6 Best Solar Panel Mounting Kits For Metal Roofs That Prevent Roof Leaks
Installing solar on a metal roof? Our guide reviews the 6 best mounting kits engineered for a secure, watertight seal to prevent costly leaks.
You’ve just finished putting a 50-year metal roof on the barn, and now it’s time to think about solar. That metal is a long-term investment meant to keep things dry for decades. The last thing you want is to poke a bunch of holes in it that turn into drips over the hayloft a few years down the road.
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Preventing Leaks with the Right Solar Mounts
Choosing a solar mount for a metal roof isn’t just about holding a panel up. It’s about protecting the biggest, most important part of your building’s defense against the weather. A poorly chosen mount can compromise your roof’s integrity from day one.
The core issue comes down to penetrations. Some systems, especially for standing seam roofs, can clamp directly onto the raised ribs without making a single hole. For corrugated or R-panel roofs, you almost always have to drill, which makes the quality of the flashing and sealant the most critical factor.
Think of it like this: every penetration is a potential failure point. The best mounting kits are engineered systems designed to manage water. They use materials like EPDM rubber gaskets that won’t break down under UV light and flashing that diverts water away from the fastener, not just a glob of silicone sealant that will dry out and crack.
The goal is to create a seal that will last as long as the roof itself. A cheap mount might save you a few dollars upfront, but it can cost you thousands in water damage and repairs. This is one area where you don’t want to cut corners.
S-5! Metal Roof Clamps: The No-Drill Solution
If you have a standing seam metal roof, S-5! clamps are the answer you’re looking for. These aren’t just mounts; they’re brilliantly simple pieces of engineering that solve the leak problem by avoiding it entirely. They are the gold standard for a reason.
Instead of drilling through the metal panel, these small aluminum blocks clamp directly onto the raised seam. A round-point setscrew tightens against the seam, creating a friction hold that is incredibly strong without ever piercing the roof’s surface. This means zero penetrations and zero chances for a leak at the attachment point.
The key is matching the clamp to your roof’s specific seam profile. S-5! makes dozens of different clamps (like the S-5-U, S-5-V, or S-5-E) designed for specific panel manufacturers and shapes. You have to identify your roof panel and get the right clamp, but once you do, the installation is straightforward and incredibly secure.
The only real tradeoff is that they are exclusively for standing seam roofs. If you have a corrugated or trapezoidal roof on your workshop or barn, you’ll need a different solution. But for a standing seam, nothing else offers this level of security with absolutely no risk to your roof’s warranty or watertightness.
IronRidge FlashFoot2 for Corrugated Metal Roofs
For the common corrugated or trapezoidal metal roofs found on most farm buildings, you have to penetrate the surface. The IronRidge FlashFoot2 is one of the most trusted ways to do it right. It’s a system built around creating a bulletproof, multi-layered seal.
The FlashFoot2 is a cast aluminum base with a thick EPDM gasket on the bottom. You place it on the flat "pan" of the roofing panel, not the high rib, and drive a lag bolt through it into the purlin or rafter below. The pressure from the bolt compresses the gasket, creating a primary watertight seal against the metal.
But it doesn’t stop there. The system includes a cap that snaps over the base, encapsulating the lag bolt head and providing a second layer of defense against water. This design ensures that even if water somehow got past the outer cap, the primary seal at the roof level is still holding strong.
This is a robust, reliable system designed for the realities of an exposed fastener roof. It acknowledges the need for a penetration and then over-engineers the solution to make sure it never, ever leaks. It’s a go-to choice for its strength and well-designed water-shedding capabilities.
EcoFasten SimpleSeal: Versatile and Watertight
Sometimes you need a straightforward, dependable solution that works on various metal roof profiles without overcomplicating things. That’s where the EcoFasten SimpleSeal shines. It’s built on a simple concept: a thick, flexible EPDM rubber block that does the heavy lifting.
The SimpleSeal system uses a large EPDM block with a bonded aluminum plate on top. You apply a compatible sealant to the underside of the block, place it on the roof, and drive your fastener through the center into the structure below. The compression of the fastener squishes the block, forcing the sealant into every crevice and creating a durable, watertight seal that can conform to minor variations in the roof surface.
This versatility is its greatest strength. It’s not designed for just one specific roof profile. It works well on trapezoidal, R-panel, and other through-fastened metal roofs, making it a flexible option if you have different buildings with slightly different roofing.
The key to success with this mount is proper surface preparation and using the correct, high-quality sealant. When installed correctly, the SimpleSeal creates a permanent, flexible gasket that moves with the expansion and contraction of the metal roof, ensuring a long-lasting, leak-proof connection for your solar array.
Unirac FlashLoc Duo for Fast, Secure Installs
When you’re doing the installation yourself, speed and simplicity matter. The Unirac FlashLoc Duo is designed with the installer in mind, providing a secure, waterproof mount that goes on quickly without sacrificing quality. It’s a smart choice for keeping labor time down.
The "Duo" in its name refers to its ability to be used on different roof types, but its real advantage on metal is its all-in-one design. The base has a pre-installed butyl sealant pad on the bottom, which eliminates the need for messy sealant guns. You just peel the backing, press it onto a clean roof surface, and drive the lag screw.
This system creates both a chemical and a mechanical seal. The butyl provides the primary waterproof barrier, while the pressure from the lag screw creates the mechanical hold. An outer shell then protects the lag head from the elements.
For a DIYer or a small crew, this efficiency is a huge plus. Fewer steps mean fewer chances for error and a faster path to getting your panels up and making power. It’s a well-engineered solution that balances speed with the non-negotiable need for a leak-proof seal.
Quick Mount PV’s QBase for Maximum Strength
If your farm is in an area with heavy snow loads or high winds, you need a mount that prioritizes strength above all else. The QBase from Quick Mount PV is that solution. It’s arguably one of the most robust, overbuilt mounting bases on the market, and that’s exactly why you’d choose it.
The QBase typically features a large, cast aluminum base and a thick, cone-shaped flashing. This design provides an enormous surface area for sealing and exceptional pull-out and shear strength. The entire assembly is designed to transfer the forces from wind and snow directly to the building’s structure, bypassing the roof panel itself.
Installation involves securing the base to the roof deck or purlin, then sliding a large flashing over the post that seals with an EPDM collar. This creates multiple layers of protection. It’s a belt-and-suspenders approach that provides total peace of mind in harsh weather conditions.
This level of strength might be overkill for a small array on a shed in a mild climate. But for a large array on a barn roof that gets hammered by winter storms, the QBase provides the structural integrity needed to protect your investment for the long haul.
SnapNrack Ultra Rail: A Lightweight Rail System
While SnapNrack is best known for its entire rail system, its mounting components for metal roofs are worth highlighting. The Ultra Rail system is designed to be lightweight and incredibly easy to handle, and its L-foot and flashing options are just as well-designed. This is a great choice if you want a single, integrated system from the roof up.
The system typically uses a standardized L-foot that can be paired with various metal roof mounting bases or flashings. For corrugated roofs, this often involves a flashed base similar to other products, ensuring a watertight seal around the penetration point. The components are designed to snap and lock together, reducing the number of loose nuts and bolts you have to juggle on the roof.
The main benefit here is synergy. Because every part is designed to work together, from the roof attachment to the rail to the module clamp, you get an installation that is fast and free of compatibility issues. The lightweight rails are also easier to get up on a high barn roof and maneuver into place.
Choosing a complete system like SnapNrack simplifies the entire process. You’re not mixing and matching components from different manufacturers. You’re getting a fully engineered solution where every piece has been designed and tested to work together seamlessly.
Matching Your Mount to Your Specific Metal Roof
There is no single "best" mount; there’s only the best mount for your roof and your situation. Making the right choice comes down to answering a few key questions before you buy anything.
First, what kind of metal roof do you have? This is the most important question.
- Standing Seam: Your choice is simple. Use a non-penetrating clamp system like S-5!. Don’t even consider drilling holes in that roof.
- Corrugated, R-Panel, or 5V-Crimp: You will be penetrating the roof. Your decision will be between robust flashed systems like IronRidge or Quick Mount, or versatile sealed blocks like EcoFasten.
Second, what’s the structure underneath? Are you fastening into solid wood decking or just into spaced-out purlins? This determines the type and length of fastener you need and may influence which mounting base provides the best support. Always aim to hit a structural member.
Finally, consider your climate and your comfort level with the install. If you face heavy snow, invest in a high-strength mount like the QBase. If you’re doing the work yourself, a system designed for speed and simplicity like Unirac’s FlashLoc Duo or a complete kit from SnapNrack might be the better path. Taking the time to match the hardware to the job is the surest way to a leak-free solar array.
Ultimately, the mounts are the critical link between your two most valuable assets: the roof that keeps your barn dry and the solar panels that power it. A little extra investment in a high-quality, appropriate mounting system is the best insurance you can buy against future headaches. Do it right once, and you won’t have to think about it again for decades.
