Metal Roofing Sheets: Types, Sizes and How to Choose

Metal roofing sheets are long steel profiles formed from coil and used to cover roofs and walls of industrial, agricultural, commercial and residential buildings. They are the most popular roofing material in much of Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Latin America and Australia because they are strong, light, affordable, and quick to install. This guide covers the main sheet types, common sizes, materials and the practical points to check before you buy a production line.

Main Metal Roofing Sheet Types

Corrugated sheets: the classic wave profile (usually 5 waves, 76 mm pitch, 0.3-0.6 mm). Cheap, widely available and used for roofing, fencing and cladding across Africa and Asia. Also sold in galvanized finish for farm and temporary buildings.
IBR (Inverted Box Rib) sheets: the dominant profile in South Africa and southern Africa, with wide pans and narrow ribs, 0.4-0.6 mm, covering 685 mm per sheet. Known locally as IBR roof sheets or IBR sheeting.
Trapezoidal sheets: flat pans between trapezoidal ribs, produced in many depths (25-40 mm common) and cover widths (600-1000 mm). The standard profile for industrial roofing in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Glazed tile / step tile sheets: a decorative profile pressed to imitate clay tiles, popular for residential roofs in Southeast Asia, South America and parts of Africa.
Standing seam panels: interlocking vertical-rib panels for low-slope and premium roofs, usually 0.5-0.7 mm, in widths such as 400-600 mm.
Double layer profiles: produced on a double layer machine that switches between two profiles without changing rollers — typically IBR + corrugated or corrugated + trapezoidal.

Read more: Corrugated vs Trapezoidal Roof Sheet and IBR vs Corrugated for detailed comparisons.

Materials and Coatings

Galvanized steel (GI): zinc-coated, standard for corrugated sheets and farm roofing. Low cost, good life in dry climates.
Color coated steel (PPGI/PPGL): painted galvanized or galvalume steel in many colors, used for most modern roofing. The paint system determines color retention and life.
Aluminum-zinc coated (ZAM/GL): better corrosion resistance than zinc alone, popular in coastal and industrial environments.
Thickness: roof sheets are commonly 0.3-0.6 mm; heavier 0.6-0.8 mm for standing seam and high-wind areas.

Common Sizes and Coverage

Profile	Cover width	Pitch / rib depth	Common thickness
Corrugated 5-wave	~600 mm (640-650 mm development)	76 mm pitch	0.3-0.6 mm
IBR	685 mm	~4 m (inverted box)	0.4-0.6 mm
Trapezoidal 25/35	600-1000 mm	25-35 mm	0.4-0.8 mm
Glazed tile	~1130 mm	tile profile	0.3-0.5 mm
Standing seam	400-600 mm	25-75 mm	0.5-0.7 mm

Sheet lengths are cut to order (1-12 m) on the roll forming line, so there is no practical limit on standard lengths.

How Metal Roofing Sheets Are Made

Metal roofing sheets are made on a roll forming line: a coil of steel is mounted on an uncoiler, fed through a straightener and then through forming stations that progressively bend the flat strip into the profile. A hydraulic shear cuts each sheet to the programmed length and the sheets are stacked automatically. Lines run at 8-30 m/min and can include color-coated coil, auto-length cutting and stacking. See What Is a Roll Forming Machine for the full process.

Choosing the Right Profile for Your Market

Know the local standard: South Africa uses IBR; Nigeria, Kenya and most of West/East Africa use corrugated 5-wave heavily; the Middle East and Europe use trapezoidal; Southeast Asia mixes corrugated and glazed tile.
Match your buyers: building material distributors sell a small set of fast-moving profiles — start with the one or two that dominate your region.
Consider a double layer machine: if you need two profiles, a double layer roof sheet machine switches between them without changing rollers.
Budget realistically: line price depends on profile, speed and options — see our roofing sheet machine price guide.

How to Choose a Roofing Sheet Machine

The machine should be chosen on four factors: the profile you will sell (roller set), the material (coil width and thickness), the speed you need, and the options (auto cutting, stacking, punching). Our roof sheet machine buying guide walks through each step, and ridge caps and trims can be added later to complete the roof system.

FAQ

What are the main types of metal roofing sheets?

Corrugated, IBR, trapezoidal, glazed tile and standing seam are the main profiles; the right one depends on your local market and building type.

What thickness are metal roofing sheets?

Most roof sheets are 0.3-0.6 mm color-coated or galvanized steel; standing seam and heavy-duty profiles use 0.5-0.8 mm.

How wide is a standard corrugated sheet?

A 5-wave corrugated sheet covers about 600 mm from a 640-650 mm coil; IBR covers 685 mm per sheet.

Can I make more than one profile on one machine?

Yes — a double layer machine produces two profiles (e.g. IBR + corrugated) and switches by button, while single machines need roller changes.

How much does a roofing sheet machine cost?

Price depends on profile, speed and options; see our roofing sheet machine price guide for typical ranges and what drives cost.

How do I start producing roofing sheets?

Decide your profile, then send the drawing and your coil details to our sales team for a machine configuration and quotation.

Get a Quote

Contact ZTRFM with your profile drawing for a roofing sheet line quotation.

Metal Roofing Sheets: Types, Sizes and How to Choose