What Size Screws Are Used For Metal Roofs?

Metal roofs are used as a home roofing option that is durable and low maintenance. When installing the roof, it is important to get appropriate-sized screws so the roof is properly held in place and will not have any leaks or weaknesses. While the screw size is important, there is some variation in size among the screws and needs of the roof.

The metal roof paneling is supposed to end up about two to three inches below the home's vented ridge and should be two to three inches beyond the roof's eaves, according to Absolute Steel metal roofing instructions. The purpose of the spacing is related to the drip edge. In some homes, this means using 1-inch screws to get the appropriate distances. Home owners can also select 1-inch screws based on personal preferences. The 1-inch screws will have only 3/4-inch penetration.

The 1 1/2- inch screws are used throughout the metal roofing project and end up with penetration of about 1 1/4 inches. This screw size is considered a standard size for metal roofing. It holds metal roof paneling firmly into place.

Metal roofing "r-type" paneling uses a 5/16-inch screw in every four-foot area until reaching the point where the panels overlap on the roof. It stops at the overlap for the larger screws to hold the overlapping sections.

The trim of a metal roof uses 1/4-inch screws at two-foot increments. The trim is notched in the middle and then screwed into place via that small screws. V-crimp style metal roofs start using the screws at the high points and work downward in two foot increments.