With metal roofing there are different types of metal, gauges, profiles, and looks. In this post you will see the most common roof profiles used today.
Classic Rib - This is a 29 gauge exposed fastener, screw down metal panel. It can be installed down to a 3/12 pitch. The Classic Rib is Indiana's most common type of metal roofing. It is used on post frame buildings and light commercial building with open framing. It covers 36" and it has 3/4" tall ribs.
- Pros are: Least expensive, easy to install, and easy to find.
- Cons are: Screws go bad, not ideal for complicated roofing or valley's, panel cannot be hemmed, and it can be difficult to flash and keep water tight.
R-Panel - This 26 guage metal roof and wall handle is commonly found on industrial buildings. It can span over open framing, making a good fill for pre-engineered metal buildings. It is installed with screws through the face of the metal roofing into a strut making it easy to install. This is an exposed fastener screw down and it can be installed down to a 1/12 pitch. It covers 36" and has 1 1/4" tall ribs.
- Pros are: Easy install, less expensive than standing seam, the 26 gauge allows for thicker blanket insulation without causing panesl to bulge.
- Cons are: No hemming on metal roofs, curbs can be difficult to flash and keep dry, the rubber washer on screw tend to go bad and leak.
1" Snap Lock Panel - This standing seam, no exposed screws is a 26 guage residential snap lock panel looks elegant and is functional that of a standing seam metal roof without the cost. The panel is designed to be installed using architectual details (interlocking panels and pcs) but has a nail fin built into the panel to make the install faster and save on cost of clips. The thinner metal also makes this panel more accessible without sacrifice of quality and appearance. Can be on slopes 3/12 and greater, covers 16" and is 1" tall.
- Pro are: Few if any exposed screws, standing seam performance and look, less expensive than a 24-gauge snap lock, snap lock make installing easy and quick.
- Cons are: Needs 3/12 pitch or greater to function, can be difficult to access and maintain on greater slopes, and no snow guards that fit.
1 3/4 Snap Lock Panel - This 24 gauge is a no-exposed fastener standing seam metal. It is a snap lock metal roofing system and it does exactly what the name says "it snaps together". One side of the panel is considered the male leg and the other the female. Female side is secured and placed with a clip, and the clip is screwed to the deck so that the panel can expand and contract with temperature change. The thickness of the male leg and the clip create a tight fit for the female side of the standing seam and the panel snaps together. This standing seam is installed using architectural detail, meaning panels are folded and interlocked to itself leaving very few exposed fasteners. It can be installed on a 3/12 pitch and up over open frame or solid substrate. It covers 18" and is 1 3/4" tall locking.
- Pros are: 24 gauge, architectural detail means roof can move with temperature changes, 30 yr paint warranty, easy to install, very little maintenance if installed correctly, great look, very little maintenance if installed correctly, wind and hail resistant, and adds curb appeal to home or building.
- Cons are: Needs 3:12 pitch or greater, can show oil canning if substrate is not flat, roof pitch of 8:12 and greater can be difficult to access for maintenance in the future, and snow guards should also be installed adding to the cost.
Double Lock - This is a 24 gauge standing seam no exposed fasteners metal roof system. It can be installed on a low slope application down to 1/2:12 pitch. It covers 24" and has 3" tall trapezoidal profile that is mechanically seamed. The double lock is a structural metal roofing panel designed to install over open framing, typically a pre-engineered metal building. It is the trapezoidal legs that are crimped together and then is seamed with a machine that folds the two pieces of metal creating the standing seam.
- Pros are: Very durable and long lasting metal roof if installed properly, can be installed in both low slope and slope applications, standing seam uses clips to hold panel in place that can accommodate insulation for 1/2" thick all the way to 6" thick, few exposed screws.
- Cons are: Can be one of the most expensive metal roofing panels, proper installation requires skilled metal roofers and training, HVAC curbs can be problematic if not flashed correctly.
