Who this guide is for
- Homeowners drawn to a modern metal facade
- People comparing metal against other cladding families
- Renovators planning panel layout and movement
- Anyone briefing a designer or installer on metal cladding
Profiles and the look
Metal cladding ranges from standing-seam, with raised vertical joints, to flat cassette panels with crisp shadow gaps. The profile sets the character and how light plays across the facade. Choosing the profile is the first design decision and it influences the rest of the detailing.
- Standing seam: raised vertical interlocking joints
- Flat cassette panels: smooth faces with shadow-gap joints
- Corrugated and ribbed: textured, often more economical
- Profile drives both look and movement detailing
Thermal movement and oil-canning
Metal expands and contracts noticeably with temperature, so the system has to allow movement without buckling or popping fixings. Flat panels can also show oil-canning, a slight waviness, if not detailed and supported correctly. Planning for movement is central to a clean result.
Fixings, corrosion and finish
Fixings and flashings must resist corrosion and be compatible with the panel metal, because mixing incompatible metals can cause corrosion. The factory finish on the panels affects both look and weathering. Plan fixings, flashings and finish as a compatible set.
Seams, corners and openings
How panels meet at seams, turn corners and frame windows defines the precision of the facade and where water is managed. These junctions need deliberate detailing, often with matching trims and flashings. Plan the panel layout so joints land cleanly around openings.
Designing and installing safely
Metal panel systems are specialist, involving compatible fixings, movement detailing and frequently working at height, so a qualified designer and installer should handle them. The barrier and cavity behind the panels are part of the same system. Requirements vary by location and project, and this is not DIY work.
Metal cladding planning checklist
- 1Choose a panel profile that sets the facade character
- 2Plan for thermal movement without buckling
- 3Address oil-canning risk on flat panels
- 4Select fixings and flashings compatible with the panel metal
- 5Coordinate the factory finish with the design
- 6Plan panel layout so joints land cleanly at openings
- 7Detail seams, corners and trims deliberately
- 8Have a qualified designer and installer handle the system
Common mistakes to avoid
- Ignoring thermal movement so panels buckle or pop fixings
- Letting flat panels oil-can through poor support
- Mixing incompatible metals and causing corrosion
- Treating the panel as the whole system, not the barrier behind
- Laying out panels so joints clash with openings
- Attempting a specialist metal system as a DIY job
When to involve a professional
- Have a qualified designer specify the panel system and movement details
- Use an experienced installer with proper access for working at height
- Confirm fixing and flashing metal compatibility with a professional
- Treat the barrier and cavity behind the panels as part of the system
- Requirements vary by location and project; verify with your professionals
Frequently asked questions
Questions readers ask about this topic
What is standing-seam metal cladding?
Standing seam is a metal panel profile with raised vertical joints that interlock, giving a crisp, linear look. It is one of several profiles, alongside flat cassette and ribbed panels, and the profile choice shapes both the appearance and the movement detailing.
What is oil-canning on metal panels?
Oil-canning is a slight waviness or distortion that can appear on flat metal panels if they aren't detailed and supported well. Planning the panel support and movement helps avoid it, which is one reason metal cladding rewards careful design.
Why do fixings matter so much with metal cladding?
Fixings and flashings must resist corrosion and be compatible with the panel metal, because mixing incompatible metals can cause corrosion. Planning fixings, flashings and finish as a compatible set is part of a durable metal facade.
Is metal panel cladding a DIY project?
No. Metal systems involve specialist movement detailing, compatible fixings and often working at height, so they should be designed and installed by qualified professionals. The barrier and cavity behind the panels are part of the same system, and requirements vary by location and project.
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