Non-penetrating rooftop mounting refers to the ability to mechanically attach a clamp to a standing seam roof by gripping the seam in such a way that there is no penetration to the panel material. The best method for standing seam clamp attachment is via round-point setscrews
Using cup-point setscrews is ill-advised as such a screw point cuts through the paint and protective coating of standing seam panels, causing corrosion and voiding warranties.
In the metal roofing construction industry, mounting ancillary items is often a convenient and necessary aspect of desired performance. Obviously, the best way to maintain the integrity of a metal roof is to allow it to function only as a roof. But various rooftop utilities such as, HVAC, piping, walkways, vents, satellite dishes, snow retention, solar arrays, signage, fall protection, lightning protection, etc. all serve critical purposes and must attach to the roof.
The firstS-5!® Round Point Setscrew rule of thumb in rooftop mounting to modern
standing seam roofing is to do the roof no harm – so foremost, that means don’t penetrate it. But when it comes to standing seam metal roofs, mounting rooftop equipment can often result in violated warranties and roof damage if not done correctly. Often, the tendency of trades is to anchor the item to the structure through the roof. But doing so threatens weather integrity and also violates the membrane’s thermal-cycling behavior by pinning the panel to the structure. The point of attachment will soon fatigue and fail due to thermal expansion. But the right non-penetrating mounting solution provides secure attachment without any penetration whatsoever—and without violating freedom of thermal cycling.
Source: https://blog.s-5.com/blog/what-is-a-non-pentrating-rooftop-mounting
Maribel Sargent is a seasoned writer with a deep-rooted passion for the roofing industry. With over 7 years of experience crafting informative and engaging content, she has established herself as a trusted authority in the field. Her expertise lies in translating complex roofing concepts into easily understandable articles for both industry professionals and homeowners.
