Frequently Asked Questions

This is a pre-finished steel Guarantee offered by Tata Steel. When used as part of a standing seam roof or wall cladding system for individual residential dwellings or homes in the UK and Ireland, Colorcoat Prisma^® and Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra^® benefit from the Confidex^® Home Guarantee.

• Designed to provide homeowners and builders with added peace of mind, the free Confidex^®Home Guarantee, is valid for 25 years, and is one of the most comprehensive guarantees for pre-finished steel.
• Uniquely, Confidex^® Home Guarantee is direct to the home owner, so that in the unlikely event of a coating failure they only need to contact Tata Steel.
• Fully transferable should the home owner sell the house within the guarantee period.
• Quick and simple online registration process.
• Solar ready – allowing the home owner to put clip and fix solar panels on the roof at any point in the guarantee duration.

Yes, but please be aware there maybe a reduction in the number of years covered depending on the material chosen and colour.

Tata Steel

Through its Confidex^® Guarantee, Colorcoat Prisma^® by Tata Steel offers 25 years on roofs and 30 years on walls in coastal areas. The only exception to this is its Element colours which are covered 20 years for roofs and 25 years for walls. Please refer to Colorcoat Prisma^® colourcard for more details of the cover for specific colours.

Similarly, through its Confidex Guarantee, Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra by Tata Steel offers either 25 or 30 years on roofs, dependent on colour and 30 years on walls. Please refer to Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra^® colourcard for more details of the cover for specific colours.

For individual residential dwellings or homes in the UK, homeowners can apply for Tata Steel’s Confidex^® Home Guarantee which provides 25 years cover for roof and walls across all locations.

SSAB

There are restrictions to SSAB performance guarantee for coastal locations and each project would be considered on an individual basis to see if cover was available.

EasySeam^® Roof and Wall Cladding Systems are designed for durability. Materials used can last up to 50 years, significantly reducing maintenance costs over the lifecycle of the building.

Additionally, Confidex Home or Confidex Guarantees from Tata Steel and SSAB performance guarantee ensure long-term value and peace of mind.

This depends on the material source. 

Vertix Systems can supply Tata Steel Colorcoat Prisma^® in in Anthracite, Black, Slate Grey, Helios, Ephyra, Ariana, Sirius Matt, Orion Matt and Seren Copper with other colours from the standard range available on request. Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra^® is available in Anthracite Matt with a choice of colours from the standard colour card available on request. 

Vertix Systems can supply SSAB GreenCoat^® Pural BT in Slate Grey Matt, Stone Grey Matt and Nordic Black. A choice of alternative colours from the standard colour card are available on request. 

You can find Colorcoat Prisma^®, Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra^®  and GreenCoat^® Pural colour cards on our downloads page

EasySeam Roof System is CE marked to EN14783 and meets fire safety standards for roofs with a BROOF(t4) fire test certification.

BES6001 Responsible Sourcing Certification is available for Tata Steel pre-finished steel products.

EasySeam Roof System has a fixing specification which, if used together with Vertix Systems tested and certified fixings, should ensure the roof remains intact in normal weather conditions during its service life.  

For more exposed regional conditions, EasySeam Roof System is available in a narrower (300mm width) profile which increases the fixings by 50% and in a Wide Rib profile which has a 50mm stiffening rib. Vertix Systems also recommend fixing panels to an 18mm OSB3 board where tests prove a significantly better pull-out strength when compared with 11mm OSB3 board. 

You can find more information about wind loads and pull-out rates in the Vertix EasySeam Roof System Technical guide which is on our downloads page. 

Metal roofs sometimes have a reputation for being noisy during rainfall, but these tend to be single skin construction roofs. EasySeam Roof System is mounted on Oriented Strand Board (OSB) 3, with insulation to 0.15 U-value or higher and an air gap for the service void or ventilation gap. All of this ensures the noise of rain on the roof is minimised.  

Where this type of roof can be noisier is in high wind areas. In such situations, tile roofs can chatter and low pitch standing seam roofs can drum. To reduce drumming, Vertix Systems recommends the use of either Vertix EasySeam Flat Standing Seam profile in 300mm width or EasySeam Wide Rib Profile which has a 50mm central stiffening rib. 

You can find more information about acoustic performance in the Vertix EasySeam Roof System Technical guide which is on our downloads page. 

5 degrees. This is because a slight slope is required to ensure water run-off and prevent ponding which can compromise the durability of the roof over time.

Yes they can.

For a soil vent pipe or a wood burner flue, Vertix Systems recommends use of a Dektite. This is a type of roof flashing made from rubber or silicone and is designed to create a watertight seal around pipes or other penetrations on a roof. 

Where a Velux rooflight is used on a roof with a pitch above 20 degrees, Velux supply an EDQ flashing kit. Below 15 degrees the can be installed as a square penetration. 

For a roof light or square chimney, Vertix Systems can supply a square penetration flashing.   

Detailing for these are available in the Vertix EasySeam Roof System Technical Guide or Vertix EasySeam Roof System Drawing details pack which is on our downloads page. 

The terms “warm roof” and “cold roof” refer to different methods of insulating the space above the structural elements of a building, such as the rafters or joists. These methods have implications for energy efficiency, condensation, and the overall performance of the building.  

Warm roof 

In a warm roof construction, the insulation is placed above the structural deck, typically on top of the roof rafters. This means that the entire roof structure, including the rafters, is within the insulated envelope of the building. The warmth from the heated interior of the building helps to keep the roof structure above the dew point, reducing the risk of condensation. Warm roofs are generally considered more energy-efficient as they help to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the structure. 

Cold roof 

In a cold roof construction, insulation is placed either at the ceiling level (just above the ceiling) or between the rafters, allowing for a ventilated space between the insulation and the roof deck. This creates a “cold” or unheated attic space above the insulation. Cold roofs rely on ventilation to remove any moisture that may accumulate, preventing condensation within the roof structure. Cold roofs are simpler and may be more cost-effective to install but they are less energy efficient than warm roofs and therefore ongoing costs may be higher. 

The choice between warm and cold roof designs depends on factors such as climate, building design and budget. Warm roofs are often favoured in colder climates to prevent issues with condensation, while cold roofs may be more common in milder climates where the risk of condensation is lower and ventilation is easier to achieve.  

Detailed drawings showing Vertix EasySeam^® Roof System build ups for warm and cold roofs are available to download in Vertix EasySeam^® Roof System Build up Detail or as part of Vertix EasySeam^® Roof System All Details

Detailed drawings showing EasySeam^® Roof System build ups for warm and cold roofs are available in the Vertix EasySeam Roof System Drawing details pack which is on the downloads page. 

Vertix Systems can supply a vented Z bar and over fascia vent for the roof. You may also require insect mesh. Vertix Systems can advise on where to source this from.

Vertix Systems produces standard build-ups for roofs that show how to achieve 0.11 and 0.15 U values. It can also carry out a condensation risk assessment. Cold roofs will always require venting.

For walls, Vertix Systems can provide a 3D thermal calculation in conjunction with a helping hand bracket system. Walls have to be vented and do not require a condensation risk assessment.

EasySeam^® Roof System complies with Broof t4 Fire Test (BS EN 13501-5) on 18mm wood Oriented Strand Board (OSB) 3. 

You can download a copy of the Broof t4 Fire Test certificate on our downloads page.  

EasySeam^® Wall Cladding System is available as an A1 non-combustible build-up when manufactured from Tata Steel Colorcoat Prisma^® and supported and fixed to a galvanised steel deck. This build-up would achieve a Class A1 fire performance rating, using the linear approach, with items tested separately.

Manufacturing the EasySeam Wall Cladding System from Tata Steel Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra^® would provide a Class C fire performance.  Likewise, if the EasySeam Wall Cladding System was mounted on a timber structure it would achieve a Class C fire performance.

A standard EasySeam Roof System kit of parts includes:- 

• EasySeam standing seam profiles 
• Breather membrane 
• Eave plates 
• Verge detail flashings 
• Ridge detail flashings with Z bars.   
• Sealant  
• Fixings

Vertix Systems can also supply soffits and fascias to match your roof. 

The EasySeam Wall Cladding System kit of parts includes:- 

• EasySeam standing seam profiles 
• Breather membrane if relevant to the project 
• Bottom of the wall detail flashings 
• Window detail flashings 
• Corner of the wall and top of the wall trim flashings 
•  Fixings   

Vertix Systems typically supplies specific lengths up to 8M long as standard. Longer lengths up to 12.5m long can be manufactured by special request, but customers should be aware that delivery arrangements for these will be more complex and subject to additional charges.

Vertix Systems can supply metal gutters and downpipes to complement EasySeam Roof and Wall Cladding Systems. There are 3 different gutter options to choose from; external internal or hidden gutters. External gutters are standard metal gutters and are supplied with all the components including downpipes. They are available as a half round or rectangular shape. Internal and hidden gutters are made from pre-finished steel backed with a thick membrane and are supplied with the joint brackets and outlets. 

You can find more information about guttering and downpipes in the Vertix EasySeam Roof System Technical guide which is on our downloads page. 

Yes, the Soffit plank Vertix Systems manufactures can also be used on a wall either vertically or horizontally. 

Yes, EasySeam System is available with matching ancillaries and gutters that are complementary.

EasySeam flashings are available in 3 metre lengths which can be cut to size on-site and where required overlapped to create longer lengths.

EasySeam Roof System can accommodate a number of different PV solutions. There are three main options to consider:- 

• Stick on laminate photovoltaic panels- these would have to be applied in the factory and are not a retro-fit option. 
• Standard crystalline photovoltaic panels 
• Crystalline photovoltaic panels integrated into the roof

When considering photovoltaics, all structures will need to be checked by a competent structural engineer to ensure they can take the added weight of the photovoltaic panels. 

Vertix Systems offers EasySeam Solar System. This is an EasySeam panel with factory applied Solar PV laminate modules and connectors. We can provide guidance on the optimum number of EasySeam Solar System panels required to meet project specific Kw output requirements.

You can find more information about these different PV technologies in the Vertix EasySeam Roof System Technical guide which is on our Downloads page. 

Solar PV laminate modules are bonded to EasySeam Roof panels in factory controlled conditons using an industrial-grade peel and stick adhesive system developed for long-term performance.

EasySeam Solar System uses well established thin film Solar PV laminate technology that is MCS and IEC 61215, IEC61730-1 and IEC 61730-2 certified.

The lightweight Solar PV laminate modules bond directly to the EasySeam Roof panels without brackets or ventilation voids.

EasySeam Solar System is suitable for roof pitches down to 5°. Care needs to be taken to ensure there is adequate drainage and no ponding of standing water on the Solar PV laminate modules. Yield can be slightly lower than at higher pitches, but this is often offset by the larger usable roof area.

Most installations should fall under permitted development, but listed buildings, conservation areas and public buildings may require approval for Solar PV. Please contact your local planning authority for guidance.

Complete the online price request form and we will provide a speedy response catered to your individual requirement.  To complete this you will need details of the roof type, dimensions and KW output peak requirements.

Alternatively, there is an option on the price request form to attach drawings and any additional specific requirements for the project and submit these to our sales team who will respond with a complete estimate price. 

Use our price enquiry form form to get an accurate estimated cost online. 

There are two guarantees available with EasySeam Solar System, the first provided by the Solar PV laminate manufacturer BIPVco, covering the performance of the Solar PV modules. The second, Confidex^® Home Guarantee is provided by Tata Steel and covers the appearance and durability of the Colorcoat Prisma^® pre-finished steel material.

BIPVco, manufacturer of the Solar PV laminate used in EasySeam Solar System, provides a 10 year product warranty and 25 performance warranty. The product warranty covers manufacturing defects and the performance warranty guarantees power output over time.

The performance warranty guarantees a minimum power output performance of 90% for first 10 years and 80% for the following 15 years.

Yes, the adhesion bond is covered as part of the Solar PV laminate warranty provided by BIPVco.

Because EasySeam Solar System is manufactured from Colorcoat Prisma^® by Tata Steel and uses a Solar PV laminate supplied by BIPVco which has been approved by Tata Steel, Confidex^® Home Guarantee applies. This is a 25 year guarantee covering appearance and durability of the pre-finished steel which is offered by Tata Steel and designed to provide homeowners and builders with added peace of mind. Uniquely, Confidex^® Home Guarantee is issued directly to the home-owner, so that in the unlikely event of a coating failure they only need to contact Tata Steel. It is also fully transferable should the home-owner sell the house within the guarantee period and requires a quick and simple online registration process.

Integrated Solar PV modules such as those used in EasySeam Solar System, can contribute to BREEAM, LEED and similar schemes by reducing regulated energy demand, operational carbon and in some cases embodied carbon, subject to the project’s sustainability assessment and evidence requirements.

The Solar PV laminate modules used in EasySeam Solar System do not generate heat of any significance when in load. The modules act as an insulation on buildings, protecting the EasySeam metal standing seam Roof System from sunlight radiation.

The Solar PV laminate modules used in EasySeam Solar System comply with the IEC 61215 & IEC 61646 standards for hail. The technology has excellent impact resistance and is tested to international hail standards.

The Solar PV laminate modules used in EasySeam Solar System are certified to operate from around -40°C to +85°C and are tested for thermal cycling, humidity and UV, ensuring reliable operation in both very cold and very hot climates.

The thin-film Solar PV laminate technology used in EasySeam Solar System, performs well in low-light and diffuse-light conditions. The Solar PV laminate modules generate electricity from daylight, not heat, so they continue to produce energy on cloudy or overcast days, just at a lower level. They are optimised with bypass diodes for low-light performance to maximise generation in typical UK conditions.

The thin film Solar PV laminate modules used in EasySeam Solar System, include multiple bypass diodes to maintain strong voltage efficiency at lower irradiance.

The thin Solar PV laminate technology used in EasySeam Solar System, incorporate multiple bypass diodes to optimise system balance in shading.

South-facing roofs offer highest yield, but EasySeam Solar System will still operate effectively on East/West orientations

EasySeam Solar System should be installed by a professional roofing contractor at the same time as the rest of the roof.  An MCS certified or 18^th edition including photovoltaic qualified electrical contractor is then required to connect up and certify the system. If the system is feeding back power to the grid, then it should be connected by an MCS qualified electrical contractor.  It is important that the roofing contractor and electrical contractor co-ordinate with each other prior to ordering the roof, to ensure the Solar PV can be strung and wired correctly.

It is critical that accurate roof measurements are provided by the customer to avoid the need for EasySeam Solar System panels to be cut on site.

EasySeam Solar System is an engineered system. EasySeam Roof panels are manufactured to the specific length (minimum 1000mm) ordered by the customer. Standard lengths of Solar PV laminate modules are then factory bonded to the EasySeam Roof panels to meet the required KW output. A minimum distance of 150mm between the end of the Solar PV module and the EasySeam Roof panel must be maintained.  The Solar PV laminate modules are manufactured to electrical critical safe standards and cannot be cut.

The Solar PV laminate modules can be a different length to the EasySeam Roof panel and there are occasions when for example, a Solar PV laminate standard length of 4758mm might be used with a longer EasySeam Roof panel length of say 6000mm. In these situations, the EasySeam Roof panel can be shortened if required, by cutting the bottom of the panel of and remaking the notch. Significant care needs to be taken to ensure the EasySeam panel and bonded Solar PV are not damaged during the cutting process.

This is different to best practice guidance when EasySeam Roof panels do not have factory bonded Solar PV laminate modules applied. Here, the the top rather than the bottom of the EasySeam Roof panel would be cut and hidden under the the ridge capping. This is not an option with EasySeam Solar System as the junction box sits at the top of the panel. modules which are manufactured by BIPVco, comply with IEC 61730-1, IEC 61730-2 and IEC 61215, UKCA, ISO9001 and CE requirements.

The Solar PV laminate modules used in EasySeam Solar System have gone through IEC 61730 testing which includes extensive adhesion, peel, shear, UV, humidity, and temperature-cycling tests.

The Solar PV laminate modules connect using standard MC4-type connectors strung and wired in series or parallel depending on design.

Solar PV laminate voltage strings need to be of equal voltage and current (power) within multiple string configurations.  If a string has a number of 300W modules and one 200W module the whole string will perform at the 200W module capacity and therefore there will be wasted power /efficiency. Vertix Systems can advise on the optimum module configuration to achieve the required KW output for your project.

Micro inverters can be used with EasySeam Solar System to allow each Solar PV laminate module to operate independently and maintain efficiency of each module.

Periodic visual checks and occasional cleaning should be sufficient to maintain EasySeam Solar System over its lifetime. Rain will naturally wash light dirt from EasySeam Solar System but if it becomes more extensive then the Solar PV laminate modules can be carefully washed down using de-ionised water and a soft brush.  Tap water (which contains chlorine) and pressure jet washers should never be used to clean EasySeam Solar System as they can damage the Solar PV laminate modules and the EasySeam Roof panels they are bonded to.

The Solar PV laminate modules used in EasySeam Solar System have a smooth top sheet which help to shed dirt, bird faeces and light organic growth. Rain normally keeps the surface clean. Heavy soiling or moss on very shallow roofs should be removed periodically to maintain optimum performance.

Yes, export schemes are available in most regions. EREC G98 or G99 form would need to be submitted to the relevant Distribution Network Operator (DNO) for the project geographic area. A Guide to connecting micro-generation systems to the Distribution Network Operator is available in Downloads area of Vertix Systems website.

At end of life for the Solar PV laminate modules, EasySeam Solar System should be treated as electrical and electronic equipment and sent to approved PV recycling streams under WEEE regulations, where glass, metals and other materials are recovered.

The Solar PV laminate modules used in EasySeam Solar System are designed for a service life of over 25 years and are backed by a 25-year performance warranty and 10-year product warranty from the Solar PV laminate module manufacturer

The Solar PV laminate modules used in EasySeam Solar System will continue to generate power after the end of the 25-year warranty or service period at an equal or reduced level of performance.

EasySeam Solar System uses thin film Solar PV laminate technology which is well designed and recognised for its:

• Minimal weight impact on structural design
• No additional mechanical fixings
• No roof penetration
• No wind uplift or corroding microclimate between the Solar PV modules and roof.

As a result, integrated Solar PV solutions like EasySeam Solar System can be recognised by some insurers as lower risk than standard mounted Solar PV options which use rails and brackets. This is because of the lack of penetrations, no heavy glass modules and fewer structural vulnerabilities.

EasySeam Solar System uses well established thin film Solar PV laminate technology that is MCS and IEC 61215, IEC61730-1 and IEC 61730-2 certified. It is important that EasySeam Solar System is installed by a professional roofing contractor and connected and certified by a qualified electrical contractor.

When correctly installed and connected integrated Solar PV solutions like EasySeam Solar System, can help to add value to a property due to:

• Its clean, architectural aesthetic with the Solar PV laminate appearing almost indistinguishable from the rest of the roof.
• The System using no rails or brackets and instead sitting neatly in the pan of the metal standing seam roof.

Estate agents increasingly note that discrete Solar PV solutions help to attract buyers who want renewable energy without changing the appearance of the building.

A small amount of bird faeces will turn to potash in the sun and should naturally be washed from the roof by rainwater. Where bird faeces is more significant, for example, because of nesting above the roof, a regular cleaning regime would be required to maintain the roof.

Tree leaves tend to be alkaline and can be corrosive. Whilst they can be washed off by rain, if there’s a significant number of leaves dropping frequently, a regular cleaning regime would be required to maintain the performance and aesthetics of the roof.

Depending on the type of tree, sap can be highly acidic. Both Colorcoat Prisma^® by Tata Steel and SSAB’s Greencoat^® Pural BT pre-finished steel products that EasySeam System uses, provide a high level of durability and a small amount of tree sap could be left to be washed off the roof naturally by rain. Where it is more significant, for example caused by an overhanging tree, a regular cleaning regime would be required to maintain the roof.

If leaves or tree sap are going to be an ongoing issue, it may make sense to specify Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra^® by Tata Steel as the material choice for the standing seam system. This is designed to offer super durability and corrosion resistance and withstands even the most demanding and aggressive environments

One of the advantages of Easy Seam’s snap and lock system is that a single panel can be easily removed if required. Vertix Systems would require an accurate measurement of the width of the affected panel so that it could manufacture a bespoke replacement that fits exactly.

Please contact Vertix Systems for more information about how to remove a damaged panel and fit a replacement one without damaging the rest of the roof.