Materials / Roofing Screws and Fasteners
Roofing Screws and Fasteners
accessoryRoofing screws are threaded, typically self-drilling and self-tapping fasteners with integrated washered heads, used to mechanically attach exposed-fastener metal roof panels to purlins or decking and to secure insulation, cover boards, and single-ply membrane in low-slope mechanically-attached systems. Unlike smooth-shank roofing nails, these fasteners are governed less by a single material standard than by the tested roof assembly: FM Approvals Standard 4471 (Class 1 Panel Roofs) qualifies metal panel systems, including fastener type and spacing, as a complete wind-uplift assembly, while FM Approval Standard 4470 sets the corrosion-resistance test fasteners must pass for low-slope attachment. Some self-drilling steel screws also reference ASTM C1513, which covers steel tapping screws for cold-formed steel framing connections. Correct selection means matching the screw named in the specific FM or UL assembly listing being installed, not a generic product spec.
- self-drilling tip eliminates pre-drilling and speeds installation
- integrated washer seals the penetration at the point of fastening
- one fastener type spans metal-to-metal, metal-to-wood, and membrane/insulation attachment
- corrosion-resistant coatings tested against standards like FM 4470 extend service life in exposed applications
- fastener type, length, and spacing must match the specific FM or UL assembly listing rather than a single generic spec
- washer seal degrades over time and needs periodic inspection or replacement
- over-driving or under-driving compromises both the seal and the tested wind-uplift rating
- exposed fastener heads are a recurring long-term leak point versus concealed-fastener systems
Sources
- omgroofing.com verified 2026-07-28