R Panel vs. U Panel Roofing

R panel vs. U panel roofing each have their own advantages. They both work well as roofing panels and give you all kinds of benefits.

When it comes to metal roofing, there’s more choice than you’d ever thought possible. There’s the metal you use for the roof, the panel types, colors, and more. The first thing you’ll have to choose, though, is the type of panels you’ll use. If you’re going for an exposed fastener panel, you have the choice between R panels vs. U panels. What’s the difference between them, and which one should you pick?

What’s The Difference Between R Panel vs. U Panel?

Firstly, you need to understand what makes R and U panels different before deciding on one. While they’re both very similar, some differences make them better for other jobs. 

As mentioned above, they are both exposed fastener panels. This means that they are screwed flat to the roof, and the fasteners can be seen as they are exposed to the outside elements. This is in contrast to standing seam roofing, which slots together and keeps fastenings under wraps. 

The main difference between these two-panel types is the shape. An R panel will be a 36″ panel with raised ribs and flat panels between the ribs. A U panel also has ribs and is the same 36″ size, but all the ribs on the panel will be the same height. On R panels, they are different heights. 

Where To Use R Panel vs. U Panels

As these panels are slightly different, they have different uses in the roofing industry. Both are used in roofing, as well as creating siding for a building. As such, they are very adaptable. 

For home buildings, roofers tend to prefer to use R panels. This is because they are very sturdy, easy to install and come in a wide range of colors. Homeowners like it too as it offers a lot of value for money. 

U panels, on the other hand, are most likely to be used on commercial buildings. They have economical through fastening, and so they’re often considered best for this type of installation. 

Advantages Of R Panels

Why use R panels vs. U panels on your roof? There are a few reasons why you may consider them for your home. 

Lots of colors: 

Just like standing seam metal roofs, you can get R panels in a vast range of colors. That’s going to be helpful if you want your new roof to fit in with other roofs in the area. Maybe you want to put a unique and eye-catching color on the roof. Whatever the reason, you’ll be able to find a panel that works for you. 

Strong design: 

Whatever kind of roof you put on your home, it needs to stand up to the elements. That means you need to find something that’s strong and capable of putting up with bad weather. R panels can do just that. They have a robust design, so even if it’s pelted with hailstones, you shouldn’t see much damage at all. That’s perfect for those who don’t want to be forever repairing their roof. 

Readily available: 

If you want to replace your roof, you’ll need to do it as soon as possible. That’s especially true if you’ve found fundamental problems with your current roof. The joy of R panels is that they are more readily available, so you should be able to get the ones you need quite quickly. 

Advantages Of U Panels

While you have the option of using R panels vs. U panels, when would each be better?

Heavy-duty design: 

U panels are usually made of 26 gauge steel, which is heavier than the 29 gauge that’s often used in metal roofing. Because of that, they are strong and can take a lot of abuse from the elements too. 

Install directly onto the roof: 

There’s no denying that replacing a roof is expensive. In many cases, though, you’ll see that you can install a U panel roof directly onto the shingles of an existing roof. That saves a lot of time and effort, and money when it comes to removal costs. If you’re trying to save money, you’ll want to keep this in mind. 

Almost no maintenance needed: 

A U panel roof needs pretty much no ongoing maintenance to keep it at its best. There are no shingles to replace or anything like that, so you won’t need to get up on the roof to do anything. You will need to keep an eye on the seams between panels to ensure water doesn’t get through. If the roof is installed correctly, though, that shouldn’t happen. 

Benefits Of Exposed Fastener Roofs

Whether you go for R panel vs  U panel, there’s no denying there are lots of benefits to your exposed fastener roof. Why should you consider one for your home?

Wind resistant panels: 

As the panels are screwed directly to the roof, they aren’t as susceptible to the wind as shingles are. They will be able to withstand high wind speeds, ensuring that you won’t need to do repairs once a storm is over. 

Cheaper and easier to install: 

An exposed fastener roof is much easier to install, so it’s quicker to get done. Because of this, it’s often cheaper too. The experienced homeowner can even install it themselves, although it is usually advised that they have a roofer do it for them. 

Increased fire resistance: 

Another great benefit of metal roofing panels is that they’re highly fire-resistant. Whichever panels you go for, either R panel vs. U panel, they should have the highest fire-resistance rating available. That’s peace of mind for homeowners, as it means their roofs should be safe if a fire breaks out. 

Final Thoughts

There are so many reasons why you should look into R panel vs. U panels for your roof. They both work well as roofing panels and give you all kinds of benefits. R panels usually have the edge, as they’re more readily available, but both would work on your home. Start shopping around today to see what’s available to you.