Where Do The Screws Go On A Metal Roof

What Type Of Screw Coating To Use On A Metal Roof

Your metal roofing and siding materials on your job will dictate the finish, coating, and materials for the appropriate screws.

• Aluminum Roofing – Use stainless steel type 304 screws with a matching paint color on the screws heads. Never use 410 stainless steel on an aluminum roof.
• Copper Roofing – Use stainless steel type 410 screws that are also copper-plated.
• Corten Roofing – Use stainless steel screws with a dark brown painted screw head.
• Metal Roofing – Use zinc plated screws, which will be referred to as galvanized screws. The screw heads should be painted the same color as your metal roofing or siding panels.

Screw Line Spacing For Metal Roofing Sitting On A Solid Wood Substrate

When you are trying to determine screw line spacing you have to realize that each job is different. Some jobs are located in areas that have high winds while others may be located in snow country or a desert. For this reason the spacing between screw lines should be determined by the engineer. However, this rarely happens.

In the real world the homeowner or installer chooses a distance without consulting an engineer. The overwhelming majority of the jobs we sell are installed with screw lines at 24 on center. Jobs that are not installed at 24 on center are usually at 18 O.C. if closer and up to 36 O.C if further. When in doubt more attachment is better than less attachment.

Choosing The Right Diameter For Your Metal Roofing Screws

The diameter of the screw is measured by the diameter of the shank. The higher the number, the wider the screw.

Choosing the correct screw will vary based upon the local building codes, climate, contractor preferences, and the engineering specifications of your job. Every job will be different and every screw has different pull-out values. The best we can do is to give you some general guidelines.

Here are the most common screw diameter sizes:

• #9 & # 10 – These are the most common sizes for metal to wood screws
• #12 – This is the most common metal to metal screw
• #14 – Wider screw thats used in areas with heavier snow loads

You May Like: How Much Does A New Shingle Roof Cost

Screw Lengths For Metal Siding

Just like a metal roof, the requirements of the job will always vary. Always check with your engineer. Here are some general guidelines:

• Concealed Fastener Wall Panels – 1 pancake heads are the most typical screws.
• Exposed Fastener Panels – The screw will fasten to the low of the panel. Screws that are 1 in length are the most common.

Metal To Metal Roofing Screws

There is more than one type of screw that you can use when you attach to metal or steel. The right screw is based on the application and the thickness of the steel.

Types Of Metal To Metal Roofing Screws

• Screws that fasten the sidelap of the metal panels or attach the trim and flashing.
• Screws that attach to light gauge metal such as metal purlins.
• Screws that attach to heavy steel joists, I-beams, or steel tubes.

Recommended Reading: How Many Screws Per Sheet Of Metal Roofing

One More Pro Tip: Choose The Right Roofing Contractor

Most any roofer can nail a shingle, but there arent many local professionals with the needed specialty tools, training, and expertise for handling metal roofing properly. At Skywalker Roofing we can actually custom-fabricate your standing seam roof right on your property, and no one gives more attention to detail and proper workmanship than our skilled installation team!

Are you looking for high-quality roofing services in the Triad area? We specialize in the installation of metal roofing in less time. Were happy to serve the NC Piedmont Triad, Piedmont Triangle, Charlotte Metro/Lake Norman, and Roanoke, VA areas, and our customers give us an average rating of 4.9 stars across Google, Facebook, BBB, Guild Quality, Shopper Approved, and Angies List!

Ready to get the last roof youll ever need? Skywalker can make that happen for you! Reach out to us online, or simply give us a call today at . Experience the Skywalker difference for yourself!

X 1 Metal Roofing Screw

These metal-to-wood screws are engineered to use on any metal roofing or siding project where 1 Inch roofing screws are needed: Installing roofing on a house, porch, airplane hangar, shed, pole barn, shop, barn or lean-to.

These screws are Gray in color and will go well with lots of different gray colored or galvanized colors of roofing sheet metal depending on the application and personal preference.

You May Like: Shed Eave Overhang

Metal Roof Screw Pattern

Installing a metal roof incorrectly is crucial, including how it is screwed to your house. Take an example of a standing seam roof with flat and broad panels that interlock by protrusion to give the roofing system a lot of strength.

Read also: Things that You Must Know About Metal Roofs

Being made from copper, aluminum, zinc, or galvanized steel, the standing seam roof panels are fastened using screws and concealed to make them last far longer and prevent them from being failed.

There are different metals or metal combinations of screws that can give a different result. The standard ones are made mostly from carbon steel and coated by corrosion resistance material.

Meanwhile, the metal roof screw pattern will depend on the number of fasteners used that also depends on the purlin spacing and panel profile. Below are two easy and common formulas you can use to calculate screws for metal roofing.

For example: 2,000 sq. ft. x 80% = 1,600 screws

For example: 20 roofing sq. x 80 screws = 1,600 screws

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.

Don’t Miss: Skylights In Metal Roofing

Which Metal Roof Will Oil Can

While a screw down metal roof has so many ribs in it that its impossible to oil can, its very common in standing seam metal roofs.

Some installers will put the standing seam panels too tightly together and then put the clips on them. It has room to expand longways but the problem is that there’s no room for it to expand sideways. That starts the oil canning process.

Oil canning is when the metal on your roof is trying to expand but it’s in a bind. This starts the metal to form large bubbles. These bubbles then turn into what is commonly called bubbling which turns into oil canning. Its called this because it will look a lot like a bunch of oil cans lined up together. It doesnt cause any functionality problems, but it is an aesthetic issue.

If curb appeal and aesthetics are a big deal to you just be aware that oil canning is a potential problem in a standing seam roof.

What Are The Three Main Advantages Of Pre

• Lessens the likelihood of the screws being installed at an angle because the pre-drilled hole will help guide the screw into the substrate. This is especially true with screws that are two inch and longer. It is just tricky to install a long self tapping screw without having the holes pre drilled. Longer screws have a much higher chance of being installed at an angle.
• Straight screw lines at perfectly spaced intervals. You will have the ability to run a chalk line at measured intervals. This keeps your screw lines straight and spaced out correctly.
• Time savings are created as you only have to string one chalk line. Since the sheets are stacked many holes are drilled at once. In addition, you only have to clean off the chalk line once, which surprisingly is more time consuming then you would think. The time savings are even more significant on screws that are two inch or longer. Longer self tapping screws are more difficult to install and it takes longer when compared to shorter screws.

Read Also: Skylight For Metal Roof

Angle The Screws In The Straight Edge:

If you want to screw down the metal roofing yourself, make sure to put the screws at the straight angle. Avoid putting the screws in any other order. Otherwise, you cannot create the proper sealing for the washer. Even if you are in a hurry, you have to ensure the installation of every screw at the right angle. Otherwise, you will end screwing some screws in an odd or wrong position.

In the case of inappropriate angling, you will end metal roof leakage issues that may lead to severe damages. So, you simply need to install the screws at the straight angle to save the roofing from any risk.

Metal Roofs: Standing Seam Vs Screw Down Panels

If youre ready for a new roof but want something different than the standard asphalt shingle roof, youre probably considering metal.

Once you decide you want a metal roof, youll find yourself having to decide which metal roof system is right for your situation. This is where the standing seam vs screw down panel argument comes into play.

We here at Bill Ragan Roofing want you to have the information you need to make the right purchasing decision. That’s why we’re going to break down the two types of metal roof systems and let you decide which one is right for you.

Recommended Reading: Maximum Metal Roof Overhang Without Support

How Long Will Your New Metal Roof Actually Last

Now you know how the two types of metal roofs compare to each other on key factors. This helps you decide which one is right for your situation.

But there’s still one more factor we didn’t discuss, a metal roof’s lifespan. Because lifespan is the return you get out of your metal roof investment, we wrote another article breaking it down for you.

Since 1990, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has been installing residential metal roof systems for homeowners in the Nashville are.Whether its installing your new roof, regular maintenance, or roof repairs you can count on us to do the job right.

Check out this article on How Long Your Metal Roof Should Last to learn how much life you get out of your metal roof investment.

Advantages Of Exposed Fastener Metal Roofing

LESS EXPENSIVE One of the most significant benefits to choosing exposed fastener metal roofing is that its less expensive, especially when compared to standing seam systems. There are many reasons for the lower price, including:

Wider panels

Fewer metal panels need to be purchased.

Less labor is needed because the wider panels cover the roof faster.

Thinner gauge panels

Exposed fastener systems generally use 29 to 26 gauge metal, which is thinner and cheaper.

Lower quality paint systems

Polyesters and silicone-modified polyester paint systems are popular choices for exposed fastener because theyre less expensive than the polyvinylidene fluoride paints typically used on standing seam systems.

Less accessories purchase

Exposed fastener systems are directly fastened down to the structure through the metal, so theres not a necessity to buy any kinds of clips. This can save on costs for the buyer.

Exposed fastener systems usually use less accessories and different flashing products, like foam closures, to install the roof system. Again, this cuts down on costs and speeds up the installation.

However, the installation of metal roofs spells the difference when it comes to prolonging its lifespan and dependability. You’ll need professional roofers from Denver CO with in-depth metal roofing experience to help you. If you have yet to find them, you can contact us today at Roper Roofing to help you. Contact us today!

Categories

Don’t Miss: Where Do The Screws Go On A Metal Roof

How Much Do The Metal Roofs Cost

A standing seam metal roof requires a thicker gauge of metal and a skilled craftsman for installation. This makes the labor cost and the material cost go up, which makesa standing seam metal roof cost more than a screw down metal roof.

As Ive said before, I wouldnt recommend using a screw down panel over any heated space. Does a standing seam cost a little more? Yes, upfront you’re going to pay triple. What you need to ask yourself is if almost zero maintenance and peace of mind for the next 50 years is worth the extra money.

Whatever your budget, the contractor you hire should work with you and your finances to give you the best roof that will last you years to come.

Which Metal Roof Requires Less Maintenance

Once a standing seam roof has been installed, virtually no maintenance is required except at the penetrations such as vent pipes, gas pipes, etc. The boots and collars on these pipes will never outlast any roof system. Cleaning is the only other general maintenance thats needed and thats a personal choice for each customer.

As long as its installed properly, a standing seam metal roof shouldnt have problems and need very little maintenance.

Unlike a standing seam, the fasteners on a screw down panel are exposed. As time passes, the pressure caused by a lack of expansion and contraction of the metal will cause the holes in the washers to get wallowed out by the screws. This leads to leaks and the need for regular maintenance.

A contractor will have to come out every 5-10 years or so to replace every one of the screws before it causes bigger problems or before a strong storm tears the roof off. The problem with this is that you wont know its time to do this maintenance until its too late. It typically shows up as leaks in your interior.

Read Also: Hydro Stop Roof Coating Cost

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.

Types Of Metal Roofing

Before we get into the steps on how to install metal roofing its important to understand what types of metal roofs exist. While metal roofing can be made from a variety of metals, tin, zinc, steel, aluminum and copper are the most widely used and most commonly available options. Each metal has its own advantages and disadvantages, as well as cost considerations. Steel, for example, is the least expensive option while copper is the most expensive.

In addition to material choices, metal roofing is also available in three design styles: through-fastened panels , modular panels and standing-seam panels.

• Through-fastened corrugated metal panels are the most common and readily available type of metal roof. They can be installed over roof sheathing or purlins.
• Modular panels, which mimic other roofing materials like asphalt shingle and tile, are also available in a wide range of colors and styles. They, too, can be installed over solid sheathing or wood battens.
• Standing-seam panels install over solid or skip sheathing and have the most complex installation process, so are typically best left to professional roofing installers.

You May Like: Roof Replacement Cost In California

Choosing The Correct Fastener For Exposed And Concealed Panel Systems

The type of fastener you use depends on whether you are installing exposed fastener panels or concealed fastener panels. Wavy corrugated and R Panel are examples of exposed fastener panels. Standing seam or flush wall panels are a concealed fastener panel.

When installing exposed fastener panels, fasteners with rubber sealing washers are used to increase the weathertightness of the panels and keep water out.

Concealed fastener panels use fasteners with a low profile head to avoid contact with the underside of the roofing panel.

Concealed fastener panels that use clip attachments, such as snap lock standing seam, generally use pancake head style fasteners. A system that does not use clips, such as nail strip standing seam, uses extra low profile style fasteners.

Proper Screw Installation Tips Over Vs Under Driven

The selection of proper tools for the fastening of panels is critical for the ease of installation, proper watertight sealing, and the integrity of the connection. the guide to proper tool selection for the installation of metal screws.

Thank you to SFS Intec for their expertise and help with this article.

Learn everything you need to know about Residential Metal Roofing. Check out our metal roofing resources for inspiration and answers to your questions.

Also Check: Attic Trusses Cost