Impact Of Screw Selection
The longevity of a roof is determined by the quality of materials, installation, and regular maintenance done over time. The importance of quality materials does not stop at the metal roofing sheets. A quality fastener ensures that your roof will live up to its projected life expectancy by performing equally well with the metal roofing sheets. Using a high corrosion-resistant sheet with a screw that offers little to no weathering resistance will negate the advanced coating properties on the metal sheet. SFS as a worldwide leading supplier of fastening systems utilizes coating and layering technologies to enhance weather resistance to ensure your roof is in peak condition year-round.
Do The Screws Go In The Ribs Or In The Flats
When it comes to corrugated metal paneling, one question that always comes up is exactly where to put the screws on the metal roofing in the first place. Many advise that screws should be put in the flats or valleys only, while others swear that the screws should go in the ribs. To get an idea of how hotly-contested this topic can get, take a minute to scroll through the comment section of this popular metal roofing comparison video shared by Skywalker Roofing owner Luke Wilson!
Why do people get so passionate about this subject? Well, the screws-in-the-rib proponents say that putting screws in the flats could subject your metal roof to more potential points of leakage, since water is naturally directed to the flat areas. Screws-in-the-flat fans counter by arguing that screws placed in the rib dont create proper gasket compression, due to the presence of a void under the rib. Another potential problem with screwing into the rib is that it presents a higher risk of the screw pulling out during a wind event.
What Are The Correct Drill Speed Setting To Install A Metal Roof
When you decide to screw down a metal roof it’s important that you have the screw gun set to the correct drill speed settings. Always match the speed of the drill to the substrate or screw type.
- Use a 2,500 RPM screw gun for wood and steel substrates that are less than 1/4-inch thick
- Use a 2,000 RPM screw gun for steel substrates that are 1/4-inch thick and heavier
- Use a 1,000 RPM to 2,000 RPM screw gun for 304 stainless steel screws
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Other Factors To Consider When Buying Metal Roofing Screws
As youd expect, size is the first of many other factors you must consider when shopping for metal roof screws. Other factors to prioritize are
- Screw head types: Popular screw head types are hex washer head, flat head, pan head, oval head, round washer head, pancake head, and wafer head screws.
- Threads per inch : The number of threads per inch on the screw determines the coarseness or fineness of the screw. Generally, coarser screws are stronger and more suited for thicker metal panels. The opposite is true for fine screws.
- Specialty screws: Some screws are designed for special purposes. For instance, we use lap screws to attach the panel side lap on exposed fastener panels. Meanwhile, self-driving screws, better known as TEK screws, eliminate the need for pre-drilling.
- Drill point style: Besides self-drilling screws, self-piecing and self-tapping screws are other popular drill point styles. A self-tapping screw taps threads into the material but doesnt drill through metal. Meanwhile, a self-piercing screw pierces light-gauge metal and taps threads into the material.
What Is The Most Common Cause Of Metal Roof Leaks
The single biggest cause of leaks on a metal roof is due to incorrect fastener installation. Once you learn about screw placement we recommend that you learn how to install the fasteners correctly. Your roof will have thousands of screw penetrations and watching this video is the best thing that you can do to prevent roof leaks.
If you prefer to read about installation of metal roofing fasteners we wrote you an article:
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Customers Choice: The Best Rated Metal Roofing Screws
55 users answered this survey. Please help us improve this review!
Metal roofing screws are an important part of any metal panel system. The panels hold the project together and play an important role in keeping it stable. With so many different brands on the market, it can be difficult to know which ones will work best for your project. But dont worry were here to help! We have reviews and tips to help you choose wisely. We also have advice about how these products should fit into larger projects like home renovations.
- Some users found the screws to be too soft
- May strip easily if over-driven
Do Metal Roofing Screws Ever Need To Be Replaced Or Maintained
Fasteners could require replacement or maintenance based on – the fasteners are improperly installed which could lead to issues that would require fastener replacement if the fasteners are exposed to a corrosive environment which could lead to the need for fastener replacement if the building structure or panels have excessive movement this could result in fasteners requiring replacement with respect to maintenance, some panel manufacturers recommend periodic washing or re-tightening of screws depending on roof condition
If the fasteners are replaced, it is recommended that the next size up in diameter and/or length should be utilized to ensure adequate holding power as it is installed into the original hole. Longer fasteners are often utilized if there is adequate remaining substrate to grab on to the thread of the longer fastener. Wider fasteners are often utilized when there is not adequate substrate material to grab on to the thread of a longer fastener. In some situations, both longer and wider may be required.
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Screw Head Types & Styles
The next aspect of the anatomy of metal roofing screws is the type and style of the head. Screw heads come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but the most common are the hex head, the flat head, the truss head, and the pan head.
Hex-head screws have the classic six-sided shape and are the most common type of metal roofing screw. Theyre the strongest type, with the widest range of sizes available.
Flat-head screws have a flat top that sits flush with the panel surface for a neat finish. These are popular in areas where the screws will be visible, such as the ridge cap.
Truss-head screws are similar to the flat head but have a wider surface area which makes them better suited for larger panels or thicker materials.
Finally, the pan-head screw has a rounded top that is the least visible once installed. These are the most popular choice when installing metal siding or flashing.
How To Screw Down Ribbed Metal Roofing
For this, you would probably want to use a cordless drill with a clutch unit, which can tighten the fastener without overdoing it. When using the drill, you should set it based on the type of wood you will be using. On a purlin, I would suggest using a twelve or thirteen.
When overlapping the panel, you should make sure that your over-flap is going over the under-flap, which has the drain channel. Both should be at the same height.
Now, you can put the metal roof screws on the rib or flat. Both are acceptable, and both have their pros and cons. If youre going into the flat, I suggest using a one-inch or a one-and-a-half-inch screw, but when you go through the rib, you should use a two-inch or a two-and-a-half-inch screw.
You can keep the washer slightly tight when going into the flat so that it fits nicely on the sheet. Remember not to overtighten otherwise, you will put too much pressure on it, and it might break. When youre putting a screw in the rib, remember never to tighten it too much because it will damage the rib.
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How Long Do Metal Roofing Screws Last
On standard market carbon steel fasteners, the life expectancy and/or time until the fasteners exhibit some form of red rust corrosion are dependent upon several factors – fastener finish, installation technique, and most importantly the environmental conditions. The proximity to coastal areas, effects of acid rain, or exposure to corrosive elements from industry or agriculture can severely diminish the resistance to corrosion. The typical structural life of a metal roofing screw designed for exterior application properly installed is the lifetime of the panel. Red rust and corrosion may occur over time due to various environmental and exterior conditions.
The next step up in terms of corrosion-resistant fasteners would be the Long Life capped fasteners whose caps cover the heads . This will protect the exposed part of the fastener against red rust corrosion.
The all stainless or bimetallic fasteners are the best choice for fastening when absolute corrosion resistance is desired for the entire fastener, both on the exterior and interior of the building.
How Many Types Of Roofing Screws
As the Roofing Screws are commonly used to join the metal panel to the wood substrate or the steel beam, the Metal Roofing Screw can be self-tapping type or self-drilling type. The Self Drilling Hex Head Screw is also known as Tek Screw for Roofing.
Types of Head: The Roofing Sheet Screw is featured by a hexagonal head that can be inserted using a socket this roof sheet screw may also have a slot on the head and can be driven with a flat blade driver.
Types of Thread: The Roofing Screw is usually fully-threaded and can be either fine threaded or coarse threaded. Our Fine Threaded Hex Head Self Drilling Screw is very popular in the Southeast Asian market.
Types of Surface Treatment: As the Corrugated Roofing Screw is mainly used for outside work, a high corrosion resistance is essential for the screw. And we offer different types of surface treatment to deal with this problem, which mainly are the following:
Zinc Plating: Its also known as galvanized plating and is the most common form of corrosion protection for metal screws. The main process is to immerse the screw in a molten zinc solution at high temperature and thus, the zinc layer is applied to the surface of the metal roofing screw.
The zinc plating has good adhesion, but the coating is very thin and is suitable for a low corrosive environment.
Washer types: As we mentioned before, the washer helps the metal roof screw improve its resistance to the weather, especially to the water penetration.
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Advantages Of Metal Roofing
Metal roofing is one of the oldest and most popular roofing materials worldwide. Although shingles lead in popularity, metals offer many advantages that are hard to ignore
- Longevity: Metal roofing materials are extremely reliable, lasting 40-70 years, assuming good installation and maintenance. On the other hand, asphalt shingles last 12-20 years.
- Durable: Many metal roofs can withstand winds up to 140 miles per hour if installed properly. Many modern metal roofs also dont rust or crack and are highly impact-resistant, depending on the type of metal.
- Low maintenance: Unlike shingles, metal roofs are very low maintenance. You only need to inspect the roof every few months to ensure that its clean and free of debris.
- Energy efficiency: Metal roofs are very energy efficient. They reflect the suns UV light and infrared rays which can help reduce home cooling costs by up to 25%.
- Eco-friendly: Metal roofs contain recycled content that ranges from 25% to 95%. Plus, metal roofs are recyclable at the end of their life. In contrast, most shingles become waste when theyre no longer usable.
Queensland Sheet Metal Screws / Fasteners Installation Guide
Fasteners are used to securely connect sheet metal flashings to wall claddings or other sheet metal. Fasteners are required for roofs, walls and a number of different applications on buildings. The specific number of fasteners you need will depend on the number of supports you are using, the type of metal you use, and the width of the sheet.
There are three common types of fasteners: timber fixing screws, metal and timber zips and self-drilling screws. When fixing metal roofing, all these types of screws will have washers on them that will hold your fastener in place, and provide a watertight seal.
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Formula For Determining How Many Screws Will Be Needed
Here are two easy formulas for determining the amount of metal roofing screws:
Example: 3,000 square feet X 80% = 2,400 screws
Example: 30 roofing squares X 80 screws = 2,400 screws
Do Not Forget To Order Metal To Metal Screws For The Trim And Panel Sidelap
Example: 3,000 square feet divided by three = 1,000 then divide that by 1.5 = 667 screws
You dont need metal to metal screws for the sidelap if using Corrugated. You will only need sidelap screws for R Panel/PBR Panel and Western Rib/7.2 Panel.
Roofing Screws Metal To Wood
The most common type of metal roofing fasteners are metal to wood roofing screws. Fastener manufacturers usually specify pull-out strengths for a variety of different types of wood as not all wood is the same. This helps to determine the right fastener for your project.
An example of a fastener for a wood substrate is the #9 metal to wood screw or the #10 metal to wood roofing screw. These screws have an extra sharp self-piercing point that can penetrate 20-29 gauge steel sheeting and then into the wood without pre-drilling, slipping, or damaging the metal panels.
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Choosing The Right Screw For Metal Roof
Extensively applied as a home roofing option, metal roofs are known for their durability and low maintenance. Its essential to urge the roofing sheet screws within the correct size to confirm that the top is held correctly.
Also, its essential to test for water leakages while installing a roof. Roofing fasteners manufacturers make the screws in several sizes. Its vital to grasp the importance of those different sizes:
What Category Of Corrosion Resistance Coating Should I Use
- Understand your environment. For example, areas close to the coast will be at high risk to corrosion due to high salt content in the atmosphere compared to the inland, and therefore would require high weathering resistant fasteners on structures.
- There are multiple choices on the market when it comes to corrosion resistant coatings, and products are normally priced according the number of years the screws can remain rust proof.
Since it is impossible to tell from the naked eye how effective the coatings really are, a reputable company will provide accredited 3rd party test lab reports as proof of compliance.
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Incorrect Fastening Of Screws
Lets start with the biggest problem. Screws get fastened either too tight or too loose far too often. Naturally, while tightening a screw, you may go the extra extent without realizing that you have just crushed the washer!
This over-tightening will make the washer expand, and if you continue to put too much pressure, the washer is liable to break.
If you see this happening, the right thing to do is to back up a little. Let the washer come back slightly into its original shape and leave it there.
The other thing that happens is that sometimes we get too cautious and do not tighten the screw as much as we should. You can see this happening if you spin your screw and find that the washer is spinning without a fuss. A spinning washer indicates a loose screw, and you should make sure to tighten it.
Metal Roof Screws On Rib Or Flat
When it comes to the screw location or placement, you will find different recommendations depending on who you ask.
But let me tell you from my experience.
Ive used screws both on the top of the ribs and on flats along the bottom.
And the screws that were on top of the ribs with time became loose, and the screws on the flats were strong and secure.
Thats why I recommend the screws go in the flat of the panel and not on top of the rib.
When putting screws in the top of the rib, it puts pressure on the panel, causing the pan to have a slight bow in it.
So basically, this type of installation will cause deformation to your metal roof while at the same time making it insecure.
Plus, the roof will not be properly sealed, causing leaks.
So to keep it simple, put the screw on the flat part of the panel, not the top.
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Using The Right Tools
I always suggest people use a screw gun. Never use an impact driver, or for that matter, a drill gun.
A drill is a peculiar thing. It does not disengage when you let go of the trigger. Hence, if you dont let the trigger go at just the right moment, you will end up over-tightening your screws, and this damaging the panel.
Using an impact gun to fasten screws is even worse.
Always use an actual screw gun. Look for one that has a depth sensor and a clutch that you can easily adjust. Over time, you will understand the torque settings that will screw in your screws perfectly, neither over-tightening them, nor letting them loose. If you need more comfort, a speed control function will help you perfectly adjust your speed as well. Match the speed of the drill to the substrate or a screw type.
- For steel and wood substrates : use a setting of 2500 RPMs
- For steel substrates : use 2000 RPMs
- For even heavier substrates: use between 1000 RPM to 2,000 RPM
