Is a Drill Seamer Right for You?

By Jeff Stortz, John Stortz & Son. 

If you work with architectural panels, it may be beneficial to invest in a quality drill seamer.  

John Stortz & Son offers a tool line of quality drill seamers designed to fit architectural panels 1” to 1.5” in size. For contractors working with these panels, it’s important to get the best products and optimize your time spent up on a roof. Check out this detailed guide to decide if your team would benefit from investing in drill seamers.  

What is mechanical lock? 

Mechanical lock roofing panels seam together differently than snap lock systems. These panel profiles get folded into one another making a more watertight seam in harsh weather conditions. The installation process involves using seaming tools and/or a power seamer to get the panels locked together. 

Benefits: 

• Suitable for roof pitches of 2/12 (lower in certain conditions) 
• Allows for various folding details to be incorporated into roof 
• The preferred panel selection for historical restoration work 
• Better curb appeal for residential applications 

The installation process with mechanical lock panels is more involved than snap panels but can expand your company's offering and add value to your customers. Learning more involved installation techniques and selling a better roof to your customers is simpler than ever. Ultimately, the homeowner ends up with a better roof over their head and your company will benefit from a stronger reputation. 

Weight and portability 

The most common compliment we receive about the AccuSeamer is about its weight. Lugging 50 pound machines onto the roof and moving them from seam to seam is frustrating and tiring. The Drill Seamers being only 10-15 pounds makes life easier and work more enjoyable. 

Speed 

In terms of speed, our AccuSeamer and Double FalzSeamer are fast. Too fast to run at full speed actually. We generally set the drill to a lower speed setting in order to be able to keep up with the seamer as it travels up the roof. 

Cost 

Renting a seamer is fine for a one-off job. There would be no need to own an expensive seamer when you can pay approx. $50/day to rent one. However, we often hear that the rental process is frustrating because the costs add up quickly when you are being charged for transit time as well as days on the job when seaming couldn’t be done for some reason. 

Typically, a power seamer will set you back $4,500-$6,000 depending on the model you select. The AccuSeamer comes in at $1,999. Less than half the cost for a machine that will be easier to use (in most cases). We stock these seamers and can ship immediately if you are caught in a pinch. 

Mechanical standing seams can be intimidating to a crew that is used to installing corrugated or snap lock profiles. 

Try a drill seamer and figure out what your competition already has. Tackle mechanical lock standing seam jobs and offer a better roof to your customer. The evolution of drill seamers is making this roof an appealing option for residential work. 

Original article source: John Stortz & Son