Oil Canning

Oil canning is defined as the perceived waviness or rippling 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.

Oil canning can occur with any type of metal material used in construction. The severity of the waviness varies quite a bit depending on the colour, gloss level, gauge and size of panels, time of day, time of year, or even just the angle the metal is viewed from. The shinier and bigger the surface the more visible it is.

Unfortunately, there is no 100% cure or remedy that will protect against oil canning, especially because it’s just the nature of metal trying to revert to its original form. 

Reducing the width of panel, low gloss/matt finish, thicker gauge metal, and straight/proper substructure minimises the appearance of oil canning.

At Concept Cladding we will advise on steps to reduce it for your specific product selection.

Oil canning does not affect the performance of the product or installation.