter_Metal_Roof_Restoration.htm

Asphalt shingles coated

 On this corner residence in Annapolis, MD, the owners have redone their color scheme for the outside of their home.  The copper front porch roof is a special touch.

The upper standing seam roof, originally a light green tint, has been changed to a rusty red crown that oversees their newly designed landscaping work.

The roofing project that we performed included a small addition with asphalt shingles.  The asphalt shingles were coated with a light grey coating that does not distract the visitor's eye from the more attactive features of the residence.

Witch's Hat

An example of a "Witch's hat" with the original embossed tin shingles.  There are other names, but my crew insists that the title "Witch's hat" is appropriate.  The restoration of the shingles on this section of a roof is usually the most time-consuming.

For sale in rural southern VA

The children of their WWII vet father are in the process of preparing to place their 7 acre homestead on the market.

Our role is to resolve several troublesome leaks, something we do quite well.

A true gem for a future old house owner.

Copper roof repair

On this copper roof, the repair material.....which does not require primer....was tinted in patina green.   Note the "shiny" patina located in the inside corner--that area is the repair.
The purpose of this repair is to stop a leak while allowing the owner time to decide on restoring this roof or replacing.

Green metal roof and cherry trees

When I emailed this Washington DC owner that her restored roof is hidden from view by overgrown tree limbs,  she emailed back,

"The weeping trees are babies of one of the original Japanese cherry trees that were sent in 1912.  The owner of the house back then was a landscape architect, and he worked at the Dept. of Agriculture.  I don't know how he came into possession of the tree......"

Colors for tin roofing

This New Jersey home changed from a dark green to a lighter tint called Fernwood.  Reasons: less stress on the tin panels, better view of home against the trees plus the upper floor is cooler on hot days.

Copper roof restored

A copper roof is available, without paying for expensive copper sheets.

As the project on this web page illustrates, old, leaky copper or metal roofing can be repaired.

The result is either a shiny copper roof (with a clearcoat that blocks aging) or a copper roof that ages to bronze.

Silver toned metal shingles

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The roof on the left are embossed tin shingles where the manufacturing finish failed to contain the rust after just a few years.

The treatment for this situation for those owners who desire a bright shiny silver apperance is a combination of several products of Andek Corp. 

Tin roof contractor for restoration work

If you are seeking a tin roof contractor in the mid-Atlantic states, my crew and I are seeking owners of tin roofs who want to restore their existing metal roofs.

Asphalt shingle coating

Asphalt shingle roof owners sometimes use the tinted acrylics from tin roofing repair.  There are  two reasons:

1.  Extend the life of the asphalt shingles.
2.  Reduce energy costs by changing dark colored shingles to a lighter color.
The roof to the left illustrates an energy savings project.
Rarely does a homeowner select a solid white tint because the appearance becomes dirty with tree droppings, etc.  But light grey, light tan and other lighter variations do help lower interior temperatures during warm days. See painting asphalt shingles for more information....including "how to" and "where to buy the acrylic".

Village with tin roofs

Near Durham, NC, is Glencoe Mill Village.  The homes of the former mill workers are being renovated, maintaining as much historic flavor as possible.  And all the homes have tin roofs.

For more information about this picturesque village, click this link