If you’re interested in a metal roof for your upcoming replacement, you should be doing a lot of research to determine if it’s the right roof for you. While doing your research, you’ll come across the term “oil canning.”
If you haven’t seen oil canning or heard the phrase before, you probably have no idea what it is or why it happens. But if you already have or want a new metal roof, the possibility of oil canning is something you need to know about.
That’s why we’re going to break down what oil canning is.
The team at Bill Ragan Roofing takes pride in educating you on the good and the bad of the roofing industry. We understand the importance of sharing our expertise with homeowners to ensure they go into their roofing project well informed and confident with their decisions.
By the end of this article, you’ll learn about oil canning on a metal roof and more information on both metal roof systems.
What is oil canning on a metal roof?
Oil canning doesn’t happen to both metal roof systems. A screw down metal roof won’t oil can because it has too many ribs, but it’s very common in standing seam roofs.
When installing a standing seam metal roof, some installers fasten the metal panels too tight together. While the metal panels have room to expand longways, they have no room to expand sideways.
If this happens, your standing seam metal roof will show signs of oil canning. Oil canning starts with a “bubbling” look which eventually turns into a wavy look on the metal panels.
Be aware, it doesn’t cause any functionality problems to your metal roof. But oil canning does cause an aesthetic issue that some homeowners don’t like.
If curb appeal and aesthetics are a big deal to you, just be aware that oil canning is a potential problem in a standing seam roof.
3 advantages a standing seam metal roof has over a screw down metal roof
Now you know what oil canning on a metal roof is. Remember, it’s very common in standing seam metal roofs.
But oil canning is one of the only downsides of a standing seam metal roof. That’s why we’re going to give you 3 advantages a standing seam metal roof has over a screw down metal roof.
1. A standing seam metal roof has better expansion capability than a screw down metal roof
The metal panels installed on your new roof go through something called thermal expansion. Thermal expansion occurs when a material (metal) expands when heated and then contracts when it cools down.
Both metal roofs go through thermal expansion, but a standing seam metal roof expands and contracts more freely than a screw down metal roof.
Standing seam metal panels are fastened under each rib (the seams) with clips that allow the metal panels to glide back and forth. This gives your standing seam metal roof the ability to expand and contract freely when going through thermal expansion.
On the other hand, a screw down metal roof system is installed by securing the metal panels down by screwing through the metal. Because the metal panels are screwed down, there’s no room for it to expand and contract naturally.
This leads to replacing the screws with a bigger size before a leak shows up. Due to a lack of expansion capabilities on a screw down roof, I do not recommend a screw down metal roof over a heated living or workspace.
2. Standing seam metal roofs requires less maintenance than screw down metal roofs
Every roof needs some kind of roof maintenance to ensure it’s running smoothly and reaches its full potential.
While both metal roof systems need maintenance, virtually none is required on a standing seam metal roof after it’s installed. You still need a roofing contractor to occasionally check the flashing around penetrations such as vent pipes, gas pipes, etc.
But other than that, cleaning is the only other general maintenance needed, and that’s a personal choice for each homeowner.
Remember, the metal panels on a screw down metal roof cannot expand and contract freely. As time passes, pressure from the lack of expansion and contraction causes the holes in the washers to get wallowed out by the screws.
This leads to leaks and the need for regular maintenance. A contractor will have to come out every 5-10 years or so to replace every one of the screws before it causes bigger problems or before a strong storm tears the roof off.
3. Your new standing seam metal roof will last longer than a screw down metal roof
When you invest in a new roof, you want to get the most out of it. A standing seam metal roof is one of the most durable and long-lasting roofs on the market.
With that in mind, a standing seam metal roof lasts longer than a screw down metal roof.
As long as it’s properly installed and your attic is adequately ventilated, there’s no reason you shouldn’t get at least 30 years out of your standing seam metal roof. Under the ideal conditions, a standing seam metal roof could last for 50 years.
On the other hand, you could get 20 years out of a properly installed screw down metal roof with no maintenance. With periodic maintenance, you could possibly stretch it to 30 years.
How to avoid oil canning on your standing seam metal roof
Now you know 3 advantages a standing seam metal roof has over a screw down metal roof. Remember, I don’t recommend a screw down metal roof over a heated living or workspace.
If you’re looking for a residential metal roof replacement, a standing seam metal roof is the one for you. But are you still worried about oil canning happening to your new roof?
If so, the only way to avoid it is for your standing seam metal roof to be installed correctly. While this depends mainly on the local roofing contractor you hire, it also helps to know the installation process to ensure your new metal roof is properly installed.
To help you understand how a roofing contractor properly installs your new metal roof, we’re going to give you a step-by-step process of installing a standing seam metal roof.
The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has proudly helped homeowners in Nashville and surrounding areas with their metal roof replacements since 1990. We take the time to educate you, so you’re able to make the right purchasing decisions without using pushy sales tactics. And if we do install your new metal roof, you’ll have a lifetime warranty on our workmanship.
To learn how to avoid oil canning by installing a standing seam metal roof correctly, check out this article on How is Your Standing Seam Metal Roof Installed? (6-Step Process).
