metal components Archives | ABC Metal Roofing

Quote Online. Order Online. Build Your Business.

Posted on August 15, 2018September 20, 2023 by Shelby Shipman

The age of electronic commerce is firmly in place. It seems that just about anything can be ordered and paid for online then shipped directly to the purchaser. This includes metal roof and wall panels, trim, accessories and even roll-up doors! American Building Components is among the first metal building components manufacturers to offer a robust and time-saving online ordering service to its distributors. Here are some of the benefits to those who take advantage of this very efficient and convenient tool:

Simple and Safe Online Ordering Account Set-Up:

Getting started with online ordering usually only requires that you provide little more than basic contact information. Once those details are provided, your account verification and activation generally takes a few business days. This may seem like a long time to some—particularly in comparison to those e-commerce businesses that allow almost immediate account activation and even ordering by guests without accounts. However, instantaneous account approval methods often don’t allow for the customization and specialized pricing like ABC’s do.

If you’ve already ordered from a retailer offline, historical account information is typically linked to your new online account. This generally also includes any unique pricing agreements. Of course, sensitive account information is kept safe using appropriate online security methods and password protection. These features are vital to keep everyone’s mind at ease when doing business online.

Immediate and Accurate Product Pricing:

The biggest benefit of online ordering tools is often the convenience of getting quick, accurate, pricing information anytime. When a quote is sought for a project of any size, customers can simply log into their online ordering account and view up-to-date information related to all of their quote queries and order transactions. Some online ordering platforms like ABC’s even include a “Quick Price” tool. This enables users to search for specific products and set customized attributes for them to get an accurate price for that item immediately—all based on either unique or general pricing agreements. An added bonus: when changes are made to pricing agreements, quotes and preferences, they can be seen in real time.

Time-Saving Features:

ABC’s Quick Price Tool allows you to immediately see accurate pricing on any product. (Pricing subject to change.)

When under a deadline, you don’t always have time to wait for a sales representative to process your order manually. And besides, who has time to wait even when there are no deadlines? Instead of relying on others to receive accurate pricing, get a quote or place an order, you can use an online ordering tool to save time by:

creating as many custom quotes as you like and submitting orders anytime, anywhere and from any device—even when sales offices are closed
saving items as favorites for quick reference
creating custom quote templates for frequently-ordered product combinations

While online ordering is inherently faster than more traditional processes, these tools help speed up the process even further.

Intuitive Order Checkout Process:

Once you’ve customized the products you need and added them to your cart, you are ready to checkout. Online ordering makes this easy by providing fields that capture all necessary information like shipping address, delivery instructions, jobsite contact and more to help prevent delays in material delivery. In addition, a variety of payment methods are often available. These include purchase orders and even credit cards, allowing you to select the method you prefer best. Once you’ve set your preferences, your account remembers them, helping you reduce the repeated entry of rarely-changing information.

Order Status Visibility:

Anytime you need to know the status of an in-progress or already-completed order, a quick glance at your online account should provide all the information you need. In most cases, checking an order status is done by simply clicking on it to view details like the order confirmation and shipping status, which can also be easily shared with colleagues.

Online Ordering Account Management:

Most online ordering websites feature a robust suite of administrative tools that make it possible to easily:

manage employee access
designate which employees are allowed to purchase
set spending limits on those employees and
assign customers to specific employees within a sales team.

In addition, account management tools can make it very easy to:

view detailed reporting that shows order trends by product type, order time-frame and more
enable notifications to track updates and changes
build an integrated, company-wide address book to expedite order checkout

With benefits like those listed above, it’s no wonder that businesses are transitioning to this digital means of operation. To find out more about how ABC’s online ordering tool can help you quickly create quotes with accurate pricing, order the products you need to start building, and save time so you can focus on your business, watch this video.

You can also visit http://www.abcmetalroofing.com/SHOP/ or contact your local ABC representative for more details on how to get started with your own online ordering account.

Advancements in Metal Roof and Wall Panels

Posted on July 26, 2018May 31, 2023 by Marc Carolan

The evolution of metal roof and wall panels in the steel building industry.

Metal roof and wall panels are commonly used in today’s building industry and are highly valued for their versatility, durability and aesthetic features. This wasn’t always the case, though. Over the last several decades, the metal building industry has evolved and the use of metal panels and coordinated metal building components is now a major boon for builders as it helps them provide on-time, on-budget, attractive project to a wide-ranging customer base.

To meet changing demands and standards, the industry has continued to develop and progress since the Industrial Revolution. This era saw more than just an increase in the use of iron as a construction material. In the late 1880s, metal became a profitable option well-suited for steel-framed buildings, skyscrapers and train stations. During WWII and in the decades that followed, modern steel became the universal standard. Common uses included military shelters, oil storage, churches and private buildings—including landmarks like the Empire State Building.

1940s – 1950s:

During the 1940s and 1950s, industry sales centered around standardized buildings (pre-engineered)—mostly to the agricultural, industrial and government markets. Typically unpainted and unattractive, these metal roof and wall panels simply met their functional purpose. However, their ability to be ordered, delivered and installed quickly and easily made them very valuable.

1960s:

The innovation of pre-painted wall panels in 1959 transformed the metal building industry. Formerly focused on agricultural and industrial end-uses, the additional color options made metal panels more appealing to commercial markets. In the late 1960s, the innovative standing-seam metal roof panel delivered advantages previously unheard of. As seen with American Building Components’ LokSeam® panel, this design features fewer seams that are raised above the panel. With fasteners situated above the panel level, the risk of damage from moisture that can collect there is reduced. Standing seam metal roofs are also designed to allow for expansion and contraction that naturally occurs as a result of changing temperatures. This provided owners, designers and contractors with a high-quality roof that can be specified and used for large buildings. Their low upfront cost and superior performance and lifespan made metal buildings the preferred solution for low-rise, non-residential buildings.

1970s – 1980s:

In the 1970s, the metal panel industry primarily focused on commercial, industrial and agricultural buildings of 10,000 sq.ft. or smaller. In the 1980s, the industry continued to grow in response to customer and market needs. New coating technologies were introduced to provide better corrosion resistance, making metal buildings a more viable long-term option. Technological advances in wind loading for walls and wind uplift for roofs also addressed structural engineering concerns previously held.

1990s:

In the 1990s, metal building construction nearly doubled because metal had proven to be flexible, cost-efficient and time-saving. As a result. the industry expanded to include retail buildings and civil/service facilities, such as schools and hospitals. Emerging metal panel technology, such as snow load solutions, was beginning to be investigated and addressed. In particular, the advancement of computer technology helped create more robust design systems. This enabled manufacturers and contractors to quickly price and deliver detailed preliminary design drawings with greater efficiency and accuracy.

Early 2000s:

The first two decades of this century brought more diverse product and service offerings to the market. These included practical and aesthetic innovations like insulated metal panels (IMPs) as well as new roofing finishes. This decade also saw a new focus on metal building safety in response to dangerous California earthquakes. To help mitigate the risks, research into the structural implications of seismic activity was conducted, resulting in updated building standards. Customer requirements also drove energy performance optimization and engineering guidelines for tapered structural components, and new exterior finishes and styles for metal roof and wall panels were introduced. This included the use of horizontal instead of vertical siding systems and smooth-surface panel faces.

Today…and Beyond:

The dramatic and innovative industry advancements of the past have given way to the full and complete metal panel solutions for a wide range of building types—including unconventional ones like custom residences—that we enjoy today. Continued research, partnerships and collaboration are further driving industry expansion and diversification—a trend that shows no sign of slowing.

For more information on American Building Components’ metal roof and wall panels, trim and components, visit us online. Metal Product Distributors: quote and order metal building products anytime, anywhere and from any device using our online ordering tool. If you don’t already have an account, register for access today!

Metal Panel Installation: Surface Considerations and Building Applications

Posted on November 21, 2017April 29, 2024 by Ken Buchinger

In our last blog post, we outlined the steps to take before metal panel installation to ensure projects are built to last. In this post, we’ll take a look at the important metal panel installation considerations that should be made, particularly when working with varying surface conditions and building end-uses.

Surface Considerations:

During the installation of metal panels, it is critical that installers:

make sure everything is square and on a level plane (i.e., plumb and true). If it’s not, it will need to be corrected. Note: It is not recommended that the building owner do this themselves unless they are experienced and comfortable assuming the associated risks.
ensure the integrity of the substrate is not compromised. If installation issues or delays are caused by faulty substrate, for example, the parties responsible for the substrate would need to correct the causal issue. In retrofit projects, existing substrate issues must be addressed, but it is likely that the original builder will not be able to be sourced to correct the problem. In this case, a roofing consultant or knowledgeable substrate tradesman can help advise.

Installing Metal Panels with Different Building Applications

While installation is generally the same for most end-use applications, some equipment may vary. Depending on the other products or materials in the mix, there are certain caveats to keep in mind. For instance:

Over Asphalt Shingles: While installing a metal roof over an existing asphalt shingle roof is possible, it is not recommended to place metal panels directly over asphalt. In this scenario, keep in mind that:
- It’s best to remove asphalt shingles or use a furring strip to create a buffer. (This means you can use a 1” x 4” piece of wood to provide clearance between the asphalt shingles and the metal panels.)
- It’s not ideal to lay underlayment on top of asphalt and then install a metal roof because the shingle will curl and those imperfections will show through the metal, particularly when using lighter gauge.
Over Dissimilar Metals: Do not let your metal panels come into contact with dissimilar metals or allow run-off water that has been in contact with dissimilar metals to come into contact with the metal panels.
Over Treated Lumber: Separator material can be recommended by your installer or preferred material provider (lumber yard, home improvement store, etc.) and should be used; appropriate fasteners designed to be used to connect treated lumber with metal panels should always be used in these cases as well.

Other Metal Panel Installation Considerations:

The need for the following features and considerations can vary based on projects.

Vapor barriers
Ice and water shields
Regardless of all else, you’ll always want to be sure local codes/Homeowners Association (HOA) requirements are met.

Final FAQ:

How to choose a Metal Panel installer? End-users can request a list of nearby installers who may be able to help with their project from their metal building material supplier. Material manufacturers do not make these recommendations.

What if your panels are installed incorrectly? Let the installer know about any issues as soon as possible and work to get them resolved quickly. If you think the improper installation jeopardizes the product warranty, please advise the company that sold the material to you (metal panel distributor) as soon as possible. They will work with the manufacturer to resolve any warranty issues.

For more information on metal panel installation considerations or to find a metal panel distributor or installer in your area, contact your local ABC representative.

How Metal Trim Earns its Keep

Posted on October 11, 2016April 29, 2024 by Tyler Roose

Selecting the right trim and installing it correctly is crucial to ensuring metal buildings look good and stay dry.

The success of any metal panel roof depends heavily on the trim. Aside from providing an elegant, finished look, these hard-working components serve as part of the flashing system by sealing joints, side seams and end laps against leaks. The right trim installed in the right manner will help keep metal buildings dry and good-looking for years to come.

Where is trim used?

When most people think of trim, the pieces that come to mind are those installed around a roof’s perimeter: the ridge, or peak; the eaves, or lower edges; and the rake, or side edges. But just as important are those less noticeable pieces installed wherever there’s a change in roof slope, as in a valley, or where the roof meets a vertical surface like a dormer wall. Valley and dormer trim play particularly tough, yet vital roles because they have to prevent water trapped by leaves or snow from backing up into the structure. This is just as important on metal walls where trim sheds water away from windows and doors, and waterproofs inside and outside corners.

Trim performance and aesthetic

In addition to performing well, the trim also has to be attractive, and trim thickness can be a major factor in how good the roof looks. Although the trim pieces are usually the same thickness as the panels, as we mentioned in our post on Metal Panel Gauges, it can be helpful to step up to something thicker, which is less likely to telegraph imperfections in the underlying roof or to dent if the installer mistakenly over-drives a screw. Additionally, a heavier-gauge trim can help prevent “Oil-canning”—the deformation of sheet metal—which can be common on trims applied to corners and door jambs. Using A 26-gauge trim piece on a 29-gauge roof may even allow for the selection of thinner roof panels, adding to homeowner satisfaction without adding much to—and maybe even reducing—the cost.

Installation factors make a difference

Trim can only succeed at its job when installed in the proper sequence. On a roof, the eave and valley flashings must be put in place before the panels, while the rake and ridge pieces wrap around the tops of the panel edges. Done right, this sequencing creates overlaps that naturally shed water. The proper overlaps also protect the roof against wind-driven rain by ensuring that any water that sneaks past the trim during a storm hits an underlying piece of metal and drains back out to daylight so it can be evaporated. As an added layer of redundancy, the installer will include a sealant tape between the trim pieces and the panels. These serve as gasketing to keep water on the outside. Additionally, trims that are hemmed at the edges can add rigidity to and fight corrosion of the factory cut edge.

Even the highest quality materials will not perform optimally unless installed correctly. To ensure each piece of trim is perfectly straight and square from end to end, with no bumps or dips, the installer will usually have someone on the ground confirm that everything looks right before fastening each piece.

For information on ABC’s trim, including diagrams and installation manuals, visit our website or contact a local sales representative today.