Standing Seam Spotlight V1 I3: Ahhh... Symmetry

Symmetry is a beautiful thing! Why, the word itself just sounds like something good doesn’t it? Say it slowly...
S-Y-M-M-E-T-R-Y.

But you know what sounds even better? It’s a phrase that describes what can come from symmetry:
L-O-W-E-R - C-O-S-T. Now that is a beautiful thing!

"But what," you ask, "does symmetry have to do with metal roofing?" When it comes to metal roofing, symmetrical metal roofing panels definitely mean something good to installers, architects and building owners alike – a lower TCO! Simply put, symmetrical panels lower the overall cost of installing, maintaining and repairing a standing seam roof.

Non-symmetrical panels:

Symmetrical panels offer installation flexibility, resulting in significant labor savings over interlocking systems. With non-symmetrical panels, installers must start on one end and continue laying panels in a single direction, one after the other. With symmetrical panels, however, crews can start from a center point on the roof and work in either, or both, directions. This capability alone can significantly reduce labor requirements, or allow contractors to add another simultaneous crew to expedite job completion.

Now imagine that there is a roof protrusion (such as a dormer, skylight, etc.) in the installation path that requires detail work from a craftsman. A symmetrical system allows the contractor simply move the crew and continue working elsewhere, assured that any panels inserted later will align properly.

With non-symmetrical panels, however, installation would be halted until the craftsman completed his work. Only then can the crew (which has waiting below and still "on-the-clock") continue laying the sequential panels.

Some would argue that symmetrical panels actually require additional labor to install the separate seam cap. While the cap does present an additional component, both in material and labor, the time and cost required to install caps is negligible. By the time you add up the crew’s “stand-by” wages, the daily equipment mobilization costs, and potential liquidated damages as the deadline approaches, the time- and labor cost-savings of a symmetrical system can be significant.

While you shake your hips to Madonna’s tune that’s now playing in your head (c’mon – you know you are!), think about hips and valleys.

When cutting a symmetrical panel for installation at hips and valleys, there is very little waste. This is due to the fact that, when the panel is cut, each piece can be used for opposite sides of the condition. With a non-symmetrical panel, the remainder of the cut panel is waste - and waste equals cost.

Metal roofing specifiers are trending toward requiring that “individual panels shall be removable for replacement without removing adjacent panels.”

Imagine a new metal roof on a school that faces the playground and becomes a wide, inviting target for all those budding Roger Clemens’. After a few months of “Rogering,” new panels look as old as … well … Roger Clemens. So, the decision is made to replace the damaged panels … and probably to send our future “Roger” and his buddies to visit the principal.

At this point, the architect who specified symmetrical seam is breathing a sigh of relief, because with symmetrical panels, only the damaged panels need to be replaced: The damaged panels' seam caps are be removed, the panels are pulled off and the replacement panels fit snugly into place.

The architect who specified a non-symmetrical panel, however, is watching what should be minor repairs turn into a not-so-minor local news story about wasted taxpayer dollars.

Faster installation at a lower cost; reduced waste; easy, economical repair and maintenance - with all of these benefits and more, symmetrical panel systems are definitely a “beautiful thing.” Ahhh ... symmetry!