--- title: "Types Of Corrugated Metal Roofing: ⅞” Corrugated vs ½” Corrugated" description: What is the difference between ⅞” corrugated and ½” corrugated metal roofing? A comparison of cost, panel strength, installation, color, and panel lengths. --- [Metal Roofing Learning Center | Western States Metal Roofing Blog ](https://www.westernstatesmetalroofing.com/blog) # [Types Of Corrugated Metal Roofing: ⅞” Corrugated vs ½” Corrugated](https://www.westernstatesmetalroofing.com/blog/7-8-and-1-2-corrugated-which-is-best) Written by [Paul Rubio](https://www.westernstatesmetalroofing.com/blog/author/paul-rubio) | Mar 17, 2020 6:00:00 PM You’re in the process of designing your home and have decided on a [corrugated metal roof](https://info.westernstatesmetalroofing.com/corrugated-metal-roofing-guide). Two questions that potential customers want to know is, “**What are the types of corrugated roofing? and what's the difference between ⅞” corrugated and ½” corrugated?”. **This is actually a very simple question to answer. We will discuss the key differences in detail and do a side by side comparison. The following factors will help us answer this question. - Types of corrugated metal roofing - Cost of both corrugated metal roofing panel profiles - Which panel is stronger? - Ease of installation - Available colors and finishes - Available sheet lengths - Aesthetics [ ⅞” Corrugated in Streaked Rust](https://www.westernstatesmetalroofing.com/corrugated-streaked-rust-metal-roofing-siding-panels)   ## **Types Of Corrugated Metal Roofing** The term corrugated metal roofing has been around for a long time. It really has two meanings. The more general definition of corrugated metal roofing is: - Any type of metal roofing that's not a standing seam panel A more specific definition of corrugated metal roofing would be: - A wavy or "S" shaped metal roofing panel normally 7/8" or 1/2" deep. ## **Cost of Corrugated Metal Roofing** When you are looking at the cost of these two types of corrugated metal roofing there are two factors to consider. - What is the difference in price per square foot. - How much additional material do you have to purchase due to the panel side lap? ### **How Much Does ⅞” Corrugated Metal Roofing Cost? ** [⅞” corrugated](https://www.westernstatesmetalroofing.com/corrugated-metal-roofing-sheets) costs significantly less when compared to ½” corrugated metal roofing. The main factors that will affect the price will be the gauge and type of paint finish. **You can expect to pay between $.90 per square ft to $1.50/square foot. **When compared to ½” corrugated metal roofing this is a cost savings of 10%-15%. ### **How Much Does 1/2” Corrugated Metal Roofing Cost? ** [½” corrugated](https://www.cortenroofing.com/1-2-corrugated-corten-a606-4-weathering-steel-roofing-panel.html) cost significantly more when compared to ⅞” corrugated metal roofing. The main factors that will affect the price will be the gauge and type of paint finish. **You can expect to pay between $1.00 per square ft to $1.75/square foot. **When compared to 7/8” corrugated metal roofing there is a cost increase of 10%-15%.   ### **Panel Side Lap For Corrugated Metal Roofing**   **When you purchase corrugated metal roofing you pay for the overall panel width and NOT the coverage of the panel. **The overall width of ⅞” corrugated is 39”, but it will only yield 34.67” of roofing coverage. This means that you will have to purchase about 12% additional material because of the [panel side lap](https://www.paintedrustedroofing.com/docs/Screw-Placement-48.pdf?__hstc=231760960.ca15012c7c8edb872c3935ea6682da38.1576084945863.1577384502896.1577387798989.11&__hssc=231760960.13.1577387798989&__hsfp=422778419). - The overall width of ½” corrugated is 26”, but it will only yield 21.33” of roofing coverage. This means that you will have to purchase about 23% additional material. - When you choose ⅞” corrugated metal roofing you will save 10-15% in panel cost and you will also purchase 11% less material. **This equates to a cost savings of 21%-26% simply by choosing ⅞” corrugated instead of ½” corrugated metal roofing.** If you need a better explanation of the panel side lap and the roofing coverages we recommend that you read: **What is Corrugated Metal Roofing? A Detailed Definition, Panel Types & Uses**   ## **Which Is The Strongest Corrugated Metal Roofing Panel?** [⅞” Corrugated in Streaked Copper](https://www.paintedrustedroofing.com/streaked-copper-patina-corrugated-metal-roofing-panel.html) When you roll form metal roofing profiles the general rule is that as the height of the panel increases, so does the strength of the panel. The depth of ⅞” corrugated is ⅜” of an inch deeper than ½” corrugated. That is a 38% difference. Therefore, **⅞” corrugated has deeper corrugations making it a stronger panel capable of **[longer spans.](https://www.westernstatesmetalroofing.com/hubfs/pdf/78-Corrugated-Load-Chart.pdf)   ## **Corrugated Installation: ⅞” Corrugated vs ½” Corrugated** The method of installation is the same for both panel types. However, **⅞” corrugated is a much wider panel profile so there will be less sheets to install. **You will have multiple panels on your roof and each ⅞” corrugated metal roofing panel will yield 34.67” of roofing coverage while the ½” corrugated panel will only yield 21.33” of roofing coverage. **There is 60% more roofing coverage when you use a ⅞” corrugated metal roofing panel. **This will save you time and labor costs. You should also consider your roof pitch when you are comparing these two corrugated metal roofing panels. **If you have a low slope roof, then a ⅞” deep panel would be better than a panel that is ½” deep. **A deeper panel means that you will need a higher water level before the panels begin to leak. **We recommend a minimum roof pitch of 3” in 12” for ⅞” corrugated metal roofing panels.** If you need a better explanation of roof pitches than we recommend that you read: **How To Determine Roof Pitch**   ## **Available Colors And Finishes For Corrugated Metal Roofing ** [⅞” Corrugated in Streaked Blackened Rust](https://www.paintedrustedroofing.com/streaked-blackened-rust-corrugated-roofing-panel.html) **You will have a much wider selection of colors and finishes when you choose ⅞” corrugated metal roofing.** Metal suppliers do not like the narrow width of ½” corrugated. You can only use this [coil](https://www.westernstatesmetalroofing.com/metal-roofing-coil) to make one profile. The opposite is true of the wider coil that is used to manufacture ⅞” corrugated. You have the ability to make additional profiles and it is the perfect width for [flat sheets](https://www.westernstatesmetalroofing.com/metal-flat-sheets.html). Therefore, metal roofing suppliers will have a more extensive inventory in ⅞” corrugated.[⅞” Corrugated in Matte Musket Gray](https://www.paintedrustedroofing.com/matte-musket-gray-corrugated.html) There are three color charts shown below. If you choose ⅞” corrugated you will be able to pick from all three color charts. However, if you choose ½” corrugated than you will only be able to choose from the SMP painted panels. [PVDF Color Card - Standard Colors for 7/8" Corrugated](https://www.westernstatesmetalroofing.com/metal-roofing-color-charts) [PVDF Color Card - Special Order Colors for 7/8" Corrugated](https://www.westernstatesmetalroofing.com/metal-roofing-color-charts) [SMP Color Card - Colors for 7/8" and 1/2" Corrugated](https://www.westernstatesmetalroofing.com/metal-roofing-color-charts)   ## **Available Sheet Lengths For Corrugated Metal Roofing ** This will apply equally to both types. The standard size of the corrugated sheets varies from company to company. **If you are buying from a manufacturer the corrugated metal will be made to whatever length that you need.** If you purchase corrugated roofing from a distributor they will normally have standard lengths in stock. The most typical lengths are: 8’, 10’, 12’, 16’, 20’. ## **Which Corrugated Panel Looks Nicer** [⅞” Corrugated in Matte Black](https://www.westernstatesmetalroofing.com/corrugated-matte-black-metal-roofing-siding-panels) This comes down to personal taste. The corrugation are more pronounced with a ⅞” corrugated. It creates a shadow like appearance and most people prefer this look to the ½” corrugated. If you like to see a flatter panel than you would prefer the ½” corrugated. In addition, if clearance space is an issue than you may have to go with a panel that is shallower such as a ½” corrugated.   ## **Which Corrugated Metal Roofing Panel Should I Choose?** [⅞” Corrugated in Matte Dark Bronze](https://www.westernstatesmetalroofing.com/corrugated-matte-dark-bronze-metal-roofing-siding-panels)   It is rare that when you do a side by side comparison that one product wins or ties every single category. There are only two possible reasons to use ½” corrugated instead of ⅞” corrugated. 1. You think one looks better than the other. 2. Height tolerance issues. If you have less than ⅞” of height clearance than ⅞” corrugated will not work. **⅞” Corrugated is a stronger panel, takes less time to install, has a better color selection, and cost 25% less.** **Winner: ⅞” Corrugated**   ## **Learn More About Corrugated Metal Roofing** The first step in purchasing a metal roof is to determine the panel type. It really comes down to whether you want an exposed fastener panel such as [⅞” Corrugated](https://www.westernstatesmetalroofing.com/corrugated-metal-roofing-sheets), [PBR Panel](https://www.westernstatesmetalroofing.com/r-panel-metal-roofing), or [Western Rib](https://www.westernstatesmetalroofing.com/western-rib-7.2-panel-metal-roofing-siding) or if you want to a concealed fastener panel such as [standing seam](https://www.westernstatesmetalroofing.com/standing-seam-roofing). If you decide on a wavy corrugated metal you now have all of the relevant information to determine if ⅞” or ½” deep corrugated is a better fit for your project. 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