How to Install Metal Ridge Cap on Hip Roof

The metal roofing ridge cap is the trim placed along the roof's ridge – the peak, where two roof slopes meet up. Metal structures that cap the ridge of a roof are called Ridge Caps. Also known as ridge rolls or ridge flashings, they are referred to as ridges.

Do you know how to install metal ridge cap? A ridge cap is normally installed after all metal roof panels and any other trim is in place. When you put a ridge cap on a metal roof, you can always read the manufacturer's installation guide.

Compliance with local building code standards is just as critical. We hope you will use the information in this article to support you with your metal roofing project. Trim and flashing installations or getting the best deal on metal roofing are things we can help you install metal ridge cap on hip roof.

How to Install Metal Ridge Cap on Hip Roof

Table of Contents

What Is a Hip Roof?

A hip roof is a roof with an upward slope on all sides. The hip is the external angle formed by adjacent sloping sides of a roof when viewed from the side.

The hip bevel is a descriptive phrase for the degree of this angle. The hip end refers to the shape created by the thighs that meet at a hip roof's ridge. A pavilion roof is peaked evenly at all corners, but the more common form of a hip roof is found on a rectangular structure, where two hips meet at either end of a ridge.

Hip Cap vs Ridge Cap

A ridge cap is the finishing component applied to the roof's top. This is also known as the ridge or peak where the two slopes cross.

In the final stage of installations, a ridge cap is usually the last piece of trim to be added. Also, make sure that the eave and gable trim are in place before ridge cap installation on your metal roof. It's very unusual to apply a ridge cap after all other trim components have been put in place. Ensure that the eave and gable trim is already in place before you start the ridge cap installation on your metal roof.

On the other hand, the hip cap type features four prominent ridges where the four sloping sides form a single point. Alternatively, hip roofs may have either two hip ridges or one hip ridge and a sloping side in the middle of the building with two ridges on the end where the hip roof meets it.

Roof hip capping is a waterproof barrier and an attractive style that covers the ends of sheets or tiles at hip lines. Plated strip metal, typically used in metal roofing and ridge tiles, has historically been used in these areas. Hip roof construction traditionally has four distinct ridge points where the four slope-side sections form a single point. Alternatively, hip roofs may have either two hip ridges or one hip ridge and a sloping side in the middle of the building with two ridges on the end where the hip roof meets it.

How Do You Measure Metal for A Hip Roof?

Knowing how to measure hip roofing is important when attempting to cover the hip roof with shingles. When you understand that the hip roof is measured by face, measuring is easy. The triangles and parallelograms are used to represent each face. To determine the entire area of the roof that needs to be shingled, you'll need to calculate the areas of each face.

Pre-establish a ladder on firm ground with a 35-degree angle to the roof and have the ladder's feet firmly on the ground. It is essential to use a helper to hold the ladder's base while measuring the roof to ensure accuracy.

Measure each side of the hip roof to see how many triangles it has. The length of the bottom edge of the roof, length of the top edge, and the length from the ridge straight down to the bottom edge are all required measurements for parallelogram-shaped faces.

To determine the distance between the roof's bottom edge and the ground, measure the length of the ridge point and the length from the roof's base to the ground.

Determine the total area of each hip roof face. The base length multiplied by the ridge point to the bottom edge divided by 2 gives you the distance from the base to the bottom edge for triangular faces. To calculate the length of the ridgeline, add the length of the bottom edge and ridgeline. Subtract the length from the ridgeline two times straight down to the bottom edge to get your final response.

To find the total area of the hip roof, add the areas of the faces of the hip roof.

The amount of extra roofing material you'll need is equal to the total square footage of the hip roof multiplied by 5%, or .05. To calculate the total amount of roofing material required, add waste to the total area.

Metal Roof Ridge Cap Sizes

The metal roof ridge cap is a normal length is ten feet to twelve feet high. Consider a 6-inch overlap if you're using ridge cap flashing. The majority of ridge caps are made up of 10'6" sections.

Required tools and supplies for Installing Metal Ridge Cap

Cutting snips
Carpenters pencil
Roofing gloves
Caulking gun
Silicone sealant
Metal screws
Sealing Washer

Metal Roof Ridge Cap Installation [6 Steps]

Below are the steps for metal roof ridge cap installations:

Step-1: Preparing to Install Ridge Cap

You should know that roofs aren't always square. Be sure to flush the low side of the roof and eave while you are building the roofing panels. You don't want the metal roofing to periodically bend out of shape as the sheets are removed, each of which sticks out more than the one before it. The unfinished look is caused by the shingles overlapping and being unaligned.

At the top of the roof, we suggest a 2" gap between metal roofing sheets. By moving the sheets up or down the roof, you'll be able to rearrange the position of the sheets. To keep the roofing panels on the lower eave straight and flush, this product is used. Moving the excess metal roofing to the top of the ridge makes the eave panels appear straight.

Step-2: Cut and Finish Ridge Cap Ends

For making an inside label on the ridge cap, mark one inch in diameter outside it.
Insert a screwdriver into both of the openings inside the one-inch mark to separate the hems.
One-inch cuts on both sides of the hem are the best choice.
To determine the pitch of your roof, line up your speed square to the exact pitch of your roof and mark a straight line. To find the angle of the line, use a protractor.
Mark the middle of the ridge cap by drawing an imaginary line using a protractor, beginning at the top of the cap.
Use the cutting bit.
Fold the uncut left side 90 degrees with a hand seamer.
Apply a 90-degree angle on the right side of the cut.

Step-3: Non vented ridge cap installation with foam closures

Firstly, you can use butyl tape sealant at ¼" on both sides of the ridge cap's chalk line.
Start looking for the butyl tape, as once the ridge cap is in place, the ridge fasteners would be able to penetrate through the center of the butyl tape.
Keep the exterior foam in place by laying the butyl tape on top of it.
Seal the top of the outside foam clasps and at the gable with silicone sealant as seen.
The foam is closed with no adhesive layer on the other side. Since the double-sided butyl tape is sticky, it is easier to add the foam gasket strips.

Step-4: Vented ridge cap install with ProfileVent

Opening at the ridge should be 2 inches wide to allow adequate ventilation.

To install a ridge cap metal roof, you should have to install a ProfileVent ½" to 1" up-slope at first from the ridge cap to prevent water from pooling in the corner.

You will need a ridge vent such as ProfileVent® if you have a vented ridge cap. For vented ridge caps, you'll need to add foam closure strips; however, if you have a non-vented ridge cap, you may want to skip this stage and read the instructions above.

Step-5: Fastening ridge cap

Align the first piece of ridge cap metal with the first ridge to its left.

The ridge cap should be fastened with metal-to-metal fasteners that are 12 inches from each other. Stitch through the metal roofing panel's high seam.

Step-6: Overlap Ridge Cap

Instead of lap counters, which face in the direction of the sightline of your metal roof, use lap counters that are perpendicular to it. A good example is to face away from your driveway because it creates interference.

Applying silicone sealant 2 inches from the inside overlap will help seal the metal ridge cap when you overlap it.
Place the ridge cap six inches above the overhanging lip.
While allowing for the six-inch overlap and the 1" needed to prepare the ridge cap end, slice off the last bit of ridge cap.
Make sure the ridge cap is not left with an exposed cut edge. It should be under the overlap, with the exposed edge on top.

Watch the video on how to install a metal ridge cap on a hip roof:

How much should a metal ridge cap overlap?

In the general case, ridge caps are roughly 14 inches across, providing 3 inches of overlap on either side.

Can I Install a Metal Ridge Cap over Existing Shingles?

You should install a metal roof ridge cap over an existing shingle metal roof without any complications.

Since metal is so powerful but is extremely light, a single square foot of metal weighs about four pounds while asphalt shingles weigh around 16 pounds. Adding a metal roof to a covered-slate roof adds to the total weight the building has to bear.

Final Words

Metal components are known as ridge caps, cap the ridge of a roof. They are also known as ridge rolls or ridge flashings. You can install a metal ridge cap easily as it is no big deal. First, you need to follow proper techniques. You will need to use the right equipment and have the proper supplies on hand to install eave trim on your metal roof. You shouldn't have any problems after reading the article.