For the antenna to be really in the clear two wavelengths is a good rule of thumb.
Ham radio antenna on metal roof.
As an ultra beginner without a lot of investment in the hobby it was perfectly acceptable to have to climb onto the roof to get any signal on my portable radio s antenna.
I would consider a vhf uhf antenna over a huge metal roof ground plane similar to an hf antenna over earth ground.
When its lower than a few wavelengths and at multiples of 1 4 wavelength like 1 4 3 4 etc the pattern of a vertical antenna can be pushed upward and away from the horizon a bit lowering its gain at the horizon.
On using a metal roof as an antenna the joints between panels are likely not soldered and are likely to form corroded diode junctions that generate rfi.
It would likely make a lousy antenna.
You can use the metal parts of your structure as part of the antenna if that makes things easier.
The total length of the wire is 88 feet.
A 5 6 tripod with cement block weighted legs and a 10 pole in the center of the roof would work since the bottom of the antenna only needs a few feet of clearance.
I am concerned about the impact a metal roof will ham radio antennas and metal roofs 11 30 2004 within the reception discussion of the residential metal roofing forum.
The metal roof acts as a shield so rf exposure is a non issue.
For mounting i d leave the 18 pole alone.
You can probably get as close as a quarter wavelength and still make things work with some adjustments to the tuning.