Flats or ribs

[kayaksteve]

I’ve heard arguments both ways and both make a lot of sense. Some manufacturers give install instructions for both ways, some for one or the other. I’m just building a shed so it’s nothing super critical. Initially I was leaning towards the flats but I just ain’t sure yet.

 

[kayaksteve]

Up north I’ve heard they nail in the flats to keep snow rakes from catching on the screw/nail heads but the pros vs cons seems to lean towards the ribs to me

 

[NCHillbilly]

Yep. They were nailed on top of the V on 5V tin.

That's what's on my house.

 

[Boondocks]

When I did mine i put them in the ribs. All the old people can't be wrong. Time will tell if the screws and rubber gaskets hold.I figure less chance of a leak on top of a rib.

 

[Iwannashoot]

We did a fairly flat pitch roof over on a leaky shipping container several years ago and went on top of the ribs. So far no leaks!

If you decide to fasten through the ribs be very careful not to over drive the fastener. The more you compress the rib, the more you stretch the panel width.

 

[JustUs4All]

These were neoprene and the sheet metal shop sold them to me and told me they were the best.

The same sales method as used by the young fellow who needed to set up a blind date for his girlfriend's friend girl.

 

[JustUs4All]

Did it flatten out and seal over the nail?

The lead was applied to the nail from the shank end so that when the nail was set against the tin the lead made the contact and not the nail.

I watched an old fellow install some many hears back. His technique was to lightly hammer strike the ridge where the nail was to go creating a very small dent. He then set the nail in the dent which seemed to me to act something like a pilot for the nail start and also provided a well for the lead to expand into and over the "lip" a bit. Worked well. The roof held for over 50 years.

 

[livinoutdoors]

The lead was applied to the nail from the shank end so that when the nail was set against the tin the lead made the contact and not the nail.

I watched an old fellow install some many hears back. His technique was to lightly hammer strike the ridge where the nail was to go creating a very small dent. He then set the nail in the dent which seemed to me to act something like a pilot for the nail start and also provided a well for the lead to expand into and over the "lip" a bit. Worked well. The roof held for over 50 years.

Veey cool. I hadnt heard of that til yall brought it up. Neat idea.

 

[JustUs4All]

Old school -- You should like that. LOL

 

[fflintlock]

The lead was applied to the nail from the shank end so that when the nail was set against the tin the lead made the contact and not the nail.

I watched an old fellow install some many hears back. His technique was to lightly hammer strike the ridge where the nail was to go creating a very small dent. He then set the nail in the dent which seemed to me to act something like a pilot for the nail start and also provided a well for the lead to expand into and over the "lip" a bit. Worked well. The roof held for over 50 years.

This is exactly how I was taught to do it.

 

[Whitefeather]

I thought this was going to be a bbq thread. I would’ve voted ribs on either one

 

[fireman32]

My metal roof is in the flats, the old barn I tore down was the lead cap nails in the rib. If you’re using the 29 gauge tin, fastening in the flats can torq the metal.

 

[tree cutter 08]

The new tuff rib metal that everyone uses now is supposed to be screwed in the flats. The heavy gage metal might could be screwed in the ribs but no way I'd do it with the 29ga

 

[Core Lokt]

The lead was applied to the nail from the shank end so that when the nail was set against the tin the lead made the contact and not the nail.

I watched an old fellow install some many hears back. His technique was to lightly hammer strike the ridge where the nail was to go creating a very small dent. He then set the nail in the dent which seemed to me to act something like a pilot for the nail start and also provided a well for the lead to expand into and over the "lip" a bit. Worked well. The roof held for over 50 years.

Yep, easier to start the nail on a flat spot than a ridge.

I'm no roofer but I've seen it done both ways. Ask a metal salesman or a roofer.