By The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Corrugated metal panels are roll-formed steel or aluminum sheets pressed into a repeating rounded wave, used for roofing, siding, fencing and interior accent walls, and they cost $1 to $5 per square foot for material or $5 to $12 per square foot installed as a roof, per HomeGuide’s corrugated metal roof cost guide. The corrugation does the structural work: Metal Sales’ 2.5 inch corrugated panel in 26 gauge weighs 0.90 lb per square foot yet is rated for 45 psf of uniform load across 3 foot supports. Pick the profile depth, the gauge and the coating to the job, because a fence, a wall and a roof each need a different combination.
For the roof-specific version of this decision, see our guides to corrugated metal roofing (the installed roof system) and corrugated roof panels (roof panel sizing and cost). This page is the cross-application view: the same panel used on a wall, a fence, or a ceiling, and how the spec shifts each time.
What are corrugated metal panels?
Corrugated metal panels are metal sheets cold-formed into a continuous rounded wave, most often Galvalume or galvanized steel, or aluminum. The rounded ridges add rigidity, letting a 29 gauge sheet about 0.014 inches thick span 2 foot supports at 118 psf of allowable load in the Metal Sales corrugated panels sell sheet load table. They install with exposed, washered screws, and HomeGuide lists them among the cheapest metal roofing at $1 to $5 per square foot for material.
The classic profile is the round wave people picture on a barn roof. It differs from angular, trapezoidal panels such as R-panel and PBR, which use flat-topped ribs rather than a continuous curve. Both are exposed-fastener panels, but corrugated specifically means the rounded, sinusoidal shape, sold by Metal Sales and PAC-CLAD in 1/4, 1/2 and 7/8 inch rib depths.
Corrugated metal panel profiles
Corrugated profiles are named inconsistently, so read the rib depth and the coverage on the sell sheet rather than the trade name. The “2.5 inch corrugated” panel at Metal Sales has a 2-2/3 inch pitch and a 1/2 inch rib depth, while PAC-CLAD’s 7/8 inch corrugated uses the same 2.67 inch pitch with a 7/8 inch depth. Deeper ribs are stiffer, which is why PAC-CLAD specifies its 7/8 inch panel for roofs and walls and its 1/2 inch panel for walls and equipment screens.
| Profile (maker) | Pitch x rib depth | Coverage | Gauges / metals | Listed uses and tests | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.25″ Corrugated (Metal Sales) | 1-1/4 in x 1/4 in | 24 in | 29, 26 ga steel | Roof and wall; UL 2218 Class 4, UL 790 Class A | Metal Sales sell sheet |
| 2.5″ Corrugated (Metal Sales) | 2-2/3 in x 1/2 in | 21-1/3 in roof, 24 in wall | 29, 26 standard; 24 ga optional | Roof and wall; UL 2218 Class 4, ICC ESR-2385, minimum 3:12 slope | Metal Sales sell sheet |
| 1/2″ Corrugated (PAC-CLAD) | 2.67 in x 1/2 in | See maker drawing | 24, 22 ga steel; .032, .040 aluminum | Walls and equipment screens | PAC-CLAD product page |
| 7/8″ Corrugated (PAC-CLAD) | 2.67 in x 7/8 in | See maker drawing | 24, 22 ga steel; .032, .040 aluminum; lengths to 30 ft steel, 22 ft aluminum | Roofs and walls; ASTM E1592, E1680, E1646, E283, E331 reports | PAC-CLAD product page |
Corrugated vs R-panel and PBR
Corrugated panels use a rounded wave; R-panel and PBR use trapezoidal ribs with wide flat pans between them. Trapezoidal panels are stiffer per pound and common on commercial and metal-building roofs, while rounded corrugated reads as the traditional agricultural and residential look. If a supplier lists 5V crimp, that is a separate exposed-fastener profile with V-shaped ribs, not true corrugated. Our 5V crimp guide covers its coverage, gauges and Florida approvals. Tuff-Rib is another trapezoidal panel; our Tuff Rib metal roofing guide compares sellers’ specs.
What materials and gauges do corrugated metal panels come in?
Most corrugated metal panels are steel with a metallic coating, sold in 29, 26 and 24 gauge, with 22 gauge from architectural makers. Galvalume is a 55% aluminum-zinc alloy coating, and IRC Table R905.10.3(2) in the 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 9 sets the minimum for roofs at ASTM A792 AZ50; galvanized steel must meet ASTM A653 G-90. Aluminum roll-formed roof panels must be at least 0.024 inch thick under Table R905.10.3(1), and PAC-CLAD sells its corrugated panels in 0.032 and 0.040 inch aluminum for salt-air sites.
| Gauge | Approx. thickness | Panel weight, 2.5″ corrugated | Material price per sq ft | Typical use | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 ga | 0.014 in | 0.70 psf | $1.00 to $1.50 | Sheds, agriculture, interior, budget walls | Metal America; Metal Sales; HomeGuide |
| 26 ga | 0.018 in | 0.90 psf | $1.00 to $2.50 | Residential roofs and walls | Metal America; Metal Sales; HomeGuide |
| 24 ga | 0.024 in | 1.17 psf | $2.00 to $3.50 | Commercial, heavy snow, longer spans | Metal America; Metal Sales; HomeGuide |
| 22 ga | 0.030 in | Not listed | $3.50 to $5.00 | Architectural PVDF panels | Metal America; HomeGuide |
A lower gauge number means thicker steel, per Metal America’s gauge chart, and HomeGuide’s corrugated price table puts 24 gauge at $2.00 to $3.50 per square foot against $1.00 to $2.50 for 26 gauge. Panels ship either bare (mill-finish Galvalume) or painted. HomeGuide notes that SMP-painted panels typically come in 26 gauge and PVDF (Kynar 500) panels in 22 or 24 gauge; PAC-CLAD’s 70% PVDF finish carries a 35-year non-prorated finish warranty. For color and finish detail, see our guide to corrugated metal roof colors.
Corrugated metal panel sizes and coverage width
Corrugated sheets are commonly sold in 8, 10 and 12 foot lengths and 24 to 39 inch widths, per HomeGuide, and architectural makers cut longer: PAC-CLAD runs its corrugated panels up to 30 feet in steel and 22 feet in aluminum. The figure that matters for ordering is coverage width, not sheet width, because panels overlap at the side lap; Metal Sales’ 2.5 inch corrugated covers 21-1/3 inches on a roof and 24 inches on a wall.
Worked example: a wall 16 feet wide using Metal Sales 2.5 inch corrugated at 24 inches (2.0 feet) of wall coverage needs 16 divided by 2.0, or 8 panels. The same profile on a roof covers 21-1/3 inches (1.78 feet), so a 30 foot eave needs 30 divided by 1.78, which rounds up to 17 panels. Add about 10% for cuts around openings on a cut-heavy job. For roof-panel quantity math, see corrugated roof panels.
What are corrugated metal panels used for?
Corrugated metal panels handle four main jobs: roofing, wall cladding and siding, fencing, and interior accent surfaces. The same rounded profile serves all four, but the gauge, fastener and finish change with load and exposure. On a roof, IRC R905.10.2 sets a 3:12 minimum slope for lapped, nonsoldered seams without lap sealant and 1/2:12 with applied lap sealant, and Metal Sales lists a 3:12 minimum for its corrugated panels.
| Application | Typical profile | Typical gauge | Fastener | What drives the choice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roof | 7/8″ or 2.5″ corrugated | 26 to 24 ga | Washered screws per maker’s spec, e.g. #10-14 wood screws (Metal Sales) | Slope of 3:12 or more, corrosion coating |
| Wall / siding | 7/8″, 2.5″ or 1/2″ | 26 to 29 ga | Washered screws to framing | Color and finish |
| Fence | 2.5″ or 7/8″ corrugated | 26 to 29 ga | Screws to posts and rails | Durability and budget |
| Interior accent | 1/2″ or 1.25″ | 29 ga | Trim screws or brad nails | Appearance only |
| If your project is… | Choose | Threshold | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| A roof below 3:12 | Lap sealant at every lap (down to 1/2:12) or a standing seam panel | 3:12 minimum without sealant | IRC R905.10.2; Metal Sales sell sheet |
| A roof over purlins spaced 3 ft apart | 26 gauge or heavier 2.5″ corrugated | 26 ga: 45 psf allowable at 3 ft; 29 ga: 35 psf | Metal Sales load table |
| A roof over purlins spaced 4 ft apart | 24 gauge, and check the design load | 24 ga: 25 psf allowable at 4 ft | Metal Sales load table |
| Within sight of salt water | Aluminum, .032 or .040 in | IRC minimum 0.024 in for roll-formed aluminum | IRC Table R905.10.3(1); PAC-CLAD |
| A house roof | Coated 26 to 22 ga, not bare 29 ga | Unpainted 29 ga “not recommended for homes” | HomeGuide |
| Painted and expected to hold color for decades | PVDF (Kynar 500) over SMP | PAC-CLAD PVDF: 35-year non-prorated finish warranty | PAC-CLAD; HomeGuide |
| An interior wall or ceiling | 29 ga or 1.25″ corrugated | No weather or snow load | Metal Sales sell sheet |
The load figures are allowable uniform loads for three or more equal spans, calculated per AISI 2012 in the Metal Sales sell sheet; they exclude fastener and support capacity, so an engineer or the local building department sets the final purlin spacing. On walls and fences the load is lighter, so Metal Sales’ wall table rates 29 gauge 2.5 inch corrugated at 31 psf across 3 foot girts. Interior accent walls and ceilings carry no weather load, so a 29 gauge galvanized or bare panel is common, and the finish drives the price.
Using roofing panels for siding
Yes, the same corrugated panel used on a roof can clad a wall, and doing so is common on barns, shops, and modern homes. Metal Sales publishes separate wall coverage (24 inches for its 2.5 inch corrugated, against 21-1/3 inches on a roof) and a separate wall load table, so a lighter gauge often suffices. Panels usually run vertically to drain, and the maker’s wall details, not its roof details, govern fastening and trim.
How much do corrugated metal panels cost?
Corrugated metal panels cost $1 to $5 per square foot for material and $5 to $12 per square foot installed as a roof, and HomeGuide reports a $6,000 to $22,000 average range for a corrugated metal roof with a $14,500 national average. Labor runs $4 to $7 per square foot, and removing an old roof adds $1 to $3 per square foot. Bare galvanized in a light gauge sits at the bottom of the material range, and painted 22 or 24 gauge or aluminum sits at the top.
| Item | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Steel corrugated, material | $1 to $5 / sq ft | HomeGuide |
| Galvalume corrugated, material / installed | $1 to $3 / $5 to $10 per sq ft | HomeGuide |
| Aluminum corrugated, material / installed | $3 to $6 / $7 to $13 per sq ft | HomeGuide |
| 29 / 26 / 24 / 22 ga panels, material | $1.00 to $1.50 / $1.00 to $2.50 / $2.00 to $3.50 / $3.50 to $5.00 per sq ft | HomeGuide |
| Installed as a roof | $5 to $12 / sq ft | HomeGuide |
| Labor to install | $4 to $7 / sq ft | HomeGuide |
| Old roof removal | $1 to $3 / sq ft | HomeGuide |
Worked example from those rows: a 1,200 square foot shop roof in 26 gauge Galvalume with 10% waste needs about 1,320 square feet of panel, or roughly $1,320 to $3,300 in material at $1.00 to $2.50, and $6,000 to $12,000 installed at HomeGuide’s $5 to $10 Galvalume rate. Steel and aluminum prices move with commodity markets, and metal remains a minority share of US residential roofs per The Roofing Brief’s roofing material market share report. Ask for a written per-panel and per-square-foot quote that names gauge, coating (AZ50 or G-90) and paint system so bids compare like for like.
How to choose the right corrugated metal panel
Pick the panel by working from the job down to the finish. The application sets the gauge and fastener, the environment sets the metal and coating, and the look sets the paint. Running the steps in order keeps you from paying for 22 gauge PVDF on an interior wall, at $3.50 to $5.00 per square foot per HomeGuide, or putting bare 29 gauge on a house roof.
- Define the application. Roof, wall, fence, or interior accent. A roof needs a slope of 3:12 or more without lap sealant under IRC R905.10.2.
- Pick the profile. 7/8 inch or 2.5 inch corrugated for roofs, exterior walls, and fences; 1/2 inch or 1.25 inch for flat walls and interior accents.
- Choose the metal and coating. Galvalume AZ50 as the default, galvanized G-90 for budget work, aluminum (0.032 inch or heavier) near salt water.
- Set the gauge. 29 for sheds and interiors, 26 for residential and 3 foot purlin spacing, 24 for 4 foot spacing, heavy snow or commercial work, checked against the maker’s load table.
- Select a finish. Bare for utility and fences, SMP for budget color, PVDF (Kynar 500) for long-life exterior color, such as PAC-CLAD’s 35-year non-prorated finish warranty.
- Measure by coverage width. Order to the coverage figure (for example 21-1/3 inches for Metal Sales 2.5 inch corrugated on a roof) and add about 10% waste for cuts.
For clean cuts when you reach installation, see how to cut corrugated metal roofing so you avoid burred edges that rust early.
Related: Black Corrugated Metal: Panels, Cost, and Uses (2026)
Frequently asked questions
What are corrugated metal panels used for?
Corrugated metal panels are used for roofing, wall cladding and siding, fencing, and interior accent walls and ceilings, plus agricultural and utility buildings. The gauge, fastener and finish change with the load and exposure. Roofs demand the most: a slope of at least 3:12 without lap sealant under IRC R905.10.2, an AZ50 or G-90 coating, and washered screws placed per the maker’s pattern.
How much do corrugated metal panels cost?
Corrugated metal panels cost $1 to $5 per square foot for material and $5 to $12 per square foot installed as a roof, per HomeGuide, with labor at $4 to $7 per square foot. By gauge, HomeGuide lists 29 gauge at $1.00 to $1.50, 26 gauge at $1.00 to $2.50, 24 gauge at $2.00 to $3.50 and 22 gauge at $3.50 to $5.00 per square foot for material.
What gauge are corrugated metal panels?
Corrugated metal panels commonly come in 29, 26 and 24 gauge, about 0.014, 0.018 and 0.024 inch thick, with 22 gauge from architectural makers such as PAC-CLAD. Metal Sales stocks 29 and 26 gauge as standard with 24 gauge optional. 29 gauge suits sheds and interiors, 26 gauge suits most homes, and 24 gauge suits wider purlin spacing, heavy snow and commercial work.
What is the difference between corrugated and R-panel?
Corrugated panels have a rounded, continuous wave, such as the 2.67 inch pitch used by PAC-CLAD and Metal Sales, while R-panel and PBR use trapezoidal ribs with wide flat pans between them. Trapezoidal panels are stiffer per pound and common on commercial and metal-building roofs, while rounded corrugated gives the traditional agricultural and residential look. Both are exposed-fastener panels installed with washered screws.
Can you use corrugated roofing panels for siding?
Yes. The same corrugated panel used on a roof can clad a wall, which is common on barns, shops, and modern homes. Metal Sales lists 24 inches of wall coverage for its 2.5 inch corrugated against 21-1/3 inches on a roof, plus a separate wall load table, so a lighter gauge often works. Follow the maker’s wall fastening and trim details rather than roof details.
How long do corrugated metal panels last?
HomeGuide puts corrugated roofing at 30 to 45 years on average, and up to 50 to 70 years for thicker galvanized metal with a heavy zinc coating. Coating, gauge, climate and the care of cut edges and fasteners set where a roof lands in that range. Aluminum, at 0.032 inch or heavier, resists coastal salt corrosion best.