How the gauges compare
| Gauge | Approximate steel thickness | Where it's used |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | about 0.024 inch | Architectural standing seam, longer spans, commercial roofs that see traffic |
| 26 | about 0.018 inch | Most standing seam and R-panel on homes, shops and metal buildings |
| 29 | about 0.014 inch | Low-cost sheds and many big-box-store panels (we don't install it) |
Nominal values. Actual thickness varies a little by mill and coating. A lower gauge number means thicker steel.
What thickness buys you
- Span: thicker panels span farther between purlins, which matters on metal buildings
- Hail: thicker steel dents less from the same hailstone
- Foot traffic: HVAC and maintenance crews walk commercial roofs, and thin panels crease
- Oil-canning: stiffer panels show less waviness on wide, flat pans
- Fastener hold: screws and clips hold better in thicker steel
When to step up from 26 to 24
- Wide purlin spacing on a metal building
- Wide, flat-pan standing seam where oil-canning would show
- Roofs with regular foot traffic or rooftop equipment
- Exposed sites where the wind design calls for it, or a specification or warranty that requires 24 gauge
We recommend one or the other for your building and explain why in the quote.
How to check the gauge on a bid
- Look for the gauge in writing on every quote, for both panels and trim
- Ask for the panel's product sheet, which lists the gauge
- Compare paint systems too (PVDF vs. SMP), since that's the other quiet cost cut. See colors and finishes.
Gauge is only part of it
A 26-gauge panel that's spliced, overdriven or poorly flashed still leaks. We form panels to length on our own roll formers, and our own crew installs them. For homes, see 26 vs. 29 gauge.
More metal: snap-lock standing seam · mechanically seamed · commercial R-panel · 26 gauge · roll-formed to length · retrofit over an existing roof · back to metal roofing
Commercial warranty: a workmanship warranty from 10 years up to lifetime, depending on the job, plus 10- to 20-year NDL (no-dollar-limit) manufacturer warranties. Manufacturer coverage depends on the product and brand, and on the project qualifying for that manufacturer's program. We put the exact warranty for your roof in writing.
Certified, with 30 years installing every major roofing brand, a family roofing business going back 75 years, and over $80 million in completed roofing projects. 5.0 stars on Google at all three of our offices.
Request a free inspection or call (817) 733-9228. Small repairs are welcome too.