Long panels are used in standing seam cladding, and they are joined with interlocking and raised seams. These panels are made from aluminium, zinc, or steel. They are used in exterior cladding, and seams conceal the fasteners beneath the surface to give the exterior a finishing look. Standing seam cladding offers protection from wind, rain, moisture, and other weather conditions. However, there are some common problems in standing seam cladding that property owners face, and below is a detailed discussion of these problems and their solutions.
Water Leakage
Seams that are not properly and tightly sealed allow water to enter the cladding. Also, if flashing is not installed effectively or panels are damaged, it can also lead to water leakages. It is one of the most common problems with standing seam cladding that property owners face.
Solution: Joints, seams, or flashing must be inspected thoroughly and professionally to check if there gaps or damage. Once detected, damaged panels must be replaced or loose flashing must be resealed, so that it does not leave any pathway for water to travel through the cladding.
Corrosion and Rust
Corrosion happens mainly due to coastal conditions, moisture, or scratches. Usually, there is a protective coating that protects standing seam cladding from all these factors and prevent corrosion or rust. However, if it gets damaged, standing seam cladding becomes vulnerable to corrosion or rust.
Solution: If the surface has rust on it or panels are corroded, the only solution is to remove or replace them. There are materials that are resistant to corrosion, and such materials can be used in standing seam cladding as a preventive measure to avoid corrosion or rust.
Panel Buckling
Due to the restriction of thermal expansion and contraction, the surface of standing seam panels can become wavy or panel can buckle. Restriction of thermal expansion or contraction is not the only reason behind panel buckling; it can also happen because of ineffective fastening.
Solution: Panels must be installed in a way that allows enough movement for them, because it allows thermal expansion or contraction. Also, fasteners and clips must be tightened effectively and checked twice, because they also contribute to panel buckling most of the time.
Loose or Damaged Seams
Ineffective or careless installation of panels is one of the key reasons behind loose seams. However, it is also true that strong winds weaken the seams and cause them to loosen. Apart from this, clips may weaken or loosen with time, which is one more reason why property owners face the problem of loose or damaged seams.
Solution: There must be careful and professional inspection of standing seams and fasteners. If the clips or fasteners are damaged, they must be replaced with new ones. Loose seams or fasteners must be tightened with professional tools, so that they do not loosen again during harsh weather.
Issues in Flashing
During the installation of standing seam cladding, flashing is fitted around doors, windows, corners, and roof junctions. If the flashing is not installed properly around any roof area, it can lead to water entering the building. Basically, if there are any gaps left in the flashing, or if any gaps take place due to harsh weather conditions, it usually results in water entering where it should not.
Solution: Defective or ineffective flashing must be inspected by professionals and sealed effectively. Proper flashing means that there is not even a small gap that can let water to enter roof structure.
Scratches and Coating Damage
There are many ways scratches can take place on the protective coating, such as when there is any kind of installation work going on or when the debris gathers on the coating. Scratches or any other kind of damage on the protective coating can also cause damage to the metal beneath it.
Solution: High-quality protective coating must be installed in standing seam cladding because high-quality coating does not get scratches or get damaged easily. If the damage is irreversible, then entire protective coating needs to be replaced because there is no other way to resolve this issue.
Why Property Owners Must Choose Standing Seam Cladding
Property owners must choose standing seam cladding because it protects the roof structure from rainwater or other harsh weather conditions. Plus, as it consists of metal panels, it can be cleaned more easily than traditional cladding materials and does not require frequent maintenance. Besides this, as there are fluctuations in temperature because of harsh weather in Sydney, standing seam cladding allows expansion and contraction of metal naturally. Most importantly, fasteners are properly concealed and panels are installed in a way that gives evenly vertical lines on the surface, which gives exterior a modern and finishing touch. These are the main reasons why standing seam cladding is becoming a popular option among property owners.