Tuff Rib (9-5 Panel) vs R Panel: Which Metal Roofing Panel to Choose
Tuff Rib (9-5 Panel) is the lower-cost panel at $3.62/ft in 29 or 26 gauge Galvalume, while R Panel starts at $4.46/ft in thicker 26 or 24 gauge and spans wider between purlins. Both come in the same 3 ft coverage width, cut to length for Tampa pickup or Florida delivery — the right pick depends on your purlin spacing and budget.
If you're pricing out a pole barn, shed, or reroof and weighing Florida's two most common exposed-fastener panels, here is exactly how Tuff Rib and R Panel differ in gauge, price and span, using the same specs and prices we quote on every order.
Tuff Rib (9-5 Panel): The Lowest-Cost Panel
Tuff Rib, sold as the 9-5 Panel, is our lowest-cost roofing and siding panel at $3.62/ft in 29 gauge Galvalume, or step up to 26 gauge for a stiffer panel. Painted options in SMP and Kynar 500 finishes start at $5.76/ft. It has a clean, streamlined rib profile and the same 3 ft coverage width as R Panel, which keeps coverage math simple when you're ordering both on the same job.
R Panel: Stiffer, Spans Farther Between Purlins
R Panel comes in 26 and 24 gauge steel, thicker than Tuff Rib's 29/26 gauge options, starting at $4.46/ft in Galvalume and up to $7.88/ft painted. The extra gauge gives R Panel a stiffer profile with 1-1/4" ribs every 12 inches that spans purlins without sagging, which is why 26 and 24 gauge R Panel — and its purlin-bearing cousin, PBR Panel — carry further between supports than 29 gauge Tuff Rib.
Price Comparison: Tuff Rib vs R Panel
Side by side, here is what each panel costs and the gauge options available.
| Panel | Gauge Options | Galvalume Price | Painted Price (SMP/Kynar) | Coverage Width |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuff Rib (9-5 Panel) | 29ga, 26ga | From $3.62/ft | From $5.76/ft | 3 ft |
| R Panel | 26ga, 24ga | From $4.46/ft | From $7.88/ft | 3 ft |
| PBR Panel | 26ga, 24ga | From $4.40/ft | From $6.71/ft | 3 ft |
Purlin Spacing: Which Panel Spans Farther
Gauge sets the span, and span decides how far apart your purlins or rafters can sit. 26 and 24 gauge R Panel and PBR Panel carry further between supports than 29 gauge Tuff Rib, and a wood-framed building usually needs closer purlin spacing than a steel one — Florida wind zones close that spacing up further still. If your barn or shed already has purlins installed, check their spacing against the panel's Florida Product Approval before ordering, or call us and we'll help you match the panel to what's already up.
Built for Barns, Sheds and Reroofs
Agricultural buildings are where these exposed-fastener panels shine. Galvalume Tuff Rib is the lowest-cost way to cover a big barn or shed, while 26 gauge R Panel adds stiffness where purlins are spaced wider apart. Both panels handle roofing and wall siding equally well, so you can order one profile for the whole building — see our pole barn metal roofing page for more on sizing that kind of job.
Colors and Finish Options
Tuff Rib comes in Galvalume plus 20 SMP and 20 Kynar 500 painted colors. R Panel is available in the same style of painted colors or bare Galvalume finish — for coastal, salt-air applications, Galvalume is generally the more durable choice on either panel. See the full color chart on each panel's Tuff Rib or R Panel product page.
Order Tuff Rib or R Panel
Both panels are cut to your lengths and ready for 1–2 business-day pickup at our 7001 Causeway Blvd, Tampa location, or added to a Florida delivery. Run your roof or barn dimensions through our metal roofing calculator to estimate panel count, or call (813) 410-7427 and we'll help you pick the right gauge for your purlin spacing before it ships.