stainless steel screwMany home and business owners are turning to metal roofs for their buildings rather than the typical asphalt shingle roof. But when it comes to installing metal roofs, there’s a lot that goes into it.

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When a contractor installs a metal roof, they use different fastener options to ensure a leak-free lifespan, which can be in excess of 50 years with proper installation. Since the screws play such a major role in roof installation, if the wrong one is chosen, the roof may fail.

If you’re doing a roof project yourself, you’re going to be responsible for choosing fasteners. You need to first select the best screw for metal roofing, whether they are stainless steel screws or a micro screws, that will be best for your substrate. Your substrate could either be wood, metal, or concrete. You also need to take the uplight requirements into consideration. Talk to your screw supplier about the pullout loads for the fastener. If there are no pullout loads available, you can ask for independent test reports.

You also need to look for screws that are going to last you as long as the roof will. Stainless steel screws or zinc screws are typically a great option. After choosing the type of screw material, you need to consider the length. If you choose the wrong screw length, the threads won’t be able to properly attach to the substrate.

In terms of installation, you need to choose the appropriate screw gun for the screws you chose. This will ensure that all screws are installed properly. Now, even though you may be tempted, try to avoid putting a ton of pressure on the screw and drill during installation. This can cause the fastener to break. You should also avoid using worn-out insert bits and nut-setters. These can cause the fastener to wobble and install sideways.

Screws, nuts, and bolts are used in many different projects. In fact, the revenue of screw, nut, and bolt manufacturing in the U.S. reached $30 billion in 2017. In order to properly install a metal roof, you need to choose the right screw and use the right tools. Don’t put too much pressure on your drill and avoid using worn out insert bits. As long as everything is done properly, your roof will last you for many years to come.

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