What size are metal roof panels?
Widths by panel type
- R-panel and PBR. About 36 inches of coverage with tall trapezoidal ribs every 12 inches. Common on barns, shops and some homes.
- Residential ribbed panels. Many are also around 36 inches of coverage with lower ribs.
- 5V crimp. About 24 inches of coverage with five V-shaped crimps, a traditional Southern farmhouse look.
- Corrugated. Wavy sheets, often around 24 to 26 inches of coverage depending on the corrugation size.
- Standing seam. Typically 12 to 18 inches wide, with 16 inches common. Narrower panels show less oil canning, the visible waviness in flat metal.
Sheet width and coverage width are different numbers. Panels overlap or interlock, so each one covers less than its full width.
Lengths
Panels are usually cut to the exact eave to ridge length so there are no horizontal seams to leak. Suppliers roll form to order, and very long panels may be rolled on site. Home centers stock shorter fixed lengths for sheds and porches.
Thickness
Thickness is described by gauge: 29 gauge is thin and common on exposed fastener panels, 26 gauge is a step up, and 24 gauge is common for quality standing seam.
Why size matters for your roof
Panel width affects the look, the wind rating and how many seams the roof has. Ask for the manufacturer's tested wind rating for the exact panel, gauge and fastening pattern. See metal roofing in Georgia and how roofers measure a roof.