Pro Rib metal roofing is a through-fastened (exposed fastener) steel panel with a 3/4-inch rib every 9 inches, 36 inches of net coverage, and screws that go through the face of the panel into wood purlins or solid decking. “Pro-Rib” is a brand name, sold mainly through Menards and made by Midwest Manufacturing, for what the rest of the industry calls an agricultural or R-style ribbed panel. It is one of the cheapest steel roofs you can buy, which is why it covers so many pole barns, sheds, garages, and budget re-roofs.
What is Pro Rib metal roofing?
Pro Rib is an exposed-fastener steel roofing and siding panel with a 3/4-inch trapezoidal rib repeating every 9 inches across a 36-inch net width. It is fastened by driving gasketed screws straight through the flat of the panel, so the fastener heads stay visible on the finished roof. Midwest Manufacturing sells it under the Pro-Rib trademark, primarily at Menards.
The panel is roll-formed from high-tensile steel, then coated. Bare panels ship as galvanized or Galvalume; colored panels carry a baked SMP (silicone-modified polyester) paint. Because the screws pierce the panel, the rubber washer under each screw head is the part that keeps water out, which shapes both how you install it and how long it lasts.
Pro Rib sits in the same class as corrugated and other ribbed farm panels rather than with premium concealed-fastener systems. If you are weighing panel families before you shop, our overview of metal roofing types and profiles shows where exposed-fastener panels fall against standing seam and stamped metal shingles.
Pro Rib panel specs and dimensions
A standard Pro-Rib panel covers 36 inches wide with a 3/4-inch rib on 9-inch centers, and Menards cuts it to any length from 2 feet up to about 36 feet, to the inch. Standard panels are 29 gauge; the Premium line steps up to 28 gauge. These numbers drive your panel count, screw count, and trim list, so lock them before ordering.
| Spec | Standard Pro-Rib |
|---|---|
| Net coverage width | 36 in (3.0 ft) |
| Nominal panel width | ~38 in |
| Rib height | 3/4 in |
| Rib spacing | 9 in on center |
| Gauge / thickness | 29 ga (about 0.0165 in) |
| Steel grade | High-tensile, roughly 80,000 psi yield |
| Precut lengths | 8, 10, 12, 16 ft (and cut-to-length 2 to 36 ft) |
| Fastening | Exposed screws through the flat |
| Paint warranty | 40 years (color panels) |
The gap between the 38-inch nominal width and 36-inch net coverage is the side lap. One rib of each panel tucks under the next, so you always design around the 36-inch covered width, never the raw sheet width.
Standard Pro-Rib vs Premium Pro-Rib
The two Menards lines share the same 36-inch, 3/4-inch profile but differ in steel thickness, coating weight, and warranty. Standard Pro-Rib is 29 gauge with a 40-year paint warranty. Premium Pro-Rib is 28 gauge (about 0.018 in) on a heavier G-100 galvanized base with a lifetime paint warranty, which is the version worth paying up for in hail country or on a house.
| Feature | Standard Pro-Rib | Premium Pro-Rib |
|---|---|---|
| Gauge | 29 ga | 28 ga |
| Thickness | ~0.0165 in | ~0.018 in |
| Base coating | Galvanized / Galvalume | G-100 galvanized |
| Paint warranty | 40 years | Lifetime |
| Best for | Sheds, barns, budget spans | Homes, hail zones, long service life |
The gauge jump from 29 to 28 sounds small but adds stiffness and dent resistance. If you are torn on thickness in general, the tradeoffs in our guide to 26 vs 29 gauge metal roofing apply here too: thicker steel oil-cans less and shrugs off hail, at a higher price per square.
Is Pro Rib the same as Pro Panel, Master Rib, or Classic Rib?
Functionally, yes. Pro-Rib, Pro Panel II, Master Rib, Classic Rib, and most “3/4-inch ag panel” products are the same generic exposed-fastener profile sold under different house brands. They share the 36-inch coverage, 3/4-inch rib, and 9-inch spacing, so trim, screws, and closures usually interchange. The differences are the brand, the color card, the paint warranty, and small variations in rib shape.
| Brand name | Sold by / maker | Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Pro-Rib | Menards / Midwest Manufacturing | 3/4 in rib, 36 in, 9 in OC |
| Pro Panel II | Metal Sales | 3/4 in rib, 36 in, 9 in OC |
| Master Rib | Union Corrugating | 3/4 in rib, 36 in, 9 in OC |
| Classic Rib | Fabral and others | 3/4 in rib, 36 in, 9 in OC |
This is where buyers get burned: they price “Pro Rib” at one store, then think a competitor’s “Master Rib” quote is a different, lesser product. It usually is not. Because the ribs line up on 9-inch centers, ridge cap, rake trim, and closure strips from one brand generally fit another. Confirm rib height (3/4 in) and coverage (36 in) and you can mix trim across brands. This same panel is a close cousin of standard corrugated metal roofing, which uses a rounded wave instead of a squared rib.
How much does Pro Rib roofing cost?
Pro-Rib panels run roughly $1.75 to $2.80 per linear foot depending on gauge, color, and length, which works out to about $110 to $170 per roofing square (100 square feet) for the panel alone. Screws, trim, closures, and underlayment add materially to that, and installed exposed-fastener metal typically lands around $4 to $7 per square foot, though pricing varies by region and roof complexity.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Standard 29 ga panel | ~$1.75 to $2.30 per linear ft |
| Premium 28 ga panel | ~$2.30 to $2.80 per linear ft |
| Panel only, per square | ~$110 to $170 |
| Screws (bag of 250) | ~$20 to $40 |
| Ridge cap / rake trim | ~$10 to $20 per 10 ft piece |
| Installed, all in | ~$4 to $7 per sq ft |
That panel price is why Pro Rib wins on pole barns and sheds. It is one of the lowest entry points into a steel roof, well under standing seam. For where exposed-fastener steel sits against other roofs by market adoption, see our roofing material market share report.
How to figure how many Pro Rib panels and screws you need
Each panel covers 3 feet (36 inches) wide, so panel count equals your roof width in feet divided by 3, per slope. Panel length matches your eave-to-ridge run plus overhang. Expect roughly 80 screws per square on purlin framing, more if you fasten on tighter spacing or add stitch screws at side laps.
- Measure each roof plane. Record width along the eave and the slope length from eave to ridge, in feet.
- Divide width by 3. A 30-foot-wide plane needs 10 panels of coverage per side. Round up and add one for trim allowance.
- Set panel length. Order panels the length of the slope plus about 1 to 2 inches of eave overhang, cut to size.
- Count screws. Budget about 80 field screws per square (100 sq ft), plus stitch screws every 12 to 18 inches along each side lap.
- Add trim and closures. Ridge cap, rake and eave trim by the linear foot, plus foam closure strips at the ridge and eave to block wind-driven rain and pests.
Buy about 5 percent extra panel length and one spare panel for cutting errors and future repairs, since exact colors can be discontinued later.
Installing Pro Rib: pitch, screws, and where it fits
Pro Rib installs over purlins or solid decking on roofs pitched 3:12 or steeper, with gasketed screws driven in the flat of the panel next to each rib. On lower slopes it can go down toward 1:12 or 2:12 only if you seal the side and end laps with butyl tape, per the manufacturer. Drive screws snug, not crushed, so the rubber washer seals without deforming.
Fastener placement is the whole ballgame on an exposed-fastener roof. Land screws in the low flat of the panel, into solid framing, and keep them straight so the washer seats flat. Overdriving squeezes the gasket out and invites leaks; underdriving leaves a gap. The rib-versus-flat question and correct spacing are covered in our guide to a screw-down metal roof.
Pro Rib fits agricultural and post-frame buildings, pole barns, sheds, detached garages, and budget home roofs and re-roofs over purlins. It is not a premium architectural look, and the exposed screws mean the gaskets need inspection and eventual re-screwing. For a house you plan to keep decades, weigh it against concealed-fastener systems before committing.
Pros and cons of Pro Rib panels
Pro Rib trades looks and long-term fastener maintenance for a very low upfront price and easy DIY installation. It is a strong value on outbuildings and a defensible budget choice on homes, as long as you accept that the screw gaskets are a wear item.
- Low cost: among the cheapest steel roofs, far below standing seam.
- DIY-friendly: cut to length, screwed through the face, no seaming tools.
- Cut-to-length: single panels can run eave to ridge with no end laps on many roofs.
- Durable steel: 40-year to lifetime paint warranties, Class 4 impact ratings on many panels.
- Con, exposed screws: gaskets degrade and typically need re-screwing around 15 to 20 years.
- Con, look and slope: utilitarian appearance and a practical 3:12 minimum pitch without extra sealing.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pro Rib good for a house roof?
Pro Rib can work on a house, and Premium Pro-Rib in 28 gauge with a lifetime paint warranty is the version to use there. The tradeoff is appearance and maintenance: the exposed screws give a utilitarian look and their gaskets need inspection and eventual re-screwing. For a long-term primary residence, many owners prefer a concealed-fastener panel, but Pro Rib is a legitimate budget choice.
What is the difference between Pro-Rib and Premium Pro-Rib?
Both share the 36-inch, 3/4-inch profile. Standard Pro-Rib is 29 gauge (about 0.0165 in) with a 40-year paint warranty. Premium Pro-Rib is 28 gauge (about 0.018 in) on a heavier G-100 galvanized base with a lifetime paint warranty. The Premium panel is stiffer, dents less, and lasts longer, at a higher price per square.
How wide is a Pro Rib panel and how much does one cover?
A Pro Rib panel is about 38 inches wide as formed but covers 36 inches (3 feet) once the side rib laps under the next panel. Always plan around the 36-inch net coverage. A 10-foot panel therefore covers 30 square feet, and a roof plane 30 feet wide needs 10 panels of coverage per slope.
Is Pro Rib the same as Pro Panel?
Effectively yes. Pro-Rib (Menards) and Pro Panel II (Metal Sales), along with Master Rib and Classic Rib, are the same generic 3/4-inch exposed-fastener profile with 36-inch coverage and 9-inch rib spacing. They differ mainly by brand, color options, and warranty. Because the ribs align, trim and closures from one brand usually fit another.
What screws do you use for Pro Rib roofing?
Use gasketed hex-head metal roofing screws, commonly #9 or #10 with a bonded EPDM washer, sized 1 to 1.5 inches for wood purlins or decking. Drive them in the flat of the panel next to the ribs, snug enough to seat the washer without crushing it. Budget roughly 80 field screws per square plus stitch screws at the side laps.
How long does a Pro Rib roof last?
The steel panel and paint can last 40 years or more, with paint warranties running 40 years on standard panels and lifetime on Premium. The limiting factor is the exposed screw gaskets, which usually need inspection and re-screwing around 15 to 20 years. Kept sealed, a Pro Rib roof commonly serves 30 to 40 years.
Reviewed by The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed July 2026.