Manufacturing Metal Siding, Under-decks, and Soffit Panels

Expanding your metal roofing operation with a portable rollformer may be easier than you think, especially if you already own a New Tech Machinery (NTM) SSQ II™ MultiPro Roof and Wall Panel Machine. If you’ve been running standing seam panels but not siding, under-decking, or soffit panels, you may be missing an easy opportunity to grow your operation and boost your profits.

Metal siding, under-decks, and soffit panels offer durability and low maintenance over wood and other materials. Metal is resistant to rot, insects, and extreme weather conditions. If a homeowner or business owner opts for a metal roof, the under-decks and soffit would naturally complement it. Some customers may prefer a wooden under-decking; however, with new woodgrain finishes, metal can duplicate the appearance of wood while providing all the durability benefits and lower maintenance costs. 

NTM’s SSQ II MultiPro offers 16 panel profiles, including two for flush wall, soffit, and under-decking, and our board-and-batten profile, released last year with much acclaim. Manufacturers and contractors have discovered a growing demand for metal board-and-batten, and many receive multiple orders weekly.

NTM’s flush wall, soffit, and under-decking profiles can open up new opportunities, and you don’t need extra training or equipment. If you’re a manufacturer not sure which profiles will best serve your business, ask your customers if they do under-decking or siding. If so, they’re probably going elsewhere for the panels you could easily supply.

Expanding into Metal Siding

Expanding your metal roof panel business to include metal siding is generally straightforward. You can easily add a siding profile to your inventory if you’re already fabricating standing seam panels with an SSQ II MultiPro or SSQ dating back to 2014. It’s really that simple: One profile can allow you to expand your offerings and grow your operation. 

The demand for metal siding has been rising and is predicted to grow exponentially over the next decade and beyond. Metal siding offers durability and many aesthetic options, making it perfect for both residential and commercial markets. Recent siding additions like board and batten have become trendy in rural and urban areas, and metal manufacturers continue introducing new patterns and designs. Expanding into metal siding allows roofing companies to tap into this growing market.

Metal siding is used on contemporary homes, apartment complexes, rural buildings, barns and barndominiums, commercial buildings, manufacturing facilities, warehouses, storage units, and more. Because it’s a consistent and growing market, some operations keep an SSQ II MultiPro dedicated to running metal siding.

Modern metal siding panels are available in various finishes, including wood grain that mimics the appearance of natural wood. Other options include stone, rust, concrete, and more. Now, consumers can even come in with their own unique designs and have them digitally reproduced onto metal coil. This aesthetic versatility allows metal panels to be used in a wide range of architectural styles and custom looks. The availability of different colors and textures further enhances the visual appeal of metal siding, under-decking, and soffit panels.

Including Flush Panels, Under-decks, and Soffits

Underdecking and soffit panels are crucial components of most structures. Underdecking systems create usable space beneath decks, protecting the area from rain and snow. This transforms previously unusable areas into storage or living spaces. Soffit panels, especially when vented, improve attic airflow and reduce moisture buildup, contributing to a building’s overall wellbeing. For soffit panels, you’ll want to include a perforator to perforate the panels for ventilation.

Flush Panels

You can produce flush panels for siding with the same profile as our soffit panels.  A flush panel is designed to provide a smooth, flat appearance. 

Purpose and Applications:

• Used for siding and architectural details, like around doors and windows.
• Used for fascia.

Joint Configurations:

Flush panels come in two joint configurations:

• Flush Joint: Panels fit together with a hidden clip for a seamless look.
• Reveal Joint: Panels have a slight gap or reveal between them for a more dimensional look.

Optional Pencil Ribs:

For longer panel lengths, you can choose to include small pencil or V ribs (one or two) to enhance rigidity and prevent oil canning.

Soffit Panels

Soffits cover the underside of a roof’s overhang, including arches, balconies, and eaves. Soffit (meaning something fixed underneath) can be made of any material. With new metal designs and an array of color options, soffit panel fabrication provides a great way for metal roofers to expand their product offerings.

Aluminum or steel are great materials for soffits, as they are fire resistant, durable, and not susceptible to insect infestation like wood. NTM offers optional perforation for our soffit panel profiles, too, which is recommended for ventilation. 

Under-deck Panels

Roof under-decks refers to a system installed beneath an elevated deck or porch to create a finished ceiling and an additional usable space below the deck. The under-deck transforms the area under the deck into a dry, usable space while enhancing the under-roof appearance. Aluminum is generally the preferred metal for under-decks.

The primary function of under-decking is to manage water runoff. It captures rainwater that falls through the gaps in the deck flooring and directs it away from the space below, keeping it dry and protected.

SSQ II MultiPro Profiles for Metal Siding, Under-decks, and Soffit Panels

NTM’s SSQ II MultiPro is our only portable rollformer offering siding as well as roofing panels, for a total of 16 profile options, including the following:

FWQ100 1” Flush wall/ Soffit/ Under-deck Panel with Adjustable Reveal

FWQ150 1.5” Flush Wall/ Soffit/ Under-deck Panel with Adjustable Reveal 

NTM offers the unique FWQ100 and FWQ150 panel profiles, which can be used as wall panels, soffit panels, and under-decking. The roller set also has an optional perforator/crimper that adds venting holes to the finished panel for use as a vented soffit panel. It also has a 0” to 3” adjustable reveal on the roller set assembly that you can engage as it suits your project requirements.

• Materials: 28 ga. to 22 ga. steel (painted, Galvalume, coated galvanized), .027” to .040” aluminum (painted), and 16 oz. to 20 oz. ¾ hard copper
• Panel width: 12” to 22”; 25” maximum coverage with 3” reveal

The FWQ100 and FWQ150 profiles can shape an adjustable reveal, or gap between panels, in increments of 1/2″, from 0” to a maximum of 3”.  When fabricating panels with the full 3” reveal, you’re looking at a finished panel width of 12” to 22” and peak coverage up to 25”.

To create these profiles, we suggest using 22 ga., 24 ga., or 26 ga. grade 50 steel, whether painted, Galvalume®, or coated galvanized. For aluminum, stick to .027 to .040 for the best results.

It’s common to encounter orders for a standard 12” or 16” wide panel. With the FWQ100, only 4” of coil material forms the seam — making it straightforward to use a 16” coil for a 12” finished panel or a 20” coil for a 16” one.  

The FWQ150 profile uses 5” of material to produce the panel, so a 20” wide coil will yield a 15” wide panel.

Remember, these recommendations aren’t just for quality assurance and reducing the chances of oil canning. Operating outside these parameters poses a risk of harm to your SSQ MultiPro or its forming rollers — damage that could void your warranty. Like all tools of the trade, treating your rollforming machine with care and maintenance will help to ensure its longevity.

For soffit panels, you can order the optional Perforator, applicable to the FFQ100 and FFQ150.

BB750 Board and Batten

Since its release in May 2023, NTM’s board-and-batten profile has really taken off. We’ve seen it used in residential and commercial structures, from Indiana farms to countryside barndominiums to contemporary homes in urban centers. The board-and-batten profile is available only for our SSQ MultiPro machines dating back to 2014. For more information on this profile, click here.

• Materials: 26 ga. and 24 ga. Grade 50 steel, and .027 and .032 Aluminum (painted)
• Panel width: 10” to 25 ¼” (finshed width includes a 2” batten)

The SSQ II MultiPro Roof and Wall Panel Machine

The SSQ II MultiPro Roof and Wall Panel Machine is a cutting-edge piece of equipment designed to produce high-quality metal roof and wall panels. Engineered with user efficiency in mind, the SSQ II enables operators to fabricate panels easily in-plant or onsite. Additionally, the SSQ II offers safety features and protective covers not often found on other rollforming machines.

One standout feature of the SSQ II MultiPro Roof and Wall Panel Machine is its versatility. It can produce up to 16 different roofing and wall panel profiles–more than any portable rollforming machine available today. This adaptability broadens your market and eliminates the need for additional machines, giving you the advantage of providing multiple services to a variety of customers. The SSQ II also offers the optional UNIQ® Automatic Control System, with computer functions that allow you to automate your machine’s operations, saving you time and labor.

The SSQ II™ MultiPro is the only NTM rollformer that offers the FWQ100 and FWQ150 flush wall/soffit / underdeck and the BB750 board and batten profiles. 

Is Expanding My Operation Worth the Investment?

Expanding into metal siding and related products is cost-effective. You can use your existing equipment and labor force. If you have the SSQ II MultiPro, then you’re already machine-ready. All it will cost you is the price of a new profile tooling and the time to run the panels. 

If you don’t own an SSQ II, you must decide if the investment fits your operational needs. The SSQ II is the perfect portable rollformer for any growing business and is the top-of-the-industry machine that can do just about anything when it comes to running metal panels.

By offering a range of products, panel manufacturers can attract a wider customer base. Contractors will appreciate the convenience of working with a single metal panel manufacturer for roofing, siding, and under-deck panels. This can lead to increased customer loyalty and repeat business.

But I Don’t Own a Portable Rollformer

If you’re not using a portable rollformer, you’re missing out. I don’t know how else to say it. With a portable rollformer, you can go on site to run panels, custom sized to the job specifications. Plus, there’s no limit to the length of panel you can run. Customers will use a crane to bring the portable rollformer to roof level and run panels right onto the roof of a 150,000+ square foot building, saving the trouble of transporting shorter panels, lifting them to the roof, and piecing them together. 

With a portable rollformer, you save money by cutting out the middleman, plus save on transportation costs and lower the risk of damage to panels. 

Expanding a roofing operation with the SSQ II MultiPro Roof and Wall Panel Machine to include metal siding, soffit, and under-decks is a strategic move that can grow your operation and differentiate you from your competition. 

Again, the metals business is growing, and it’s happening now. For metal panels manufacturers, the demand for metal panels continues to grow. Now is the ideal time for metal panel manufacturers to capitalize on this expanding market.

For information on NTM’s SSQ II MultiPro, or any of our metal panel or gutter machines and accessories, contact us to speak to one of our knowledgeable account managers. We’re here to answer any of your questions and help you grow your metals operation.