The Differences Between a Through-Fastened System and a Concealed Fastened System

You may have seen the verbiage “through-fastened” and “concealed-fastened” when shopping around for your metal roof. Do you know the differences of each system or are you having trouble choosing the right system? No problem! Fortify Building Solutions offers both through-fastened and concealed-fastened roofing systems and we will take a look at the differences and benefits of each below. 

Through-Fastened Panels 

A through-fastened roof panel is where the roof panels are attached directly to the sub-structure with fasteners (screws or nails), that penetrate through the panel sheets and into the substructure. The fastener locks the overlapping sections of the wall panel into place and are visible on the outside face of the panel after installation. Through-fastened systems are also known as exposed fastening systems, so don’t let the naming convention throw you for a loop. 

The benefits of a through-fastened approach include quick and easy installation and less costly. A through-fastened system is often commonly seen in agricultural and industrial industries. When installing it’s important to note not to overdrive the fastener as panel dimpling can occur which can affect the weather tightness and lead to leakage. 

Concealed-Fastened Roofing Panels 

A concealed-fastening roof panel is where the roof panels are attached to the substrate with clips. This means that the roof panels are not secured with screws or nails in order to lock the panels into place. The clips or fasteners, in turn, are concealed under the panel and not visible. 

The benefits of a concealed-fastening system include it having a clean and smooth appearance, free from the exposed fasteners of a through-fastened roof. Because the fasteners are concealed, there is less wear and tear which also means they tend to have a longer lifespan. However, the concealed-fastening approach takes longer to install so if time and costs are a concern, you may want to go with a through-fastened approach. 

Ultimately, the choice of a through-fastened roof or a concealed-fastened roof are yours. However, if you still have questions on the benefits and drawbacks of each, contact your local Fortify representative and they can help guide you in your decision.