Metal Roofing Screws: Which Type You Need and How Many to Order
Metal-to-wood hex screws run 60 per 250-piece bag in the most common 1", 1.5" and 2" lengths, and 80/bag for the longer 2.5" and 3" lengths; metal-to-metal hex screws are 80/bag across all five sizes. Which one you need depends entirely on your panel system — exposed-fastener panels use hex screws, while most standing seam panels do not use exposed screws at all.
Here is how to tell which fastener your roof needs, what each one costs, and how to make sure you order the right type the first time.
Exposed-Fastener Panels Use Hex Screws
R Panel, PBR, Tuff Rib (9-5 Panel), 5V Crimp and corrugated panels are all exposed-fastener systems — the screw goes straight through the face of the panel into the deck or purlin below, with the head sitting on top of the panel. Every hex screw we stock comes as a 250-piece bag with a self-drilling tip and an EPDM rubber grommet that seals the hole, and is available in all panel-matching colors so the fastener head blends into the roof. See the full lineup on our hex screws product page.
Standing Seam Panels Use Clips or Concealed Pancake Screws
Our standing seam panels are built differently. Snap-lock and clip-lock lines — IronSeam 150, ForgeSeam 150 and ForgeSeam 175 — attach to the deck with hidden clips, and the next panel snaps over the seam, so there is no exposed screw anywhere on the finished roof. Nail-strip lines — TrueShield 100 and TrueShield 150 — do use a screw, but it is a low-profile pancake screw driven through a concealed flange and hidden under the next panel's overlap, not an exposed hex screw.
Fastener Price Comparison
Side by side, here is what each fastener type costs and which panels it goes with.
| Fastener | Used With | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hex Screw, Metal to Wood | R Panel, PBR, Tuff Rib, 5V Crimp, corrugated | 1", 1.5", 2" | 60 / 250-pc bag |
| Hex Screw, Metal to Wood | R Panel, PBR, Tuff Rib, 5V Crimp, corrugated | 2.5", 3" | 80 / 250-pc bag |
| Hex Screw, Metal to Metal | Trim-to-trim, panel-to-metal purlin | 7/8" stitch, 1.25", 2", 2.5", 3" | 80 / 250-pc bag |
| Rivet (#43 / #44) | Metal-to-metal trim connections | 250-pc box | 60 / box |
| Pancake Screw, Galvanized | TrueShield 100 / 150 nail-strip standing seam | 1" low-profile | 0.11 / screw |
| Pancake Screw, Stainless | TrueShield 100 / 150 nail-strip standing seam | 1" low-profile | 0.31 / screw |
Rivets for Trim and Metal-to-Metal Connections
Beyond panel fasteners, we also stock 250-piece boxes of #43 and #44 rivets (see them alongside hex screws on our fasteners page) at 60/box for metal-to-metal connections — joining trim pieces, closures and flashing laps where a hex screw is not the right fit.
How Many Screws to Order
Screw count depends on your panel spacing, roof pitch and local wind-load requirements, so we will not quote a single number that fits every roof. The safest way to size your order is to run your full cut list — panels, trim and fasteners — through our metal roofing calculator, or call us directly and we will check it against your plans.
Order Screws With Your Panels
Hex screws, rivets and standing seam pancake screws are all in stock for 1–2 business-day pickup at our Tampa location, or add them to a Florida delivery. Call (813) 410-7427 and we will help you match fasteners to the panel system you are ordering.