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Metal roof gauge

24 gauge vs 26 gauge metal roof: which is better for Florida?

A 24 gauge metal roof is about 28 percent thicker than 26 gauge. It is the usual standard for standing seam and dents less. 26 gauge is common on exposed fastener panels and works well over solid wood. In Florida, the product approval and installation matter as much as the gauge.

By Josh Hildebrand, owner of Coastline Roofing · Florida license CCC1331076 ·

Quotes use gauge numbers like they should mean something to you. Here is what they mean and what they do not.

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The basics

What does metal roof gauge mean?

Gauge is a thickness number for sheet steel, and the smaller the number, the thicker the metal. So 24 gauge is thicker than 26 gauge.

Gauge sounds technical, but it is just a label for how thick the steel sheet is. Sheffield Metals, a company that makes coil for metal roofing, lists a minimum thickness of about 0.023 inch for 24 gauge and about 0.018 inch for 26 gauge. That makes 24 gauge about 28 percent thicker.

Two cautions before you compare numbers:

  • Gauge numbers are not universal. The gauge scale for steel is different from the scale for copper. Western States Metal Roofing makes this point, so only compare steel to steel.
  • Suppliers quote slightly different thicknesses. Some give a minimum and some give a range, because mills allow a small tolerance. If thickness matters to you, ask your roofer for the actual decimal thickness of the panel on your quote.

Coastline installs 24-gauge standing seam metal roofs, and he installs 5V crimp metal roofs too. Our guides to standing seam and 5V crimp explain how those two panels differ.

Comparing metal roof quotes?

Coastline installs 24-gauge standing seam and 5V crimp metal roofs, and Coastline sends a written photo report with every inspection. Coastline Roofing works all over Florida (license CCC1331076).

Call (941) 896-7793 or text your town and a photo.

Side by side

What is the difference between 24 gauge and 26 gauge metal roofing?

24 gauge is thicker, stiffer and the usual choice for standing seam. 26 gauge is thinner, common on exposed fastener panels, and works well over a solid wood deck.

The table uses what Sheffield Metals and Western States Metal Roofing say. Both sell metal roofing material, so they know the products, but they also sell them. Treat the table as a starting point for questions.

Some exposed fastener panels are thinner than both. Western States says 29 gauge can be damaged more easily in a hail storm and has lesser wind uplift values, and the company does not sell it. If a quote lists 29 gauge, ask why that panel was chosen and what approval covers it.

24 gauge compared with 26 gauge steel roofing
Feature24 gauge26 gauge
Minimum thickness (Sheffield Metals)About 0.023 inchAbout 0.018 inch
Where it is commonThe standard for standing seam, per Sheffield. Western States says its standing seam is only offered in 24 gauge or heavierUsually the standard for exposed fastener panels, per Sheffield. Also used in some standing seam, without the same engineering
Paint systemUsually PVDFPVDF on Sheffield's panels, but some 26 gauge uses SMP, which Sheffield says chalks and fades sooner
Hail and dentsLess likely to dent. Sheffield recommends it where visible denting is a worryMore likely to dent. Tested to UL 2218 Class 4, but that test does not measure denting, per Sheffield
WindWestern States says heavier steel adds wind resistance and suggests 24 gauge in high wind areasCan still carry a Florida approval, as the example below shows
Over a solid wood deckGood choice, especially for high wind or PVDF paintWestern States calls it appropriate and a good value over solid wood

Notice what the table does not say. It does not say 26 gauge is a bad roof. Gauge is one input. The panel shape, the fasteners, the deck under it and the paint matter just as much.

What else matters

What matters besides the gauge number?

A thick panel on a poorly built roof still leaks. These are the other parts of the system.

The panel shape

Standing seam panels hide their fasteners in clips or a flange. Exposed fastener panels are screwed through the face, so they have many more holes that can wear. Sheffield suggests checking those fasteners up to twice a year. See why metal roof screws leak.

The product approval

In Florida, the whole system carries the approval, not the gauge alone. Miami-Dade NOA 23-1221.02 lists stone coated steel panels at 26 gauge with a 46 ksi minimum yield strength, approved for the High Velocity Hurricane Zone of the Florida Building Code. Gauge alone does not decide wind ratings.

The deck and underlayment

The approval spells out the deck thickness, nail type and underlayment. A roof is only as strong as what it is fastened to. Our plywood vs OSB decking guide covers the deck.

The paint

PVDF is the paint finish usually used on 24 gauge, and some 26 gauge uses SMP. Sheffield says SMP is generally below PVDF and more prone to chalking and fading. Near salt water, the coating and the base metal matter. Read Galvalume vs galvanized.

The installer

Panels must be fastened, lapped and flashed to the maker's instructions. Fasteners driven too tight or too loose cause leaks at any gauge.

Denting and hail

Sheffield says 24 gauge dents less than 26 gauge. How much that matters depends on your trees and how the roof looks to you. Our hail damage guide covers what hail does to roofs here.

Comparing quotes

How do you compare metal roof quotes when the gauge is different?

Ask each roofer for the panel, gauge, paint, fasteners and approval number in writing, then compare like with like.

Two metal roof quotes can differ by thousands of dollars because one uses 24 gauge standing seam and the other uses a thinner exposed fastener panel. They are different roofs. Our metal roof cost guide explains what moves the price. This list helps you line them up.

  1. Ask for the panel name and profile

    Standing seam, 5V crimp, corrugated and stamped shingle panels are not interchangeable. The quote should name one.

  2. Ask for the gauge and the actual thickness

    A quote should say 24 gauge or 26 gauge. If it says only steel panel, ask.

  3. Ask for the paint system

    PVDF, SMP or something else. Ask what the paint warranty covers and for how long, and read the paper itself.

  4. Ask for the fastener type

    Concealed clips, or exposed screws with washers. Exposed screws mean future maintenance.

  5. Ask for the Florida Product Approval or NOA number

    Look it up on floridabuilding.org or in the Miami-Dade product control library. Check what deck and underlayment it requires. Our guide to Florida Building Code roofing rules explains the code side.

Florida roofs

Which gauge makes sense for a Florida home?

For a standing seam roof, 24 gauge is the normal choice. For an exposed fastener panel over a solid deck, 26 gauge is common and can be a sound value when it holds a product approval.

Florida homes face wind, driving rain and salt air. Western States suggests 24 gauge where high wind is a concern, and notes that over solid wood the panel strength matters less because the deck carries the load. Check which deck your own roof has before you pick a panel.

That means the choice usually comes down to the roof type you want:

  • If you want standing seam, you are looking at 24 gauge. That is what Coastline installs.
  • If you want a 5V crimp, ask for the gauge on the quote and the approval number. Coastline installs 5V crimp roofs, and the written quote shows the details.
  • If you already have a thin or older metal roof, a written photo inspection tells you whether it needs repair or replacement. See metal roof rust on the coast for what to look for.

Coastline sends a written photo report with every inspection. Josh reviews it, and it lays out what the roof needs. See our metal roofing page for the two metal roofs Coastline installs.

Reviews

What homeowners say about working with Coastline

★★★★★
"From beginning to end the roof was done in 2 days. One night the crew stayed until 8:00. Each evening before leaving the crew ensured the yard was cleaned. We are so happy, and our roof is beautiful!"
Sharon T.Roof replacement
★★★★★
"Russell was great to work with. He was prompt in coming out to assess our roof and very knowledgeable. ... The job was complete in 2 days once work began."
Bryan S.Roof replacement
★★★★★
"Josh was especially amazing. He was professional, patient, and took the time to explain everything clearly so I felt comfortable and informed throughout the entire process. You can tell he genuinely cares about his customers and takes pride in his work."
Madison T.Roofing customer
Keep reading

Related guides

Metal Roofing

Standing seam and 5V crimp metal roofs installed by Josh.

See our metal roofing →

Standing Seam vs 5V Crimp

How the two panels Coastline installs differ.

Compare the two →

Metal Roof Cost in Florida

What sets the price of a metal roof.

See the cost guide →

Also see aluminum vs steel roofs and oil canning on metal roofs.

FAQ

More questions

Is 24 gauge or 26 gauge thicker?

24 gauge is thicker. Gauge numbers run backward, so a lower number means heavier steel. Sheffield Metals lists a minimum of about 0.023 inch for 24 gauge and about 0.018 inch for 26 gauge, which makes 24 gauge about 28 percent thicker.

Does a thicker metal roof last longer?

Not on its own. Sheffield says 24 gauge resists denting better, but how long a roof lasts also depends on the paint, the fasteners, the deck and the install. Read the paint and panel warranty documents, and ask what each one covers.

Can 26 gauge metal roofing be used in Florida?

Yes, when the panel holds an approval. Miami-Dade NOA 23-1221.02 approves 26 gauge stone coated steel panels for the High Velocity Hurricane Zone. That approval covers a whole system with a set deck and fasteners. Ask your roofer for the approval number for the panel on your quote.

What gauge is standing seam metal roofing?

Standing seam is usually 24 gauge, the thicker of the two common sizes. Sheffield Metals calls 24 gauge the standard for standing seam, and Western States says its standing seam is only offered in 24 gauge or heavier. Coastline installs 24-gauge standing seam metal roofs.

Do thicker metal panels make the roof quieter?

Noise depends mostly on what is under the panels, such as a solid deck, underlayment and attic insulation, not only on how thick the metal is. Our guide to metal roof noise in the rain covers it. ATAS says the most important factor is how the roof is built, and a solid deck absorbs sound.

Sources

  1. Sheffield Metals: 24 vs 26 gauge metal roofing
  2. Western States Metal Roofing: Gauge thickness of metal roofing panels
  3. Sheffield Metals: Standing seam vs exposed fastener metal roofing
  4. Miami-Dade County Product Control: Notice of Acceptance 23-1221.02 (approved 08/15/24)
  5. ATAS International: Tech Tips, Sound emission of metal roofing
  6. FRSA: Do Products You Install Have a Florida Product Approval or Miami-Dade NOA? (Feb 27, 2018)
  7. Florida Building Commission: Product Approval search

Not sure what your quote says?

Coastline reviews roofs and sends a written photo report. Coastline installs 24-gauge standing seam and 5V crimp metal roofs, and we can tell you plainly which fits.

Call (941) 896-7793 Text (941) 345-0072
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