FEATURED ARTICLES

In addition to speaking regularly with customers around the world, Ray Smith, managing director of AppliCad USA Inc. learns a lot from trade show attendees, including the ones he sees each year at the International Roofing Expo. Smith noticed technology everywhere at the 2013 show. The contractors he talked to did too. Many are keen to use it to help their businesses grow but aren't sure where to focus their efforts and resources. Smith has a suggestion.

Nearly every construction project today incorporates measures for energy conservation and sustainability. Today’s project owners demand state-of-the-art “earth friendly” products and technologies for both the physical structure and the building systems. When working with earth friendly products and green technology, designers need to consider the unique threats that lightning strikes pose.

The metal construction industry has many success stories. Perhaps it’s because metal’s ability to adapt to different situations attracts creative, resilient people. It’s certainly the case with Mario Lallier, owner of Metal Plus LLC and creator of a line of innovative metal roof brackets. He never sought attention, but ironically his constant desire to find a better way to do things has helped put him in the spotlight.

Hyundai Motor Group's U.S. dealerships are in the midst of being re-branded with new aluminum composite material (ACM) signage, in accordance with guidelines established as part of Hyundai’s Global Sign Program. It’s a five-year initiative that will involve 851 dealerships. The contract to fabricate the required ACM panels was awarded to Architectural Graphics Incorporated (AGI) of Virginia Beach, VA. The ACM material being used exlusively by the fabricator for the project is ALPOLIC ACM.

Entrepreneur. Inventor. Industry expert. Educator. While one label or another might fit many in the metal construction industry, there’s really just one person to which all titles equally apply: Rob Haddock, president of Colorado Springs, CO-based Metal Roof Advisory Group and inventor of the S-5! Attachment technology.

Technology plays a key role in the 2012 METALCON International, our industry’s major annual event. It begins with the new mobile application that offers attendees and exhibitors a more efficient way to share information before, during and after the show. It continues on the exhibit floor with over 250 exhibitors’ metal products and services and in the live action demos that offer the latest solar technologies and the newest tools and techniques for metal roofing and walls.

C.O. Beck and Sons has been installing quality and attractive roof systems throughout Maine and Northern New England since 1920. As a fourth generation, family-owned and operated business, Beck understands the importance of long lasting roofs and the experience and craftsmanship that ensures sound and aesthetically pleasing metal roofs.

With building code changes over the last decade or so, retrofitting existing buildings in coastal areas with metal roofs have become even more difficult and complex. The changes in code have dramatically increased the load requirements in the edges and corners of a roof - a challenge not easily met by most standing seam panels on the 5’ purlin spacing common in older buildings. There is an easy solution to these conditions.

Silverback Solar recently designed a unique and cost-effective racking system for a problematic pre-engineered metal building where coupling maximized power generation with prudent engineering was the challenge.

Job takeoffs require patience, understanding of what is to be furnished and a lot of uninterrupted time to calculate the material required for the project. Such is the everyday routine at Roof Hugger, Inc. – an industry-leading manufacturer/supplier of sub-purlins and other materials for the reroofing of existing steel roofs. No software existed to assist with their estimating, until Roof Hugger’s Dale Nelson met AppliCad’s Ray Smith and Leigh Menzel.

Sustainable or “green” buildings – buildings that are deliberately designed to use natural resources in a way that’s environmentally friendly – are no longer a luxury. They are an imperative.

Historical buildings are essential to the Canadian culture, says Erika Huber of Ornamentals Manufacturing, LLC. When undertaking restoration projects, she advises that the proper balance between historical preservation, economical viability and sustainability awareness must be maintained. This often includes the use of long-lasting metal roofing and related products.

The green building movement began with a focus on making all new buildings more eco and energy efficient. The USGBC’s LEED rating system was a key factor in setting the pace of this trend. Plus, metal’s ability to add points toward LEED certification increased awareness of metal and our industry. As new construction has slowed, however, the upswing in renovation and reuse adds a new perspective to the business of using metal in construction.

The Port of Tyne Bio-Mass Fuel Storage Facility in Newcastle, United Kingdom features 161,458 sq. ft. of steel roofing, which posed concerns that condensation might form on the underside of the roof panels and damage bio-fuel pellets inside the structure. However, that was easily addressed by using LantorCondenStop fleece which was adhered to the underside of the panels.

Moisture condensation is common where humidity and temperature fluctuations occur outside and when conditions or activities inside a building create moisture. Plus, the current emphasis on creating more energy efficient or more airtight buildings can actually trap moisture inside the building. Left untreated, unwanted moisture can damage wood and cause corrosion of metal decking, roof panels and fasteners in the roof structure.