Where Should Screws Be Installed In Metal Roofing

Find roofing screws with either manufactured rubber caps or washers that will create a proper seal.

Where should screws be installed in metal roofing.

Align the first metal roofing panel so that it overlaps the edging by 1 2 to 3 4 of an inch and is square to the roof line. Install the roofing screws vertically along each rib in the panel. These are where to screw down corrugated metal roofing. As the screws are driven the washer presses against the metal roofing to form a water proof seal.

Screws that are installed in the low of the metal roofing panel will result in a more secure connection but will be less weather tight. Be sure the larger edge is laid so that the small edge of the next panel will overlap it. The main cause of a leaking roof on a diy metal roofing installation is incorrectly fastening the screws. Metal roofing installation requires special metal roof screws that are equipped with a metal washer with a neoprene seat on the base of the washer.

Your roof will have thousands of screw holes. Corrugated roof panels and other exposed fastener metal roofs are usually held together with screws every 18 inches or 2 feet. The screw will compress better when attached in the low and you are less likely to distort the metal roofing panel when you tighten the screw. See the illustration below.

Most manufacturers drill holes through the corrugated metal roofing sheets. This will prevent any possibility of rust or erosion. If placed in the top of the rib the screw may also potentially tilt thus stretching the screw hole. This is important as placing a screw in the top of the rib will prohibit a good seal.

These screws must be installed at the proper. However you have to ensure the rubber washers have enough space to move around. Absolute steel advises screws be installed down inside the flat of the panel and not in the top of the rib. Quite often the screws are over tightened or under tightened and when this happens it creates leak points.

Working with metal siding and roofing will often create gaps when the screws are inserted into the metal.