We made the decision to get new metal roofs for our outbuildings not long after we purchased our property. We will eventually want to use the buildings as workshop space (two of the buildings have a concrete floor) and to house some farm animals (chickens, pigs, goats, rabbits, and just maybe a couple of cows). We will also eventually collect rainwater off the roofs to provide water for the animals we hope to keep and to water our future vegetable garden(s) and fruit trees/bushes.
With all the rain we’ve had this season, we haven’t really noticed leaking in the existing roofs; but, there’s dampness evidence that the roofs aren’t providing as much protection from water as they could be. While we like the look of the current roofs (rust and all); they will only continue to deteriorate. The buildings themselves are in otherwise usable condition.
Making the decision to re-roof and finding a contractor that’s reasonably priced and willing to come to our location are two completely different things; there’s a real shortage in our area. I had gotten one quote a couple of months ago from an Amish gentleman whose father-in-law owns an area metal shop. Recently I received another quote from a gentleman who had his business card posted at a restaurant we frequent (it turns out that he too is Amish and he gets his roofing materials from the same metal shop). The second quote was significantly lower than the first and we have decided to move forward with that contractor.
Supposedly, the re-roof will take place within the next month or so => we are staying tuned and looking forward to the result.
We’ve also asked that the old metal roof panels be stacked in the barn as we will want to use them on future projects. Ed’s thinking that he’d like to use them to build a shack in the back woods for boiling down maple syrup. I’m thinking they might make a nice accent in the bathroom or function as a backsplash in our new kitchen… Hopefully, there’ll be enough for both projects!
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