This post completes the major construction of the Outdoor Kitchen! Woo-hoo! In this post, I go through the installation of our metal roofing. Be sure to check out Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 if you haven't already.

Roofing Material

We purchased our metal roofing from a local manufacturer. This is what they call a Tuff-Rib panel. It comes in 17 different colors and has a 40 year warranty. It is also Energy Star Rated and is known as a "cool roof", reflecting most of the heat from the sun despite the darker colors. We purchased the Bronze color and also the matching roofing screws to go with it. Our cost for roofing was $1.79 per linear foot. Each panel is 3 feet wide and cut to length. The total cost for the metal roofing was just at $225.

Perfection Needed

The most important step when installing metal roofing is to get the first panel EXACTLY correct! You want it running perpendicular to the purlins and in just the right spot. As you add other panels, their angle and direction is controlled by the first panel. With this in mind, I had my wife help me put the first panel up. She measured the overhang at the end while I moved the panel up / down / right / left to get it placed correctly.

Plan of Attack

I came up with the following plan of attack for installing the panels. The main goal was to install the panels without having to get on top of the roof itself.

#1: Install all of the panels on one side. #2: Install the first ridge cap, then fill in panels on the other side, working my way down the roof. Ridge cap, panels, panels, panels. Ridge cap, panels, panels, panels.

Installation Photos

Working my way down the first side of the roof. I had to climb onto the truss a few times. Glad I used beefy wood! Unknown to me, this was the "easy part"--just dealing with panels and not the panels and ridge cap at the same time... that was soon to come!

Finishing up the first side. No time for fear of heights! Actually, the ladder I have is FREAKING AWESOME!!! It's a Werner brand from Lowe's and what is known as an "articulating ladder"--it's fully adjustable and super-stable! I would never recommend getting any other ladder. This one is the 21 foot model.

Working on the other side. Here's a view showing the roof, ridge vent, and the other panels. At this point, I was ready to add another ridge vent piece. Here's also a view of the purlins and structure up close.

Took a break from the sun and snapped a photo showing the underside. Almost done... so nice to have (man made) shade!

Just a photo of me riding the truss Cowboy Style! Also showing how I would attach the roof panel, then attach the ridge cap to the panels. I used 1.5" metal roofing screws. These are the same color as the roof panels and have rubber washers on them to prevent leaks.

DONE!

Boy, what a day! This was the best photo I got at the time. I was beat from this one! Total time was about 6 hours doing the roof. However, it is so nice to have the major structure (and ladder work) done! And some shade on the hill now!

The Video

And now... for your viewing pleasure, may we present... the video!

Stay Tuned

We'll see you on the next update, where we get to begin "finishing" things in the Outdoor Kitchen! We have plans for lights, counter tops, etc, so it should be fun to watch.

Outdoor Kitchen Build - Part 5 - Roofing