Self Storage- Standing Seam or Screw Down roof?

[Henry Clark]

Standing Seam Roofs

Our latest location we decided to do Standing Seam roofs, versus screw down. Costs a little more, but will last longer (30 to 50 years) with less leaks and need for future (15 to 25 years) checking on loose screws.

Now I did not and am not giving a definitive answer on which is best and etc. My local distributor and prior contractor had both mentioned and recommended it, so decided to try it.

Comparison:
Cost wise, I don't have the difference.
Screw down replacement, if you did have to tighten or replace screws on the Screw down system, just get larger screws so they seal better and replace.
Erection time. Standing Seam takes extra time to place and set the hidden clamps. Every 5 feet, so not a lot of time. But you do a lot less screws overall.

Picture below is of a normal screw down system. You will have screws all along the ridges and all across the sheet every 5 feet. These two Lips of the two different sheets show them not matching, which could lead to leakage.

Next picture shows the Standing Seam roof. The metal clip is screwed in place. This side of the sheet is clipped under the clip, then the next sheet will be laid on top and the two edges will be snapped into place. Example: Invert your hands to each other. Then curl your fingers. Pull your curled fingers together and that is how the sheets are connected. The top sheet has glue on it, which gives an air and water tight seal to them. These also set about 3 inches above the "trough" or valley of the sheet, whereas "Screw down" method is about an inch high. Creates less chance for water or ice to come under the seams.

Next is the clip itself from front and back. The back side shows you the screw holes attached to the trusses. This is hidden under the roof. This clip is set in the ridge where the two sheets meet and are then pushed or snapped down to each other and this clip.

Next, I'm showing you the width of the valleys on the 'Standing Seam roof". Normal Screw down roof valleys are about a foot wide and this is about 2 foot wide, using my fore arm as a gauge. Can't wait to see how this helps with snow melting or blowing off the roof, compared to the narrower screw down valleys.

Again which is better? Don't know the answer. "Standing Seam" costs more, but I don't have the figures for you. Should last longer (30 to 50 years) with less leakage problems. All my other buildings are "Screw Down" and no leakage problems thus far (1 to 6 years). I do have a "Screw Down" building we bought the location, that is around 20 years old. We are having leaks and we will have to take the screws off and replace with larger screws (so they "bite" the existing screw hole) this summer.