Barn metal roof: 26ga v. 29ga

[rbstern]

Hoping to get some feedback on metal roofing for my barn project.

Visited a local metal roofing manufacturer. They seemed surprised that I would be interested in putting 26ga on a barn, said they typically sold 26ga for commercial buildings, and 29ga for barns and residential.

Had a neighbor tell me he prefers the 26ga, felt that 29ga was too susceptible to damage.

Price difference between the two for my project is about $1K, so it's not a huge upgrade cost. Colors offered in both gauges fall within what my wife wants for the roof color.

Anything else to consider? Weight? Ease of install?

EDITED TO ADD: I may put solar panels on this roof at some point in the future, if that matters.

 

[Jrasband]

I like working with 29 gauge as it is much easier to install, and cheaper. As long as your perlins are spaced no more than 2' apart 29 gauge seems to work fine.

 

[rbstern]

I like working with 29 gauge as it is much easier to install, and cheaper. As long as your perlins are spaced no more than 2' apart 29 gauge seems to work fine.

Easier to install because of weight? Ease of drilling/screwing?

 

[Diggin It]

Pick up an 8' length of 29. Then pick up a sheet of 26. Then imagine moving a 12' piece up onto a roof and into position.

You'll answer your own questions.

I did mine alone. Had to rig up several different types of ropes/slings and pulleys to hoist each panel into place and secure it before I could start driving screws.

You can reinforce under the solar panels if need be and might have to for either gauge.

 

[KennyG]

Around here, 29 ga. seems to be standard. The premium jobs do 29 on sidewalls and 26 on roofs, primarily to minimize hail damage etc. For length of service, quality of coating is more important than thickness. Be very careful in installing the solar. When I bought my place, the previous owner had solar heating on the roof of the pole barn. I had to replace the roof because of the rust through where they did a sloppy job of anchoring it. If you have unprotected and untreated penetrations, either thickness will rust badly in a few years.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

+1 for 29 gauge, I have always found it to be more than adequate for roof's.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I did 2 big house roofs with 26g. Definitely a weight difference, definitely harder to screw down. I got to the point of having to predrill to make it easier. Cutting was much harder.

Then (due to cost at the time) used 29g on the garage / shop building. It was so much easier to handle and install. So much so, I used it on the new house too!

I doubt that I would use 26g again.

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

Hoping to get some feedback on metal roofing for my barn project.

Visited a local metal roofing manufacturer. They seemed surprised that I would be interested in putting 26ga on a barn, said they typically sold 26ga for commercial buildings, and 29ga for barns and residential.

Had a neighbor tell me he prefers the 26ga, felt that 29ga was too susceptible to damage.

Price difference between the two for my project is about $1K, so it's not a huge upgrade cost. Colors offered in both gauges fall within what my wife wants for the roof color.

Anything else to consider? Weight? Ease of install?

EDITED TO ADD: I may put solar panels on this roof at some point in the future, if that matters.

If installing solar panels on a metal roof is going to happen, I would look into using S5 solar hardware. Solar Metal Roof | Standing Seam Metal Roof | S-5!

I have found that the solar install is easier with the heavier gauge metal.

 

[hcallaway]

26 GA is superior but generally not needed. I used 26 GA on a roof at the lake. My garages all had 29 GA.

 

[3gunr]

When i had my garage put up last yr the crew had a bunch of leftover metal from other buildings i said i would take if they wanted to get rid of it ,to my surprise they gave it to me about 10 pcs 8 to twenty ft long . A couple were 26 gauge, They were much heavier than 29 gauge,i had a hard time carrying them by myself.