A seal system includes a ceramic component, a metallic component, a silicon-containing layer, and a barrier layer. The ceramic component has a first surface region that defines a first surface roughness. The metallic component is situated adjacent to the first surface region and has a second surface region facing the first surface region. The silicon-containing layer is on the first surface region of the ceramic component and has a contact surface that defines a second surface roughness which is less than the first surface roughness. The barrier layer is on the metallic component and in contact with the silicon-containing layer and serves to limit interaction between silicon of the silicon-containing layer and the metallic component. The barrier layer includes at least one of alumina or MCrAlY.