Which metal gauge is best for your metal roofing project – 24 or 22-gauge steel?
24 and 22-gauge steel offer great durability for metal roofing systems. Both are available for engineering and testing and can be used in a broad variety of standing seam applications. But they do have key differences, and those differences could help you decide whether 24 or 22-gauge steel is right for you.
In this article, we’ll look at what each gauge offers, including their advantages, disadvantages, best uses, and how they differ from one another. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll have a better idea of which of these two metal gauges will be right for your project.
24-Gauge Steel
Advantages
- Widely available
- Great defense against extreme weather
- Easier to work with than 22-gauge
- Less expensive than 22-gauge
Disadvantages
- More prone to hail damage vs. 22-gauge
24-Gauge Steel Best Uses
- Residential
- Commercial
24-Gauge Steel Overview
24-gauge steel is very popular in the metal roofing industry and is the most commonly used for standing seam applications. Its thickness, balanced between the thinner 26-gauge steel and thicker 22-gauge steel, offers a workable material that is also extremely durable.
Engineering and testing are also widely available in 24-gauge, so there shouldn’t be issues finding the requirements you need for your project when using this metal thickness. There will be many color and paint system options available, though a PVDF paint system is recommended for the best protection and aesthetics.
Since it isn’t as thick, 24-gauge will be less expensive than 22-gauge, which is another reason 24-gauge is often chosen over 22. Though it’s still harder to work with than thinner metals like 26-gauge, it’s still very workable, especially when compared to a thicker gauge like 22.
24-gauge works for a wide array of metal roofing applications – both residential and commercial, from your typical home to sprawling warehouse projects. In most cases, 24-gauge will be a good choice for your metal roofing project, as it offers the engineering availability and durability needed for nearly every application in the metal roofing industry.
22-Gauge Steel
Advantages
- Thicker material, more rigidity
- Better uplift performance
- Greater defense against oil canning
- Greater defense against extreme weather (if tested at that capacity)
Disadvantages
- More expensive
- Harder to work with
- Fewer paint and color options
- Not compatible with all portable rollforming equipment
22-Gauge Steel Best Uses
- High-end residential (particularly areas prone to large and frequent hail)
- Commercial (open framing applications or when oil canning and hail damage is a major concern)
22-Gauge Steel Overview
The obvious advantage of 22-gauge metal is that it’s thicker than 24-guage, which means it will have more rigidity. This rigidity can defend even better against the effects of oil canning and extreme weather events.
Keep in mind that the extent of oil canning will also be dictated by the condition of the project’s decking. If the decking is warped, you may see more oil canning on the roof.
22-gauge will fare the same as 24-gauge when it comes to coastal applications – those located near salt spray should opt for aluminum materials to avoid corrosion.
Testing for 24-gauge systems can also transfer over to 22-gauge, as 22-gauge is thicker metal. Sometimes, however, the clips in the tested system may fit differently on the thicker 22-gauge material. It is important to check for this before forming all the panels or starting installation.
22-gauge is often used in areas where hail is severe and frequent. The rigidity of 22-gauge helps it resist denting. While it won’t stop denting completely, it can handle the impacts better than 24-gauge metal. If hail is a major concern in your region, then 22-gauge could be a good option.
22-gauge also works for projects that have open framing, as its thickness offers improved performance when spanning purlins.
Note that this increased metal thickness also makes 22-gauge more expensive and harder to work with. Hemming and cutting this metal will require more effort and in turn may extend the length of your project.
22-gauge is also not as popular as 24-gauge, so you’ll likely have to choose from fewer paint and color options. It may also be more challenging to get 22-gauge in certain areas because it’s not as readily available. Certain portable rollforming machines may not be compatible with this type of metal.
If you’re looking for a metal thickness that will give you the most options when it comes to engineering, colors, and paint systems, 24-gauge is the standard.
Considerations for Choosing the Right Gauge
Deciding between 22 and 24-gauge metal will ultimately come down to your unique project and the preferences of the home or building owner or designer. Here are some factors to consider when choosing metal gauge to use.
Project scope
What’s the nature of your project?
As mentioned earlier, 24-gauge will be able to cover the vast majority of metal roofing applications, both residential and commercial. It’s workable and cost-effective. But if your project has open framing and you’re concerned about structural integrity, then 22-gauge may be the right fit.
Budget
22-gauge is thicker and offers more rigidity than 24-gauge, so it should be able to defend against oil canning and hail very effectively. However, due to the increased price of 22-gauge and the extended labor it takes to install, it often makes more sense to use 24-gauge.
Region
Both 24 and 22-gauge will work well in most regions, both extreme hot and cold. The available engineering of both metal gauges makes them extremely durable when it comes to harsh weather.
Again, their key difference is in areas that receive frequent and severe hail. For these areas, 22-gauge could be a solution due to its rigidity, which will help it resist denting.
Customer Preferences
In some cases, which metal gauge you use will come down to your customer’s preferences. If they have the budget for 22-gauge and are particularly concerned about the effects of oil canning or hail damage, then they may insist on 22-gauge. 24-gauge may still be adequate for the job, but 22-gauge could help ease concerns.
Looking for More Information on Which Metal Roofing Gauge to Choose?
24 and 22-gauge are similar but hold key differences when it comes to their pros and cons. While 24-gauge is the standard for standing seam metal roofing applications, there are circumstances which could make 22-gauge the right choice. Which gauge you choose will come down to your unique project, including the region it’s located in, the scope of the project, budget, and any particular preferences of the home or building owner.
For more information on metal gauges and other resources related to metal roofing, feel free to check out the Metal Roofing Learning Center, which provides free educational articles, videos, and downloads.
And check out our additional article related to this topic: 26 vs. 24-gauge:
24 vs. 26-gauge Metal Roofing: Which Steel Thickness Is Best For You?
