With so many different metal panel profile options available, it might be tricky to really know which one is best for your home or building’s roof. From Corrugated to Standing Seam, there are tons of options out there for metal roofs. Let’s take a look at how to determine the best metal roofing panel for your project.
What to Consider
When it comes to finding the right panel for your metal roof, there are a number of factors to consider.
Environment & Climate
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing your metal roofing panel is your environment and climate. While metal is an extremely tough and durable material, there are certain panels recommended for specific environments over others. For example, if you live in a location with frequent high-speed winds, you may want to choose a panel like the Tru Snap or 3” Trapezoidal that have been tested for wind uplift. Or maybe you live in an area that has occasional hailstorms and you need some incredible impact-resistant roofing panels like the ⅞” Corrugated with a UL 2218 impact rating.
Other climate considerations can be how much precipitation, snow, or fluctuation in temperatures you experience. You can read more about how metal will perform in your climate to get a better understanding of why this factor plays such an important role in determining which panel is best for your roof in our previous report.
Roof Slope
Another crucial determining factor will be your roof’s slope. Slope (sometimes used interchangeably with “pitch”) refers to the angle of the roof’s surface above the flat plane. Some panels are recommended over others for low-sloped roofs, and same with steep-sloped roofs. Steep slopes refer to any pitch greater than 3:12 and low slopes refer to any pitch less than 1.5:12.
Some panels, like Mechanical Lock and 2” Snap Seam, are ideal for low-sloped roofs while others are not. It’s important to know the slope of your roof before setting your sights on a panel, just in case that panel isn’t recommended for your specific measurements. You can eliminate the ones that physically won’t work on your roof and narrow down your options.
Desired Style
A less technical, but still important requirement when trying to choose the right metal panel is the desired style you want for your roof. There are two main types of panel systems: hidden fastener and exposed fastener. Hidden fastener panel systems tend to produce a more modern look with long, clean lines that are not interrupted by any screws or hardware as they are concealed beneath the panels. Exposed fastener panel systems create a more traditional and classic metal roof look with the hardware being driven directly through the panel and is then able to be seen on the exterior. Both of these categories of metal panels have multiple different profiles to choose from. Deciding between hidden or exposed fastener systems will help you narrow down your choices even further.
Once you choose your panel profile from one of those two categories, you can decide on your color/finish options. A color or finish can help get you the exact style and aesthetic you want to achieve. For example, if you’re aiming for a traditional, rustic style, Weathering Steel looks perfect paired with Corrugated panels. If you’re aiming for a more modern look, Matte Black looks stunning on Mechanical Lock Panels. When it comes to finding the right style, the possibilities are endless.
A Few Inspiring Examples
Here are some of the favorite metal roofs:
When you’re first starting to look at metal roofs, these determining factors are a great way to start eliminating options that simply won’t work with your project. After you’ve gotten a better idea or even eliminated a few choices, you may still feel overwhelmed. That’s when you should get in touch with a professional team.
