When properly used, they do not. Proper use may in some cases involve exact clamp placement. The roof panel grows and shrinks dimensionally with temperature change. This movement is very minimal with shorter roof lengths, but can become significant with long roof lengths. When roof panel length is greater than 30 ft (9m), standing seam metal roofs are often designed to respond thermally with dimensional change along the length of the panels. This is accomplished at the roof panel-to-its attachment clip interface or within the attachment clip itself.
Most pre-engineered metal buildings and other clip designs utilize dual-component clips when roof panels are above a certain length. Within the dual-component clip (often called “thermal clip” or “expansion clip”), the top portion moves thermally with the roof panel, while the lower portion (fastened to structure) is stationary; the two portions are joined with a slip joint.
When attaching to this type of standing seam metal roof, the S-5! clamp can be attached anywhere along the seam whether at a clip location or between clips.
Other standing seam metal roofs rely on differential movement between roof clips and roof panels to accommodate thermal cycling. In other words, the roof panel “rides” the clip to accommodate excessive thermal cycling. When installing the S-5! clamp on this type of standing seam metal roof, the clamp locations should avoid the panel’s attachment clips if and when panel lengths exceed 30’ (9 m). Click to read more.
