A strong, economical 26-gauge roof with 36" coverage and 12 colors — the system on our El Paso shingle-to-metal job. We'll also tell you straight about the screws.
At a glance
R-panel is a ribbed steel panel: tall major ribs with smaller ribs between them. Each panel covers 36 inches, and it's held down with screws and rubber washers that go through the face of the panel. It's strong, and it costs less upfront than standing seam.
| Steel | 26 gauge |
|---|---|
| Coverage | 36" per panel |
| Profile | Ribbed, with tall major ribs |
| Fastening | Exposed screws with rubber washers through the panel face |
| Length | Cut to the exact length of your roof |
| Colors | 12 on our chart, including Acrylic Galvalume — try them on a roof |
| Minimum pitch | 3:12 |
| Typical service life | The panel lasts decades; the screw washers can start failing at 10–15 years in our sun (typical industry ranges, not a warranty) |
Is it right for you?
Real project
Shingle to metal · El Paso
Where it makes sense
A metal roof for less upfront than standing seam. Our El Paso shingle-to-metal conversion is 26-gauge R-panel in Light Stone.
Garages, shops, barns and casitas — the classic ribbed ranch and industrial look.
26-gauge exposed-fastener panels for warehouses, shops and pre-engineered buildings.
Lighter colors reflect more of our sun. The EPA reports reflective cool roofs can cut peak cooling demand 11–27% in air-conditioned buildings.
Maintenance
This is the honest part. The panel itself lasts decades, but every screw goes through the face of the roof and seals with a rubber washer. In our sun those washers dry out and crack, and they can start failing at 10–15 years. A failed washer can let water in at the screw.
Our side-by-side guide covers fasteners, upkeep, looks and where each one fits.
FAQ
Don't see yours? Call us — we're happy to talk it through.
The steel panel lasts decades. The part that wears out first is the rubber washer on each screw: in El Paso sun those can start failing at 10–15 years. Keep the fasteners up and an R-panel roof keeps working for a long time. These are typical industry ranges, not a warranty.
Yes. 26-gauge R-panel is a strong roof for a home — our El Paso shingle-to-metal conversion is 26-gauge R-panel. If you plan to keep the house for decades, we recommend 24-gauge standing seam, mostly because it has no exposed screws.
Steel roofing panels come with a factory metallic coating, and painted colors add a paint finish on top; together they protect the steel. Rust usually starts where that coating gets cut or scratched, or where drill shavings are left lying on the roof. El Paso's dry air is easy on steel compared with the coast. Ask us for the product details for the panel on your quote.
On our El Paso conversion: the bare wood deck with the bad boards replaced, then self-sealing waterproof membrane edge to edge, then the panels. That membrane is a second layer between the metal and the deck. See the roof start to finish.
Free estimates. Call us, or send a few details and we'll get back to you. Se habla español.