page_title: Roof seamer
section_title: Variables
hierarchical_section_title: Roof seamer / Design and Function / Variables
caption_attribution_description: English: This shows an unseamed metal roof panel lap and two common options for a finished seam profile that a roof seamer can produce.
context_page_description: A roof seamer is a portable roll forming machine that is used to install mechanically seamed structural standing seam metal roof panels, as part of an overall metal construction building envelope system. The machine is small and portable to be handled by an operator on top of a roof. The machine is applied to the overlapping area when two parallel roof panels meet. The action of the machine bends the two panels together to form a joint that has weather-tight qualities superior to other types of roof systems and cladding.
context_section_description: Many variables exist when using a roof seamer that may affect the final product outcome. All of the following variables should be considered and decided on during the design process of the building:
  Material: Metal roof panels are made from a variety of materials including coated carbon steel, aluminum, zinc, and copper. The type and strength of the material must be considered, not only for tensile strength but also flexural strength. The quality of materials should be considered based on the mill and country it was sourced from. Most often these materials come to the panel manufacturer in the form of a coil, then fed into a roll forming machine to produce the finished roof panel shape and dimension.
  Material Coating: A coating can be layers of other metals (such as Galvalume® or material treated through the process of galvanization), paint, or extruded coatings.
  Thickness: Different gauges of metal will present a range of thicknesses that must be accounted for with the forming dies of the roof seaming machine. This, in addition to the thickness of the coating, should be factored in to produce an acceptable seamed profile, but not to compromise the coating.
  Geography: The particular location of the structure will play into its performance over time. Weather patterns, temperature ranges, and prolonged exposure to the elements can affect the thermal movement of the metal roof panels.
  Structural Load: Many things can produce "load" on a roof. The most common that will be combated by the roof seamer are considered environmental loads, such as wind, snow, rain, and seismic considerations.
  Sealants: Sealants are almost always used inside of the panel lapped seams. These sealants can be applied in a factory setting or at the construction site. In either case, liquid caulk sealant and butyl tapes are the most common. In either case, the amount, location, and application method are specified to cause maximum protection for the building system as a whole.
  Desired results: The "finished seam profile" can be specified by a roof panel manufacturer as an option for the architectural designer to consider. Factors that can affect the desired results would be aesthetic appearance and environmental loads.
  Roof Pitch: A roof's pitch is simply the angle of the roof. This will create resistance for the roof seamer to overcome. The steeper the pitch, the greater the roof seamer may have to work to ascend and descend the roof panels.
  Fastening method: Mechanically seamed standing seam roof systems use a hidden fastener system. This system consists of a "clip" that is fabricated out of metal and attached to the structure's substrate with screws. When the panels are installed over these clips, they will be hidden from view and formed into the seam of the panels with the roof seamer. This prevents penetrations from fasteners and screws through the metal roof panel that would be used to secure them to the structure with other types of metal roofs.
  Ancillary Attachments: Roof-mounted HVAC, solar panels, snow guards, and many other products are often attached to standing seam metal roofs. This additional load, attachment methods and the use of dissimilar materials must be considered. Specifically the use of other materials to prevent galvanic corrosion and premature compromise and degradation of the materials.
caption: This shows an unseamed metal roof panel lap and two common options for a finished seam profile that a roof seamer can produce.
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