Roof renovation frequently asked questions

Ruukki always recommends the use of roofing underlay.

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 choice of colour is really up to you.

Ruukki’s selection of steel roofs is extensive and you can find all the colours available from product section on this website.

Remember, however, to check with your local building authority regarding any limitations on roof building, shapes and colours.

Confirm your choice of colour with our one of our dealers, who will be happy to discuss your decision with you.

Roof safety products are products designed to ensure the safety of, for example, a roof owner performing maintenance and other tasks on their roof, and other people, such as people standing under or walking past your roof.

Ruukki offers a range of roof safety products, including snow stops, ladders and roof bridges.

The legal requirements concerning roof safety products depend on the country in which you live.

Contact your nearest local dealer and ask about the legal requirements.

Our specialists prefer to see your roof before providing an offer, just so that no unexpected costs arise during your project.

The costs of a new roof vary greatly, depending on factors such as the selected roof profile and coating, the installer doing the work, the complexity and location of the project.

When Ruukki’s professionals provide you with an offer on the costs of your roofing project, the price we set is a price you can rely on.

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 and Finnera, 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.).

 

Ruukki recommends you install gutters so that the fall is approximately 2-3 mm/metre.

Where the roof pane is less than 10 metres, you can use one downpipe and gutters that fall in the direction of the downpipe. Where the roof pane is more than 10 metres, two downpipes should be used, with the guttering falling in the direction of both downpipes.

 

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.).

 

Ruukki roofs are easy install, so if you are confident you have all the tools and skills necessary for the job, yes, you can do it yourself. However, for more complicated roof shapes and for safety reasons, we do recommend you let professionals take care of the installation.

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 distance from the fascia boards’ outer surface to the middle of the second batten is 300 mm. The distance between the rest of the battening boards is 350 mm.

If you have requested delivery of your roof to your premises, you should ensure that you have an appropriate storage space for the time before the roof installation.

Detailed instructions on unloading and storing your roof before installation can be found in the installation instructions for the roofing sheets.

Before starting the installation, it is important to check how level the roof understructures are. Also make sure that the cross-measures of the roof pane match and that the ridge and eaves are straight. If there are irregularities in the measurements, contact our Technical Support for assistance.

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.

A roofing installation will generally take anywhere from two days to a few weeks, depending on the size of the project. Although Ruukki roofs can be installed all year round, weather conditions, such as wind, snow and rain, may have an effect on the length of a project.

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.).

Signs of water damage on interior walls usually indicate that your roof is in need of leak repair. If you uncover damaged sheets, deteriorated flashing and other visible problems, you will at least need to do some repairs, or possibly replace the old roof for a new one.

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’s rainwater systems and roof safety products come with their own warranty. For example GreenCoat RWS coated rainwater systems come with a 25-year warranty.

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.