Profiles -
Standing Seam
(from www.steel.org)
The standing seam metal roof is one of the most exciting
breakthroughs in roofing technology in the last 25 years. It fulfills the
building owner's need for durable, puncture-resistant protection against the
weather, while working in concert with the forces of nature.
The roofing system has established track record in new
construction where it has been used in some 50% of all low-rise commercial,
industrial and institutional buildings erected in the last several years.
Standing seam metal roofing can now be seen on virtually every type of building,
from shopping centers to schools, churches to libraries, skyscrapers to homes.
The system currently accounts for well over one billion square feet of roofing,
with potential to capture a much larger share of the commercial and residential
building market.
This acceptance has carried over to the re-roofing market
where the standing seam roof has been used successfully as a replacement for
built-up and single ply systems.
The standing seam roof is made of steel, one
of man's oldest and most durable building materials. And yet, the lightweight
metal roof panels weigh a relatively modest 1-1/2 pounds per square foot.
The standing seam metal roof assures adequate drainage
from rain and snow effectively, ponded water problems, leaks and other related
troubles commonly associated with flat built-up roofs. In retrofit projects, a
sub-framing system is attached to the existing roof surface to provide a minimum
1/4:12 pitch for a new metal roof.
Unlike flat built-up roofs, which require frequent
maintenance, the standing seam metal roof will offer 20 years and beyond of
trouble-free performance with little or no maintenance time or expense.
The panel fastening systems is uniquely designed to handle the
potentially damaging effects of thermal movement. Precisely-formed, factory-made
metal panels are locked in place by clips inside a raised seam standing two to
three inches above the roof surface. The clips have a moveable feature allowing
the panel to expand and contract with temperature changes. The concealed clip
system means fewer through roof fasteners, reducing the chances of leaks.
Standing seam metal roof system is quickly becoming the
preferred roofing system for a growing number of commercial, industrial and
institutional buildings because it is:
Weather-tight. It is designed as a water
barrier. The raised seam assists drainage. Organic sealants are factory applied
inside the seams. Automatic field seaming machines produce weather-tight
connections between metal roof panels.
Energy Efficient. Systems accommodate up to
12 inches of heat and cold and minimizing condensation under roof panels. The
roof expands and contract independent of insulation, giving the roof surface a
"float" action.
Durable. Concealed sliding clips handle
thermal shock for permitting movement without damage. Roofs qualify for a class
90-wind uplift rating of new and retrofit construction, the highest rating
given by Underwriters Laboratories.
Cost Effective. Standing seam metal roofs pay
for themselves from the day they are installed. Life expectancy is longer, less
maintenance is required and life cycle costs are lower than for any other type
of roof. Twenty year material warranties are customary for metal roofing
systems, considerably longer than the standard protection for built up single
ply systems.
Color-Coordinated and Corrosion Resistant
Offering a wide range of colors and textures, along with the concealed clip
system, the standing seam roof is one of the most attractive roofing system for
almost any building. Metal roof panels resist corrosion with the help of a zinc,
aluminum, or aluminum-zinc alloy metallic coating applied to the base steel.
Environmentally Responsible. In most retrofit
projects, the standing seam metal roof can be installed over an existing flat
roof, eliminating costly, disruptive and potentially hazardous tear-offs. In
addition, the metal seam metal roofing is completely recyclable.
Design Flexible. Steep slope, low slope and
flat roof profiles can all be designed with the standing seam metal roof. The structural
roof is the industry's alternative to flat built-up and singly ply systems. The architectural
standing roof is used for visually exposed roofs, mansards, fascia, and similar
applications. It is a water shedder and need slopes of 3:12 or greater.
