I have a lean-to that was originally covered with that cheap
translucent green corrugated fiberglass material. It's leaking pretty
bad. I've got friends who want to keep stuff in this lean-to and
they're volunteering to put up steel if I buy the materials.

My pole barn is probably 20 years old and has the steel fastened
through the ribs. Newer pole barns have the steel fastened through the
valleys.

How are the kids doing it these days, and which way is "right?"

(E-Mail Removed) wrote:
....
> My pole barn is probably 20 years old and has the steel fastened
> through the ribs. Newer pole barns have the steel fastened through the
> valleys.
>
> How are the kids doing it these days, and which way is "right?"

Strictly "right" depends on the actual material used; strangely enough
the manufacturer will have that information available.

--

On Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:55:57 -0700 (PDT), (E-Mail Removed)
wrote:

>I have a lean-to that was originally covered with that cheap
>translucent green corrugated fiberglass material. It's leaking pretty
>bad. I've got friends who want to keep stuff in this lean-to and
>they're volunteering to put up steel if I buy the materials.

Maybe its just me- but I'd say "You buy the materials and I'll put it
up." Roofing isn't a lot of fun, but I'd be damned if I'd buy as
roof for somebody else to mess up so they could put their stuff in my
shed.

>
>My pole barn is probably 20 years old and has the steel fastened
>through the ribs. Newer pole barns have the steel fastened through the
>valleys.
>
>How are the kids doing it these days, and which way is "right?"

Once you pick out the roof- ask for an installation flyer or visit the
manufacturer's website.

Jim

On Jul 15, 1:55*pm, mkirs...@rochester.rr.com wrote:
> I have a lean-to that was originally covered with that cheap
> translucent green corrugated fiberglass material. It's leaking pretty
> bad. I've got friends who want to keep stuff in this lean-to and
> they're volunteering to put up steel if I buy the materials.
>
> My pole barn is probably 20 years old and has the steel fastened
> through the ribs. Newer pole barns have the steel fastened through the
> valleys.
>
> How are the kids doing it these days, and which way is "right?"

Are you using R-panel or corrugated? R-panel is fastened in the
valleys with rubber washered screws, Traditionally Corrugated is
fastened with nails on the ridge, but what a pain in the ass. It might
not be bad with a nail gun, or even with long screws. The main
deciding factor is the material you are screwing into, wood and metal
take different screws.

On Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:55:57 -0700 (PDT), (E-Mail Removed)
wrote:

>I have a lean-to that was originally covered with that cheap
>translucent green corrugated fiberglass material. It's leaking pretty
>bad. I've got friends who want to keep stuff in this lean-to and
>they're volunteering to put up steel if I buy the materials.
>
>My pole barn is probably 20 years old and has the steel fastened
>through the ribs. Newer pole barns have the steel fastened through the
>valleys.
>
>How are the kids doing it these days, and which way is "right?"

I am a farmer and have built many steel covered barns. If you are
using the modern colored or galvanized steel such as the "Pro-Rib"
brand, you use screws with a neoprene washer under the head. You
insert them with a 1/4" socket in a variable speed drill (or hand tool
if you prefer). The screws go on the flat sections of the tin, NOT in
the ribs. Yea, some of the old timers put them in the ribs, and that
is a big mistake. The ribs are meant to overlap the sheet next to
them. Putting a hole in the ribs introduce a leak in the lower sheet
because there is no neoprene washer against that sheet. Also, the
ribs flex. If the screws go too deep, the ribs distort, and not deep
enough, you have a leak. The screws go in the flat part where the
metal is tight against the wood and the screws go in until the washer
has a slight bulge around the head. I always put one screw in the
middle of the flat area between the ribs, and on larger sheds I put 2
screws between each rib along the bottom edge of the roof because that
is where the wind tends to apply force to the roof.

I learned the hard way about putting the screws in the ribs. DO NOT
DO IT. A local professional barn building company does it the same as
I told you.

If you're using a product other than "Pro-Rib", see what they suggest,
but I'd avoid putting screws in the ribs regardless.

I should mention one other thing. I normally do put at least one
screw in the ribs at the ends of the sheets, but I do apply a little
silicone on top of the rib before placing the sheet over it. I mean
this is ONLY where the sheets overlap. Then I apply a little clear
silicone around the screw head too.

Lastly, be sure you get the sheets to overlap properly so they fit
together snugly. If you lay a sheet crooked, you'll not have a tight
fitting overlap.

Some people still use the neoprene washer nails. They work too, but
screws are better for roofs. On walls it does not matter as much.

LM