Replies

1. 
   Susan_Nunn | Sep 15, 2000 04:30am | #1

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   Hi, I think I've seen other homeowners pose questions here, so I'll plunge in. My husband and I are replacing our old metal roof with an SM-RIB roof. (yes, I know we should have sprung for standing seam, but we didn't. Too late now.) My question is this: where do you attach the panels if you use hex head screws & washers--through the ribs (the profiles)? or next to the rib in the flat part of the panel?

   I ask because the manufacturer says the screws should be in the flat, and the installer put them in the ribs--over our objections, insisting that he always does it this way, and he can show us $500K houses he did this way, etc.

   His argument boils down to this: regardless of what the manufacturer says, his 20-year experience in the field has taught him that putting the screws in the flat means the washers will need replacing in 3-5 years, while his way means they'll need replacing in 8-10 years. The manufacturer's chief engineer says they never need replacing over the life of the roof. Who do I believe??? Basically this is a poll, I guess. What is your experience attaching this type of roof one way or the other? I'd be very grateful if you could share that, or offer any words of advice. We've paid for the metal but we haven't paid for the installation yet, which is 99% finished. Thanks!

2. 
   Guest_ | Sep 15, 2000 05:10am | #2

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   Susan,

   Screws go in the flat, not in the ribs. Washers are 20 years old on one roof I have and are fine. I do quite a few of these and have only replaced screws that were overcups(wrong application). Seen lots of shitty work on expensive houses. Manufacturer wins.

   KK

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 16, 2000 01:26pm | #3

   *Screws in the flat. I've never seen the washers wear out...well maybe in one or two spots only, never in a whole roof in 8-10 years.I believe the reason for fastening on the flat is that due to thermal expansion and contraction, flexing in the wind, movement of the building, etc, any screws in the rib might leak eventually if the rib gets bent down alittle under the screw.The flats are directly against the purlins (or sheathing, or whatever's there) and therefore can't be bent.

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 17, 2000 01:38am | #4

   *I've had good luck with screws on the ribs with ag-style roofing. These panels are made to be installed that way.

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 17, 2000 04:45am | #5

   *I recently did some research on inexpensive metal roofing with my brother-in-law for his cabin in the Colorado Rockies. The material he plans to use has ribs spaced every 6" or so. The manufacturer says to fasten the panels to the roof with washered screws in the flats, PLUS screws on the overlapping panel ribs.We checked a municipal building having the same sort of metal roof (albiet a higher quality/weight) and found the same fastening technique used.I think I've seen some cheap agricultural roofing where the surface was corregated and the fasteners were to be placed on the tops of the ribs into purlins having the same profile as the roofing material... but my memory could be failing me.Oh, well... Steve

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 17, 2000 03:29pm | #6

   *I've seen problems with screws in the ribs.The wind will cause the panels to rattle and shake. Eventually, a little dimple has been beaten under the screw heads and the screws are loose. Now the panel can really move and the damage just keeps getting worse.The worst material I've ever seen this in is that ondura asphalt roof corrugated pannel. The wind will always cause the screws to tear out of that stuff. I can't believe they're still able to stay in business with that lifetime warranty they offer. I've installed the second "free" roof after the first one failed twice.

3. 
   Susan_Nunn | Sep 17, 2000 08:10pm | #7

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   This is great! Please, keep your experiences coming on SM-RIB attached with screws and washers. Whatever the consensus is it will help us decide what to do about our situation. Thanks!

4. 
   Susan_Nunn | Sep 17, 2000 08:10pm | #8

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   Do the screws go in the rib, or in the flat part of the roof? Homeovner seeks voices of experience.