Roofing Materials & Warranties

Choosing the Best Materials

Selecting the best option depends on several factors: your roof pitch, the style of your home, local weather conditions and your budget.

Each profile provides unique benefits in terms of strength, aesthetics and performance. At Solution Roofing, we take the time to understand your needs and guide you through the options, helping you choose the most suitable materials for your roof.

At Solution Roofing, we are experts at helping you pick the right profile to ensure optimal performance, aesthetic appeal, and cost-effectiveness for your specific project. Let’s walk through the most common profiles, their unique characteristics, and their ideal applications.

Corrugated Profile

Perhaps the most iconic and widely recognised roofing style, characterised by its distinctive wavy and timeless appearance. This classic design suits all homes.

Key Features

Typical installations

Residential

Classic homes and villas, rural properties, sheds, and carports.

Commercial/Industrial

Farm buildings, warehouses, industrial sheds, architectural features.

Renovations

Maintaining a traditional look.

Trapezoidal Profile

Also known as Trimdek or Trimclad, offers a modern, clean, and strong appearance. It features a series of tall, sharp ribs and wide, flat pans, providing excellent spanning capabilities and superior drainage compared to corrugated profiles on flatter pitches.

Key Features

Typical installations

Residential

Modern homes, extensions, pergolas, and carports.

Commercial/Industrial

Commercial buildings, schools, offices, large industrial structures with low-pitch roofs.

Fencing & Cladding

Also commonly used for wall cladding.

Trough Profile

A versatile profile featuring wide flat pans with subtle ribs (troughs). Trough profiles balance a clean, modern appearance with excellent water-carrying capacity, making them suitable for both residential and commercial roofing applications.

Key Features

Typical installations

Residential

Contemporary homes, garages, carports.

Commercial/Industrial

Warehouses, retail spaces, large-span structures.

Architectural

Where a flat, understated aesthetic is desired.

Angle Seam Profile

A type of standing seam system where panels are folded together at a crisp 90° angle. Unlike mechanical double-lock seams, angle seams are often chosen for their sharp, elegant lines and ease of installation.

Key Features

Typical installations

Residential

High-end homes, extensions, architectural cladding.

Commercial/Industrial

Office façades, retail stores, prestige projects.

Architectural

Decorative walls, feature roofing elements.

Spanlok Profile

A premium concealed-fix system (similar in concept to Klip-Lok) designed for long-span roofing with minimal visual interruption. Spanlok features wide pans and deep ribs that snap into concealed clips, delivering superior weatherproofing and expansion performance.

Key Features

Fully concealed fixing system (no exposed screws).
Wide spanning capacity with minimal purlin support.
Excellent water tightness, even on very low-pitch roofs.
Handles thermal expansion effectively.
Clean, continuous architectural look.

Typical installations

Residential

Modern architectural homes, skillion and low-pitch roofs.

Commercial/Industrial

Shopping centres, warehouses, large public facilities.

Coastal Areas

Reduced risk of corrosion from exposed fasteners.

Roll Cap Profile

One of the oldest traditional roofing methods, roll cap uses a flat pan with raised timber battens, covered by a curved or folded “cap” strip. This system is valued for its heritage look and proven durability.

Key Features

Typical installations

Residential

Villas, bungalows, heritage restorations.

Commercial/Industrial

Churches, schools, historical public buildings.

Architectural

Feature roofs requiring a traditional aesthetic.

COLOUR RANGE

Trusted Roofing Solutions

Choosing the Best Materials

Selecting the best option depends on several factors: your roof pitch, the style of your home, local weather conditions and your budget.

Architectural Style - Choosing the Right Look

Modern architectural homes often look best with sharp, clean profiles such as Spanlok or Angle Seam, which give a streamlined, minimalist finish. If you’re renovating a villa or bungalow, the softer, classic form of Corrugated or the traditional detailing of Roll Cap will often be a better fit. For commercial and industrial projects, Trapezoidal and Trough profiles provide strength and practicality while still offering a tidy, contemporary appearance.

Roof Pitch - Matching Profile to Slope

On very low-pitch roofs, concealed fastener systems like Spanlok or Klip-Lok are ideal, performing well down to 1°. For moderate pitches (3° and above), Trapezoidal offers reliable drainage and strong spanning. Steeper roofs allow for more design flexibility. Corrugated and Roll Cap suits traditional homes, but requires higher pitches, while Angle Seam is often chosen for steep roofs or walls where aesthetics take precedence over watertightness.

Budget - Balancing Cost and Performance

Cost will naturally play a role in your decision. Corrugated and Trapezoidal are the most cost-effective roofing profiles in NZ, offering proven durability at a good price point. Trough sits somewhere in the middle, with a clean, modern look that appeals to many homeowners without stretching the budget. At the premium end, Spanlok, Angle Seam, and Roll Cap deliver long-term durability and striking aesthetics, though they require more upfront investment.

Environmental Conditions - Weather & Coastal Considerations

In high rainfall areas, Trapezoidal and Spanlok profiles are preferred for their effective water-shedding, even at low pitches. In high wind zones, concealed-fix systems like Spanlok offer strong resistance thanks to secure clip designs, with Trough also suitable where spanning allows. Coastal areas benefit from systems without exposed screws, like Spanlok or Angle Seam, to minimise salt spray corrosion. In hail-prone regions, Corrugated and Trapezoidal Roofs are reliable due to their proven impact resistance.

Maintenance & Long-Term Performance

Maintenance needs vary by fixing system. Concealed fastener profiles like Spanlok and Angle Seam are preferred for low upkeep, with no exposed screws to check. Corrugated, Trapezoidal, and Trough, which use exposed fasteners, require regular inspections to keep fixings secure and watertight. Roll Cap is durable but usually needs more attention over time, as its timber battens and cap joints are more exposed to movement and weathering. Each profile’s design impacts long-term maintenance.

Structural Requirements - Spanning and Support

Spanlok and Trapezoidal are engineered with wide spanning capacity, making them cost-effective for large commercial roofs where minimising support steel is a priority. Trough also offers strong spanning ability and versatility, suitable for both residential and commercial applications. Corrugated, Roll Cap, and Angle Seam typically require closer purlin spacing, but they’re often chosen for projects where visual appeal, architectural style, and detailed finishing are key design considerations over structural efficiency.

HOW ROOFING WORKS

Warranties

Understanding Your Long-Run Metal Roofing Warranties

When investing in a new long-run metal roof, understanding the warranty coverage is just as important as choosing the right profile and colour. Our commitment to quality extends to the materials we use, which is why we only partner with leading manufacturers who stand behind their products with comprehensive warranties.

These warranties typically cover the performance of the paint finish against issues like peeling, flaking, and excessive fading, as well as the structural integrity of the steel against corrosion.

By choosing Solution Roofing, you’re choosing quality materials backed by industry-leading warranties.

Common Long-Run Metal Roofing Warranty Comparison

	COLORSTEELMAXAM	Guardian Steel UltraZen	ColorCote MagnaFlow	KiwiColour Vitor
Paint	18 years	18 years	18 years	18 years
Perforation	50 years	50 years	30 years	50 years

Disclaimer: The warranty periods listed above are illustrative and for general comparison purposes only. Actual warranty and durations vary based on the specific product, colour, environmental conditions (e.g., proximity to coastlines), building type, and adherence to installation and maintenance guidelines. The warranty terms (including the length of the warranties) may change without notice. Always refer to the official warranty documentation provided by the manufacturer for the specific T&Cs applicable to your specific purchase.

Workmanship Guarantee

We provide a 5-year workmanship guarantee on all roofing installations. We stand behind our installation work. If there are any issues with the quality of our installation, we will return to fix it.

Accredited

We are accredited with RANZ. We stay informed about industry developments to ensure our work meets the most current standards.

Licensed

We are licensed building practitioners. All of our work is compliant with New Zealand law and regulations.

FAQs

Still deciding which option is right for your property? Below are some common questions our clients ask when choosing between corrugated, trapezoidal, and standing seam options.

Which profile is best for low-pitch roofs?

Trapezoidal and tray (standing seam) profiles are ideal for low-pitch roofs due to their strong drainage capability and weather resistance. Our team will assess your roof pitch and recommend the best option for long-term performance.

What’s the difference between corrugated and trapezoidal roofing?

Corrugated roofing has a classic wavy shape and is cost-effective for traditional homes and rural buildings. Trapezoidal roofing offers a modern, angular look with stronger spanning ability, making it a great choice for low-pitch or large-scale applications.

How do I decide which roofing profile is right for my project?

The best roofing profile depends on your roof pitch, the style of your home or building, your budget, and local conditions. Corrugated is a great fit for traditional villas or rural settings, while Trapezoidal and Trough are often used on modern and industrial buildings. For low-pitch roofs or coastal properties, concealed-fix systems like Spanlok are ideal, offering excellent water tightness and minimal maintenance. Angle Seam is typically chosen for its crisp architectural lines and works best on walls or steeper roofs where water tightness is less critical. A roofing specialist can help you weigh up these factors and recommend the right profile for long-term performance.

How energy efficient is a long-run metal roof?

Long-run metal roofing reflects solar heat, which can help keep your home cooler in summer. Combined with insulation and ventilation, it improves energy efficiency year-round, lowering heating and cooling costs.

Which roofing profile needs the least maintenance?

If you want a roof that’s easy to look after, concealed-fix systems such as Spanlok or Angle Seam are generally the best option. With no exposed screws, there’s less chance of leaks or loose fixings over time. Corrugated and Roll Cap are still highly durable choices, but because they rely on exposed fasteners or timber battens, they usually need more regular inspections to keep them performing at their best.

What roofing profile is best for coastal properties?

Coastal homes face unique challenges with salt spray and wind. Concealed-fix systems, such as Spanlok or Angle Seam, are best suited for these environments, as they eliminate exposed screws and significantly reduce the risk of corrosion. Corrugated and Trapezoidal profiles can still be used successfully in coastal areas, but only if marine-grade materials and coatings are specified and if the roof is maintained more frequently.

Can metal roofing profiles be used for wall cladding?

Yes. Many metal roofing profiles are also designed for use as wall cladding, which can significantly transform the look of a building. Trapezoidal, Trough, and Angle Seam are especially popular, creating a modern, architectural finish while providing the same durability and weather protection as roofing applications. Using the same profile across both roof and walls is also a simple way to achieve a seamless, contemporary design.

What is the most cost-effective roofing profile in New Zealand?

Corrugated roofing remains one of the most affordable profiles and is widely used on homes, farm buildings, and sheds. Trapezoidal is also a very cost-effective option, particularly for larger structures, because its strong ribs can span further and reduce the need for extra purlins. Both profiles balance cost with proven strength and durability, making them reliable options for projects where budget is a key factor.

FAQs

Reach out to us today for guidance on the right profile for your roof

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