Metal roofing in Little Rock with exposed-fastener panels

Exposed-fastener metal roofs use long panels with raised ribs, typically in 29 or 26 gauge steel with a painted or Galvalume coating. The panels overlap at the edges and attach with screws driven straight through the metal, each with a rubber washer that seals the hole.

You will see this style on farmhouses, barns, shops and a growing number of homes around central Arkansas. It costs less than standing seam, installs faster, and handles heat and storms well when it goes on correctly.

This page covers new exposed-fastener roofs. If you want the clean look of hidden fasteners, see our standing seam page, and if your existing metal roof is leaking, our metal roof repair page covers that.

Not all ribbed panels are the same. The profile, gauge and finish affect how the roof looks, how much it resists dents and how long the color holds.

Colors range from bright white and galvalume silver to charcoal, barn red, forest green and burnished slate. Lighter colors reflect more summer sun, which can help an attic stay cooler in July.

Panel length matters as much as profile. We order panels cut to run from eave to ridge in one piece whenever the slope allows it, which avoids end laps in the middle of the roof. Where a run is too long to handle in one panel, we lap the ends with sealant tape and extra screws per the maker's detail.

• R-panel or PBR: deeper ribs, common on homes and shops, sheds water well
• AG or agricultural panel: lighter profile, common on barns and sheds
• 29 gauge: lighter and lower cost, fine for many outbuildings
• 26 gauge: thicker, better dent resistance, our usual pick for homes
• Painted finishes in many colors, or bare Galvalume for a classic silver look

On a house, we install metal over a solid deck with synthetic underlayment, not straight onto open framing. That gives better leak protection, quieter rain noise and a flat surface that keeps the panels straight.

Over older shingles, we usually tear off first. Some metal roofs can go over one layer of shingles where code allows, but a tear-off lets us check the deck and avoid trapping moisture.

The screws are the critical part. We use painted screws with rubber washers matched to the panel, drive them straight and snug so the washer seals without crushing it, and follow the panel maker's screw pattern. Overdriven or angled screws are the top cause of leaks we see on exposed-fastener roofs.

Trim makes the rest of the difference. We use closures under the ridge cap and at the eaves to keep out wind-driven rain, wasps and birds, and we flash chimneys and walls with metal bent to fit.

• Your shingle roof needs replacing and you want a longer-lasting option
• You are roofing a barn, shop, carport or detached garage
• Pine needles keep clogging the valleys of your shingle roof
• You want a farmhouse or country look on a new roof
• Your attic runs very hot under dark shingles every summer
• You want a durable roof at a lower cost than standing seam

Metal handles the long, hot summers here better than asphalt. It does not dry out or shed granules, and painted panels with reflective finishes keep some of the sun's heat out of the attic.

Wind resistance is strong when the screw pattern is right, which matters during spring straight-line wind events. Panels also shed pine needles and leaves more easily than shingles, so valleys clog less.

Hail is a fair question. Large hail can dent metal, especially thinner 29 gauge panels, though dents are often cosmetic and the roof keeps shedding water. Thicker 26 gauge panels resist dents better, and some insurers treat metal roofs differently on coverage, so ask yours before choosing.

Fire and pests are two more advantages. Metal panels do not burn from blown embers the way old wood shakes can, and squirrels and woodpeckers cannot chew or peck through them. Raccoons that tear at shingle edges looking for a way into the attic get nowhere on a metal roof with proper closures at the eaves.

The steel panels can last for decades, but the rubber washers on the screws age faster. After many summers of sun and heat cycling, washers can dry out and crack, and screws can back out slightly as the metal expands and contracts each day.

Plan on a screw check every several years and replacing worn fasteners with slightly larger screws as needed. It is a small cost compared to re-roofing and keeps the roof tight.

Keep gutters and valleys clear and trim limbs that rub the panels, since steady rubbing can wear through the paint and start rust.

We install exposed-fastener metal on full homes, porch and patio roofs, carports, barns, workshops and detached garages. On outbuildings with open framing, we install over purlins with condensation control where needed so the underside does not drip on cool mornings.

Every job gets a written price before work starts. Manufacturer warranty terms on paint and panels depend on the product and registration, and we explain what applies. Call (501) 387-1152 to talk about metal for your home or outbuilding.

Before you choose metal for a home, check any HOA rules or historic district guidelines for your street. Some neighborhoods limit roof materials or colors, and approval can take a few weeks. We can provide panel samples, color charts and product sheets for your application so the board has what it needs to decide.

Metal roof cost depends on panel gauge, roof size, tear-off and trim. These are typical 2026 Little Rock ranges.

Steep pitches, hips, valleys and chimneys add trim and labor, and tear-off of old roofing adds to home projects. See the full roof pricing guide.