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Metal roof fluttering

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Kara Van de Kieft
3/27/2013
We recently completed construction on our getaway home in Blanco, Texas. The roof is a low-sloping 26 gauge double-locked standing seam metal roof. Two days after we moved in, we experienced a wind storm with wind gusts up to 55 mph, and the section of the roof on the windward side of the house fluttered loudly all day. The roof continues to flutters, even in a stiff breeze that would be typical for our area, mainly on the west section of the roof and west portion of the central roof section. The house faces directly south and has three shed roof sections. The east and west sections slope down to the south and have 5 ft split deck overhangs. The central section slopes down to the north. The east and west sections have a 2:12 pitch and 21" wide panels with 2" tall seams. The central section of the roof has a 1/2:12 slope with the panels on that section being 18" wide with 2" tall seams. The fasteners are sliding concealed clips spaced every 3 ft. Except for the split deck overhangs, the panels sit on a ice/snow shield and 3/4" CDX plywood decking with spray foam insulation on the undersurface of the deck. There is no attic space. Right now, the west section of the roof and a portion of the central section seem to flutter the most frequently. When the wind blows from the north, the roof is quiet. I suppose that may change in the summer when the winds start blowing out of the southeast at which point I would expect the east section to start fluttering more frequently. Our architect is of the opinion that the clip spacing is not adequate and more clips need to be added, especially at the split deck overhangs. He believes that the clip spacing should be a minimum of 12-16" on any 26 gauge ss metal roof. The roofer says that adding more clips will not stop the fluttering. To make a long story short, my question is two-fold: were an adequate amount of clips installed? If we added more clips would that have any effect on the fluttering? If not, any suggestions on how to mitgate the fluttering?
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.
4/3/2013
Somehow the manufacturer of the panel needs to show testing of this panel and the required clip spacing. I, too, feel there are not enough clips.
David Stermer
4/3/2013
Kara, Thanks for the question. From my experience, direct fastened metal roof panels do not make much noise because they are securely fastened to the roof support. Standing seam systems can make noise because of the relatively wide flat of the panel that can lift up and then impact the roof support. For this type of behavior, additional clips will not likely change the noise level. It is a good practice for standing seam systems to not be installed directly over the roof support, but rather include a dampening material such as insulation or foam tape that will seperate the metal roof panels from the roof support to reduce the noise. Having said that, under significant wind loads, there is benefit to having closer clip spaings. Regards, David Stermer
Guest User
4/5/2013
Thank you both very much for your responses.
Eric Novotny
An informed customer is the Best Customer!
4/5/2013
Pretty home and scenery.
Guest User
7/5/2013
I would like to buy some of these roof clips for my 26 ft. panels.

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