Tag: retrofit

Preserve and Protect: Tips for Storing Metal Panels

Posted on by Tyler Roose

The decision has been made to invest in metal roofing or siding for a project or business. Now it is incumbent upon job site professionals, business owners and/or contractors to ensure proper care is taken to preserve and protect the integrity and attractive appearance of your metal roof and wall panels from damage caused by moisture, corrosive chemicals or improper handling. To mitigate any potential issue, it is necessary to take a few simple precautions.

 

Material Receiving Checklist:

When the metal panels arrive, the first thing that should be done is to make sure the panels haven’t been damage while in transit. The metal panel manufacturer should have ensured that all materials were loaded and packed properly, so before anything is removed from the delivery truck, be sure to check that nothing looks damaged. If damage is found, the shipment carrier should be advised before they leave the delivery site and a notation should be made on the bill of lading. Every metal panel manufacturer will have specific instructions on how defects/damage should be notated and communicated to ensure proper and timely resolution of any issues. If there are no issues and everything looks good while on the truck, carefully unload the materials and check for the two most common issues: moisture and denting/bending:

  • Moisture: After unbundling, if there is moisture, the panels should be elevated, separated and dried in a secure are not exposed to wind or other elements.
  • Denting/Bending: If found, the carrier should be advised and the manufacturer should be made aware of the issue as quickly as possible. You should take inventory of the materials delivered as well as pictures of any damage a notation made on the bill of lading.
  • Additional Transit Abrasion: If found, the carrier should be advised and a notation made on the bill of lading. Take pictures of any damage as soon as you find it (don’t move the panels before taking pictures) and notify the manufacturer as soon as possible.

If you do have any issues with material, it is important to contact the material manufacturer or the place of purchase immediately to ensure the issue is addressed appropriately.

Protecting the Finish Before and During Installation:

On a jobsite, reasonable care should be taken when handling painted surfaces during unloading, unpacking, moving, handling and/or installation in order to protect the finish. Although the paint coating is tough and does provide impact resistance, dragging a panel across the surface of another panel will almost certainly mar the finish.

Storage Considerations:

Finally, when storing panels before sale, delivery to a buyer or jobsite, or while on the jobsite waiting for installation, you will want to take special care to store the panels in a proper manner to ensure the integrity of the material is protected. Here are some challenges, solutions and caveats for a number of common situations.

  • Prolonged Storage: This is NOT recommended when panels are bundled or in a damp environment. If conditions do not permit immediate erection, extra care must be taken to protect the material from damage caused by moisture. See the manufacturer’s installation manual for proper storage of materials as well as the section below for more details.
  • Bundled Sheets: Only store in a DRY place. Sheets should be unbanded and stood on end at a slight angle against an interior wall that is not exposed to wind in order to allow for good air circulation. If it is not possible to store sheets in an upright position, strapping bands should be broken and sheets should be blocked off the floor with one end slightly elevated.
  • Stacked Sheets: These should be completely protected from the elements while maintaining good airflow in order to prevent condensation.
  • Panel Coverings: A properly draped canvas tarpaulin that allows for adequate air flow is an example of a good protective cover. Do not use plastic as it causes sweating and condensation to occur.
  • Trim Storage: Do not store trim with strippable film in the sun for long periods of time as the ability to separate the film and its adhesive from the metal will become unmanageable.
  • Preventing Corrosion and Galvanic Reaction:
    • In order to prevent unwanted chemical reactions and corrosion, do not store the metal panels with materials made of dissimilar metals (lead, copper, etc.).
    • Strong acids (jet fuel exhaust, commercial cleaners/solvents, etc.) can degrade the finish and void the manufacturer’s warranty.

Conclusion:

Preserve and Protect—and also Inspect. Keeping these common-sense actions and precautions in mind, there is no reason that the unique aesthetic qualities of metal panels should ever be compromised on a jobsite. For more information on metal roof and wall panels and to learn more about how to protect them throughout their lifespan, contact your local ABC representative today.

The Benefits of Metal Panels for Barndominiums

Posted on by Casey Walker

Another alternative residential construction trend gaining momentum (like tiny homes) is the “barndominium” movement.  Barndominiums are typically metal buildings that have been transformed from industrial or agricultural structures into residences boasting affordability, low maintenance and energy efficiency. These structures stand apart from traditional and tiny homes in that they may literally have been a barn or warehouse that has been renovated to include several rooms, bathrooms, kitchens and other living areas. They often have open floor plans and can also be dual-purpose—combining a residence with areas used for other functions such as offices, garages, workshops, places of worship or meeting centers.

Barndomiums are highly customizable and can offer your customers all the creative possibilities of a traditional home. Like their standard tiny home counterparts, they deliver a low-maintenance lifestyle at a more affordable price. With a barndominium, you customers have the opportunity to live in a larger space and to incorporate larger workspaces into one inclusive property.

Generally, these high-functioning, low-cost structures include everything your customers would expect in a residential structure: energy-efficient windows, stained concrete floors, engineered concrete slabs, spray foam insulation, plumbing and even 9-foot ceilings. In addition to basic living space and plumbing, barndominiums can offer specialized add-on options such as air-conditioning units, hardwood floors and even hot tubs. What most barndominiums have in common is that they are usually made of metal.

Why Choose Metal Roof/ Siding for Barndominiums?

Developing a barndominium usually means your customers will be working with a steel post-frame building, which naturally lends itself to the use of metal as the primary material for the entire construction. Building with metal will mean less concern about roofing and foundation problems, as well as other issues commonly encountered with a traditionally-built home.

Metal roofing and siding solutions for barndominiums carry the same benefits as for tiny homes—or any other structure for that matter. Beyond color choice and aesthetics, metal panels are readily available and offer durability, wind resistance and recyclability—all contributing to overall cost-effectiveness and long-term sustainability. While there are other roofing materials that can be used, metal remains the go-to choice for your customers who are embarking on a barndominium project.

Bottom Line Benefit:

But isn’t metal roofing more expensive? The initial cost of a metal roof does exceed other materials, such as asphalt, slate or tile; it’s understandable that this could give your customers pause. Industry statistics estimate that the average cost per square foot for a metal roof is approximately $3.00, compared to asphalt shingles at $1.50. This up-front cost, however, is just the first part of a much larger story. Metal provides improved strength and durability, resulting in significantly lower maintenance and energy costs for your customers over time. Over a metal roof’s lifespan, in fact, shingles can cost just as much, if not more, contributing to the cost-efficiency of the design and construction.

Additionally, since metal barndominiums can be pre-engineered and prefabricated offsite, new construction costs are reduced throughout the entire process—from design through to construction. This means measurable savings in labor costs due to a streamlined, abbreviated construction timeline.

Expert Advice:

While barndominiums might be the wave of the future, there are still some practical factors your customers should keep in mind:

Compliance: For one, since barndominiums may have the unique function of serving as both a living and working space, it is important that your customers check (in advance!) local zoning regulations to ensure the property is zoned for a metal barndominium. Also, ensure the building materials chosen are suited to the specific climate and location.

Quality: Furthermore, and perhaps most important, they should make sure the manufacturer is reputable and that the materials used are efficient and of high-quality, which should equate to better warranties and longer life expectancy for the structure.

For more information on metal panels for barndominiums, including recommendations on panel types and gauges for barndominium applications, please contact an American Building Components representative near you.

A Big Idea: An Introduction to Tiny Homes

Posted on by Ken Buchinger

Tiny homes are more than just a passing trend popularized by television shows, opinion editorials and blogs; they are a movement born out of a growing need and desire of homeowners to downsize, customize and simplify—all the while maintaining maximum function and style. Tiny homes, in fact, offer their residents big living opportunities through their inherent cost savings and mobility, which has resulted in Tiny Home Communities popping up across the country and even around the world. But what exactly is a tiny home and why are more and more people bucking tradition to live in them?

What is a Tiny Home?

While there is no hard and set rule about what constitutes a tiny house. They are—in short—residential structures that typically measure between 100 and 400 sq./ft.; the standard newly purchased U.S. single family home takes up nearly 2,100 sq./ft.1 These homes feature the same types of materials, construction and aesthetics you find in their larger, more permanent counterparts.

Can you really live in a Tiny Home?

Tiny homes certainly aren’t for everyone. If you have a large or growing family, or just enjoy having tons of space in which to live and entertain, you’re probably better off sticking with the traditionally-sized home. However, if you’re looking for a more affordable option, need a guest house, or are looking for a low-cost vacation home, tiny homes might be a great fit for you. In addition to being used as full-time residences, tiny homes are also used as short-term rental properties, and to house the homeless and those displaced as a result of destructive weather events.

Many of the concerns people have about living in a tiny home center around their need to have room for all of the things they possess: furniture, clothes, entertainment, knick-knacks, etc. It is true that those who choose to live in a tiny home shed many of their material possessions for a simpler, more minimalistic lifestyle. However, tiny homes can also be custom-built to feature loads of strategically-designed storage space to suit your lifestyle. You also don’t have to give up modern conveniences when living in a tiny home. These smaller spaces make use of generally unused or underutilized spaces to house full-size washer and dryer units, refrigerators, ovens and showers, as well as queen-size beds and fireplaces.

California Tiny Home
COPYRIGHT DC PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIOS

Cost Advantages of a Tiny Home: Affordability

The average cost to build a tiny house is $23,000 if built by the owner as compared to the $272,000 average cost for a standard-size house before interest2. In a time when a staggering 46 percent of Americans would either have to borrow money or sell something in order to cover a $400 emergency expense (as reported by the Federal Reserve Board in a recent survey), this in an attractive idea. Additionally, considering the slow-growing economy has done little to increase wages, it’s not surprising that spending one third or even one half of their monthly income on living expenses has left approximately 75 percent of American workers across a range of education and income levels living paycheck to paycheck. This includes nine percent of people earning $100,000 or more per year who feel they usually or always struggle to make ends meet (Harris Poll).

The Metal Panel Difference: While metal can—in some cases—be more expensive that more traditional building materials when initially purchased, their value is long-term in the form of increased durability, wind-resistance, fewer maintenance requirements, cost-saving energy efficiency, and inherent strength and structural integrity. In fact, over a metal roof’s lifespan (about 60 years), traditional shingles can cost just as much, if not more.3 Read more about the long-term value of metal panels here.

So while some buyers may be aiming to minimize their carbon footprint and live more simplistically, many people are looking to realize the economic benefits tiny homes offer. For them, the long-term durability and overall debt reduction thanks to lower purchase prices and taxes, reduced energy and maintenance costs, and more time living mortgage-free is driving them down this here-to-fore unusual path.

Want More Information on Tiny Homes?

In the next two blog articles in our Tiny Home series, we go into more detail about the advantages of metal panels for tiny homes. Metal Panels for Tiny Homes Part 1 will discuss mobility and customization; Part 2 will provide practical guidance on weather considerations, installation and maintenance.

For more information on metal panels for Tiny Homes, visit our website or contact your local sales representative.

 

References:

  1. thttp://www.nahbclassic.org/generic.aspx?sectionID=734&genericContentID=196904&channelID=311
  2. gov
  3. org/barndominium/

 

A Simple Solution to Metal Panel Condensation

Posted on by Tyler Roose

If you’ve ever gone outside before sunrise, you’ve likely noticed dew on the grass or on your car windows. This is condensation. While we may have learned the basics of this naturally occurring phenomenon in science class, we may need a quick refresher.

Condensation occurs when there’s more water vapor (the invisible, gaseous phase of water) than the air can hold. When the water vapor is cooled off or compressed to its saturation limit—at which point the vapor’s molecular density reaches its maximum threshold—it turns into liquid. Warm air can hold more moisture, but as it cools it reaches its saturation limit and water droplets form. While not a problem on the grass or your car (once you wipe the water away), condensation on metal panels CAN be a problem for your customers. The good news is there’s a simple solution.

ABC Drip Stop for metal panel condensationWhat causes condensation on metal panels?

When temperature and humidity conditions reach dew point, moisture can condense on the underside of metal roofing and potentially cause water damage to the inside of your customer’s building. Those drips from ceilings and surface moisture occur when warm air comes in contact with the cooler roofline or walls.

High interior humidity—a common cause of condensation in metal buildings—can result from heating and air conditioning systems, how the building is used, gas-fired heating components, improper construction techniques or even human respiration, as these all give off moisture vapor.

Effects of condensation on different types of panels:

If there is an abundance of condensation, water droplets will form and can cause damage. In metal buildings, there are a few possible consequences of trapped moisture in wall and roof systems:

  • Corrosion of metal components, even on surface-treated metal: When exposed to moisture, metal components can oxidize and weaken, decreasing the life of your customer’s building.
  • Degradation/ reduced effectiveness of the thermal performance of insulation
  • Mold or mildew growth, which can cause unpleasant odors and increase health risks, particularly for those with allergies or asthma
  • Insect infestations

Note: The probability of significant problems will depend on the location and usage of your customer’s building.

Controlling Condensation: What is the Solution?.

Traditionally, condensation is managed by insulating the metal roof so that the panel temperature never reaches the dew point. This is often accomplished using vinyl-backed fiberglass insulation to prevent humid air from coming into contact with the cooler metal roof (which may be at or below the dew point). If your customers are heating or cooling their building, adding insulation is certainly worth consideration. If they aren’t, there is another option to consider besides the installation of vinyl-backed insulation.

Your customers can consider installing Drip Stop, a patented condensation control membrane, to prevent damage from moisture. Drip Stop (manufactured by ABC) is a felt-like material with a rubber backer that can be applied to the back side of metal panels. The material literally traps and holds the moisture resulting from condensation. When conditions change, the ambient air temperature usually rises, thereby raising the dew point. The moisture is then released from the Drip Stop material back into the air in the form of normal humidity. Drip Stop can be applied to the back of metal coils (either Galvalume® Plus or painted) and then the metal can be roll-formed onto panels.

ABC Drip Stop for metal panel condensation

What are the benefits of this alternative condensation control method?

Drip Stop offers several advantages for your customers:

  • Durability: Drip Stop is a very tough, light gray anti-condensation felt that is not susceptible to ripping, tearing or deterioration unlike standard insulation and vapor barriers.
  • Low Maintenance: Drip Stop resists dirt and grime, is antimicrobial and is very easy to clean with a hose or pressure washer.
  • Corrosion Protection: The rubber backer on the material helps protect the back side of the panel from corrosion (although there is no protection at the panel’s cut edges).
  • Easy to Handle: There is no need to roll a vapor barrier over purlins and then seal with tape, which can reduce labor hours and cost. Additionally, the use of Drip Stop is not hindered by windy conditions.
  • Safety and Insurance: The material is approved for smoke generation and flame spread per UL® 723 for insurance specifications.
  • Acoustic Benefits: Drip Stop helps dampen sound from either inside or outside the building.
  • Versatility: Drip Stop is approved for use in residences, warehouses, industrial plants, sports arenas, schools, storage buildings, garages, animal confinement facilities and more.
  • Cost-Savings: Drip Stop is up to 25 percent less expensive as compared to traditional solutions.
  • Warranty-Backed: Drip Stop features a 20-year adhesion warranty to ensure longevity.

The Bottom Line:

There’s no need for the damaging effects of condensation to put a damper on your customer’s metal building project. With a simple solution like Drip Stop, you customers can protect their assets and prevent costly and time-consuming repairs.

For more information on Drip Stop and how it can be applied to ABC’s PBR, Imperial Rib® and Retro-R® panels, visit our website or contact your local sales representative.

Safety and Savings Courtesy of Metal Panels

Posted on by Tyler Roose

Most people understand that buildings outfitted with secure, storm-resistant roofing material like metal are less prone to damage from hurricanes, hail storms and other damaging weather events. Not only does this strength provide safety and security for the building owner, but those qualities also translate into cost-savings outside of what’s saved due the longer lifespan and lower maintenance requirements of metal panels.

Metal Panels deliver strength and savings

Safety in Strength

Metal roofs are made to last. Thick panels, properly installed and maintained, have a lifespan of up to 50 years under normal circumstances—double that of most asphalt shingle roofs. To ensure that lifespan, metal roofing manufacturers perform rigorous tests (according to strict ASTM standards) that document performance under a range of environmental traumas. These tests confirm that, compared to other surfaces, metal offers superior performance when subjected to the following:

Hail

Even the most basic metal roof is a shield against hail damage, but of course some products and roof designs offer even greater protection. To protect against hail damage, the optimal option is a heavy-gauge metal panel roof installed over solid plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) sheathing. Two of the most comprehensive post-storm studies found that such roofs survived even the biggest hailstones without punctures or leakage.[i] In the worst cases, the damage to the metal was only cosmetic.

Wind and water

Metal roofs can withstand wind gusts as strong as 140 mph. Because they consist of large interlocking panels, they’re less susceptible to uplift than individual asphalt shingles and offer fewer entry points for water.

In addition, the synthetic underlayments used by professional roofers are 20 times stronger than felt, so in the unlikely event that the roof is punctured there is a much lower chance that water will get into the structure. (Synthetic underlayments also stay as much as 25 degrees cooler on a hot, sunny day and include an anti-skid coating that keeps roofers safer during installation.)

Wildfire

We’ve all seen pictures of metal-roofed homes that have survived wildfires while the surrounding structures burned to the ground.[ii] It makes sense: metal panels hold a Class A fire-resistant rating (the highest possible), making a metal roof installed over a fire-resistant cap sheet the optimal combination in fire-prone areas. In fact, a publication from the UCLA School of Architecture urges homeowners rebuilding in wildfire zones to use non-combustible roofing and siding. It also cautions against the use of clay tiles, which can develop cracks that allow wind to drive burning embers into the attic.[iii]

Lightning

Many people ask about metal roofing’s lightning resistance: does its conductivity make it more susceptible to strikes? The answer is no: not only is a home with a metal roof no more prone to this than any other structure, but if it is struck by lightning the large metal surface will do a good job of safely dispersing that energy.[iv] And because metal is not flammable, a strike is much less likely to start a fire, which is often the most devastating result of a lightning strike.

Continual Savings

Confirmation of metal’s durability and safety comes from a third party business with a real stake in the matter: the insurance industry. Some insurance companies offer lower premiums for the use of qualifying wind- and impact-resistant roofing materials like metal. These include large national insurers like State Farm and Nationwide, which offer discounts in 26 states plus one Canadian province for certain roofing products with Class 4 wind ratings. Most metal roofing manufacturers, including American Building Components, have several products on their lists.

For more information on ABC’s roof products, please visit our website or contact your local representative today.

 

[i] http://www.constructionmagnet.com/metal-roofing-magazine/metal-vs-mother-nature-hail

[ii] http://photoblog.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/16/13314843-lone-house-surrounded-by-scorched-earth-survives-wildfire?lite

[iii] http://www.energy-design-tools.aud.ucla.edu/FIRES.html

[iv] http://www.metalroofing.com/v2/content/guide/newsletters/04-0701.cfm

Maintaining, Cleaning & Repairing Metal Panels

Posted on by Tyler Roose

Understanding the maintenance requirements of your metal panels is essential to maximizing the longevity of your investment with the least amount of hassle. While metal panels have been engineered to provide decades of trouble-free protection, they can suffer damage from the build-up of debris as well as storm-related traumas like hail stones, falling branches and ice dams. To extend the lifespan and strength of metal panels, maintenance consists mostly of preventing and correcting these issues.

metal roofing maintenance tips

 The importance of regular inspections

Regular inspections are critical to identifying damaged panels and accumulated debris that can trap moisture, causing corrosion over time. To prevent this, a visual inspection should be performed in the spring and the fall of each year, as well as after major weather events to identify issues. Take a walk around the structure and look for leaves, branches and other debris piled up on the roof, including in valleys, gutters and downspouts, as well as behind chimneys and/or other protrusions. While you can perform this type of inspection yourself, please keep in mind that metal panels—particularly metal roofs—should be professionally inspected every four to five years depending on your geographic location. If you live in a coastal or humid area more prone to corrosion and rust, professional inspections should be done more frequently to prevent the rust from spreading and causing structural damage to the panels.

In addition to debris, keep an eye out for scratched or dented areas, as well as for loose screws and seams that look like they are separating. (If you can’t make out the details from the ground, try using a pair of binoculars.). Use the manufacturer’s recommended touch-up paint to correct scratches as they can quickly degrade the surface protection and jeopardize the longevity of metal panels. If the panels have separating seams or holes, first check to see if the repair is partly or fully covered by your warranty. Unless you are experienced in metal roof repair and possess a thorough knowledge of the products and techniques that can be used without voiding the warranty, it is recommended that you engage a metal panel repair specialist to make the repairs. If you decide to undertake the work yourself, it is also important to remember that these fixes are, at best, temporary and should be addressed by a professional recommended by the metal panel manufacturer.

Cleaning metal panels

Keeping metal panels clean is one of the best ways to ensure they last as long as possible. When cleaning metal roofs and walls, using a non-pressure cleaning method with detergents recommended by the metal panel manufacturer is ideal. It is not advisable to use metal tools such as rakes to remove debris. This is likely to scratch the paint, reducing the panels protection from the elements and other damaging factors. Using a leaf blower to remove debris is a common choice, but a long-handled push-broom or a telescoping pole with a window cleaning brush will also do the job. Ideally, the tool should be one that lets you do the removal from the ground, but if you absolutely must walk on the roof then only step on the flat areas. If there are areas you can’t access yourself—particularly slanted areas that have been made slippery with cleaning solutions—hiring a professional service to do this once or twice a year is the safest option.

To reduce the chance of further damage and keep your panels cleaner over longer periods of time, trim tree branches as far back from the building as possible. This is especially important for large, unhealthy branches that could break off during high winds and cause damage.

Proper snow removal

There are—of course—considerations that must be made for metal buildings located in colder climates. After a winter storm, it’s a good idea to remove standing snow from the roof. This is doubly important on older homes where poor attic insulation can lead to ice dams. An ice dam forms when heat escaping from inside the attic warms the roof and melts the bottom layer of snow. The snowmelt then re-freezes, creating a dam that traps water which can work its way into seams between panels and around flashings.

Warranty considerations

It’s always smart to reference the metal panel manufacturer’s warranty to be sure you don’t use any products or tools that will void your warranty. They should also provide instructions and advice specific to the panels and application(s) you’ve selected to ensure you get the most out of their products with the least hassle.

For more information on metal panels, check out ABC’s FAQ page. For more on our metal panels and accessories, please visit our product pages or contact your local representative today.

Cool Metal Roofs Save Energy and Cost

Posted on by Candy McNamee

Metal panels are a cool addition to your building in more ways than one. Besides looking great, a metal roof is a simple and effective way to make you more comfortable in warmer months while cutting your energy use and providing potential tax savings.

What is a cool roof?

A “cool roof” is one that’s both reflective and emissive. That is, it reflects sunlight and re-radiates absorbed heat back to the sky before that heat can work its way into the structure. Measured surface temperatures of cool roofs are as much as 50 degrees lower than those of conventional roofs[1] so the building’s interior is less prone to heat up, as are any ducts running through the structure. The benefits are obvious: your rooms are naturally cooler and don’t require the air conditioner to work as hard, and you enjoy lower electric bills. In fact, the US Department of Energy (DOE) reports energy savings as high as 15 percent for homes with cool roofs.[2]

And if you’re building a new home, a cool roof may reduce construction costs by letting you install a smaller air conditioning system.

 

 

cool metal roofing

 

Cool Metal Roofs are both reflective and emissive.

 

 

How it works

In technical terms, these benefits are thanks to cool metal roofing’s high solar reflectance and high emissivity. The solar reflectance is used in determining ENERGY STAR® compliance.  When solar reflectance is calculated with thermal emissivity, in accordance with ASTM E1980, the result is the solar reflectance index or SRI. SRI is stated in whole numbers from 0 to 100, with the higher numbers indicating better performance. Tests done at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL) found that metal roofs painted with white coatings have SRIs from 71 to 82. By contrast, white asphalt shingles earn at maximum an SRI range of just 21 to 40.[3] This indicates cool metal roofs perform three to four times better than white asphalt shingles.

The LBNL data is for white roofs, but metal has a much wider range of cool colors. Yes, white is more naturally reflective—you will feel cooler on a hot, sunny day when wearing a white shirt as opposed to a black one—but with metal panels, it’s not just about color. A broad range of paints for metal panels have chemical additives that increase their cool properties.

Tax benefits

If you need any more incentive, there’s another benefit to installing a cool roof. As mentioned in our metal roof tax credits blog, if you re-roof your primary residence using an ENERGY STAR® certified metal roofing product before Dec. 31, 2016, you are eligible to receive a tax credit. And in fact, ABC has 28 colors that are ENERGY STAR qualified for steep-slope roofs.  Simply include a copy of the manufacturer’s Certification Statement for those panels with Tax Form 5695 with your tax return to qualify for a $500 tax credit.

For more information on ABC’s cool roof products, please visit our website or contact your local representative today.

References:

[1] http://energy.gov/energysaver/cool-roofs

[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urbpBy_Z5lE

[3] http://energy.lbl.gov/coolroof/

Metal Roofing Gauges: What Are The Best Gauges For Metal Roofs?

Posted on by Tyler Roose

When your customers decide to use metal panels for their building project, they’ll need to make several decisions to choose the best panel. One of the first decisions they’ll make is what gauge or thickness they need. There are a variety of metal roof and wall panel profiles to choose from, and they are all available in several gauge thicknesses … but what does that really mean to your customers and how does that affect your business?

Metal Panel Gauges: Are you getting what you pay for?

Metal Panel Gauges Deciphered

U.S. manufacturers express the thickness of metal panels as their ‘gauge’, with 22-gauge being the thickest and 29-gauge the thinnest of traditionally-sold metal roof and wall panels. Each gauge represents a nominal decimal range. For example, a 26-gauge steel panel can range between 0.0179 and 0.0217 inches thick according to a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill resource.

This means that while a 26-gauge panel from one manufacturer could measure 0.027 in. thick, a 26-gauge panel from another manufacturer could measure only 0.0179 in., but both are sold as 26-gauge panels. Although those seem like small numbers, they represent a noticeable difference in panel stiffness and strength.

So how do you and your customers know if the metal panel manufacturer has used thinner sheeting and made up the difference with a coat of paint? When ordering inventory, you should look beyond the gauge number to the manufacturer’s specifications on metal thickness. This will give you peace of mind that you’re providing your customers with the gauge they’re paying for and the quality they need to get the job done.

 

Costs of 26-Gauge Panels vs. 29-Gauge Panels

Expect to pay more for thicker panels. The cost of a 26-gauge product will be about 15 percent higher than a 29-gauge with the same profile from the same manufacturer. While some people insist that the extra cost is always worth it, that may be misleading. Yes, thicker panels are stronger, but the importance of that added strength depends on the type of building construction as well as the customer’s priorities and location.

 

When To Choose a Thicker Metal Roofing Gauge

There are instances where thicker gauges always earn their keep. The most common of these is the post-frame building, or pole barn: an open-framed structure used for barns, garages and warehouses. Post-frames generally lack structural sheathing, so the roof and wall panels must span between the supporting trusses or purlins. Because 22-, 24- or 26-gauge sheeting is thicker, and will, therefore, remain more structurally sound over a longer span than a 29-gauge, the building needs fewer supports, which saves your customers money. For post-frame structures like this, it is important for your customers to consider the potential snow load the roof may need to support when choosing the metal panel gauge. Lighter-gauge (thicker) panels may save your customers from structural collapse in the winter months!

Lighter gauge (thicker) metal is also more forgiving of installation errors such as the over-tightening of screws, and it won’t be as likely to transfer bumps and waves in the sheathing. (The latter is more likely when re-paneling an older home.) Thicker trim pieces will also lay more accurately, so some homeowners and contractors opt for 29-gauge roof and wall panels with 26-gauge trim, a combination that is common and cost-effective.

 

When To Choose a Thinner Metal Roofing Gauge

Span isn’t always a concern in the residential market. Nearly all homes have a layer of plywood or oriented strand board sheathing covered by a weather-resistant barrier. The metal panels are affixed to the sheathing and serve no structural role in these instances; their job is to keep the sheathing dry. A quality 29-gauge panel is more than adequate for this—which is why it’s used on nearly 80 percent of homes with metal panels.

Despite this, thicker (lighter-gauge) panels can make sense for buildings in hail-prone areas, but not because of structural integrity. A 29-gauge metal panel can have the same impact-resistance rating from Underwriters’ Laboratory (UL) as a 26-gauge panel; the advantage of thicker metal panels in this case is that they are less prone to denting. If your customer lives in a place like Cheyenne, Wyoming (the hail capital of North America) and is concerned about long-term appearance, thicker panels may be the better option.

 

Let ABC Help You Choose the Right Metal Panel Gauge!

For more information about metal panel gauges, check out our panel selection chart or contact your local ABC representative today. Additionally, use our online ordering tool to find accurate pricing, create quotes and place orders for metal building products anytime, anywhere and from any device.  If you don’t already have an account, register for access today!

DISTRIBUTORS: Shop online at shop.abcmetalroofing.com!

Galvalume® vs. Galvanized Metal Roofing

Posted on by Jessica Taylor

Galvalume® vs. Galvanized Metal Roofing

Selecting metal panels made from high-quality materials is essential to the longevity and success of your customer’s metal roofing system—from the steel sheets to the fasteners. Although the quality of the paint system applied to metal roofing panels provides an essential level of protection (as discussed in our recent ‘Decoding Your Warranty’ blog series), not to be overlooked is the coating used on metal roofing panels. Two coatings are commonly used on steel sheeting in the metal panel industry today: Galvalume® and Galvanized. Both products are manufactured to adhere to carbon sheeting and provide a barrier that resists corrosion. Additionally, they enhance long-term water-tightness and durability, ensuring resilience through damaging weather conditions. But what exactly are the differences between Galvalume® and Galvanized?

What is Galvalume® metal?

Introduced into the construction marketplace by Bethlehem Steel in 1972 and now widely available around the world, Galvalume® is carbon steel sheeting coated with aluminum-zinc alloy by a continuous hot-dip process. Composed of 55 percent aluminum and approximately 45 percent zinc, this coating combines the best properties of both metals. It has the corrosion resistance, high temperature oxidation resistance and heat reflectivity typical of aluminum coatings, with the formability and galvanic protection of cut edges characteristic of zinc coatings. This combination makes it ideal for most types of roofing and siding. In addition, the coating also contains a small but significant amount of silicon in the alloy—not to enhance the corrosion performance, but to ensure optimal coating adhesion to the steel substrate when roll-formed, drawn or bent during fabrication.

 What is Galvanized metal?

Galvanized Sheet is carbon steel sheet coated with zinc on two sides by a continuous hot-dip process. This method tightly adheres the coating to the steel with an iron-zinc alloy bonding layer formed by a diffusion process while the heated steel strip is in contact with the molten zinc.

What is the difference between Galvalume® & Galvanized roofing?

While both products were developed to essentially sacrifice themselves to protect the steel sheeting they coat, the above exposure comparison shows that Galvalume® performs (up to nine times) better in fighting corrosion as compared to Galvanized coating. While Galvalume® can initially show signs of corrosion faster than Galvanized, it has a sacrificial property that will prevent the corrosion from growing whereas once corrosion has started on a Galvanized panel, it can continue to corrode until panel integrity is lost. According to a study released by the Metal Construction and Zinc Aluminum Coaters associations, the longevity of a low-slope unpainted Galvalume® standing-seam roof is 60 years  (See the full report.)  Additionally, primer and paint adhere better to Galvalume®-coated panels and they carry a 20-year limited warranty while galvanized panels do not, making them a smarter long-term investment for your customers’ homes, agricultural buildings or commercial properties.

Important Facts About Galvalume®

  • Galvalume® should not come in direct contact with: standing water, dissimilar metals (copper, lead, iron), harsh chemicals, graphite pencil, masonry products or treated lumber.
  • Proper roof inspections and maintenance is still required, as with any other roof system.

Its versatility, ease of use, aesthetic appeal and long-term, service life-extending performance makes Galvalume-coated steel roof panels the most economical and sustainable coating option for your customers’ new and retrofit applications. To learn more about Galvalume®, please visit  http://www.galvalume.com/. To view ABC’s Galvalume® Plus products, which are easy to form and install safely due to the thin, clear acrylic coating that allows them to be roll-formed dry without vanishing oil, please see our color resources and Galvalume® warranty information.

Receive a $500 Tax Credit on Your Metal Roof

Posted on by Heather Hollis

Uncle Sam has renewed the federal tax credits for ENERGY STAR® certified metal roof products on primary residences, which means in addition to saving 40% on energy costs, your certified metal roof will put cash back in your wallet. The credit applies to purchases made in 2016 for retrofit roofing materials, and is also retroactive for 2015 purchases.  Here are the details:

  • Tax credit amount: 10% of cost up to $500 or a specific amount from $50-$300
  • Expires: December 31, 2016
  • Restrictions: Must be an existing home and your principal residence.  New construction and rentals do not apply.

To claim your credit, install an ABC ENERGY STAR certified roof on your principal residence before December 31, 2016. On your tax return, include a copy of our Certification Statement to file with Tax Form 5695.

Select from these ABC ENERGY STAR Certified Metal Roofing Colors

  • Buckskin
  • Burgundy
  • Burnished Slate
  • Charcoal Gray
  • Clay
  • Coal Black
  • Cobalt Blue
  • Desert Sand
  • Evergreen
  • Gray
  • Hawaiian Blue
  • Ivy Green
  • Koko Brown
  • Light Stone
  • Polar White
  • Radiant Red
  • Regal White
  • Rustic Red
  • Saddle Tan

View Manufacturer’s ENERGY STAR Certification. For more information on how to apply, visit ENERGY STAR’s website.