Corrugated PVC roof panels

[K Frame]

Anyone ever install these?

Mom's back porch has the old corrugated fiberglass panels on the roof, and they're shot. My Grandfather put them on in the late 1950s/early 1960s. There are a number of leaks, and ice came off the roof last year and punch a big hole in one panel.

It looks to be a pretty straightforward job. the biggest pains will be getting the flashing correct.

I thought about shingling the roof, but I'd have to put up plywood or strandboard to have a nailing surface, and it would look like hell underneath, all the nails and the like.

[dogmush]

Pretty easy.

Just get the correct self sealing fasteners for the panels you use.  I run them in with a cordless impact.

[Mannlicher]

 I just wonder how they will hold up to UV light.

[K Frame]

The PVC ones I'm looking at at Lowes say they're designed for direct sun contact for the long-term.

Realistically, it's my Mom's house. She's 81. It's going to be someone else's problem.

[Ben]

Just get the correct self sealing fasteners for the panels you use. 

Yeah, that's key. I've only ever used the metal sheets for outbuildings, but fasteners with the good sealing washers are a must. They're usually right next to the panels at most of the big box stores.

[K Frame]

What, you mean I can't use the roughly 500 tons of railroad spikes I've found in and around the house?

Holy crap, they're always getting you with extras and add ons!

Bastages!

[Ben]

What, you mean I can't use the roughly 500 tons of railroad spikes I've found in and around the house?

Holy crap, they're always getting you with extras and add ons!

Bastages!

KD5, what are you doing on Irwin's account?

[K Frame]

I just wonder how they will hold up to UV light.

These are the ones I'm looking at. http://www.lowes.com/pd/Tuftex-SeaCoaster-2-17-ft-x-8-ft-Corrugated-PVC-Roof-Panel/3010592

I don't think they make the old fiberglass panels of the kind that are currently on there.

[roo_ster]

KD5, what are you doing on Irwin's account?

Obviously it is mi being snarky. 

Were it kd5 he would have suggested reforging those railroad spikes into ringshank nails with an extra wide nailhead using a forge cobbled together from an old mocrowave oven and a pool noodle.

[Ben]

Obviously it is mi being snarky.  

Were it kd5 he would have suggested reforging those railroad spikes into ringshank nails with an extra wide nailhead using a forge cobbled together from an old mocrowave oven and a pool noodle.

Yeah, I knew Mike was being snarky. I just had to get in on the fun.  

But you're right, railroad spikes alone aren't enough. Besides what you mentioned, there should also be some welding involved somewhere.  

[RevDisk]

Obviously it is mi being snarky. 

Were it kd5 he would have suggested reforging those railroad spikes into ringshank nails with an extra wide nailhead using a forge cobbled together from an old mocrowave oven and a pool noodle.

Ayep. When every sane person knows to use a gas forge.

[Firethorn]

But you're right, railroad spikes alone aren't enough. Besides what you mentioned, there should also be some welding involved somewhere.  

Using detcord.  Explosive welding is the best.

That's how you make sure everything is waterproof...  Weld all seams.

[Jamisjockey]

Weld up some used car hoods and you've got it done.  Make sure to use your home made shovel as a pry bar to lift the cars up and put you homemade jack stands underneath.

[K Frame]

Homemade jackstands?

Unlike you, Mom's house has class.

 

[K Frame]

Had a bit of a epiphany. I wasn't looking forward to trying to do this off ladders...

Scaffolding.

I can rent, pretty damned cheaply, enough scaffolding to make getting up to the roof a breeze.

[K Frame]

The more I look at it, though, the more I think I'm going to shingle the roof. I can do shingles for almost the same price, and it will ultimately be a more durable roof.

[K Frame]

Holy hell. if I use oriented strand board instead of plywood, it's a lot cheaper than the PVC roof panels...

[Perd Hapley]

Holy hell. if I use oriented strand board instead of plywood, it's a lot cheaper than the PVC roof panels...

Oriental strand board? Yeah, that Chinese import stuff is always cheaper.

[K Frame]

Oriental strand board? Yeah, that Chinese import stuff is always cheaper.

Georgia Pacific Blue Ribbon.

AFIK made in the US.

Not imported.

[Perd Hapley]

Was joke. Oriental, instead of oriented.

[K Frame]

Was joke. Oriental, instead of oriented.

Ah, missed that. Well played.

I knew that there were concerns about Chinese sheetrock not that long ago, so figured that they were also importing OSB.

[dogmush]

Holy hell. if I use oriented strand board instead of plywood, it's a lot cheaper than the PVC roof panels...

I would advise strongly against using OSB for a roof (or exterior walls). I know it's done by crappy contractors, but that stuff just isn't durable.

I know know you don't need this to last forever, but I have seen OSB roofs on sheds become too loose to hold the nails in 5-6 years, just with FL's humidity.

[K Frame]

I would advise strongly against using OSB for a roof (or exterior walls). I know it's done by crappy contractors, but that stuff just isn't durable.

I know know you don't need this to last forever, but I have seen OSB roofs on sheds become too loose to hold the nails in 5-6 years, just with FL's humidity.

Mom's 81 year, and not in the greatest health. Somehow (and I hate to say it) one way or another I don't think that's going to be a problem.