Part 2: A Contractor's Guide to Installing Solar on a Metal Roof with S-5!®

Part 2: A Contractor's Guide to Installing Solar on a Metal Roof with S-5!®

If you missed part 1 of our series click here

In the world of roofing and solar, the combination of a long lasting metal roof and a high efficiency solar array is a match made in heaven. But for contractors, the big question has always been how to mount those panels without compromising the roof's integrity. If you're looking for the gold standard in metal roof solar mounting, you’ve probably heard the name S-5!®. They really are the industry leader.

This guide is for you, the contractor on the job site. We're going to dive deep into what many pros consider the fastest and sleekest method: the S-5!® rail less mounting system. It’s a total game changer for both standing seam and exposed fastener roofs. At Roofing4US, we carry the full lineup of S-5!® products because we know they deliver leak free performance that both you and your clients can trust. So let's break it all down below.

Why Go Rail Less? The Real World Advantages

Before we get into the nuts and bolts, you're probably wondering what the big deal is with rail less systems. For contractors, the benefits are huge and can directly impact your bottom line and your team's time on the roof.

  • Massive Labor Savings: This is the big one. Traditional rail systems involve hauling long, awkward rails onto the roof and spending time aligning and leveling them. With a rail less system like the S-5!® PVKIT®, you’re attaching the panels directly to the clamps or brackets - utilizing the seams or ribs respectively as your “rails”.. This “direct-attach” approach can slash installation time by up to 35%, letting you finish jobs faster.

  • Reduced Material Costs: Fewer components means lower costs. You're not buying, shipping, or storing long lengths of aluminum rail. The entire system is compact, saving you money and hassle with logistics.

  • Superior Aesthetics: Let's be honest, looks matter. Rail less systems offer a super clean, low profile look. The panels sit closer to the roof, creating a sleek, integrated appearance that homeowners love.

  • Better Load Distribution: The system distributes the load of the panels directly onto the roof's structural seams or purlins, leveraging the inherent strength of the metal roof itself.

  • Benefits apply to both standing seam and exposed-fastener roofs.

The Heart of the System: The S-5!® PVKIT® 

The magic behind the S-5!® rail less system is the S-5!® PVKIT®. Think of it as the ultimate solar mounting solution. It’s not just a clamp; it’s a complete kit that creates a secure, direct attachment point for the solar panel frame.

Here’s how it works:

  1. The Attachment: You first secure an S-5!® clamp (for standing seams) or a bracket (for exposed fastener roofs) to the roof.

  2. The PVKIT®: The PVKIT® then fastens directly to that clamp or bracket. It comes with either a MidGrab (for in between panels) or an EdgeGrab (for the ends of the panel) that secures the panel frame.

The beauty of the PVKIT® is its simplicity and built in grounding. The teeth on the grab automatically bond the panel frame to the clamp, creating a fully grounded system from panel to panel. It’s UL 2703 listed, which is the standard for safety and performance in solar mounting.

Matching the Clamp to the Roof: The Most Crucial Step

This is where S-5!® really shines. They don't offer a one size fits all solution. They have an engineered attachment for pretty much every metal roof profile out there with over 200 patented products.

For Standing Seam Roofs

This is the easiest and most common application. You'll use one of the many S-5!® non penetrating clamps.

  • How they work: These clamps attach to the vertical seam of the metal panel using round point setscrews. These screws simply dimple the seam material; they do not puncture the roof. This mechanical connection means zero holes and zero risk of leaks, protecting the roof's warranty. That alone is a game changer, no more worrying about penetrations when you use S-5 products.



  • Popular Clamps: You'll use clamps like the S-5-U (for universal use on most double folded seams) or the S-5-Z (for bulb-shaped seams).

Pro Tip for Contractors: Always check the S-5!® clamp selector tool or spec sheets to ensure you have the right clamp for the specific seam profile you're working on.

For Exposed Fastener Roofs (Trapezoidal & Corrugated)

For roofs where fasteners are visible, like R-panels or corrugated profiles, you can't clamp to a seam. Instead, you'll use an S-5!® bracket.

  • How they work: Brackets like the VersaBracket or CorruBracket™ 100T are fastened directly into the flat or crown of the roof panel, usually into a purlin or structural support below.

  • The Sealant Secret: This is where proper procedure is key. These are penetrating attachments, so making them 100% waterproof is critical. Each S-5!® bracket has a factory applied, high quality butyl and EPDM sealant in the base. Their into sheeting brackets use EPDM and their into structure use Butyl. When you drive the fasteners through the pre-drilled holes in the bracket, this sealant creates a watertight gasket against the roof surface. S-5! does recommend using any other sealant around or under our brackets. The brackets with EPDM provide a double seal and our brackets that go into structure provide a triple seal all because of the combination of the sealant and the EDPM sealants on the screws we sell.

The Bigger Picture: Don't Forget the Rest of the Roof System

A great solar installation is only as good as the roof underneath it. For maximum energy efficiency, the whole system has to work together.

This is a great time to talk to your client about their roof underlayment. A high quality, high temperature synthetic underlayment is essential under a metal roof, especially with solar panels which can increase heat.

Furthermore, a solar array helps reduce energy costs, but if the attic is poorly insulated, that energy is still being wasted. This is the perfect opportunity to think about the complete building envelope. A well insulated attic, using products from our sister site Insulation4US, will keep the conditioned air inside the home, making the solar investment work even harder.

The Final Word

For contractors looking to install solar on metal roofs efficiently and profitably, the S-5!® rail less system is a clear winner. It’s faster to install, looks better, and provides a secure, leak proof solution that will last as long as the roof itself. By matching the right S-5!® clamp or bracket to the roof profile and following proper sealant procedures, you can deliver a top tier installation every time.

Ready to make your next solar on metal job your easiest one yet? Explore our full range of S-5!® solar mounting solutions at Roofing4US today.

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