A screw down metal roof is an exposed fastener panel system: the metal panels are fastened straight through the face into the deck or purlins with visible gasketed screws, unlike standing seam, which hides its fasteners under interlocking seams. It is the cheapest way to put metal on a roof, installs fast, and lasts 20 to 30 years. The trade off is maintenance: the rubber washers under those screws wear out, so the fasteners have to be re-driven or replaced on a cycle no other roof demands.
What is a screw down metal roof?
A screw down metal roof (also called an exposed fastener or through fastened roof) attaches each panel to the structure by driving self tapping screws through the panel face and into the roof deck or steel purlins. The screw head sits on top of the metal with a bonded neoprene or EPDM washer that seals the hole. Every fastener is visible from the ground, which is the defining feature of the system.
These panels are usually 26 to 29 gauge steel or aluminum, roll formed with ribs for stiffness, and sold in 36 inch net coverage widths cut to length. Because installation needs only a drill, screws, and basic sheet metal tools, it is the entry point for barns, sheds, agricultural buildings, and budget residential roofs. It is also the system most often installed DIY, and the one most often installed wrong.
Screw down vs standing seam metal roof
The choice on almost every metal roof comes down to screw down versus standing seam. Screw down costs roughly a third of standing seam and installs faster, but its fasteners penetrate the panel and need periodic service. Standing seam hides its clips and fasteners, moves freely with temperature, and lasts longer, but costs far more up front. The table below sets the two side by side.
| Factor | Screw down (exposed fastener) | Standing seam (concealed) |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost | About $3.50 to $6.50 per sq ft (roughly $4.50 average) | About $10 to $18 per sq ft (roughly $15 average) |
| Fasteners | Screws driven through the panel face, exposed | Hidden clips and screws under the seam |
| Service life | 20 years unmaintained, up to 30 with upkeep | 30 to 50 years |
| Thermal movement | Panel is pinned by screws, so it cannot float | Clips let panels expand and contract |
| Maintenance | Re-screw or replace fasteners every 5 to 15 years | Minimal fastener service |
| Best for | Barns, sheds, low budget or steep DIY roofs | Long term residential and commercial roofs |
The pinned panel is the hidden weakness. Metal expands and contracts with heat, and because a screw down panel is locked to the deck at every fastener, that movement works against the screw hole instead of a sliding clip. Over years it slowly enlarges the holes and loosens washers, which is why the maintenance line exists at all. For the concealed alternative and how it avoids this, see our guide to hidden fastener metal roofing.
What does a screw down metal roof cost?
A screw down metal roof costs about $3.50 to $6.50 per square foot installed, or roughly $4.50 on a typical residential job, materials and labor included. That puts a 2,000 square foot roof near $7,000 to $13,000. Corrugated and agricultural panels sit at the low end, thicker painted PBR and R panel toward the high end. The panels themselves often run $1 to $3 per square foot before labor.
| Roof size | Estimated installed cost (screw down) |
|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft (small home or garage) | $3,500 to $6,500 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $5,250 to $9,750 |
| 2,000 sq ft (average home) | $7,000 to $13,000 |
| 3,000 sq ft (large home) | $10,500 to $19,500 |
Prices vary by region, roof pitch, panel gauge, and paint system, and steep or complex roofs cost more to fasten safely. For a full breakdown across metal types and how screw down compares on price, see our standing seam metal roof cost guide.
How long does a screw down metal roof last?
A properly installed screw down metal roof lasts about 20 years with no maintenance and up to 30 years if the fasteners are serviced on schedule. The steel panel itself can outlast that, but the roof is only as watertight as its screws, and the neoprene or EPDM washers degrade from UV and thermal cycling long before the metal fails. Field data on how metal compares to other materials sits in our roofing material lifespan report.
Plan to inspect the fasteners every 10 to 15 years and expect to re-drive or replace many of them somewhere in the 5 to 15 year window, sooner in high UV or high wind climates. Washers that crack, screws that back out, and gaskets flattened by overdriving are the usual failure points, and each one is a potential leak.
The re-screwing math most guides skip
The number that decides whether screw down actually saves money is the re-screw cost, and almost no comparison puts it in writing. A full re-fasten runs $1,500 to $6,000 on a typical home, or $15 to $75 in materials for a spot repair around a single leak. A 2,000 square foot roof can carry a few thousand screws, so a full re-screw is a real project, not a touch up. The table below normalizes each system to cost per year of service.
| Line item (2,000 sq ft roof) | Screw down | Standing seam |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost | About $9,000 | About $30,000 |
| Re-fasten over its life | $1,500 to $6,000, once or twice | Rare |
| Service life | 20 to 30 years | 30 to 50 years |
| Total spend across its life | About $12,000 to $18,000 | About $30,000 |
| Cost per year of service | About $500 to $700 | About $600 to $900 |
Screw down stays cheaper over its life, but the gap is narrower than the sticker price suggests once re-fastening and the shorter service life are counted. For a roof you plan to keep past 25 years, the per year numbers converge, and standing seam often wins on total value. For a barn, rental, or roof you may not own in 15 years, screw down usually pencils out.
How to screw down metal roofing correctly
Fastening is the easiest part of a metal roof to do and the easiest part to get wrong, and incorrect screwing is the leading cause of leaks on DIY installs. The goal is a screw driven straight, seated so the washer compresses flush without bulging, and placed on the spacing the panel maker specifies. Follow these steps.
- Use the right screw. Choose #9 or #10 self tapping metal roofing screws, usually 1 to 1.5 inches, with a hex head and a bonded EPDM or neoprene washer. Match screw length to whether you are hitting wood decking or steel purlins.
- Set the driver, not your wrist. Use a screw gun with a clutch or depth sensing nose so every screw stops at the same depth. Match the drill speed to the substrate to avoid stripping.
- Drive perpendicular. Keep the screw square to the panel. A screw driven at an angle tilts the washer and leaves a gap on one side.
- Seat the washer flush. Tighten until the rubber compresses just to the outer edge of the metal backing. Underdriven screws leak now; overdriven screws crush the washer and leak within a few years.
- Follow the spacing spec. Typical fastener spacing is 12 to 24 inches in the field and 6 to 24 inches at eaves, ridges, and end laps, but the panel manufacturer’s tested pattern governs and wind zone can tighten it.
- Pre-drill when needed. On long runs or hard substrates, pre-drilling keeps screws aligned and prevents walking that damages the panel.
Whether to land the screw on the flat of the panel or on the rib is the one detail installers argue about most, and it changes the seal and the pull strength. We break that debate down in where to screw metal roofing. There is no universal rule across panels, so the tested pattern in the manufacturer’s instructions always wins.
Which panels are screw down panels?
Screw down describes the fastening method, and several common panel profiles use it. All are exposed fastener panels sold in 26 to 29 gauge, cut to length, and fastened through the face. Knowing the profile helps you order the right screws and trim.
- Corrugated: the classic wavy sheet, the cheapest and most DIY friendly. See our corrugated metal roofing guide for sizing and cost.
- PBR and R panel: trapezoidal ribbed panels common on homes, shops, and metal buildings, stiffer than corrugated.
- U panel: a lower rib version of R panel used on lighter structures.
- 5V crimp: smooth panels with V ribs, popular on Southern and coastal homes.
- Ag panel: agricultural grade ribbed panels for barns and outbuildings, the lowest cost tier.
When a screw down metal roof is the right call
A screw down metal roof makes sense when up front cost and speed matter more than the longest possible service life. It is the standard choice for barns, sheds, garages, agricultural buildings, and budget or DIY residential roofs, especially on simple gable shapes where fastening is straightforward. It is a weaker pick for a forever home, a coastal high UV site, or any roof where a re-screw project would be a burden.
If you expect to own the building past 25 years, price standing seam alongside it and compare cost per year of service, not just the install quote. If the budget or the structure points to exposed fastener, the roof will serve well as long as the screws are installed correctly and inspected on schedule. You can compare all the metal options and other systems in our learn about roofing hub.
Frequently asked questions
Is a screw down metal roof any good?
Yes, for the right building. A screw down metal roof is durable, sheds water and wind well, and costs about a third of standing seam. Its weakness is the exposed fasteners, whose washers wear out and need service every 5 to 15 years. On barns, sheds, and budget roofs it is a sound value; on a forever home, standing seam often earns its higher price.
How long does a screw down metal roof last?
A screw down metal roof lasts about 20 years with no maintenance and up to 30 years if the fasteners are serviced on schedule. The steel panels can last longer, but the neoprene or EPDM washers under the screws degrade from UV and thermal cycling, so the roof stays watertight only as long as its fasteners are sound.
What is the difference between screw down and standing seam?
Screw down panels are fastened through the face with visible screws, while standing seam hides its clips and fasteners under interlocking raised seams. Screw down costs roughly $4.50 per square foot and lasts 20 to 30 years; standing seam costs around $15 and lasts 30 to 50 years. Standing seam also lets panels expand and contract, which screw down cannot.
How often do screws need replacing on a metal roof?
Plan to inspect fasteners every 10 to 15 years and expect to re-drive or replace many of them within a 5 to 15 year window, sooner in high UV or high wind climates. Washers crack, screws back out, and overdriven gaskets flatten, and each is a leak risk. A full re-fasten typically runs $1,500 to $6,000 on an average home.
How much does it cost to screw down a metal roof?
A screw down metal roof costs about $3.50 to $6.50 per square foot installed, roughly $4.50 on a typical job, which puts a 2,000 square foot roof near $7,000 to $13,000. Corrugated and agricultural panels sit at the low end, while thicker painted PBR and R panels cost more. Steep or complex roofs raise the labor to fasten safely.
Do you screw metal roofing in the flat or the rib?
It depends on the panel. Many exposed fastener panels are fastened in the flat for a better washer seal and diaphragm strength, but some profiles are designed for rib fastening, and installers disagree by system. There is no universal rule, so follow the tested pattern in the panel manufacturer’s instructions rather than a general habit.
Reviewed by The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed July 2026.