Attention to detail is perhaps the most important rule in metal roofing. You can buy the best of materials but end up with a leaky roof if you don’t understand the simplest things like which kind of screw to use!
Contents
One of the questions that I encounter a lot is: “what are the best screws for metal roofing?”. In this article, I have tried to answer this question and select products that I like to use in my projects.
What Screws to Use For Metal Roofing in 2024?
When you are in the market for screws for the first time, you might find it a bit difficult to understand what exactly does ⅜-16″ means or what is a Panhead screw? I will try to explain these things below in a non-technical way.
Length
The length of your screw usually depends on how thick your overall installation is going to be. Make sure also to include the length of the drill bit if you are using a self-driller screw. Whatever be the overall thickness, round it off to the nearest half-inch. 1.5-inch screws are the standard norm for metal roofing, but as I said, it depends on the thickness of the two layers getting joined together.
Do keep in mind that longer screws are not always better. There is additional torsion on longer screws when you are driving them in, which means they can break more easily.
Thread Count per Inch
When installing a roof, you would likely fasten a thin and a thick ply or sheet together. TPI will depend on how thick the thicker ply is. As a rule of thumb, TPI is the same as the diameter of gauge steel and higher for sheet and plate.
Diameter
You can measure the diameter of the screw by the numbers that come in the screw description (#2-#16). For heavy metal roofing, #12 to #14 is ideal. If the metal roof is not very thick, #10 will also do. For woodwork, #6 is better.
Material
Coated metal fasteners are the norm, but the thing to note is the interaction between the coating and the metal. Galvanic corrosion can lead to premature breakages, and nobody likes a leaky roof.
Remember, if you live in a place where there is a lot of rain, even stainless steel screws can rust a bit. You can consider using galvanized screws in such places. When the Zinc starts to deplete later, just replace it with a bigger one.
Self-Drilling Screws
These types of crews do not need a pre-drilled hole in your metal roofing. They have a built-in drill bit that can save you a bit of time, but it may not always be the best idea to use them. The screw’s head should be as big as the drill bit. Otherwise, the threads will not fit into the pre-drilled holes.
Self-drilling on the spot lets you have a once overall to make sure that everything falls in place. People do use self-drillers, but mostly for thinner steel going into thicker steel.
Washers
What kind of washer does the screw come with? Plastic ones stop leakages. But you must make sure that the washer is perfectly in place, compressed neither too loose nor too tight. If it’s too tight, they get damaged, leaving the screw open for damage too. If it’s too loose, well, the rainwater coming into your room will better tell you what the problem with that is!
Plastics degrade. The roof is anyway exposed to the sun’s UV rays all day, so plastic might not be a great option in sunny places. Neoprene might be better in these conditions.
Fastener Profiles
There are many different types of fastener profiles. For example, Pancake fasteners are used when you have a low-profile installation at hand or Torx, Philips, or Hex sockets. They have an oversized dome under the screw head for the bigger washer. You can use a Hex head or pancake head screw for your roofing needs.
3 Best Screws For Metal Roofing
For example, I have selected 1.5inch screws below in #10,#12, and #14 gauges. You can select threads of different sizes and gauges based on your needs.
#1 EAGLE 1 # 10, 1.5 inch
What I loved about the Eagle 1 screws is the painted head and Zinc shaft. These screws will last a lifetime and then some. If you live in a place with a lot of rain, then these are the screws to go for. They will not rust, and they will keep the roof in a place like new for years.
Features:
- #10, 1.5 inch
- Painted Head
- External Hex head
- Zinc Coated Stainless steel material
- ¼ inch hex washer
Self-starting: These screws are easy to install because they are self-drilled.
Painted Head: The metal head is painted red. Not only does it give a unique look to your roof, but it also keeps the head free from rust and corrosion.
Zinc plated: The screw has a corrosion-free body due to the coating of Zinc on its outer layer.
EPDM Washer: EPDM is a kind of rubber. Its primary characteristic is that it is weather resistant. EPDM washers protect your roof from leaking water to the floor below.
Pros:
- Corrosion Free (Zinc coating, Painted head)
- Weather-proof washer
- Easy installation
Cons:
- The threading is a bit dull, so the self-tapping takes a bit of effort.
These are one of the best screws for sheet metal roofing. Their corrosion and rust resistance, combined with their weather-proof washers, makes them perfect for sheet metal projects in areas that receive heavy rainfall.
#2 Jake Sales #10 x 1-1/2″ Metal Roofing Screws
These are the best replacement screws for metal roofing on the market. They have a painted head and are great for metal to wood sidings. These screws also have an EPDM washer and a coating of polyurethane along with a galvanized body for longevity.
Features:
- Painted Head
- Polyurethane coating
- Metal to wood siding screws
- Galvanized body
- Self-starting
Painted Head: The colored hex head of the screw is resistant to corrosion as well as weather. It is double PU coated for more longevity.
Self-starting: The screws are pre-drilled, so they are easy to install
Galvanized: If you are looking for corrosion resistance, this is one of the best screws for you.
EPDM Washer: As mentioned earlier, the EPDM washer has high resistance to heat and weather.
Pros:
- Corrosion and Weather resistant
- Great for metal to wood sidings
Cons:
- It takes quite a bit of pressure to drill them in
If you are looking for the best metal roof replacement screws, you don’t have to look any further. These screws will fill in easily, last longer, and will keep water out of your home.
#3 The Cimple Co #10 x 1-1/2″ Philips Panhead Screws
I thought I would end the list with a Phillips Panhead screw since the other two were not. This screw is a nice 410 stainless steel screw, very strong, resistant to heat and stress. It will hold your metal roof well.
Features:
- 410 Stainless Steel
- Phillips Panhead
- Self-starting
410 Stainless Steel: 410 stainless is best in class. It has high heat and corrosion resistance and provides the kind of strength that will hold your roof for years to come.
Self-starting: The screws are pre-drilled, so they are easy to install
Versatile: These screws can be used for metal to metal and metal to wood projects. You can use them on gutter guards, fencing, roofing, and many other DIY projects.
Pros:
- Corrosion Resistant
- Heat Resistant
- Durable
Cons:
- The screws tend to get stripped out, as per one user.
If you don’t love the thought of washers and are looking to buy many screws meant for several projects, not just roofing, these screws will hold you in good stead for almost any and every application.
Wrap Up
Well, I am not saying that screws are the most important thing to consider in your metal roofing project. But you know what – they are critical!
Choosing the right screw requires a fair bit of research if you’re new to the whole game. I hope my buyer’s guide at the beginning of this article helped you hone into the right screw for your metal roofing project.
Last update on 2023-07-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Hi, I’m Jim. I was a roofing constructor for 20 years, before deciding to start myrooff.com and gather the best content about roofing. I love woodworking and construction and it was only natural for me to start this passion project of mine. Thank you for visitng.