By The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed: October 2026.
16 ft metal roofing costs $49.92 to $97.89 per panel at the U.S. suppliers checked on October 29, 2026, before delivery, screws, trim or labor. The low end is a 29-gauge Galvalume corrugated or 5V sheet at MG Building Materials in San Antonio; the high end is a single 26-gauge painted R-panel at King Metals. A 3 ft by 16 ft ribbed panel covers 48 sq ft of roof, so most of these listings work out to $1.07 to $2.04 per square foot of coverage.
Three numbers decide the real cost of a 16 ft sheet: its net coverage width (48 sq ft for a 36 in rib panel but only about 28.7 sq ft for big-box corrugated), its gauge (26 gauge ran 10% to 27% above 29 gauge at PBS Direct), and how it gets to your site, because a 16 ft panel sticks 8 ft past the tailgate of an 8 ft pickup bed. The 16 ft size sits between our 12 ft metal roofing price guide and our 20 ft metal roofing price guide.
16 ft metal roofing: key numbers at a glance
These are the figures most buyers of a 3 ft by 16 ft sheet need first, each tied to a dated listing or a maker data sheet. All prices are material only and were checked on October 29, 2026.
| Item | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Price per 16 ft panel, 29 ga Galvalume | $49.92 (corrugated or 5V) to $60.80 (36 in rib) | MG Building Materials; PBS Direct |
| Price per 16 ft panel, 26 ga painted | $87.36 to $97.89 | PBS Direct (Union MasterRib); King Metals |
| Coverage of one 3 ft by 16 ft rib panel | 48 sq ft (36 in net coverage) | Metal Sales Pro-Panel II sell sheet |
| Coverage of one 16 ft big-box corrugated sheet | About 28.7 sq ft (21.5 in net on a roof) | Gibraltar Building Products help center |
| Weight of one 16 ft, 36 in panel | 29.8 lb (29 ga) to 38.4 lb (26 ga) | Metal Sales Classic Rib and Pro-Panel II data |
| Screws per 16 ft, 36 in panel | About 38 (80 per square) | Metal Sales Post-Frame Install Guide |
What does a 16 ft metal roofing panel cost?
A 16 ft metal roofing panel cost $49.92 to $97.89 at the retailers and steel yards below on October 29, 2026. Bare Galvalume in 29 gauge sits at the bottom, painted 26-gauge R-panel at the top, and the per-square-foot column shows which listings are cheaper once coverage width is counted.
| Panel (16 ft length) | Gauge and finish | Price per panel | Net coverage | Per sq ft of roof | Source (as listed Oct 29, 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corrugated Roofing 16′ 02770 (SKU 862) | 29 ga Galvalume | $49.92 | Not listed; 21.5 to 24 in is typical | $1.56 to $1.74 | MG Building Materials, San Antonio |
| 5-V Roofing 16′ 02776 (SKU 875) | 29 ga Galvalume | $49.92 | Not listed; 24 in on Metal Sales 5V-Crimp | About $1.56 | MG Building Materials |
| R-Panel Galvalume, cut to 16 ft (RP-GALV-26) | 26 ga Galvalume, AZ55 | $51.20 ($3.20 per linear ft) | 36 in | $1.07 | Ironrod Steel, Houston |
| Union MasterRib, 16 ft fixed length | 29 ga Galvalume | $56.32 | 36 in | $1.17 | PBS Direct |
| Precut Pro-Rib 36 in x 16′, Midnight Black (SKU 1557939) | 29 ga painted, 40-yr paint warranty | $64.64 everyday; $62.66 sale through 11/8/26 | 36 in | $1.31 to $1.35 | Menards |
| 16X3 PBR Panel | 26 ga Galvalume or galvanized | $79.95 | 36 in | $1.67 | SoCal Fence and Barn, Norco, CA |
| Gibraltar 16 ft SM-Rib (white and slate) | 29 ga Galvalume, painted | $79.98 (indexed listing) | 36 in | $1.67 | The Home Depot |
| R-Panel 26ga x 3 x 16, White (86-26G-3X16-15RWHITE) | 26 ga, polyester paint | $97.89 each; $65.26 at 1,000+ lb | 36 in | $1.36 to $2.04 | King Metals |
Home Depot blocked direct page checks, so its $79.98 figure is the price shown in October 2026 search listings for the Gibraltar white and slate versions; confirm it at your store. Lowe’s Metal Sales Pro-Panel II 3 ft x 16 ft listing (Chestnut Brown and other colors) did not show an online price when checked on October 29, 2026, so the 3 ft by 16 ft price at Lowe’s has to be read at the local store page. Menards also lists an 11% mail-in rebate through 11/1/26 that brings the Pro-Rib sheet to $55.77, paid as store credit, not cash.
Yards that cut to length price a 16 ft panel as exactly 16 times the linear-foot rate: PBS Direct’s 29-gauge Union MasterRib Galvalume is $3.52 per foot cut to length and $56.32 as a 16 ft fixed length, and MG lists its 29-gauge corrugated at $3.12 per foot in every length from 6 ft ($18.72) to 24 ft ($74.88). Buying the 16 ft size carries no per-foot premium at either seller.
How much roof does one 16 ft panel cover?
One 16 ft panel covers 48 sq ft when the profile has 36 in of net coverage, which includes R-panel, PBR, Pro-Rib, MasterRib, Classic Rib, Pro-Panel II and Gibraltar SM-Rib. Corrugated and 5V sheets lap more and cover 28.4 to 32 sq ft, so a lower sticker price can still cost more per square foot of roof.
| Profile | Overall width | Net roof coverage | Coverage per 16 ft panel | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-panel / PBR (Metal Sales R-Panel, Ironrod) | About 38 in | 36 in | 48.0 sq ft | Metal Sales R-Panel data; Ironrod spec |
| Classic Rib / Pro-Panel II (Metal Sales) | About 38 in | 36 in | 48.0 sq ft | Classic Rib data; Pro-Panel II sheet |
| Pro-Rib (Menards) | 38 in nominal | 36 in | 48.0 sq ft | Menards listing |
| SM-Rib (Gibraltar, Home Depot) | 37.5 in | 36 in | 48.0 sq ft | Gibraltar help center |
| 7/8 in corrugated (Metal Sales) | Not stated | 32 in | 42.7 sq ft | Metal Sales Light Gauge Panels catalog |
| 5V-Crimp (Metal Sales) | Not stated | 24 in | 32.0 sq ft | Metal Sales catalog |
| 2.5 in corrugated (Gibraltar 16 ft, 29 ga) | 25.75 in | 21.5 in (2 corrugations lapped) | 28.7 sq ft | Gibraltar help center |
| 2.5 in corrugated (Metal Sales) | Not stated | 21-1/3 in | 28.4 sq ft | Metal Sales catalog |
| 16 in standing seam (ABC SL-16, Metal Sales Image II) | 16 in coverage | 16 in | 21.3 sq ft | American Building Components SL-16 page; Metal Sales catalog |
The last row matters because “16” means two different things in metal roofing: American Building Components’ SL-16 is a 16 in coverage standing seam panel, not a 16 ft sheet, and it shows up in the same search results. A 16 ft run of 16 in standing seam covers 21.3 sq ft, less than half of a 16 ft rib panel. For full coverage math by profile, see our metal roof panel widths and coverage guide.
How much does a 16 ft piece of metal roofing weigh?
A 16 ft piece of 36 in metal roofing weighs about 29.8 to 30.2 lb in 29 gauge and 37.9 to 38.4 lb in 26 gauge, based on the weight per square foot Metal Sales prints in its 2026 data sheets. The figures below multiply that weight by the 48 sq ft a 16 ft panel covers.
| Panel (Metal Sales data) | Gauge | Weight per sq ft | Weight of one 16 ft panel | Weight of 22 panels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pro-Panel II | 29 ga | 0.62 psf | 29.8 lb | 655 lb | Pro-Panel II sell sheet (02-2023 table) |
| Pro-Panel II | 26 ga | 0.79 psf | 37.9 lb | 834 lb | Pro-Panel II sell sheet |
| Classic Rib | 29 ga | 0.63 psf | 30.2 lb | 665 lb | Classic Rib data (1-2026) |
| Classic Rib | 26 ga | 0.80 psf | 38.4 lb | 845 lb | Classic Rib data (1-2026) |
| Classic Rib | 24 ga | 1.05 psf | 50.4 lb | 1,109 lb | Classic Rib data (1-2026) |
| R-Panel | 22 ga | 1.38 psf | 66.2 lb | 1,457 lb | R-Panel data (1-2026) |
Weight sets two costs. King Metals prices its 26-gauge 3 x 16 R-panel by order weight ($97.89 each, $73.42 at 101+ lb, $69.10 at 500+ lb, $65.26 at 1,000+ lb), so at about 38.4 lb per sheet the 101 lb tier starts at 3 panels and the 1,000 lb tier at 27 panels (Roofing Brief arithmetic from the Metal Sales 26-gauge weight). It also sets the haul: the 22 panels for a 24 x 30 garage weigh 655 to 845 lb before screws and trim, so check the payload rating of any truck or trailer before loading.
Does 26 gauge or paint change the 16 ft price?
Yes. At PBS Direct, moving a 16 ft panel from 29 to 26 gauge added $6.40 to $16.16 (10.5% to 26.7%), and moving from bare Galvalume to a painted finish added $12.80 to $16.00 in the same gauge. Thickness and paint warranty are the two upgrades that move a 16 ft sheet the most.
| 16 ft panel at PBS Direct | Gauge and finish | Per foot | Per 16 ft panel | Step-up vs base | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union MasterRib | 29 ga Galvalume, 25-yr warranty | $3.52 | $56.32 | Base | PBS Direct |
| Union MasterRib | 26 ga Galvalume, 25-yr warranty | $4.46 | $71.36 | +$15.04 (+26.7%) | PBS Direct |
| Union MasterRib | 29 ga painted, 45-yr warranty | $4.45 | $71.20 | +$14.88 (+26.4%) | PBS Direct |
| Union MasterRib | 26 ga painted, 45-yr warranty | $5.46 | $87.36 | +$16.16 over 29 ga painted (+22.7%) | PBS Direct |
| Central States Panel-Loc Plus | 29 ga Galvalume | $3.80 | $60.80 | Base | PBS Direct |
| Central States Panel-Loc Plus | 26 ga Galvalume | $4.20 | $67.20 | +$6.40 (+10.5%) | PBS Direct |
| Central States Standard Panel-Loc Plus | 29 ga painted, 40-yr warranty | $4.60 | $73.60 | +$12.80 (+21.1%) | PBS Direct |
| Central States Ultra Panel-Loc Plus | 26 ga painted, lifetime warranty | $6.10 | $97.60 | +$36.80 (+60.5%) | PBS Direct |
Thickness differences are small on paper: Menards lists Pro-Rib 29 gauge at 0.0142 in minimum before paint, and Ironrod lists 26 gauge at 0.0185 in, about 30% thicker. That extra steel shows up in load capacity. Union Corrugating’s MasterRib installation sheet rates 29 gauge at 112 psf live load on 24 in spans and 26 gauge at 150 psf, and Metal Sales’ Classic Rib table gives 97 psf and 125 psf inward at 2 ft. More on the trade-off is in our 26 vs 29 gauge metal roofing comparison.
Will a 16 ft panel reach from ridge to eave on your roof?
A 16 ft panel covers a horizontal run of 15 ft 10 in at 1:12 but only 11 ft 3 in at 12:12, because a steeper roof turns the same horizontal distance into a longer slope. The table divides 191 in (16 ft less a 1 in eave overhang) by each pitch’s slope factor to give the longest horizontal run, overhang included, that one 16 ft sheet covers without an end lap.
| Roof pitch | Slope factor | Slope length of 16 ft horizontal | Max horizontal run one 16 ft panel covers | Allowed for these panels? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:12 | 1.0035 | 16.06 ft | 15 ft 10 in | PBR / R-panel (Metal Sales PBR minimum 1:12) |
| 2:12 | 1.0138 | 16.22 ft | 15 ft 8 in | PBR; lapped panels with sealant under IRC R905.10.2 |
| 3:12 | 1.0308 | 16.49 ft | 15 ft 5 in | Classic Rib, Pro-Panel II, MasterRib minimum |
| 4:12 | 1.0541 | 16.87 ft | 15 ft 1 in | All exposed-fastener profiles above |
| 5:12 | 1.0833 | 17.33 ft | 14 ft 8 in | All |
| 6:12 | 1.1180 | 17.89 ft | 14 ft 2 in | All |
| 8:12 | 1.2019 | 19.23 ft | 13 ft 2 in | All |
| 10:12 | 1.3017 | 20.83 ft | 12 ft 2 in | All |
| 12:12 | 1.4142 | 22.63 ft | 11 ft 3 in | All |
The slope rules come from the 2021 International Residential Code, Section R905.10.2: lapped, nonsoldered metal panels need 3:12 without applied lap sealant, 1/2:12 with sealant applied per the maker’s instructions, and standing seam needs 1/4:12. Makers can be stricter than code; Metal Sales lists 3:12 for Classic Rib and Pro-Panel II and 1:12 for PBR-Panel in its light gauge catalog.
If your run is longer than the table allows, do not lap two short panels on a 3:12 roof without the maker’s endlap detail: Union calls for a 6 in end lap at 3:12 or steeper, and Metal Sales says Classic Rib panels cannot be endlapped at all. A cut-to-length order solves it; see our metal roofing panel lengths guide for factory minimums and maximums.
How many 16 ft panels do common buildings need?
A 12 x 16 shed with a single slope needs 6 panels, a 24 x 30 garage at 8:12 needs 22, and a 28 x 40 pole barn at 4:12 needs 28, using 36 in coverage panels. Each count divides the eave length plus rake overhangs by 3 ft and rounds up; the slope check uses the pitch table above.
| Building (Roofing Brief worked example) | Pitch and overhangs | Slope length needed | Does 16 ft fit? | Panels (36 in coverage) | Roof area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 x 16 shed, single slope across the 12 ft depth | 3:12; 12 in front and back, 12 in at each rake | 14 ft x 1.0308 + 1 in = 14 ft 6 in | Yes, trim about 1 ft 6 in (a 14 ft stock sheet is 6 in short) | 18 ft / 3 ft = 6 | 260 sq ft |
| 12 x 16 shed, single slope along the 16 ft length | 3:12; 12 in overhangs | 17 ft x 1.0308 + 1 in = 17 ft 7 in | No, order 18 ft or cut-to-length | Not priced | Not priced |
| 24 x 30 garage, gable, ridge along 30 ft | 8:12; 12 in eaves and rakes | 13 ft x 1.2019 + 1 in = 15 ft 8.5 in | Yes, about 3.5 in to spare | 32 ft / 3 ft = 11 per side, 22 total | 1,000 sq ft |
| 28 x 40 pole barn, gable, ridge along 40 ft | 4:12; 6 in eaves and rakes | 14.5 ft x 1.0541 + 1 in = 15 ft 4.4 in | Yes, about 7.6 in to spare | 41 ft / 3 ft = 14 per side, 28 total | 1,253 sq ft |
| 24 x 30 garage, gable | 12:12; 12 in eaves | 13 ft x 1.4142 + 1 in = 18 ft 5.6 in | No, order 19 ft | Not priced | Not priced |
Metal Sales says any variance in a measured run can usually be taken out at the eave or peak ends, which is why a few inches of extra length on the 24 x 30 garage is fine. A run that comes up even 2 in short is not, because the eave needs its 1 in minimum overhang (Union MasterRib specifies a 1 in minimum and Central States suggests 1 in) to drip into the gutter. Our metal roofing calculator runs the same count for other footprints.
What does a full 16 ft metal roof cost in materials?
Using one supplier’s 16 ft panels and accessories, the material bill runs about $404 for the 12 x 16 shed, $1,650 to $2,460 for the 24 x 30 garage and $2,094 to $3,124 for the 28 x 40 pole barn, depending on gauge and paint. That is $1.55 to $2.49 per square foot of roof, before delivery, rake and eave trim, and labor.
| Bill line (PBS Direct, Oct 29, 2026) | Unit price | 12 x 16 shed | 24 x 30 garage | 28 x 40 pole barn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panels: Panel-Loc Plus 29 ga Galvalume, 16 ft | $60.80 | 6 = $364.80 | 22 = $1,337.60 | 28 = $1,702.40 |
| Panels: Standard Panel-Loc Plus 29 ga painted, 16 ft | $73.60 | 6 = $441.60 | 22 = $1,619.20 | 28 = $2,060.80 |
| Panels: Ultra Panel-Loc Plus 26 ga painted, 16 ft | $97.60 | 6 = $585.60 | 22 = $2,147.20 | 28 = $2,732.80 |
| #10 wood screws, 1 in, bag of 250 (39 per panel) | $26.99 | 1 bag = $26.99 | 4 bags = $107.96 | 5 bags = $134.95 |
| Panel-Loc Plus closures, inside and outside | $1.00 each | 12 = $12.00 | 44 = $44.00 | 56 = $56.00 |
| Ridge cap, 13 in x 10 ft 6 in, 29 ga painted | $40.13 | None (single slope) | 4 = $160.52 | 5 = $200.65 |
| Total with 29 ga Galvalume panels | $403.79 ($1.55/sq ft) | $1,650.08 ($1.65/sq ft) | $2,094.00 ($1.67/sq ft) | |
| Total with 29 ga painted panels | $480.59 ($1.85/sq ft) | $1,931.68 ($1.93/sq ft) | $2,452.40 ($1.96/sq ft) | |
| Total with 26 ga painted panels | $624.59 ($2.40/sq ft) | $2,459.68 ($2.46/sq ft) | $3,124.40 ($2.49/sq ft) |
Sources for the bill: PBS Direct Panel-Loc Plus Galvalume, Standard and Ultra listings; #10 wood screw bag; Panel-Loc Plus closure; and the 10 ft 6 in ridge cap, counted at 10 ft of net coverage per piece after a 6 in lap (a Roofing Brief assumption; confirm the lap with the trim maker). Rake trim, eave trim, butyl tape and underlayment are left out because their counts depend on your trim profile.
Installed, the 2026 Roofing Cost Report puts exposed-fastener metal at $6 to $10 per sq ft, so the 1,000 sq ft garage would run about $6,000 to $10,000 hired out. The $1,650 to $2,460 material bill is 17% to 41% of that range, and labor is most of the rest; the BLS OEWS May 2025 release puts the U.S. median roofer wage at $26.65 per hour. Whole-house pricing by profile is in our metal roof cost guide.
How many screws and closures does a 16 ft panel take?
Plan on about 38 panel screws per 16 ft, 36 in panel: Metal Sales’ Post-Frame Install Guide says 80 screws per square are typical for 3 ft wide panels, and one 16 ft panel is 0.48 square. Add 8 to 16 stitch screws per side lap, depending on the maker, plus one inside closure at the eave and one outside closure at the ridge.
| Fastener or part | Rule | Per 16 ft panel | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panel screws, 3 ft wide panels | 80 per square | 38.4 (order 39) | Metal Sales Post-Frame Install Guide |
| Panel screws, 2 ft wide panels (5V, corrugated) | 40 per square | 12.8 on a 2 ft x 16 ft sheet | Metal Sales Post-Frame Install Guide |
| Side lap stitch screws, Classic Rib | 12 in on center | 16 | Metal Sales Post-Frame Install Guide |
| Side lap tek screws, MasterRib | 24 in on center | 8 | Union MasterRib install sheet |
| Purlin lines crossed at 2 ft max spacing | Union and Central States: 2 ft maximum on roofs | 9 (eave, 7 intermediate, ridge) | Union; Central States install guide |
| Inside and outside foam closures | One each per 3 ft panel | 1 at eave, 1 at ridge | PBS Direct closure listing |
Fastener price spreads are wide. King Metals sells a #12 x 1 in self-tapping screw with rubber washer at $0.21 each or $0.12 at 1,000+, so 39 screws cost $4.68 to $8.19 per panel, while PBS Direct’s $26.99 bag of 250 #10 wood screws works out to about $0.11 each, or $4.21 per panel. Drive each screw until the washer is compressed but not dished, because Union notes that an overdriven fastener forms a dimple that can collect water.
How do you haul 16 ft metal roofing panels?
A 16 ft panel hangs 8 ft past the end of an 8 ft pickup bed and 10.5 ft past a 5.5 ft bed, both over the 4 ft rear overhang that triggers a red flag in states such as Texas. A 16 ft trailer deck or store delivery keeps the sheets fully supported, which Metal Sales’ handling rules favor.
| How you move it | Unsupported length of a 16 ft panel | Rule that applies | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford F-150 with 5.5 ft box | About 10.5 ft past the bed | Flag needed; exceeds the 1/3 unsupported guide (5 ft 4 in) | Ford F-150 box options; Tex. Transp. Code 547.382 |
| Ford F-150 with 6.5 ft box | About 9.5 ft | Same | Ford; Texas statute |
| Ford F-150 with 8 ft box | About 8 ft | Same; a ladder rack over the cab supports the front | Ford; Metal Sales handling section |
| 16 ft utility trailer deck | 0 ft | Fully supported; check trailer payload against 30 to 38 lb per sheet | Metal Sales weights |
| Store or yard delivery | 0 ft | Menards: free shipping to store for pickup; Ironrod: typically $200 within greater Houston; King Metals: extra freight on this item; PBS Direct: advertises flat-rate metal shipping nationwide | Menards; Ironrod; King Metals |
Texas Transportation Code Section 547.382 requires red flags at least 12 in square on a load that extends more than 4 ft beyond the rear of the vehicle, and lamps and reflectors at night; other states set their own trigger, so check your state code before driving. Metal Sales’ Post-Frame Install Guide says no more than 1/3 of a panel’s length should be left unsupported when lifting, which is 5 ft 4 in on a 16 ft sheet, and that individual panels can be carried by people placed every 6 to 8 ft along the panel, held on edge so the sheet stays vertical.
For a 16 ft sheet, that 6 to 8 ft spacing means 2 carriers at the 8 ft maximum or 3 at closer spacing. Metal Sales also allows a forklift for panels up to 20 ft long with the forks at maximum separation, and calls for a crane with a spreader bar only above 20 ft, so a 16 ft bundle can come off a delivery truck by forklift. Cut sheets with snips or shears rather than an abrasive wheel; our guide on how to cut metal roofing covers the tools.
How to order 16 ft metal roofing without waste
Order 16 ft sheets only after measuring the slope length and checking it against the 191 in a 16 ft panel can cover past a 1 in eave overhang. These 7 steps take the numbers above from measurement to a cart.
- Measure the horizontal run from the ridge line to the outside of the fascia, then add the rake or eave overhang you want (6 to 12 in in the examples above).
- Multiply that run by your pitch’s slope factor (1.0308 at 3:12, 1.1180 at 6:12, 1.2019 at 8:12) and add 1 in for the eave overhang that Union and Central States call for.
- If the result is 16 ft 0 in or less, 16 ft stock works; if it is over, order a cut-to-length panel (PBS Direct and Ironrod price cut lengths at the same per-foot rate) rather than lapping two sheets.
- Count panels: eave length plus both rake overhangs, divided by net coverage (3 ft for rib panels, 1.79 ft for 21.5 in corrugated), rounded up, then doubled for a gable roof.
- Pick gauge: 29 gauge for sheds and post-frame buildings on 2 ft purlins, or 26 gauge where the panel must carry more load (150 vs 112 psf at 24 in spans on Union MasterRib).
- Add 39 screws per 3 ft panel (80 per square), 16 stitch screws per side lap on Classic Rib, one inside and one outside closure per panel, and ridge cap at 10 ft net per 10 ft 6 in piece.
- Price delivery before you check out: a 22-panel garage order in 26 gauge weighs about 845 lb, and King Metals and other yards add freight on 16 ft items.
Which 16 ft panel should you buy?
Pick the 16 ft panel by roof slope, building type and how far you are hauling it. The thresholds below come from the maker data sheets, the IRC slope rules and the October 29, 2026 prices above.
| If your situation is | Then buy | Why (source) |
|---|---|---|
| Shed, carport or post-frame barn on 2 ft purlins, 3:12 or steeper | 29 ga Galvalume rib panel, $56.32 to $60.80 | Cheapest per sq ft at 36 in coverage ($1.17 to $1.27); 112 psf at 24 in on 29 ga MasterRib |
| Roof between 1:12 and 3:12 | PBR / R-panel (1:12 minimum), with lap sealant below 3:12 | Metal Sales PBR 1:12; IRC R905.10.2 requires sealant on lapped panels under 3:12 |
| Garage or home where color must last | 29 ga painted with a 40 to 45 yr paint warranty, $71.20 to $73.60 | Union MasterRib 45-yr and Central States Standard 40-yr finishes at PBS Direct |
| Hail country or heavy snow loads | 26 ga painted, $87.36 to $97.89 | 26 ga MasterRib 150 psf at 24 in; Classic Rib and R-Panel carry UL 2218 Class 4 |
| Slope length over 16 ft 0 in | Cut-to-length panel, not two lapped sheets | Classic Rib cannot be endlapped (Metal Sales); MasterRib needs a 6 in end lap |
| You need 3 or more 26 ga R-panels from King Metals | Order to hit the weight tiers | $73.42 each at 101+ lb (about 3 panels) vs $97.89 single |
| You only own a short-bed pickup | Store delivery or a 16 ft trailer | 10.5 ft overhang on a 5.5 ft bed exceeds the 4 ft flag trigger (Texas 547.382) |
| Budget per sq ft matters more than per-sheet price | Skip 21.5 in corrugated | Gibraltar 16 ft corrugated covers 28.7 sq ft vs 48 sq ft for a 36 in rib panel |
One brand note: Metal Sales Manufacturing makes Pro-Panel II, Classic Rib and the Pro-Panel II 16 ft sheet listed at Lowe’s; our Metal Sales review covers its warranties and finishes. For purlin spacing and sizes under a 16 ft panel, 2 ft on center is the maximum both Union and Central States print for roofs.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 16 ft piece of metal roofing cost?
A 16 ft piece of metal roofing cost $49.92 to $97.89 at U.S. suppliers checked on October 29, 2026. MG Building Materials listed 29-gauge Galvalume corrugated at $49.92, Menards listed a 29-gauge painted Pro-Rib at $64.64 ($62.66 on sale), and King Metals listed a 26-gauge white R-panel at $97.89 each. Prices exclude delivery, screws and trim.
How much is a 20 ft sheet of metal roofing?
A 20 ft sheet costs 20 times the linear-foot rate at yards that cut to length: $62.40 for 29-gauge Galvalume corrugated at MG Building Materials, $64.00 for 26-gauge Galvalume R-panel at Ironrod Steel ($3.20 per foot) and $70.40 for 29-gauge Galvalume MasterRib at PBS Direct ($3.52 per foot), as listed October 29, 2026. Our 20 ft metal roofing price guide has more.
How much does a 16 ft piece of metal roofing weigh?
A 16 ft piece of 36 in coverage metal roofing weighs about 29.8 to 30.2 lb in 29 gauge, 37.9 to 38.4 lb in 26 gauge and 50.4 lb in 24 gauge. Those figures multiply the weight per square foot in Metal Sales data sheets (0.62 to 1.05 psf) by the 48 sq ft one 16 ft panel covers.
What lengths does metal roofing come in?
Stock metal roofing commonly comes in even lengths from 6 to 24 ft; MG Building Materials stocks 29-gauge corrugated from 6 ft to 24 ft, PBS Direct sells 10 to 16 ft fixed lengths, and Menards lists Pro-Rib in 8 to 16 ft. Cut-to-length panels run from a 5 ft minimum to a 45 ft recommended maximum on Metal Sales exposed-fastener profiles.
How many 16 ft metal roofing panels do I need?
Divide the eave length plus both rake overhangs by the panel coverage width, round up, and double it for a gable roof. With 36 in coverage panels, a 24 x 30 garage with 12 in overhangs needs 11 panels per side, 22 in total, and a 28 x 40 pole barn needs 28, provided each slope length is 16 ft or less.
Does Lowe’s sell 3 ft by 16 ft metal roofing?
Lowe’s lists a Metal Sales Pro-Panel II 3 ft x 16 ft ribbed panel in Chestnut Brown and other colors, but the listing showed no online price when checked on October 29, 2026, so the price depends on your store. Pro-Panel II covers 36 in, comes in 29 or 26 gauge and needs at least a 3:12 roof slope, per Metal Sales.
Is 16 foot corrugated metal roofing cheaper than ribbed panels?
Per sheet it can be, but not per square foot. A 16 ft, 29-gauge Galvalume corrugated sheet was $49.92 at MG Building Materials, yet big-box corrugated covers about 21.5 in once lapped, or 28.7 sq ft, which is about $1.74 per sq ft. A 16 ft, 36 in rib panel at $56.32 covers 48 sq ft, or $1.17 per sq ft.