Exposed-Fastener, Corrugated and 5V Metal Roofing in Dothan, AL

Exposed-fastener metal roofing is the most common metal roof in the Wiregrass. You see it on farmhouses, hunting camps, porches, barns and shops all over Houston, Dale and Henry counties, and more and more on houses in town. The panels are screwed straight through the face of the metal into wood purlins or decking, which makes them fast to install and affordable. Call (334) 432-8483 and we will connect you with an independent local installer. We are a referral service; the contractor quotes and does the work.

The main panel types

• Ribbed panels (R-panel, PBR, and similar). Wide, trapezoid ribs with good strength and coverage. The workhorse for shops, barns and many homes.
• Corrugated. The classic wavy profile. Popular for a rustic or farmhouse look and for porches and outbuildings.
• 5V crimp. A traditional Southern profile with five V-shaped ribs. It has a clean, old-house look and is common on historic homes and farmhouses.

Is exposed-fastener right for you?

It fits well when cost matters, the building is a barn, shop or rental, or you want metal's storm and fire resistance without standing seam prices. The trade-off is maintenance: every screw has a rubber washer, and the sun eventually breaks those washers down. Expect to check and replace some fasteners over the life of the roof, often starting somewhere in the 10 to 20 year range. If you want a roof you never think about, look at standing seam.

How it is installed

1. Prep the roof. On a house, that usually means tear-off or furring strips over one layer of shingles, plus underlayment. On a pole barn, panels often go on open purlins.
2. Trim first. Drip edge and eave trim go on before the panels.
3. Square the first panel. If the first sheet is off, every sheet after it runs crooked, so good installers take their time here.
4. Fasten in the right spot. Screws go in the flat or on the rib as the manufacturer specifies, driven snug but not crushed, in straight lines.
5. Seal laps and penetrations. Butyl tape at side laps and end laps where needed, and proper pipe boots for vents.
6. Ridge and closures. Foam closures under the ridge keep out wasps, birds and wind-driven rain.

Typical costs

These are typical national-guide ranges. Material prices move with steel prices, so get a current written quote.

What drives the price

• Gauge. 29-gauge agricultural panels are cheapest; 26-gauge is stiffer, better in hail and wind, and usually recommended for homes.
• Finish. Bare Galvalume costs least. Painted panels cost more, and premium paint systems hold color longer under Alabama sun.
• Fasteners. Longer-life screws with better washers or coatings cost a little more and are worth it.
• Prep work. Tear-off, new decking, furring strips and underlayment all add up.
• Trim details. Hips, valleys and dormers take more trim and time than a straight gable.

Common installation mistakes to avoid

Most leaks on exposed-fastener roofs come from installation, not the panel. Watch for over-driven screws that crush the washer, under-driven screws that never seal, screws that miss the purlin, missing closures, and short cuts on flashing at walls and chimneys. Ask the contractor how they handle each of these.

How long it takes

A typical home takes two to five working days. A porch or small shed may take one day. Panels are often available quickly from regional suppliers, but colors and custom trim can add a week or two.

Local conditions

Around Dothan, intense summer UV and heat are the biggest enemies of fastener washers and paint, so color and finish choices matter. Summer hail can dent thin panels; a heavier gauge resists better. High winds from thunderstorms and tropical remnants test fastener patterns, especially at edges and corners, where many manufacturers call for extra screws. Humid nights can also cause condensation under panels on open barns, which is why some owners add a vapor barrier or panels with a factory-applied anti-condensation backing.

Alabama generally requires residential home improvement contractors to be licensed by the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board for larger jobs, and a metal roof on a house is almost always a larger job. Ask any contractor for the license and a current certificate of insurance (general liability and workers' compensation), and check the license yourself. Inside the city limits, ask whether a City of Dothan building permit is required and who pulls it; outside the city, ask about Houston County or your town's rules.

Call (334) 432-8483 to get connected with a local installer.

Frequently asked questions

Areas we serve

We connect callers across Dothan, Enterprise, Ozark, Headland and the Wiregrass of southeast Alabama, including:

• Dothan
• Enterprise
• Ozark
• Headland
• Taylor
• Kinsey
• Cowarts
• Ashford
• Webb
• Rehobeth
• Newton
• Daleville
• Abbeville
• Houston County
• Dale County

Local pages: Enterprise, Ozark, Headland.

Related services

• Standing Seam Metal Roofs
• Metal Roof Replacement
• Barns, Shops & Commercial
• Metal Roof Repair & Leaks
• Metal Roof Coatings & Restoration