At Bulldog Steel, we carry both R-Panel and U-Panel. For reference, our R-Panel is made of 36” metal panels with raised ribs and a flat area in between. This is most common for residential and commercial projects such as siding. U-Panel is made with 36” wide panels and 3/4” ribs. This type of panel is ideal for commercial and industrial roofing.
Some other differences are that R-Panel ribs are different heights and panel thickness typically ranging from 26 to 29 gauge. U-Panel has less variations. R-Panels are generally stronger and have a greater life expectancy than U-Panel.
There are two different types of paint systems used at Bulldog Steel: Kynar and SMP. Both paints are applied to coil and sheet metal and both are a 40-year paint system. At Bulldog Steel, we use WeatherXL from Valspar as our preferred brand of SMP paint. For the Kynar paint system, we use Western States which is located in Arizona.
Kynar or PVDF paint offers ultimate protection against extreme heat, humidity, color fading, and gloss loss. This paint is considered top-quality and the most long-lasting.
On the other hand, the SMP paint system is made of silicone. The silicone in this paint helps to improve the glossiness of the steel and increases resistance to elements like heat and extreme weather.
To learn more about our steel, color options, and examples of our steel colors, check out our eBook that extensively covers these topics.
Give us a call or stop by our office if you have any questions. We are happy to help you select the steel that is best for you and your project.
432-606-5092
