Roof Sheeting

“R” Panel vs. “PBR” Panel

You will find that a lot of companies carry R Panel sheeting. The problem with R Panel as you can see in the diagram below, is that when you run a screw into the two sheets where they overlap, the screw will hit an unsupported lip and push it down rather than puncturing it and drawing it up tight. With R Panel you are much more likely to have leaks. Our buildings come standard with PBR Paneling for roof and walls. This allows for a much tighter seal virtually eliminating leaks.

The standing seam metal roof is one of the most exciting breakthroughs in roofing technology in the last 25 years. Metal roofing has an established track record in new construction, where it has been used in some 50 percent of all erected low-rise commercial and industrial buildings. Leading applications for standing seam metal roofs are churches, schools, factories, warehouses, distribution centers and military facilities. Some of the biggest advantages of choosing a standing seam roof are: Standing Seam roofing is attached to the building from below eliminating leaks due to screws puncturing the metal, it provides a thicker roof panel (24 gauge), a higher grade paint (Kynar), there is virtually no maintenance required, and it provides a longer warranty. Metal roofs also can carry a Factory Mutual Class A fire rating—the highest in the industry—which can substantially reduce insurance rates. Although we mentioned several examples of why people choose standing seam, most seem to choose it simply based on the look. Standing Seam was created as an architectural panel that has a beautiful, unique look giving your building better curb appeal.

GAUGE AND TENSILE STRENGTH

Gauge refers to the thickness of the metal; the lower the number, the thicker the metal. We use either a 24 or 26 gauge steel for our sheeting, depending on location or roofing selection. Many companies use a 26 gauge steel sheeting, which is the industry standard, and they may tell you they carry the heaviest gauge sheeting. However, gauge of the material is not what’s important. The tensile strength of the material is what you want to pay close attention to. Tensile strength is the hardness and density of the metal. Our sheeting has a tensile strength of 80-90 thousand pounds per square inch. You will find that many companies use a 40-50 thousand pound tensile strength in order to lower the cost of manufacturing the building. The lower the tensile strength of the sheeting, the softer and more susceptible to damage it becomes.