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Tommyp!972 · Jun 4, 2006, 10:57 PM

A contractor is putting on a metal roof for me but I have an issue I hope someone can answer

I have a hip roof(4sided roof that meets as a common peak)...
The metal where the roofs meet at each of the four corners have gaps running from the bottom of my roof to the top..
They say the ridge cap will cover them

How much of a gap should there be?

.. I always thought the panels edges should almost butt up against each other or be very close with an gap to let air escape out between the panels...
And then the cap goes over.. but everything was suppose to look tight

What's an acceptable gap at these ridge lines?

educatedhorse_2005 · Jun 4, 2006, 11:29 PM

3 inches is pretty standard

Tommyp!972 · Jun 5, 2006, 12:16 AM

Sorry should have said how many inches on each side of the ridge
Stupid question coming...
Do you mean 3 inches or 1 1/2 inches PER side of the ridge?

educatedhorse_2005 · Jun 5, 2006, 12:17 AM

1 1/2 on each side

Tommyp!972 · Jun 5, 2006, 12:21 AM

Damn!! then I guess they really screwed up..
I have a good 4-6 inches per side from top to bottom
What should I tell contractor in the morning?
Should he be held responsible?
Should I still pay him early for my siding materials that is be delivered supposedly after the roof gets completed or should I tell him to wait for the $$ till I see how roof comes out?

Tommyp!972 · Jun 5, 2006, 12:48 AM

I have a feeling we are going to have problems with this contractor but I'm stuck with him...

We don't have anything in writing but I'm not sure if I want him to do the siding due to comments and workmanship so far... am I liable for the cost of siding materials if they were already ordered and I decide I want another contractor to do the siding?

I'm not a scumbag but this guy totally rubbed me the wrong way... he wants to bully his way into doing things and I don't go for that and I'm about to say something... heck even his workers call him an azzhole to work for

educatedhorse_2005 · Jun 5, 2006, 01:08 AM

He should be able to cover this gap with the ridge cap but he should try to fix this problem

One of the most important things is get everything in writing.
I have been out of the roofing business for seven years maybe they have changed the regulations

newcomer2011 · Dec 29, 2011, 12:23 PM

Hi there,
The size of the gap between metal panels des not matter, as long as the ridge/hip cap is covering it. You can have the size of the cap as wide as 12 inches; 6" on each side but it would look a bit strange on the residential roof. A good size is 6". By the way, you said that you want the hot air from the attic to escape, you might want to install a vented ridge cap.

newcomer2011 · Dec 29, 2011, 12:33 PM

If you don't have the contract in writing, you can talk to contractor and explain that the work has to be done at your satisfaction, not his. Tell him that he should not start another trade activity until you are satisfied with what had done to this point. Contractor is usually in a hurry to finish the job, but you have a right to run the construction at your comfortable speed.