Exposed-fastener roof panels, roll-formed in Kaufman County
Corrugated Metal Roof Panels, R-Panel and PBR for Shops, Barns and Metal Buildings
Corrugated metal roof panels, R-panel, PBR and the AMP 7.2 Rib are the working roofs of North Texas: hay barns, welding shops, carports, equipment sheds and steel buildings. Our Forney shop roll-forms each profile to the lengths on your list and bends the ridge, rake and eave trim to match.
Three Exposed-Fastener Profiles Compared
All three fasten with screws through the face of the panel. They differ in rib shape, stiffness and the buildings they suit.
| 7/8 inch corrugated | R-panel / PBR | AMP 7.2 Rib | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Rounded, even waves | Tall trapezoid ribs with flat pans | Symmetrical ribs, 1.5 inch deep at 7.2 inch centers |
| Typical gauge | 26 or 29 | 26 or 29 | Quoted to the span |
| Fastening | Screws with sealing washers | Screws with sealing washers | Screws with sealing washers |
| Strong suit | Classic farm and porch look | Covers purlin framing quickly | Spans and stiffness on roof or wall |
| Typical buildings | Barns, porches, rustic homes, accents | Metal buildings, shops, barndominiums | Shops and buildings needing a stiffer panel |
Profile names vary between mills and suppliers. When a plan names a panel, send the data sheet and we will match the rib and coverage.
R-Panel or PBR: What Does the Bearing Leg Do?
PBR stands for purlin bearing rib. On a PBR panel, the overlapping edge carries an extra leg that rests on the purlin under the side lap. That leg supports the lap, so the screws pull the two panels into a tighter joint.
Many people say R-panel and PBR as if they were one panel, and on the street they look alike. On a metal building with open purlins, the bearing leg is worth asking for. Over solid decking it matters less.
Our AMP PBR panels page gives the profile details. The same rib shape also works on walls; the semi-concealed AMP PBR wall panel gives a flatter, cleaner side wall.
26 Gauge or 29 Gauge for a Barn or Shop?
Order 26 gauge when the roof will be walked on, the purlins sit far apart or the building needs to look sharp for decades. Order 29 gauge for open-sided ag buildings and sheds where cost leads.
- 26 gauge is the heavier sheet. It dents less under foot traffic and hail and spans farther between supports.
- 29 gauge is lighter and costs less. It is common on hay barns, loafing sheds and carports.
- Paint on these profiles is usually SMP. Kynar 500 is worth the upgrade on a home, a barndominium or a dark color in full sun.
Spacing between purlins drives the gauge more than anything else. Send it with the order and we will flag a sheet that is too light for the span. The barndominium buying guide covers roof and wall choices for living space.
Fastener, Closure and Trim Checklist for Through-Screwed Roofs
An exposed-fastener roof is only as tight as its screws and closures. Order them with the panels so the counts and colors line up with the layout.
Fasteners
Each screw has a sealing washer that compresses against the panel face. Driven straight and snug, it seals; overdriven, it splits; underdriven, it leaks. Color-matched heads keep the roof from looking speckled. Tell us if you want fasteners priced on the quote.
Closures
Foam closures cut to the panel profile fill the gaps at the eave and ridge. They keep out wasps, birds and wind-driven rain. Each closure has to match the exact rib shape, which is one more reason to order them with the panels.
Trim
- Ridge cap and peak trim for gable roofs
- High-side and low-side eave trim for single-slope sheds
- Rake and gable trim, plus drip edge at the eave
- Corner, base and jamb trim when the walls get panels too
- Flashing at sidewalls and endwalls, where a shed roof dies into a taller building
The trim comes off our brakes in the panel color. Special shapes are covered under metal flashing.
Where Exposed-Fastener Panels Fit Best
Exposed-fastener panels are the economical answer for working buildings. For some roofs another profile is the better buy, and the shop will point that out.
- Suits: barns, shops, carports, porches, sheds, pole buildings and metal building roofs over purlins.
- Suits: barndominiums where the owner wants the ribbed look and a lower price per square.
- Think twice: low-slope roofs and long runs that move a lot in the heat; a concealed-clip panel handles both better.
- Think twice: a house in a neighborhood with strict design rules, where a standing seam panel usually reads cleaner.
The screws are the maintenance point. Those washers are the part to watch: years of sunlight and summer heat stiffen the seal. Read exposed vs concealed fastener panels for the long-term trade-offs.
Ordering a Metal Building or Barn Roof
Send these details and the quote comes back complete.
- Building width, length and roof pitch, or the building drawings.
- Purlin spacing and whether the panels sit on purlins or solid decking.
- Eave and gable overhangs, so panel lengths include them.
- Profile and gauge, or the questions you have about them.
- Paint line and color from the chart.
- Trim pieces, plus wall panels and their trim if the walls are included.
- Pickup at the Forney shop or delivery to the site.
We confirm the ship date with the quote. Wall panels for the same building are on our metal wall panels page, and materials rates are on the pricing page. To compare every roof profile we run, go back to roof panels.
Corrugated and R-Panel Questions
Is R-panel the same thing as PBR?
Close, but not always. Both have trapezoid ribs. The difference is a PBR extra: one edge of the panel grows a short bearing leg that sits on the purlin beneath the overlap. On open purlins, that leg is worth having.
What gauge do most barns in North Texas use?
Open-sided barns and sheds often use 29 gauge to keep costs down. Shops, barndominiums and any roof that will be walked on are better in 26 gauge.
Can corrugated panels go on a house?
Yes, as a porch roof, an accent or a full roof on a farmhouse-style home. Plan the screw pattern and trim carefully, because every fastener shows.
Do you make the foam closures and trim to match the panel?
Trim is bent in our shop from matching coil. Closures must follow the exact rib shape, so we match them to the profile you order.
Can I use the same profile on the roof and the walls?
Often. PBR and the AMP 7.2 Rib work on both, and using one profile keeps the building consistent. See the wall panel pages for the wall-side trim.
How long can the panels be?
Up to 40 feet when they are formed in the shop for pickup or delivery. For longer runs, ask about forming the panels on site, which handles lengths up to 200 feet.
Request a Written Quote
Describe the panels, trim or sheet metal you need, or attach your takeoff. Expect to hear from Architectural Metal Panels by the next business day.
You can also text roof or wall photos to (972) 332-2809
Rather talk it through? Call (972) 332-2809. Insured in full.
Price Your Shop, Barn or Metal Building Roof
Send the building size, pitch and purlin spacing, or the drawings, and get a written materials quote with panels, trim and closures. Call (972) 332-2809 with profile questions.