Finally tackled that metal edging thing on my roof

"Sometimes shortcuts just double your workload..."

Yep, learned this the hard way myself recently. Thought I'd measured everything perfectly, but didn't account for the slight slope on one side of my roof. Ended up with a noticeable gap halfway through installing the edging. Had to redo that entire section - lesson definitely learned. Now I triple-check measurements and even sketch things out beforehand... saves me from headaches later.

Been there myself recently - first-time homeowner struggles are real.

- Thought I'd eyeball the gutter slope. Big mistake.
- Water pooled up after the first rain, had to redo the whole thing.
- Now I've got a cheap laser level. Game changer.
- Agree 100% with this:

"Now I triple-check measurements and even sketch things out beforehand..."

Laser levels are definitely worth their weight in gold when it comes to roofing and gutters. Eyeballing might seem quicker at the time, but it's rarely accurate enough - especially with something as subtle yet crucial as gutter slope. I've seen plenty of DIY jobs where the homeowner thought it looked "good enough," only to end up with pooling water or overflow issues after the first heavy rain.

"Now I triple-check measurements and even sketch things out beforehand..."

Sketching is underrated. Even a quick rough sketch can reveal problems you wouldn't notice otherwise. You get to visualize tricky corners, downspouts placements, and potential trouble areas ahead of time. I'd add one more thing: if you're using metal edging or flashing, always factor in an allowance for expansion and contraction due to temperature changes. A little wiggle room there can prevent buckling or warping down the line.

Anyway, sounds like you're on the right track now with that laser level... live and learn, right?

Glad you mentioned expansion and contraction - honestly, that's something I totally overlooked the first time around. Learned it the hard way when my edging started making weird popping noises on hot afternoons. 😅

"Sketching is underrated. Even a quick rough sketch can reveal problems you wouldn't notice otherwise."

Couldn't agree more. Sketching things out beforehand has saved me from plenty of headaches. Sounds like you've got a solid approach figured out now... feels good when things finally click into place, doesn't it?

Yeah, sketching definitely helps catch those sneaky little issues early. Did you end up leaving any extra wiggle room for expansion this time around, or did you find another workaround? Curious how you tackled it...

"Did you end up leaving any extra wiggle room for expansion this time around, or did you find another workaround?"

Honestly, I'm not totally convinced that leaving extra wiggle room is always the best approach. Sure, it can help with expansion and contraction, but sometimes it just invites more issues down the line - like debris buildup or water pooling. I've seen roofs where the extra space ended up being a magnet for leaves and dirt, eventually causing drainage headaches.

Have you considered maybe using flexible edging materials instead? Something like rubberized metal edging or even recycled composite materials can adapt better to temperature fluctuations without needing that extra gap. Plus, they're often more eco-friendly and durable in the long run. I know it's not the traditional route, but sometimes stepping away from standard practices can save you headaches later on...

Good points about debris buildup - I've definitely seen that happen. But wouldn't flexible edging still need a bit of space to move around? I mean, even rubberized stuff expands a little, right? I've never tried composite materials myself...do they really hold up well over time? Curious if anyone here's had them installed for more than a couple seasons and how they're holding up.

"I mean, even rubberized stuff expands a little, right?"

Yeah, good point - pretty much everything moves a bit, especially with temp swings. I haven't personally installed composite edging, but I've seen it after a few storms and it seemed to hold up pretty well. Still, I wonder how it fares long-term with UV exposure...does it fade or get brittle eventually? I'd hate to swap metal for something that looks great at first but turns sketchy after a few summers.

I've been wondering about composite edging too, but honestly, metal might still be the safer bet. My neighbor installed composite trim a couple years back, and while it hasn't cracked or anything yet, it's definitely faded quite a bit. UV exposure seems to dull it down faster than you'd think. Metal might expand and contract slightly, but at least you know it'll hold its shape and color longer term...just something to consider before making the switch.

Metal edging definitely has its advantages, especially when it comes to durability and UV resistance. If you're leaning toward metal, just make sure you account for thermal expansion. Leave a small gap (about 1/8 inch) between sections to allow for movement, and use fasteners with neoprene washers - they help absorb some of that expansion stress. Composite can look great initially, but yeah, fading is pretty common. Metal's usually the safer long-term bet if you're after consistency.

Good points about thermal expansion - did you find the neoprene washers held up well over time? I've heard mixed things about their longevity, especially in areas with big temperature swings. Also curious if anyone's noticed noise issues with metal edging during temperature shifts...like popping or creaking sounds? I'm leaning toward metal myself, but trying to anticipate any potential annoyances down the road.

I've been wondering about noise too - does the metal edging make noticeable sounds during heavy rain? I'm a light sleeper, so even minor tapping or drips could become an issue down the line... Curious if anyone's had trouble with that.

Metal edging can sometimes amplify rain noise, especially if it's directly exposed without any buffering material. But honestly, in most cases, if it's installed properly - with a good underlayment and securely fastened - it shouldn't cause noticeable tapping or dripping sounds. If you're particularly sensitive, you might consider adding a thin foam or rubber strip underneath during installation. I've had clients who were worried about this too, and that small step made a big difference for them. Hope that helps ease your mind a bit...

Glad you brought this up because I've been wondering about it myself. Our new place has metal edging, and I swear the rain sounds louder than at my old house. Maybe it's just me being hyper-aware since it's our first home, but did you notice a big difference right away after adding the foam strip? I'm a bit skeptical that something so thin can actually help much...but your experience makes me think it might be worth a shot. Thanks for sharing this!

I was skeptical too at first - seemed like marketing hype - but foam strips can actually dampen vibrations surprisingly well. Still, don't expect total silence; it mostly softens the sharper tapping sounds. Might be worth trying, especially if the noise is really bugging you.

"Still, don't expect total silence; it mostly softens the sharper tapping sounds."

Yeah, that's been my experience too. Foam strips helped a bit with the tapping noise on my metal roof, especially during heavy rain. But honestly, after a while, I kinda got used to the sound - it became almost relaxing. Curious though, has anyone tried combining foam strips with something heavier like rubber or felt underneath? Wonder if that'd make a noticeable difference or just be overkill...

I've seen folks try rubber mats under metal roofing before, and honestly, it does help a bit more than foam alone. Had a client once who was super sensitive to noise - he layered felt under the foam strips, and it noticeably dulled the tapping. Didn't eliminate it completely, but made it more muffled and less sharp. Might be worth experimenting with a small section first though... rubber can get pricey fast.

"Had a client once who was super sensitive to noise - he layered felt under the foam strips, and it noticeably dulled the tapping."

Can confirm this helps. Had a similar issue after a hailstorm repair. Client couldn't stand the noise afterward, so we tried rubber mats first - worked okay, but pricey as mentioned. Ended up using felt strips under foam instead. Cheaper and pretty effective at softening that sharp tapping sound. Might depend on roof pitch and material though...

Did the same thing on my porch roof last summer after a heavy rain made it sound like a drumline out there. Felt strips definitely cut down the noise, but I noticed it also depends on how tight you secure everything. Too loose and you still get some rattling, too tight and it seems to transfer vibrations more. Took me a couple tries to find that sweet spot...but worth the effort for sure.

Had a similar experience with my shed roof - metal edging was rattling like crazy during storms. Tried felt strips too, and you're right about the tension thing. Took me forever to dial it in. Eventually went with some rubber washers under the screws, which seemed to dampen vibrations better. Curious if anyone else tried different materials besides felt? Felt worked okay, but I'm always looking for something quieter or more durable...