Standing Seam Metal Roofing Solar Clamps
A standing seam metal roof features long, vertical panels with raised seams that lock together, ensuring a watertight barrier. This roofing system is popular across various settings, including commercial and industrial buildings, and is also found in residential homes.
By integrating PV technology, these metal roofs can double as bases for solar energy generation. The robust interlocking panels provide an ideal surface for mounting solar panels. Moreover, the reflective properties of the metal help deflect sunlight and minimize heat build-up, enhancing the overall performance of the solar panels.
When fitting solar panels to a standing seam metal roof, installers use solar clamps. These clamps secure the panels firmly to the roof without the need to puncture the surface, preserving the roof's integrity and its watertight properties, while avoiding potential damage or leaks.
What Are the Different Types of Standing Seam Panel Profiles?
Standing seam metal roofs have a variety of options, including variations in width, length, color, and profile types. Let's look at the four primary types of panel profiles:
Snap-Loc
Source: sheffield metals
If you're considering durability and a clean appearance, the Standing Seam Snap-Loc roofing panel is a good choice. It features a smooth finish without any visible fasteners, reducing the risk of leaks due to washer failures. This type is particularly suitable for both residential and commercial buildings, providing a sleek and secure roofing solution.
Mechanical Lock
Source: sheffield metals
Mechanical lock roofs utilize concealed fasteners, with the panel profiles folding into each other rather than merely overlapping. This folding technique creates a tighter, more watertight seam compared to snap-lock panels. Mechanical seams are typically seen at heights of 1" or 1.5". However, for certain applications, especially in commercial projects, seams up to 2" high may be necessary.
Batten Panel
Source: sheffield metals
In a batten panel system, the panel legs are roll-formed and positioned side by side. A metal cap then covers these legs, creating a seam that either snaps into place or is mechanically sealed. The caps vary, with common types being Tee seams and snap caps. Tee seams are mechanically joined and are robust under extreme weather conditions, while snap caps are more frequently used with curved panels, eliminating the need for mechanical seams.
Nail/Fastener Flange
Source: sheffield metals
This profile shares similarities with the snap-lock system but attaches differently. Panels are fastened directly to the roof deck via the male leg of the metal panel. Once the fasteners are in place, the female leg of the panel snaps over the male leg, concealing the fastener heads and providing a neat finish.
Here's a summary table that highlights the key features and typical uses of the four primary types of standing seam metal roof profiles:
| Profile Type | Key Features | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Snap-Loc | Smooth finish, no visible fasteners, reduces leak risks. | Suitable for residential and commercial buildings. |
| Mechanical Lock | Concealed fasteners, panels fold into each other, more watertight seam. | Often required in commercial projects, seams up to 2” high. |
| Batten Panel | Roll-formed legs, metal cap creates seam, varies between Tee seams and snap caps. | Robust in extreme weather, used with curved panels. |
| Nail/Fastener Flange | Direct fastening to roof deck, female leg snaps over male leg, conceals fastener heads. | Similar to snap-lock but with direct fastening to the roof deck. |
Standing Seam Metal Roof Mounts
Installing solar panels on a standing seam metal roof typically involves fewer complexities and costs less than setups on tile or flat roofs. For instance, when mounting on tile roofs, you often need to remove tiles to secure the mounting system to the roof.
The structure of standing seam metal roofs simplifies the process of adding PV panels. They connect to the roof using clamps that grip the vertical ribs, eliminating the need for drilling or penetrating the roof deck—a common necessity with tile roofs. This method helps preserve the roof's integrity, ensuring that the manufacturer's warranty remains intact and the roof remains undamaged.
Mibet provides solar mounting solutions designed specifically for standing seam metal roofs. Using non-penetrating solar mounting clamps, solar panels and rails can be directly connected to standing seam metal roofs without the need for drilling. Additionally, there's an option to mount solar panels without rails, making it versatile for both residential and commercial metal roof installations.
Mibet Indonesian Standing Seam Roof Project
Our metal roof clamps undergo multiple tests to handle significant environmental stresses. They are built to endure wind speeds up to 60 meters per second and snow loads of up to 1.6 KN/m2. This durability ensures that they perform reliably in severe weather conditions, keeping your solar installations safe and functional.
For more information about our products, please visit here: www.mbt-energy.com/products/roof-pv/clamp-pv
Opt for a Lighter-Colored Metal Roof to Boost Energy Efficiency
When you're setting up a new metal roof before adding your solar system, selecting the right color for your roof can enhance the energy efficiency provided by your solar panels.
Lighter shades like beige, tan, white, or light gray are your best bet for maximizing energy savings. Dark hues, including black, tend to absorb more heat, whereas lighter colors excel at reflecting the sun’s heat. Impressively, light colors can reflect between 55 to 90% of sunlight, compared to just 5 to 20% for dark colors.
The high solar reflectance of lighter roof colors not only reduces heat absorption but also eases the load on your AC system, leading to reduced energy bills.
Please Tell Us What You Need
As professional manufacturers of solar metal roof clamps, we offer customized solutions for metal roof solar mounting systems, backed by over a decade of experience. If you require different types of metal roof panel brackets, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
Why Trust Us?
As a leading provider in the renewable energy sector, Mibet delivers reliable metal roof PV mounts and systems for large-scale solar power plants worldwide. Installing solar panels on various sheet metal roofs, including trapezoidal, corrugated, and standing seam types, becomes straightforward and secure with our rails, clamps, and system components. Rather than compromise the durability, service life and weather resistance of your original solar roofing system, our engineers would tailor the design according to your requirements on structure, appearance and cost.
