Oil canning is defined as the waviness of a metal panel and is an inherent characteristic of light-gauge, cold-rolled flat metal products. In other words, it’s a visual phenomenon that makes metal panels look wavy or somewhat distorted, especially in the broad, flat areas of a metal roof or wall system.

The severity of the waviness varies quite a bit depending on the color, finish, time of day, time of year, or even just the angle the metal is viewed from, which is why no real concrete method or scale for measuring it exists.

A silver lining of oil canning is that, if it does occur, it’s just a cosmetic surface-level issue and doesn’t affect the structural integrity of the panel system. This is why nearly all warranties, whether it be weathertight, substrate, or paint warranties, don’t include oil canning as a viable claim because there technically isn’t anything that would cause the roof or wall to fail for that reason alone.

Any color or gloss type has the same chance of developing oil canning, but darker colors and high-gloss finishes tend to show the effects/waviness more than lighter colors and low-gloss finishes.

Heavier gauges can be a way to possibly limit the effects of oil canning, Striations/ ribs in the flats of the panel being another way to limit its impact (please see the install guide for our Board and Batten panel).

To the end user: It is important that you carefully consider whether or not this phenomenon is something you can live with.

Oil Canning Waiver

Oil Canning Example