Metal roof panels fall into six profile families, grouped by how they attach and how they look: standing seam (concealed clips), exposed-fastener trapezoidal panels (R-Panel and PBR), corrugated, 5V-Crimp, stamped metal shingle and tile, and stone-coated steel. The attachment method is the dividing line that matters most: concealed-fastener panels float on hidden clips and carry longer weathertightness warranties, while exposed-fastener panels screw straight through the face for a lower installed cost. This guide breaks down each profile by attachment, typical gauge, installed cost, and the roof it fits best, with every figure tied to a named manufacturer or cost source.
By The Roofing Brief Team ยท Last reviewed: September 2026
Metal roof panel types compared at a glance
The table below compares the six profile families a homeowner or specifier will actually meet. Net coverage widths, rib heights, gauges, and slope minimums are drawn from published manufacturer data sheets; installed cost ranges are national estimates from cost guides and vary by region, gauge, coating, and roof complexity. Treat every dollar figure as a planning range, not a quote.
| Panel profile | Attachment | Typical gauge | Est. installed cost/sq ft | Best for | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standing seam | Concealed clips or nail flange (hidden fasteners) | 24 to 26 ga steel; .032 aluminum | $10 to $16 | Architectural homes, low-slope runs, long-warranty projects | Western States Metal Roofing cost guide (2026) |
| R-Panel / PBR | Exposed fasteners through the flat | 26 ga standard (24, 22 optional) | Roughly $4.50 to $11 | Metal buildings, barns, budget re-roofs on open framing | McElroy Metal R-Panel data sheet |
| Corrugated | Exposed fasteners through the rib or flat | 26 to 29 ga | $7 to $12 | Agricultural, industrial, and rustic residential accents | Western States Metal Roofing cost guide (2026) |
| 5V-Crimp | Exposed fasteners through the flat | 29 ga standard (26 ga optional) | $7 to $12 (with corrugated) | Traditional homes, cabins, and farm buildings at 3:12 or steeper | MBCI 5V-Crimp data sheet |
| Metal shingle / tile | Interlocking, mostly concealed fasteners | 26 to 28 ga steel or aluminum | $9 to $18 | Homes wanting a shingle, shake, or tile look with metal life | Angi / HomeGuide cost data (2026) |
| Stone-coated steel | Batten or direct-to-deck, mostly concealed | 26 to 28 ga steel base | $7 to $15 | High-wind and wildfire zones; tile look at lower weight | Angi / HomeGuide cost data (2026) |
Gauge and dimension figures reflect published manufacturer data sheets; a lower gauge number means thicker steel. Installed cost ranges are national planning estimates and differ by region, metal, coating, and roof complexity.
Standing seam: concealed fasteners, architectural look
Standing seam is a vertical-rib panel whose fasteners are hidden. Snap-lock and mechanical-seam versions clip to the deck and let the panel expand and contract, while nail-flange versions fasten under the next panel’s leg. Because no screw penetrates the water plane, standing seam typically carries the longest weathertightness warranties and runs to lower slopes than exposed-fastener panels. Coverage widths commonly range from about 12 to 19 inches, in 24 to 26 gauge steel or aluminum. Western States Metal Roofing lists standing seam at roughly $10 to $16 per square foot installed, the highest of the common profiles. It fits architectural residential work, low-slope sections, and any project where warranty length is the priority. For the snap-lock versus mechanical-seam decision, see our guide to snap lock vs mechanical seam, and for the head-to-head against screw-down panels, standing seam vs exposed fastener.
R-Panel and PBR: the exposed-fastener workhorses
R-Panel is the trapezoidal exposed-fastener profile that dominates metal buildings and budget re-roofs. Per the McElroy Metal data sheet, R-Panel offers 36 inches of net coverage with 1-1/4 inch high ribs on 12 inch centers, in 26 gauge standard steel. It installs down to a 1:12 slope with sealed laps or 3:12 without sealant. PBR is the same profile with an added purlin-bearing leg that seats on the structure and improves sidelap alignment, which is why PBR is the go-to on open framing. Both use screws driven through the flat of the panel with bonded washers, so installed cost is far lower than standing seam. Full specs live in our R-Panel roofing guide and PBR panel guide.
Corrugated: the round-wave classic
Corrugated panels carry a repeating round wave, most familiarly the 7/8 inch corrugation, in 26 to 29 gauge. They fasten through the panel with exposed screws and read as agricultural or rustic-residential. Western States Metal Roofing estimates corrugated at $7 to $12 per square foot installed. The trade-off against R-Panel is rib strength: the rounded profile spans less than a tall trapezoidal rib, so purlin spacing is tighter. Dimensions, gauges, and uses are covered in our corrugated metal panels guide, and the profile decision against standing seam in standing seam vs corrugated.
5V-Crimp: the traditional exposed-fastener panel
5V-Crimp takes its name from five V-shaped ribs, two paired at each side seam and one down the center. Per the MBCI data sheet, it provides 24 inches of net coverage with 1/2 inch ribs, in 29 gauge standard or 26 gauge optional, and requires a 3:12 minimum slope over solid decking. It is an exposed-fastener panel favored for its traditional, low-profile appearance on homes, cabins, and farm buildings, and it sits in the same $7 to $12 installed range as other through-fastened panels. Because it needs solid decking and 3:12 or steeper, it is not a low-slope or open-framing option.
Metal shingle and tile: the residential look-alikes
Metal shingle and tile panels are stamped steel or aluminum pieces that interlock and hide most fasteners, mimicking asphalt shingle, wood shake, or clay tile. Angi and HomeGuide cost data put metal shingles at roughly $9 to $18 per square foot installed, above screw-down panels but with a residential aesthetic and largely concealed attachment. They suit homeowners who want the longevity and fire resistance of metal without a commercial panel look. See modern metal shingles for styles, brands, and cost.
Stone-coated steel: tile look, lower weight
Stone-coated steel bonds crushed stone granules in an acrylic layer over a 26 to 28 gauge steel base, delivering a tile or shake appearance at a fraction of concrete-tile weight. Panels install on battens or direct to deck with mostly concealed fasteners. National cost data from Angi and HomeGuide places stone-coated steel around $7 to $15 per square foot installed, with expected service life commonly cited at 40 to 70 years. It is a frequent pick in high-wind and wildfire-prone regions where a Class A, impact-rated tile look is wanted without the structural load of concrete tile.
How to choose a metal roof panel profile
- Start with roof slope. Below about 3:12, concealed-fastener standing seam is usually the only compliant metal option; check the manufacturer’s minimum before anything else.
- Decide concealed versus exposed fastener. Concealed (standing seam, most shingle and stone-coated) buys longer warranties and a cleaner look; exposed (R-Panel, PBR, corrugated, 5V) buys a lower installed cost.
- Match the look to the building. Architectural homes lean standing seam, shingle, or stone-coated; agricultural and industrial jobs lean R-Panel, PBR, and corrugated.
- Confirm gauge and coating for your climate, then size coverage width against the roof to limit waste. Our panel widths and coverage guide shows how to order without over-buying.
- Compare installed cost ranges and warranty length together, and see best metal roofing for homes for how the systems rank overall.
Whichever profile you choose, the installed price depends on gauge, coating, region, and roof complexity, so use the ranges here to shortlist and get a measured quote to confirm.