Metal roof clips are metal roof accessories that are anchored to the substrate of a building’s roof and hold each panel to the structure. There are several kinds of clip systems out there and today, we’re going to talk about three of the most frequently used systems. 

Which one is best for you? Well that will depend on a lot of factors – including your building, budget and other needs – but the goal of today’s blog is to help give you the basics so you can make the best decision for whatever your specific situation is. Let’s jump right in!

Fixed clips

Fixed clips work best for panels that are less than 30 feet in length. They’re called ‘fixed’ clips because they become ‘fixed’ once installed. The clip itself is attached to the leg of the panel and gets fastened directly to the deck of the roof below. Once it’s in place, it won’t move around when the panel expands and contracts in elements. All in all, they’re the ideal solution for folks on a budget looking to economize their project.

Slider clips

The biggest benefit for slider clips is that they allow for thermal expansion and contraction; known for the ‘sliding’ component of the clips, themselves. The other big benefit is that you can use them with panels of any size, making them one of the most versatile clip systems on the market.

Floating clips 

To put it succinctly –  floating clips are a hybrid form of slider clips that are used on an ‘as necessary’ basis. What they do is ‘float’ or simply rise a little bit when panels expand or contract due to temperature change. Like fixed and slider clips, they’re still attached to the building substrate, but they simply allow for more movement for metal panels. 

Which is the best?

Like we said above – choosing the right system depends on many factors. Temperature fluctuation is a big one as places like New England where you see dramatic temperature fluctuations could make slier or floating systems a better option. Style, design and your budget are also hugely important things that will factor into your decision. 

The best thing to do as always – is to consult a professional. If you’re looking for the right metal roof accessories for your home or building, give us a call today and we’ll be happy to help you however we can. Until then, we hope you found today’s blog helpful and we’ll look forward to hearing from you soon!