Roof renovation faq

Most roof installations usually take place during the spring/summer, making it the busiest time of the year for roof projects. This might make it difficult to fit your schedule in with that of the installer.

However, there are no technical limitations to completing your roof installation at any time throughout the year. So you can schedule your project for a time that is most suitable for you.

The minimum pitch for a steel roof depends on the roofing sheet models.

For tile sheets, e.g. Monterrey, Adamante, Finnera and Elite, the minimum pitch is 1:4, while for standing seam sheets e.g. Classic it is 1:7.

Renovating an old bitumen felt roof with an even surface is easy. Simply change it for a Ruukki steel roof. You can either do it yourself or leave it to the professionals. The following points should be checked to guarantee that you have one thing less to worry about for the rest of your life.

• Check that the old bitumen felt roof can be used as an underlay.
• Check the condition of the old felt roof’s supporting structures and battens.
• Check the diagonal measurements of the old bitumen felt roof. 
• Check that the ventilation underneath the old bitumen felt roof is sufficient.
• Carry out all necessary repairs.

Steps from an old bitumen felt roof to a new Ruukki steel roof:

1. Leave the old bitumen felt covering in place.
2. Fix the vertical battens (min. 32 x 50 mm) at the locations of the roof trusses.
3. Install the new roofing sheet battens with the right partitioning for the new roofing sheets.
4. Fasten the new roofing sheets onto the battening boards.
5. Fasten all accessories (flashings, fillers, rainwater system, roof safety products, lead-ins, etc.).

Renovating an old tile roof is easy. Simply change it for a Ruukki steel roof. You can either do it yourself or leave it to the professionals. The following points should be checked to guarantee that you have one thing less to worry about for the rest of your life.

• Check the condition of the old tile roof’s supporting structures and underlay.
• Check the diagonal measurements of the old tile roof.
• Carry out all necessary repairs.

Steps from an old tile roof to a new Ruukki steel roof:

1. Remove the old tile roof.
2. Remove the old battening.
3. Install an underlay if there is none. 
4. Fix wooden strips (min. 32 x 50 mm) at the locations of the roof trusses.
5. Install the new roofing sheet battens with the right partitioning for the new roofing sheets.
6. Fasten the new roofing sheets onto the battening boards. 
7. Fasten all accessories (flashings, fillers, rainwater system, roof safety products, lead-ins, etc.)

Steel roof profiles can be installed on most roof shapes. 

Some complicated roof shapes, such as arches, can be challenging for profile installation. Also, if the roof pitch is close to being flat, certain products might not be suitable.

A machine-seamed roof might be more suitable for more challenging roof shapes. 

If you have any questions concerning the shape of your roof, just contact our Technical support.

Renovating an old triangle lath roof is easy. Simply change it for a Ruukki steel roof. You can either do it yourself or leave it to the professionals. The following points should be checked to guarantee that you have one thing less to worry about for the rest of your life.

• Check that the old triangle lath roof can be used as an underlay.
• Check the condition of the old triangle lath roof’s supporting structures and battens.
• Check the diagonal measurements of the old triangle lath roof.
• Check that the ventilation underneath the old triangle lath roof is sufficient.
• Carry out all necessary repairs.

Steps from an old triangle lath roof to a new Ruukki steel roof:

1. Leave the old triangle batten cladding in place. 
2. Fix the vertical battens, which are at least of the same height as the triangle battens at the locations of the roof trusses.
3. Install the new roofing sheet battens with the right partitioning for the new roofing sheets.
4. Fasten the new roofing sheets onto the battening boards. 
5. Fasten all accessories (flashings, fillers, rainwater system, roof safety products, lead-ins, etc.).

Renovating an old machine seamed roof is easy. Simply change it for a Ruukki steel roof. You can either do it yourself or leave it to the professionals. The following points should be checked to guarantee that you have one thing less to worry about for rest of your life.

• Check that the old machine seamed roof can be used as an underlay.
• Check the condition of the old machine seamed roof’s supporting structures and battens.
• Check the diagonal measurements of the old machine seamed roof.
• Check that the ventilation underneath the old machine seamed roof is sufficient.
• Carry out all necessary repairs.

Steps from an old machine seamed roof to a new Ruukki steel roof:

1.  Leave the old machine seamed roof in place. 
2.  Fix the vertical battens, which are at least of the same height as the profile (min. 32 mm) at the locations of the roof trusses.
3.  Install the new roofing sheet battens with the right partitioning for the new roofing sheets.
4. Fasten the new roofing sheets onto the battening boards. 
5. Fasten all accessories (flashings, fillers, rainwater system, roof safety products, lead-ins, etc.).

Yes, you can live in the house during the installation.

The installation process may include everything from removing the old roof to installing the new roof, and even final cleaning.

The complete project might take from two days to two weeks. We will ensure that the effects on your living arrangements are minimal.

Renovating an old profiled sheet roof is easy. Simply change it for a Ruukki steel roof. You can either do it yourself or leave it to the professionals. The following points should be checked to guarantee that you have one thing less to worry about for the rest of your life.

• Check that the old profile sheet roof can be used as an underlay.
• Check the condition of the old profile sheet roof's supporting structures and battens.
• Check the diagonal measurements of the old profiled sheet roof.
• Check that the ventilation underneath the profile sheet roof is sufficient.
• Carry out all necessary repairs.

Steps from an old profile sheet roof to a new Ruukki steel roof:

1. Leave the old profile sheets in place.
2. Fix the vertical battens, which are at least of the same height as the profile (min. 32 mm) at the locations of the roof trusses. 
3. Install the new roofing sheet battens with the right partitioning for the new roofing sheets.
4. Fasten the new roofing sheets onto the battening boards. 
5. Fasten all accessories (flashings, fillers, rainwater system, roof safety products, lead-ins, etc.).

The correct length of a roofing sheet is measured from the outer surface of the farthest facing board at the eaves to the middle of the ridge. In order to get the correct measurements for your order, it is recommended you check the measurements of all roof panels in different places.

Note that roofing sheets are installed so that the length of the roofing sheet over the eaves is approximately 40–45 mm. This means that at the ridge there is enough space for ventilation.

Where the roof truss interval is 900 or 1200 mm, sufficient roofing batten material is a 32 x 100 mm timber batten or a ventilating steel batten. When using tile profile roofing sheets, the lowest roofing batten must be approximately 10 mm thicker than the standard batten, e.g. 2 x (22 x 100 mm).

To ensure the correct batten thickness, contact your nearest structural designer.

When renovating an old asbestos roof, it is recommended you leave it to the professionals. Old asbestos roofs should be removed completely and disposed of properly at a waste treatment plant. Only authorised professionals should be used for an asbestos roof renovation project. When an asbestos roof is removed, the following points should be checked to guarantee that you have one thing less to worry about for the rest of your life.

• Check the condition of the old asbestos roof’s supporting structures.
• Check the diagonal measurements of the old asbestos roof’s structure.
• Carry out all necessary repairs.

Steps from an old asbestos roof to a new Ruukki steel roof:

1. Remove the old asbestos roof.
2. Remove the old battening boards. 
3. Install an underlay if there is none.
4. Fix wooden strips (min. 32 x 50 mm) at the locations of the roof trusses.
5. Install the new roofing sheet battens with the right partitioning for the new roofing sheets.
6. Fasten the new roofing sheets onto the battening boards.
7. Fasten all accessories (flashings, fillers, rainwater system, roof safety products, lead-ins, etc.).

Under normal conditions, the surface of your roof will be kept sufficiently clean by rainfall, although any fallen leaves, twigs, etc., not washed away by rainwater should be cleared from the roof on an annual basis. Roof valleys and rainwater systems also require annual cleaning.

For more detailed maintenance instructions, read our maintenance guide.
 
Although a steel roof requires only minimal maintenance, you should check your roof twice a year, before the winter and again right after the winter.

Check the following annually:

• The ventilation of roof structures still works
• Condition and fixings of rainwater systems
• Condition and fixings of roof safety products
• Condition, tightness and fixings of lead-ins
• Condition of seals
• Condition and fixing of self-drilling screws
• Condition of paintwork on roofing sheets and flashings
• Clean the roof
• Remove snow
• Remove leaves, twigs, etc.

Regular inspections at least twice a year help to uncover damaged sheets, deteriorated flashing and other visible problems. You should time your inspections for the spring and also the autumn before the snow falls.

If you detect any problems with your roof, we recommend you get a professional opinion on whether a roof renovation is needed or not.

Yes, with a new Ruukki roof you will be given a written warranty that declares our reliability as a supplier and our high product quality.´

Products in Ruukki 50 Plus quality class come with a 50-year warranty for technical performance and a 25-year warranty for aesthetic performance.

Products in Ruukki 40 quality class come with a 40-year warranty for technical performance and a 15-year warranty for aesthetic performance.

Products in Ruukki 30 quality class come with a 30-year warranty for technical performance and a 10-year warranty for aesthetic performance.

Ruukki roofs come with a technical warranty of up to as many as 50 years.

However, if roof maintenance is done properly and regularly, a roof can last as long as one hundred years.

There are various ways to purchase a Ruukki roof. In our contact section we have listed all the places to make a purchase.

Ruukki Express is a specialised dealer dedicated to the sale of Ruukki’s roofing products and services.

There are also a number of other dealers who specialise in roof products in general.

If you decide to purchase the Ruukki roof package, you don’t have to worry about a thing.

All you need to do is to send us the blueprints or a picture of your house and decide on the colour and profile you want.  Once you agree to the cost estimate, we will take care of everything else, from measurements to delivery and even installation.

You can purchase a Ruukki roof package from Ruukki Express or order the installation from your nearest local dealer.

Blueprints of your house will help a roofing professional quickly to determine the size of your roof.

If you have the blueprints in electronic format, you can send them with your offer request online or take them with you when you visit your nearest dealer.

If you don’t have blueprints, the easiest way to get the correct measurements for your roof is to ask a professional to do them for you. Based on these measurements, they can provide an accurate offer on the costs of your roof project.