By The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Standing seam metal roof installation comes down to four things the panel maker’s manual controls: how the panel attaches (concealed clips or a screw flange under the next seam), where the one fixed point sits, how much thermal gap you leave at the free end, and how every edge and hole is flashed without pinning the panel. Get those right and the seam itself is the easy part.
This page is the standing seam specific install and details guide. It compiles the published installation manuals from Sheffield Metals, McElroy Metal, Best Buy Metals, Petersen (PAC-CLAD) and others, plus the Metal Construction Association (MCA) installation manual and the IRC, and shows where those makers agree and where they differ. For the general sequence that applies to every metal profile, including exposed fastener panels, see our metal roof installation guide.
Standing seam installation: key numbers at a glance
These are the figures most installers and homeowners search for before a standing seam job. Each one comes from a named code section or maker document, and each one changes with the specific panel, deck and wind design, so the manual for your exact panel overrides any number here.
| Item | Published figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Code minimum slope, standing seam systems | 1/4 in 12 (2 percent) | IRC R905.10.2 (2021 and 2024 editions) |
| Typical snap lock maker minimum | 2:12 (PAC-CLAD Snap-Clad) to 3:12 (Best Buy Metals Snap-Lock 150) | ICC-ES ESR-4173 Table 3; BBM Architectural Install Guide |
| Typical clip or screw spacing on wood deck | 12 to 24 in on center, set by wind design; tested Petersen assemblies on plywood allow 36 in (Snap-Clad) to 48 in (Tite-Loc, 24 ga) | Tri-State and Marco snap lock guides; Petersen PAC-CLAD clip spacing release |
| First clip from the eave | 9 in maximum (Medallion-Lok); 8 to 10 in maximum (Western States) | McElroy MM506 eave detail; Western States Metal Roofing clip guide |
| Thermal air gap at the eave hem, steel on wood, 50 ft panel | 3/8 in | Sheffield Metals wood substrate manual, Thermal Movement Table |
| Minimum deck | 15/32 in plywood or 7/16 in APA rated OSB | ESR-4173 Section 3.2; BBM Install Guide |
How are standing seam metal roofs attached?
Standing seam panels attach with concealed fasteners that the next panel’s seam covers. Clip systems use a separate steel clip that hooks over the male leg and is screwed to the deck, usually with two pancake head screws per clip. Nail strip (screw flange) panels skip the clip and are screwed through a slotted flange on the male leg. Neither method puts a screw through the flat of the panel in the field.
The difference matters for thermal movement. The MCA installation manual explains that a one-piece clip lets the panel slide under it, while a two-piece clip moves inside the clip itself, which is the version to use when sealant is in the seam because a sliding panel can tear the sealant. Seam closure is the second variable: snap lock legs press together by hand, while mechanically seamed legs are folded to 90 or 180 degrees with a seamer. The snap lock vs mechanical seam comparison covers that choice and the slope limits in depth.
| Attachment method | How it fastens | Thermal movement | Example in maker literature | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nail strip / screw flange | Pancake screws through slotted flange on the male leg, 12 to 24 in apart | Limited to slot travel; screws go in the center of the slot | BBM Image II; Tri-State 1 1/2 in snap lock | BBM Install Guide; Tri-State guide; Marco snap lock guide |
| One-piece clip | Clip hooks male leg, two screws into deck | Panel slides under the clip | PAC-CLAD Snap-Clad clip (18 ga galvanized or stainless) | MCA manual Fig. 7-16; ESR-4173 Sec. 3.5.1 |
| Two-piece (sliding) clip | Base screwed to deck, tab seamed into the seam | Movement happens inside the clip | PAC-CLAD Tite-Loc and Tite-Loc Plus AR sliding clips | MCA manual Fig. 7-17; ESR-4173 Sec. 3.5.2 to 3.5.3 |
Do you need plywood under a standing seam metal roof?
Most residential snap lock standing seam panels require a solid deck. ICC-ES report ESR-4173 for Petersen’s panels calls for at least 15/32 in plywood or 7/16 in APA rated OSB, or 22 gauge steel deck. Best Buy Metals lists the same plywood and OSB minimums plus nominal 1 in tongue and groove planks, and states its Image II and Snap-Lock 150 panels require a continuous solid substrate.
Structural standing seam is the exception. BBM’s Vertical Seam panel can span open framing at 3:12 and steeper, and ESR-4173 lists Snap-Clad clips at 48 in on center over steel framing for 24 gauge panels up to 12 in wide. Deck flatness matters as much as thickness: BBM requires the deck within 1/4 in in 20 ft from eave to ridge, and Sheffield asks for the substructure on plane within a 1/4 in tolerance, because an uneven deck shows through as oil canning.
Plywood and OSB are not interchangeable for clip spacing. In ESR-4173 Table 2, assembly W-2 (24 gauge Tite-Loc, 19/32 in plywood or 5/8 in OSB) allows sliding clips at 48 in on center over plywood but only 30 in on center over OSB for the same 37 psf allowable uplift. Read the tested assembly for your deck type before you set clip spacing. If you are weighing screw-down panels instead, see our guide to exposed-fastener metal roofing over plywood.
What goes under a standing seam metal roof?
A continuous underlayment goes over the whole deck, and the maker manuals add a self-adhered high-temperature membrane at the eave and other vulnerable details. BBM recommends synthetic underlayment for slopes of 3:12 and up, accepts ASTM D226 Type II (No. 30) felt as an alternative, and specifies that self-adhered membrane be smooth surfaced, rated to at least 240°F and at least 40 mil thick.
The eave layering differs by maker. McElroy’s Medallion-Lok eave detail shows approved high-temperature peel and stick for the first 3 ft from the eave, lapped over the eave trim, with No. 30 felt above. Sheffield strips in the eave flashing with an 8 in roll of peel and stick. BBM installs the extended eave drip edge over the first layer of underlayment. Our metal roof underlayment guide covers temperature ratings and brands.
Standing seam metal roof installation, step by step
The sequence below merges the published steps in the Sheffield, BBM, McElroy and Western States manuals for a residential snap lock roof over a wood deck. Mechanically seamed systems add a seaming pass. Where the manuals give a number, it is noted with the maker; where they disagree, the comparison table further down shows both values.
- Check the deck for square and plane. Measure diagonals across each slope at matching eave and ridge points, and confirm the deck is flat to 1/4 in (BBM: in 20 ft). Sheffield asks for a written report of discrepancies before starting, since starting the install usually signals acceptance of the substrate.
- Install underlayment. Start at the low edge, extend over the eaves and rakes at least 1 1/2 in, and turn up walls at least 6 in (BBM) or 3 in (Sheffield). Use coated fasteners, not staples (BBM).
- Set the edge metal that goes under the panels. BBM requires eave drip edge, valley flashing and any sub-panel gable trims before the first panel. Sheffield fastens eave flashing with #10 x 1 in pancake head screws at 6 in on center with 4 in minimum laps.
- Lay out the panel module. Divide the eave length by the panel coverage width and balance the first and last panels so you do not finish with a sliver. McElroy recommends trimming the first panel to spread the adjustment when the layout leaves only a few inches at the far rake.
- Notch and hem the eave end of each panel. Western States notches the seams 1 in and folds 1 in with a hemming tool. Sheffield cuts through the legs 1 in up from the panel end and sizes the overall hem as 2X plus 1/4 in, where X is the thermal air gap from its table.
- Set the first panel square. Hook the hem onto the eave flashing or offset cleat, square the panel to the eave, and fasten the male leg. Western States turns the first panel’s female side up 90 degrees into a gable receiver trim. BBM installs two fasteners together near the eave for added uplift resistance at the roof edge.
- Leave the thermal gap at the free end. Slide the hem into place but do not pull it tight against the cleat unless you are installing at the coldest temperature the roof will see (Sheffield). The gap tables are in the next section.
- Clip and lock each following panel. Engage the hem, then snap the female leg over the male leg starting at the eave and working upslope. Check modularity across several ribs at both ends; BBM limits corrections to 1/8 in per side lap.
- Seam, if the profile requires it. Sheffield hand seams every clip location to 90 degrees after each panel goes down, then runs the machine. Seamers are usually proprietary to the panel profile, per the MCA manual, so rent the one the panel maker names.
- Flash penetrations as you reach them. Lay out each pipe by measuring up from the eave and over from the last rib before you cut, then install the boot per the penetration detail.
- Close the high end. Install Z closures, then ridge, hip, headwall or peak flashing. These screws usually become the panel’s fixed point.
- Finish rakes and walls, then clean. Install rake and sidewall trims, pull strippable film, and remove all metal swarf immediately so filings do not leave rust marks on the finish (Sheffield, Tri-State).
How far apart are the seams on a standing seam metal roof?
Seam spacing equals the panel’s coverage width, which runs from about 10 to 20 in depending on the profile. Petersen’s Snap-Clad is formed 10 to 18 in wide and PAC-150 runs 12 to 20 in (ESR-4173). Best Buy Metals sells Vertical Seam at 12, 16 and 18 in and Snap-Lock 150 at 16 in. Tri-State’s 1 1/2 in snap lock covers 15 1/2 in.
Narrower panels mean more seams and clips per square, but BBM lists narrower widths, heavier gauges and striations as ways to minimize oil canning, and McElroy also recommends striated panels. Some wind tables also cap width: ESR-4173’s 45 psf Snap-Clad aluminum assembly W-8 is limited to panels 16 in wide or less.
What is the recommended clip spacing for standing seam?
Clip spacing is whatever the tested wind assembly for your panel, deck and gauge allows, and it usually falls between 12 and 24 in on center on residential wood decks. Marco Industries says most areas need a clip at the eave and another 1 ft above it, the same at the ridge, and 14 to 24 in for the field. Western States tells installers to confirm spacing with an engineer.
Edges and corners carry the highest uplift, so many layouts tighten spacing in the perimeter zones. The table shows how widely tested spacings vary with material even at the same allowable pressure.
| Panel and deck (ESR-4173 assembly) | Clip spacing tested | Allowable uplift | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snap-Clad, 24 ga steel, max 18 in wide, 19/32 in plywood (W-6) | 36 in o.c. | 45 psf | ESR-4173 Table 2 |
| Snap-Clad, 0.032 in aluminum, max 16 in wide, 15/32 in plywood (W-8) | 18 in o.c. | 45 psf | ESR-4173 Table 2 |
| Tite-Loc, 24 ga steel, max 18 in wide (W-2) | 48 in o.c. on plywood, 30 in on OSB | 37 psf | ESR-4173 Table 2 |
| Tite-Loc, 0.032 in aluminum, max 18 in wide (W-1) | 30 in o.c. | 127 psf | ESR-4173 Table 2 |
| Snap-Clad, 24 ga steel, max 12 in wide, steel framing at 48 in (S-1) | 48 in o.c. | 45 psf | ESR-4173 Table 2 |
The aluminum Snap-Clad assembly needs clips at half the spacing of the steel one to reach the same 45 psf. That is why a clip spacing quoted for one panel cannot be copied to another, even from the same maker.
How many clips and screws does a standing seam roof need?
Count clips per panel as the panel length divided by the spacing, rounded up, plus one, then multiply by the number of panels and by two screws per clip (the count Marco and Western States use). The worked example below is a Roofing Brief estimate for one 40 ft wide, 20 ft deep roof plane with 16 in panels, so 480 in divided by 16 in gives 30 panels.
| Clip spacing | Clips per 20 ft panel | Clips for 30 panels | Pancake screws (2 per clip) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 in | 240 / 12 = 20, plus 1 = 21 | 630 | 1,260 |
| 18 in | 240 / 18 = 13.3, rounded to 14, plus 1 = 15 | 450 | 900 |
| 24 in | 240 / 24 = 10, plus 1 = 11 | 330 | 660 |
| 36 in | 240 / 36 = 6.7, rounded to 7, plus 1 = 8 | 240 | 480 |
Add the extra eave and ridge clips your wind table calls for, and order spares. Marco’s rule of thumb is about 70 screws per 100 sq ft of roof, or 2 per clip.
Fixed vs floating: where does the panel get pinned?
Every standing seam panel should be pinned at exactly one point and left free to move everywhere else. The MCA manual says the point of fixity can be the ridge, the eave or the panel midpoint, and that it must be singular. On steep slope roofs the preferred fixed point is the ridge, where the screws hide under the ridge cap and movement collects at the eave hem. On low slope hydrostatic roofs the eave is usually fixed and movement is taken at a bellows style ridge.
BBM’s architectural manual follows the steep slope method: fixed at the high end (ridge, hip, high wall, peak) and free at the low end (eaves and valleys). Sheffield’s detail set does the same in practice, with Z closures screwed through the panel at the ridge and headwall and the eave hem riding on a cleat. McElroy’s Medallion-Lok manual publishes both fixed and floating versions of its ridge, hip, rake and high side details, so the detail you choose has to match the fixed point you picked.
The common failure is a second, accidental fixed point. The MCA manual warns that roof accessories can pin a panel, and McElroy’s pipe detail tells installers to over-cut the hole in a solid deck so boot fasteners do not lock the panel. Check how every accessory attaches before it goes on: a snow guard, solar mount or boot screwed through the panel into the deck can become a second fixed point. The full fixed and floating clip decision is on our metal roof expansion and contraction page.
How big a thermal gap do you leave at the eave hem?
Leave an air space between the hem and the cleat sized to the panel length, the metal, and the temperature on install day. Sheffield’s wood substrate manual specifies 3/8 in for a 50 ft steel panel on wood and 11/16 in for aluminum, with an overall hem length of twice the gap plus 1/4 in. Best Buy Metals publishes a separate chart that changes the gap with the panel temperature during installation.
| Panel length from fixed point | Sheffield: steel on wood | Sheffield: aluminum on wood | BBM steel, installed hot (over 100°F) | BBM steel, installed warm (50 to 100°F) | BBM steel, installed cold (under 50°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 ft | 1/16 in | 3/16 in | 1/8 in | 1/16 in | 0 |
| 50 ft | 3/8 in | 11/16 in | 3/4 in | 3/8 in | 3/16 in |
| 100 ft | 5/8 in | 1 3/8 in | 1 7/16 in | 3/4 in | 3/8 in |
| Sources: Sheffield Metals Installation Manual for All SMI Profiles: Wood Substrates (Thermal Movement Table, assumes 100°F panel and 50°F substrate change); Best Buy Metals Standing Seam Architectural Install Guide, Table 4 (180°F differential, steel coefficient 0.0000067 in/in/°F). | |||||
The two makers use different assumptions, which is why the numbers do not match. BBM’s hot column is the full movement of a steel panel over a 180°F swing: 50 ft x 12 in x 180°F x 0.0000067 = 0.72 in, which BBM rounds to 3/4 in. Sheffield’s table assumes a smaller 100°F panel swing on a wood deck. Use the table published for your panel, and note how fast aluminum outgrows steel.
| Case (Sheffield method) | Air gap X | Hem length = 2X + 1/4 in |
|---|---|---|
| Steel on wood, 50 ft | 3/8 in | 3/4 + 1/4 = 1 in |
| Aluminum on wood, 50 ft | 11/16 in | 1 3/8 + 1/4 = 1 5/8 in |
| Steel on wood, 100 ft | 5/8 in | 1 1/4 + 1/4 = 1 1/2 in |
Also keep the lower edge of the hem clear of any flashing when the panel contracts, a point Sheffield calls out directly.
Standing seam metal roof details: eave, rake, ridge, valley, walls and penetrations
Standing seam details follow one pattern: the low end of the panel hooks a cleat and floats, the high end and side edges get a Z closure set in butyl tape and screwed through the panel, and the trim attaches to the Z closure, not the deck. Fastener spacing, lap lengths and hole sizes vary by maker, as the comparison below shows.
Eave detail
The eave is where the panel’s free end lives. Sheffield screws eave flashing at 6 in on center with 4 in minimum laps and 24 in minimum flashing pieces, strips it in with 8 in peel and stick, and has installers crimp the hem closed with hand seamers. Eaves extending more than 2 1/2 in need a cleat at the fascia fastened at 8 in on center. McElroy runs 3/32 in x 1 in roll tape sealant along the eave and fills rib ends with color matched sealant.
Rake (gable) detail
Rakes need to hold the panel edge down without stopping it from sliding lengthwise. Sheffield’s RK1 detail bends the panel edge up 90 degrees to Z closure height, screws the Z closure at 4 in on center through butyl tape, and pop rivets the rake flashing to it at 18 in on center. McElroy offers both fixed and floating rakes; its floating version cuts the female seam to leave 1 3/4 in of panel to turn up 90 degrees against a support angle. Our metal roof rake trim guide compares rake profiles.
Ridge and hip detail
At the ridge, the panel end is bent up (Sheffield uses a 45 degree box end without cutting the ribs), a Z closure is set in butyl and screwed through the panel, and sealant is tooled behind the Z at each rib. The ridge cap then hooks or rivets to the Z closures. McElroy sets the last clips about 1 ft downhill of the ridge and runs roll tape about 2 in down from the panel end. For vented ridges, Sheffield uses a Cor-A-Vent V600T or V600TE with a metal air dam, and BBM uses vent clips with vent material.
Valley detail
Valleys use an offset cleat on each side so panel hems can float. Sheffield tacks the valley flashing at 3 ft on center, laps it at least 12 in with two rows of sealant, screws the offset cleat at 4 in on center through butyl, and keeps at least 6 in clear between the valley center and the cleat. BBM sets the cleat at least 4 in from the valley centerline and says never to fasten panels through the valley flashing.
Sidewall and headwall detail
Walls use a Z closure on the panel plus a wall flashing and a counter flashing, with laps staggered. Sheffield turns underlayment at least 3 in up the wall, fastens wall flashing with threaded anchors at 16 in on center through butyl tape, installs receiver or reglet counter flashing, and staggers laps between the Z closure, wall flashing and counter flashing by at least 6 in.
Pipe and curb penetrations
Penetrations should sit in the flat pan with the boot fastened to the panel only. Sheffield cuts the panel hole 2 in larger than the pipe, cuts the deck beyond the boot, and fastens the boot at 2 in on center through butyl; if the boot flange lands within 1 in of a rib it switches to a large penetration detail with a flat sheet and seam covers. McElroy says the boot must fit in the pan and must not be fastened to the standing seams. For curbs, Sheffield’s C1 detail sets the curb flange in two rows of butyl over the lower panels, covers the ribs with seam covers, and hems the upper panels onto an offset cleat. See our pipe boot comparison for boot materials.
Where the maker manuals differ
Standing seam manuals agree on the system logic but disagree on fastener spacing, hole sizes and laps. These are the documented differences we found in the published manuals. Follow the one for the panel on your roof, because the warranty is written against that manual.
| Detail | Sheffield Metals (wood substrate manual) | McElroy Metal (Medallion-Lok, MM506) | Best Buy Metals (Architectural guide) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eave flashing fasteners | #10 x 1 in pancake at 6 in o.c. | Eave trim at 5 ft o.c. hooked on a perimeter cleat at 1 ft o.c.; offset cleat at 1 ft o.c. | 8 in o.c., staggered |
| Ridge Z closure fasteners | 4 in o.c., minimum 5 per panel | 4 in o.c. | Minimum 4 per zee or 3 in o.c. |
| Ridge cap to Z closure | Stainless pop rivets at 18 in o.c. | 43D pop rivets at 6 in o.c. | Rivets at 18 in o.c. |
| Pipe hole in panel | 2 in larger than the penetration | 1 in larger than pipe diameter | About 1/2 in gap around the pipe |
| Pipe boot fasteners | Self-sealing at 2 in o.c. | Lap Tek ZAC at 2 in o.c. maximum | HWH screws at 1 in o.c. |
| Valley cleat setback | 6 in minimum clean-out from valley center | Offset cleat set in sealant about 2 3/4 in down from the trim edge | 4 in minimum from centerline |
| Underlayment turn-up at walls | 3 in minimum | Not specified in the details reviewed | 6 in minimum |
Source note: Sheffield Metals Installation Manual for All SMI Profiles, Wood Substrates (2026 edition); McElroy Metal Medallion-Lok Installation Manual MM506 (February 2025); Best Buy Metals Standing Seam Architectural Install Guide. Closing the seam is another split: Tri-State Metal Roofing Supply’s snap lock guide allows tapping panels in with a rubber mallet, while BBM cautions that a hammer or mallet may damage the panel rib and says to use hand pressure.
Which approach fits your roof?
Most standing seam decisions are made before the first panel arrives. Use this table to match the roof condition to what the maker documents call for, then confirm against the manual for your panel.
| If your roof has… | Then plan for… | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Slope below about 3:12 | A mechanically seamed panel rated for that slope (for example Tite-Loc at 1/2:12, Englert A1300 for slopes under 3:12) | ESR-4173 Table 3; Englert A1300 product page |
| Sealant in the seam (low slope) | Two-piece clips so the panel moves inside the clip, not against the sealant | MCA installation manual, Chapter 7, Figs. 7-16 and 7-17 |
| Aluminum panels | Roughly double the hem gap of steel, and closer clip spacing per the wind table | Sheffield Thermal Movement Table; ESR-4173 Table 2 |
| Coastal exposure | Stainless steel clips and fasteners with aluminum panels | Sheffield wood substrate manual |
| OSB rather than plywood deck | Check the OSB row of the wind table; spacing may be tighter | ESR-4173 Table 2, W-2 |
| Pipe boot within 1 in of a rib | Large penetration detail with flat sheet and seam covers, or move the pipe | Sheffield P2 detail |
| Pressure treated lumber touching metal | Separation, plus stainless or ceramic coated fasteners | BBM Install Guide |
| Panel runs longer than shippable lengths | Talk to the maker; field splices are possible but not recommended | BBM Install Guide |
Tools for installing standing seam metal roofing
Snap lock work needs hand tools, while mechanically seamed panels add a profile-specific seamer. BBM’s recommended kit is sheet metal snips (straight, left and right), locking C-clamps, hand seamers, a panel hemming tool, a pop rivet tool for 1/8 in rivets, a chalk line, a screw gun, a shear attachment for long cuts, and a caulk gun. The MCA manual notes seamers are normally proprietary to each roof system, so each panel type may need its own machine and tooling.
Avoid abrasive saws on painted panels where you can. Tri-State warns that nibblers and metal saw blades throw hot particles that can burn paint and leave rust marks, and recommends cutting from the underside. More tool options are on our metal roofing tools page.
Can you install standing seam over shingles?
The standing seam manuals reviewed here list plywood, OSB, plank or steel decks as substrates and do not list existing shingles. Going over shingles is a roof recover governed by IRC R908.3.1, and the usual methods add furring strips or a new deck layer to give the panel the flat, solid substrate its maker requires. Check the panel maker’s written approval before planning a recover, and see our guide to installing metal roofing over shingles.
What does standing seam installation cost per square foot?
Our standing seam metal roof cost guide puts residential installs at $9 to $20 per sq ft installed in 2026, citing HomeAdvisor 2025 cost data, with snap lock at the lower end and mechanically seamed, aluminum or copper systems at the higher end. Treat that as a planning range. Detail count drives labor: every valley, wall, curb and penetration adds the Z closures, cleats and flashings described above.
Documents this guide draws on
Every number above comes from one of these published documents. Manuals are revised, so download the current edition for your exact panel before you order trim.
- Sheffield Metals, Installation Manual for All SMI Profiles: Wood Substrates
- McElroy Metal, Medallion-Lok Installation Manual (MM506)
- Best Buy Metals, Standing Seam Architectural Install Guide
- ICC-ES ESR-4173, Petersen Standing Seam Metal Roof Panels (reissued September 2025, revised June 2026)
- Metal Construction Association, Metal Roof Installation Manual
- Tri-State Metal Roofing Supply snap lock guide, Marco Industries snap lock install guide, Western States Metal Roofing clip attachment guide, Englert A1300 product page, and IRC Section R905.10.2 (2021 and 2024 editions)
Frequently asked questions
How are standing seam metal roofs attached?
With concealed fasteners covered by the next panel’s seam. Clip systems hook a steel clip over the male leg and screw it to the deck, usually with two pancake head screws per clip. Nail strip panels are screwed through a slotted flange instead. One-piece clips let the panel slide under them, and two-piece clips let it slide inside the clip, which the MCA recommends when sealant is in the seam.
Do you need plywood under a standing seam metal roof?
Most residential snap lock panels need a solid deck. ICC-ES ESR-4173 calls for at least 15/32 in plywood or 7/16 in APA rated OSB, and Best Buy Metals also accepts 1 in tongue and groove planks. Structural panels such as BBM Vertical Seam can span open framing at 3:12 and steeper. Clip spacing can differ between plywood and OSB, so check the tested assembly.
What is the recommended spacing for standing seam clips?
It depends on the tested wind assembly, but residential wood deck jobs usually land between 12 and 24 in on center. Marco Industries calls for a clip at the eave and 1 ft above, the same at the ridge, and 14 to 24 in in the field. Petersen’s tested assemblies allow 36 in (Snap-Clad) to 48 in (Tite-Loc, 24 ga) on plywood where design loads permit. Tighten spacing at edges and corners.
How far apart are the seams on a standing seam metal roof?
The seams are one panel width apart, typically 12 to 18 in on homes and up to 20 in on some profiles. Best Buy Metals sells 12, 16 and 18 in Vertical Seam panels, Petersen forms Snap-Clad 10 to 18 in wide, and Tri-State’s snap lock covers 15 1/2 in. Narrower panels and striations help hide oil canning.
What goes under a standing seam metal roof?
A continuous underlayment over a solid deck, plus a self-adhered high-temperature membrane at eaves and vulnerable details. Best Buy Metals recommends synthetic underlayment at 3:12 and steeper and specifies self-adhered membrane rated to at least 240°F and 40 mil thick. McElroy’s Medallion-Lok eave detail shows high-temperature peel and stick for the first 3 ft from the eave.
Where should a standing seam panel be fixed?
At one point only. The MCA manual lists the ridge, eave or panel midpoint as options, with the ridge preferred on steep slope roofs because the screws hide under the ridge cap. Best Buy Metals fixes panels at the high end and lets them move at eaves and valleys. Accessories fastened through the panel into the deck can create an accidental second fixed point.