Scheduling a metal roof around opening and closing camp
A lot of roofs around Lake George belong to people who aren't here from fall to spring, and that changes how the job runs. The easiest window is usually right after you close up: the house is empty, the boat is out, and the installer can stage panels in the driveway without working around guests. Late spring, before you open, works too, as long as the snow is off the roof. Metal can go on in cold weather, but snow and ice on the roof stop work.
If you won't be up during the job, say so on the form. You'll want photos before and after tear-off, a quick call if the deck turns out to have rot, and someone lined up to check the place after a heavy storm.
Wind and snow off the lake on Lake George roofs
Homes right on the shore take wind that has crossed a long stretch of open water. That wind works at the eaves, rakes and ridge first, so trim and fastening details matter more on an exposed lakefront lot than on a sheltered street in the village. A standing seam metal roof has no exposed screws to back out, which is why it's our first suggestion for a shoreline house.
Snow is the other half. Metal sheds it, which is the point, but a slide off a steep camp roof can bury the deck stairs, the walkway or the propane tank. Put snow guards over doors, paths and any lower roof that sits under a big one. Ice dams are common on older camps with little insulation overhead. Ice and water barrier at the eaves and valleys handles the meltwater, but sealing the heat loss in the ceiling is still worth doing.
Rain noise on open-rafter camps
Plenty of older camps have no ceiling. You look straight up at the rafters and the underside of the roof boards, and on some camps the old roofing sits on spaced purlins with gaps between them. Put metal on open purlins and every storm sounds like a drum.
Rain noise depends on what's under the panels. Solid decking with underlayment brings it down to about what you'd hear on shingles. If your camp is open to the roof, have the installer price sheathing into the job. It's the single best fix. Some people like the sound over a screened porch, and that's a fair choice there. Over a bedroom, it isn't.
Steep and narrow lake lots: getting metal roofing onto the house
Lake lots are tight. Driveways drop toward the water, houses sit a few feet from the neighbor's, and the only flat ground is the parking pad. Long standing seam panels need a clear path from the truck to the roof, and on some lots that path doesn't exist. An installer may split the runs, bring in a lift, or suggest metal shingles, which come in small pieces that can be carried down a stair path. Island and boat-access properties are their own conversation. Describe the access when you ask for a quote and the installer can plan for it before showing up.
What drives metal roof cost on a Lake George house
No two lake jobs price the same. The main drivers:
- Roof size, pitch, and how many dormers, valleys and skylights it has
- Standing seam vs metal shingles vs ribbed panels, plus steel gauge and finish
- Tear-off vs going over the old shingles, and how much decking needs replacing
- Access: steep lots, tight driveways, boat delivery
- Snow guards, gutters and chimney flashing
The metal roof cost guide explains each one. If you're closer to Route 9N heading north, see our page on metal roofing in Bolton Landing. When you're ready, request a free quote with a few photos of the roof and the driveway.