I've seen rivets used a few times, and while they do look cleaner, I'm not entirely convinced they're always the best choice for metal edging. Rivets definitely have their place—especially if you're after aesthetics—but from an inspection standpoint, screws often provide more flexibility down the road.
Here's the thing: roofs expand and contract with temperature changes, and screws typically handle this movement better because they're easier to adjust or replace. Rivets, on the other hand, are pretty much permanent once they're in. If you ever need to make adjustments or repairs later (and trust me, eventually you will), drilling out rivets can be a real pain. I've seen homeowners curse the day they chose rivets when it came time for maintenance or repairs.
That said, if you're confident in your installation and you're using quality materials that won't warp or shift much over time, rivets can give you a sleek finish that's hard to beat. Just make sure you're using corrosion-resistant rivets designed specifically for roofing applications—otherwise, you'll be dealing with rust stains and leaks sooner than you'd like.
Personally, I'd stick with screws for practicality's sake. You can always opt for color-matched screws or caps to keep things tidy-looking without sacrificing ease of maintenance. But hey, if you're set on rivets and prepared for the extra hassle down the line, go for it... just keep a drill handy!
Interesting points about screws vs. rivets. I've been considering metal edging myself, mostly because I'm tired of dealing with shingles lifting at the edges every few years. The clean look of rivets caught my eye initially, but your comments about maintenance and flexibility have me reconsidering.
One thing I'm curious about though—does anyone have experience with how screws hold up long-term in terms of corrosion? I know you mentioned corrosion-resistant rivets, but are there specific screw types or coatings that perform better over time? I've seen some roofs around my neighborhood where the screws seem to rust out pretty quickly, especially near gutters or areas with standing water.
Also, regarding expansion and contraction, is there a noticeable difference in noise or creaking between riveted and screwed edging? My current roof tends to make some popping sounds during temperature swings, and I'm wondering if the fastening method might influence that at all.
I appreciate the practical perspective on screws being easier to adjust later. As someone who's budget-conscious, the idea of having to drill out rivets down the road doesn't sound appealing at all—especially if it means extra labor costs or specialized tools. Still, aesthetics do matter to me somewhat, so I'm trying to find a good balance between looks and practicality.
If anyone has personal experience or anecdotes about how their metal edging has held up over several seasons (especially in climates with big temperature swings), I'd be interested to hear about it.
If corrosion's a big worry, have you thought about stainless steel screws? I've seen them hold up really well even in damp climates. They might cost a bit more upfront, but honestly, replacing rusted hardware later is way more hassle and expense.
Totally agree on stainless screws. When I first moved into my place, the previous owner had used regular screws for pretty much everything outside. Didn't think much of it at first—rookie mistake, right? Fast forward a year, and I'm up on a ladder trying to pry out these rusted, crumbly screws from the gutter brackets. One snapped clean off, and I nearly took a tumble into the bushes below (my neighbor still teases me about that one).
After that near-death experience (okay, slight exaggeration), I swapped everything out for stainless steel. Yeah, it stung a bit at checkout, but man... worth every penny. Three years later, they're still shiny and solid as ever—even after some nasty winters and rainy springs. Lesson learned: saving a few bucks upfront isn't always the smartest move.
Yeah, stainless is definitely the way to go. Can't tell you how many times I've seen homeowners regret skimping on hardware—rusty screws are a nightmare. Glad you made the switch before things got worse... and hey, at least your neighbor got a good laugh out of it, right?
