What is Oil Canning in Metal Roofing and Siding? Understanding Distortions in Metal Panels

When you're investing in a new metal roof or wall system, whether for your home, commercial building, or agricultural structure, you might encounter the term "oil canning." At Westman Steel, we believe in providing our customers with full transparency and understanding.

Oil canning is a visual phenomenon where a flat metal panel surface appears wavy or distorted. It's characterized by subtle ripples or buckles that can be more noticeable depending on factors like the angle of view, light conditions, colour, and even the time of day or year. It's crucial to understand that oil canning is primarily an aesthetic characteristic and does not affect the structural integrity or performance of the metal panel or the building. However, it's understandably not the perfectly smooth, pristine look most people envision when purchasing metal.