Big 6 roof sheets are large-profile corrugated panels commonly associated with agricultural, industrial, and outbuilding roofs. The name refers to the sheet’s broad corrugations, not a specific material: older versions may contain asbestos cement, while modern alternatives are typically fiber cement or metal. For U.S. property owners, understanding the profile, coverage, and material is essential before buying or handling these sheets. Product dimensions and installation rules vary, so the manufacturer’s specifications and local building requirements should guide any project.
What Are Big 6 Roof Sheets?
Big 6 is a corrugated roofing profile with widely spaced, deep waves. The “6” generally refers to corrugations spaced at about six inches, rather than a universal sheet size. The profile is associated particularly with older British and European roofing, where it has been used on barns, sheds, workshops, and other large-span buildings.
Big 6 sheets are available in different materials. Historic products were often made from asbestos-cement, a cement-based material reinforced with asbestos fibers. Current products with a similar appearance are commonly made from fiber cement without asbestos, or from metal. The profile alone cannot confirm a sheet’s composition.
In the United States, “Big 6” is not as widely used as a product name as it is in some other markets. Buyers may encounter similar products described as deep-profile corrugated panels, agricultural roofing sheets, or fiber-cement corrugated panels. Those terms do not guarantee an identical profile or compatible dimensions.
Big 6 Roof Sheet Dimensions and Coverage
There is no single size that applies to every Big 6 product. Sheet width, length, thickness, corrugation spacing, and effective coverage can differ by manufacturer and product generation. Some metric products are roughly 1.05 meters wide overall, with about 1 meter of coverage after a side lap, but this is an example—not a substitute for a product data sheet.
The installed roof area is smaller than the sheets’ combined stated area because adjacent sheets overlap. Side laps reduce the effective width, while end laps reduce effective length where one sheet overlaps another. Roof pitch, exposure, local weather, and manufacturer instructions can affect the required overlaps.
| Specification | What to check |
|---|---|
| Overall width | The sheet’s full edge-to-edge width |
| Effective cover width | The width remaining after the side lap |
| Length | Available lengths and whether end laps are needed |
| Profile | Corrugation pitch, depth, and compatibility with adjoining sheets |
| Thickness and weight | Structural suitability and handling requirements |
| Minimum roof pitch | The product’s approved slope and overlap conditions |
To estimate quantities, use effective coverage rather than nominal sheet dimensions. Divide the roof’s usable width by the product’s effective cover width, then round up to a whole sheet. For length, compare the roof slope length with the sheet length and account for any required end laps. A roof with hips, valleys, skylights, or other penetrations may need additional material and more detailed planning.
Common Materials and Their Differences
Older asbestos-cement sheets
Many older corrugated cement sheets were made with asbestos. When intact and undisturbed, asbestos-containing material may present less risk than when it is broken, cut, drilled, sanded, or removed. Fibers released into the air can be inhaled and may cause serious diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Age or appearance alone cannot reliably establish whether a sheet contains asbestos.
Modern fiber-cement sheets
Modern fiber-cement roofing is designed to provide a cement-based alternative without asbestos. Products differ in composition, weight, profile, fixing method, and performance. A current product should have clear manufacturer documentation identifying its materials and installation requirements. Similar-looking sheets are not necessarily interchangeable with older ones.
Metal sheets
Metal panels can be manufactured with a broad corrugated profile resembling Big 6. They are often lighter than cement-based sheets, but their performance depends on the metal, coating, thickness, panel design, and fasteners. Thermal movement, corrosion exposure, condensation, and noise during rain should be considered alongside purchase price.
Where Big 6 Roofing Is Used
The large corrugations make this style visually distinctive and suitable for broad roof surfaces. Typical applications include agricultural buildings, equipment sheds, workshops, storage buildings, and some industrial structures. The right product depends on the building’s design, support spacing, environmental exposure, and intended use.
For U.S. projects, buyers should confirm that the product is approved for the intended application and meets local code requirements. A panel sold abroad may use different design assumptions or test standards. Local requirements may cover wind uplift, snow loads, fire performance, structural support, and approved roofing materials.
How to Choose Big 6 Roof Sheets
- Identify the project location and use. Local climate, building type, and applicable codes shape the product requirements.
- Confirm the material. Obtain written product information. Treat unidentified older cement sheets as potentially asbestos-containing until assessed.
- Match the profile. Compare corrugation spacing, depth, sheet width, and side-lap design with the existing roof or proposed supporting system.
- Check the coverage calculation. Use the manufacturer’s effective cover dimensions, not just overall sheet size.
- Review structural requirements. Confirm sheet weight, support spacing, fixing locations, and design loads with the supplier or a qualified building professional.
- Compare installation details. Check the minimum roof pitch, lap requirements, approved fasteners, edge details, and flashing recommendations.
- Plan delivery and handling. Long or heavy panels may require mechanical assistance and careful storage to prevent damage.
Before ordering, request the product data sheet, installation guide, warranty terms, and confirmation of material composition. If matching an existing roof, photographs and measurements can help a supplier identify a compatible profile, but they do not establish whether old sheets contain asbestos.
Installation Considerations
Big 6 installation should follow the exact instructions for the selected product. Installers generally need to plan the support layout, sheet direction, side and end laps, fastener placement, and roof-edge details as one system. Improper spacing or fastening can contribute to leaks, cracking, panel movement, or failure under wind or snow loads.
Roof pitch matters because water drains less quickly from a low-slope roof. A product may require larger overlaps or may not be approved below a stated minimum pitch. End laps, where used, need particular attention because they can become leak paths if installed incorrectly or exposed to conditions outside the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Fasteners should be approved for the roofing material and supporting structure. Metal fasteners exposed to moisture may need suitable corrosion resistance. For brittle cement-based sheets, incorrect fastening or walking directly on unsupported panels can cause breakage. Safe access equipment and fall protection are essential; roof work carries a serious fall risk regardless of panel material.
Flashing around walls, ridges, valleys, vents, and other penetrations should be compatible with the profile and installed to shed water. Generic flat flashing may not seal properly against deep corrugations. A qualified roofer can assess complicated roof geometry and confirm that the proposed details suit the product and local conditions.
Asbestos Safety: What Property Owners Need to Know
Older Big 6 sheets should not be cut, drilled, broken, pressure-washed, or removed casually. These actions can release asbestos fibers if the material contains asbestos. EPA guidance recommends avoiding disturbance of suspected asbestos-containing materials and using trained, accredited professionals for assessment or abatement where appropriate.
In the United States, federal and state rules may apply to asbestos inspection, renovation, demolition, transport, and disposal. Requirements vary with the building type, project scope, material condition, and jurisdiction. Before renovation or removal, contact the relevant state or local environmental agency and consult a qualified asbestos professional. Do not place suspected asbestos waste in ordinary household trash unless local authorities explicitly authorize that disposal method.
Visual inspection is not a reliable test. A qualified professional can determine whether sampling is appropriate and arrange laboratory analysis. If a sheet is damaged or debris is present, keep people away from the area and seek professional guidance rather than attempting cleanup with a household vacuum or power tools.
Maintenance and Repair
Periodic visual checks can identify loose flashings, blocked drainage, damaged panels, or deteriorating fasteners. Inspections should be performed from a safe location or by a qualified roofer; walking on corrugated roofing can be dangerous, particularly when panels are old, brittle, wet, or unsupported. Avoid pressure washing, abrasive cleaning, and unapproved coatings.
For modern roofing, follow the maker’s maintenance recommendations and use compatible repair products. For suspected asbestos-cement roofing, avoid repairs that disturb the material. A professional can advise whether monitoring, localized work, encapsulation, or removal is appropriate under local rules and the material’s condition.
Big 6 Roof Sheets Compared With Other Roofing
| Roofing option | Potential advantages | Important considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Modern fiber cement | Traditional appearance and a nonmetallic surface | Weight, breakage risk, support needs, and product-specific handling |
| Metal corrugated panels | Often lighter and available in broad profiles | Coating durability, corrosion, movement, condensation, and noise |
| Asphalt shingles | Widely available for many residential roof designs | Require a compatible roof structure and are not a direct profile replacement |
| Membrane roofing | Can suit certain low-slope roof systems | Requires compatible deck, detailing, and installation methods |
The best choice depends on the existing structure, desired appearance, budget, weather exposure, and applicable code. A replacement project may also require evaluating the roof framing, underlayment, ventilation, and water-management details—not simply choosing a sheet with a similar shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all Big 6 roof sheets made with asbestos?
No. Older examples may contain asbestos, while modern products can be made from non-asbestos fiber cement or metal. Product documentation or professional testing is needed to identify the material reliably.
What does Big 6 mean?
It generally describes a broad corrugated profile associated with corrugations spaced around six inches apart. Exact profile dimensions depend on the product, so the name alone is not enough to confirm compatibility.
Can new Big 6 sheets replace old ones?
Sometimes, but compatibility must be checked. New sheets may differ in profile, coverage, thickness, weight, fastener requirements, and structural performance. The old roof should also be assessed for asbestos before any work that could disturb it.
How many sheets are needed?
The quantity depends on the roof dimensions and each product’s effective cover width and length after overlaps. Use the manufacturer’s coverage data, account for roof features, and verify the calculation before ordering.
Can an owner remove old sheets?
That depends on the material, project, and applicable regulations. Suspected asbestos should not be disturbed without professional guidance. State and local rules may impose specific inspection, removal, and disposal requirements.
Before buying or working with Big 6 roof sheets, verify the material, product profile, effective coverage, installation requirements, and local rules. Those checks help prevent ordering mismatched panels, creating avoidable leaks, or disturbing hazardous material.