Concealed fasteners are one of the biggest advantages of standing seam roofing systems. In exposed fastener systems, the washer around the screw is made of neoprene material. Over time, sun can degrade the washer material and cause shrinking or cracking. When this phenomenon occurs, water can penetrate the building around the fastener/washer. The only correction for this is to back out all the screws and insert new oversized screws. Since there are no exposed screws with standing seam panel systems, they are considered a much more weather tight system.

When you restrict the expansion and contraction needed for proper thermal movement of a metal panel, you can run into problems, such as oil canning, fastener withdrawal, increased noise, and other issues. In standing seam metal roofing systems, the panels generally aren’t pinned, meaning they can expand and contract better. This is especially true if slider/expansion clips are installed, or, if it’s a snap-lock system, it can move freely with a clip.

Metal roofing is already a long lasting and low maintenance roofing solution, especially when compared to other roofing types, such as shingles or tiles. Since the fastener doesn’t go through the metal’s surface with standing seam systems, regular maintenance to check for loosening or damaged fasteners is even less frequent. However, maintenance on a standing seam roof is still essential, but will likely need to be performed by a professional maintenance contractor.

Another safeguard of standing seam systems are the warranties, specifically the weather-tight warranties, offered by manufacturers that ensure their systems will not fail due to weather. Moreover, if it does fail, the manufacturer is responsible for making the necessary repair arrangements. Keep in mind that most weather-tight warranties are only available for commercial projects.

At McManus Specialized Sheet Metal, we have the ability to produce some standing seam panels on-site in lengths up to 250’. Single piece panels are quicker to install because the lap details required to join multiple shorter length panels are generally very time consuming for installation crews. In addition lapped systems often require additional parts and pieces which can further drive up the cost over continuous job site produced panels. Lastly, the weakest link in any roofing system is a lap so when one can be avoided it’s generally preferred.

Standing seam is becoming more and more popular in architectural applications because of its modern and clean look. In addition to the sleek, straight lines offered by these panel systems, the metal can come in virtually any color, including custom colors, to match any structure.

Standing seam systems can be used on structures with many different planes and sophisticated, complex designs, which is another reason why architects are specifying standing seam profiles more and more.

Standing seam systems are frequently made with cool roofing coil that have highly reflective pigments and highly emissive metal. This means these systems do an excellent job of reflecting the sun’s rays and dispelling the associated radiant heat that other roofing types may retain. In other words, cool roofing can help a building’s cooling systems work less to keep a building cool. You can also choose from a variety of ENERGY STAR® rated colors and finishes.

Some consumers think that standing seam metal roofing is only available in Galvalume or other steel substrates. In fact, aluminum, zinc, and copper are all viable options for standing seam profiles. Remember to look for the engineered systems for these materials, as it will differ from the steel standards.

One of the best parts about standing seam is the option to mount items, such as solar panels, snow retention systems, swamp coolers, or other rooftop addition, without ever having to penetrate or make any holes in the surface of the roof.