Standing Seam Metal Roof Systems

A standing seam roof is a metal roof system in which the panels are joined at raised seams and held to the purlins by concealed clips, so there are no fasteners piercing the weather surface across the field of the roof. The seams are folded or snapped together, often with a seaming machine, to form a continuous watertight joint.

This design brings two main benefits. First, the absence of exposed fasteners removes most of the potential leak points on the roof. Second, the clips allow the panels to expand and contract with temperature changes, which is important on long roofs where through-fastened sheets would work their fixings loose over time.

Standing seam roofs are therefore well suited to low-slope roofs, long panel runs and buildings where long-term weathertightness is a priority, such as warehouses, cold stores and distribution centers. The minimum slope, panel width, seam type and clip type are selected by design for the roof geometry and loads.

Because the panels float on their clips, they provide less lateral restraint to the purlins than through-fastened sheeting. The project engineer accounts for this in the purlin and bracing design. Insulation can be installed beneath the panels, with thermal spacers or clip heights chosen to suit its thickness.

Details at the ridge, eave, penetrations and end laps are critical and are supplied as engineered trims and closures. World Steel supplies standing seam roof systems with matching trims, closures and sealants, and provides installation drawings so that the contractor can achieve a weathertight result.

When specifying a standing seam roof, state the roof slope and length, the insulation thickness, the required coating and finish, and any warranty expectations. Roof penetrations, plant supports and access routes should also be identified early in the design.