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Watson Metals 5V Crimp Metal Roof Panel vs Watson Metals PBR Panel

Pick the 5V panel for a farmhouse, cottage or traditional Southern roof where you want a classic ribbed look and easy handling. Pick the PBR panel for steel buildings, warehouses or large roofs and walls that need wide coverage and fewer seams. The 5V is thinner 29-gauge steel in 10-foot lengths; the PBR is heavier 26-gauge in 20-foot lengths with 3-foot coverage. Owners of both cite galvanized and Galvalume steel's rot, insect and fire resistance; the PBR's heavier gauge and wider coverage win on structural jobs, while the 5V wins on light, easy-to-cut work.

  • Choose the 5V panel if you are roofing a farmhouse, cottage or traditional Southern home and want a light, easy-to-cut panel with a classic 5V crimp profile.
  • Choose the PBR panel if you are covering a steel building, warehouse or large roof or wall and want heavier 26-gauge steel with 3-foot-wide coverage.

Prices

  • Watson Metals 5V Crimp Metal Roof Panel: $25.48 at Arbor (last seen Nov 10)
  • Watson Metals PBR Panel: $229.99 at eBay (last seen Nov 10)
  • Difference: the Watson Metals 5V Crimp Metal Roof Panel is $204.51 cheaper than the Watson Metals PBR Panel at the latest prices (Nov 10)
Watson Metals
5V Panels

Watson Metals 5V Crimp Metal Roof Panel

5V Panels

$25.48at ArborChecked 12 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Arbor
Pros
  • Light enough for one person to carry and place
  • Cuts with common aviation snips
  • Classic 5V crimp look suits traditional homes
  • Galvanized steel resists rot, mildew, termites and fire
  • UL 2218 Class 4 impact rated
Cons
  • Thin 29-gauge steel dents more easily
  • 10-foot length means more seams on long roofs
  • Narrow 26-inch width covers less per panel
  • Galvanized finish is less corrosion-resistant than Galvalume
Watson Metals
PBR Panels

Watson Metals PBR Panel

PBR Panels

$229.99at eBayChecked 12 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit eBay

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Pros
  • Thicker 26-gauge steel holds up to harder use
  • 20-foot length and 3-foot width cut seams and fastening
  • Galvalume finish resists rust well
  • Rated for both roofing and siding
  • Suited to large commercial and steel-building jobs
Cons
  • Heavy and long, so it takes two people to handle
  • Harder to cut on site than thin 5V panels
  • Commercial PBR profile looks out of place on a cottage
  • Not the traditional look many Southern homes call for

What separates them

Watson Metals 5V Crimp Metal Roof PanelWatson Metals PBR Panel
Gauge29-gauge26-gauge (thicker, heavier steel)
Panel length10 ft20 ft
Coverage per panel26 in wide, about 2.2 sq ft per linear ft3 ft wide, 60 sq ft per panel
Profile5V crimp, traditional ribbed lookPBR, raised-rib commercial profile
Best useFarmhouses, cottages, traditional Southern roofsSteel buildings, warehouses, large commercial roofs and siding
FinishGalvanized steelGalvalume finish over Galvalume or galvanized steel
HandlingLight, cuts with aviation snips, easy to carryHeavier and longer, needs more help to lift and place
Siding useRoof-focusedRated for both roof and siding

Price history

  • Watson Metals 5V Crimp Metal Roof Panel: lowest $25.48 on Nov 11 at Arbor.
  • Watson Metals PBR Panel: lowest $89.95 on Nov 11 at SoCal Fence and Barn.

Prices at every store

Watson Metals 5V Crimp Metal Roof Panel

  • ArborNew

    Availability unknown

    $25.48+ $149.00 shippingChecked 12 h ago
    Visit Arbor
Prices and history →

Watson Metals PBR Panel

  • SoCal Fence and BarnNew

    In stock

    $89.95+ $150.00 shippingChecked 12 h ago
    Visit SoCal Fence and Barn
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by retrogalleryy (99.7% positive, 1,500 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $229.99Free shippingChecked 12 h ago
    Visit eBay

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All 2 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecWatson Metals 5V Crimp Metal Roof PanelWatson Metals PBR Panel
Roof Panel Type5V Crimp Panel—
Gauge29—
Roofing Product TypeMetal Roofing—
Approximate Length (Ft.)10—
Product Length (In.)120 in—
Product Width (In.)26 in—
Product Thickness (In.).015 in—
Material Type—Metal
Material Composition—Galvalume, Galvanized
Paneling Type—PBR, PBR Panel
Length—20 ft
Thickness—26-gauge
Show all 19 specsShow fewer specs
SpecWatson Metals 5V Crimp Metal Roof PanelWatson Metals PBR Panel
Width—3 ft
Coverage Area—60 sq ft (3ft x 20ft)
Appearance Finish—Galvalume finish
Moisture Resistance—Won't rust
Application Use—Exterior, Siding
Project Type—Roof, Siding
Quantity—1

What reviewers say

Watson Metals PBR Panel

Buyers of PBR panels generally report straight, consistent profiles and good coverage per panel, and many use them for shop and barn roofs. Complaints center on the thin 26-gauge steel denting and on the plain Galvalume look.

What people mention
  • GaugeCriticisedOwners say 26-gauge steel dents more easily than heavier 24-gauge panels.
  • FinishMixedThe Galvalume mill finish resists rust but looks plain compared with painted panels.
  • CoveragePraisedBuyers like the 60 sq ft per panel, which cuts seams on long runs.
  • HandlingCriticised20 ft panels are heavy and awkward to move without a second person.

Questions and answers

Which is better for a house roof?
The 5V panel fits a house roof, especially a farmhouse or cottage, because of its traditional profile and light weight. The PBR is aimed at steel buildings and large commercial roofs.
Which lasts longer?
The PBR's 26-gauge steel is thicker than the 5V's 29-gauge, so it resists dents and foot traffic better. The PBR's Galvalume finish also resists rust better than plain galvanized.
Can I use either one for siding?
The PBR is rated for both roof and siding. The 5V is sold as roofing, so check with the maker before using it on walls.
Is the PBR worth stepping up to?
Yes for a large building, a long roof run or a wall application, where the wider, longer, thicker panel means fewer seams and more durability. For a small cottage roof, the 5V is easier to handle.
How many panels will I need?
The PBR covers 60 sq ft per panel; the 5V covers about 2.2 sq ft per linear foot of its 26-inch width. Measure your roof area and add for overlaps and waste.
Do either need special tools?
The 5V cuts with common aviation snips. The PBR's thicker steel is easier to cut with a power shear or nibbler, and its length needs two people to lift.

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