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Multiple environmental considerations must be taken into account when designing metal architectural systems, including curtain walls, panels, commercial windows, sunscreens and louvers. Fortunately, Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and its associated tools are helping architecture/engineering/construction professionals address these considerations.

“We’re blessed.” John Williams, President at Sterling Merchandising in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, was able to utter those two words after Hurricane Maria ripped through the island in September 2017. The Sterling Merchandising facility, constructed with insulated metal panels from Metl-Span, survived the category 4 hurricane with no leaks and minimal damage.

Occasionally, customers suggest that Schweiss hydraulic and bifold doors may be more heavy duty than they need to be. You won’t hear that from pilots who house their airplanes in hangars at the Aransas County Airport in Rockport, Texas.

In the beginning, we only had rocks and logs to help keep snow and ice from avalanching off our roofs. These were crude but effective means of minimizing injury and damage from snow slides. With the advancements in adhesives and fasteners, we now have various methods of snow retention attachment.

The Metal Roofing Association (MRA) recently released the results of its research into the use of metal in residential roofing and the changes during the past decade or so. They found that the percentage of residential properties specifying metal roofing has increased from 3% to 14% in that time. Spurred on by these results they have set an ambitious target of 20% market share by 2020.

Sparkling lights flash 24 hours a day, coaxing gamblers in for a night-cap and maybe even one more round of craps on their way back to the hotel. The metropolis shines just as bright in the late hours of the night as it does under the unforgiving Nevada sun. Visualizing the legendary Las Vegas Strip is not a difficult task, even for those who have never visited.

With its nearly endless color and texture possibilities, eco-friendliness and durability, prepainted metal’s popularity is on the rise when compared to other materials. With the technological demands of modern fabrication techniques, manufacturers may wonder if this new trend of greater use of prepainted metal can handle the rigorous processes of manufacturing, such as embossing and rollforming, while maintaining adherence to government regulations.

The green building movement has witnessed an overall shift in architecture in which locally sourced and responsibly manufactured building products are used. Today, the green building movement is focused on resource conservation and reducing the amount of toxic substances that are commonly found in building materials in hopes of creating healthier, more efficient building environments.

Are you ready to handle the coming metal construction boom or are you still ‘dancing in the dark’? With the statistics for the U.S. construction industry looking as good as they do now, is your business ready to tackle the inflow of work?

Feelings of hope and excitement swept over the world as we welcomed 2017 – a new year means a new start and provides the opportunity to reflect on past experiences. We evaluate ourselves through the ups and downs, set goals for the future, reminisce about the good times and learn from the bad. It’s refreshing to have a clean slate. There are endless possibilities, and the uncertainty of what is waiting ahead sparks excitement.

In 1992, Hurricane Andrew swept over Florida and caused more than $16 billion in total insured damages. Consequently, over the ensuing two decades the state of Florida has legislated stringent building codes to withstand potential storm damage.

The last thing a customer wants to hear is “No.” Customers are looking for solutions. Being told something can’t be done does not instill much confidence in these so-called experts. Schweiss Doors, on the other hand, has been finding ways to say “Yes!” to customers for almost four decades. The Minnesota manufacturer of hydraulic and bifold liftstrap doors produces custom doors for hangars, commercial buildings, agricultural buildings and residential applications.

It’s no secret that a new metal roof is a big investment. Hard earned dollars are devoted to designing and constructing a commercial building with a roof that is not only durable and high-performing, but also stands the test of time. Of course, issues can arise over the lifetime of a metal roof, and relying on a warranty can come in handy in protecting that investment. However, not all warranties are created equal.

Whether we live in a big city or far out in the countryside, most of us spend our professional lives outside of the home. From skyscrapers and industrial complexes to big box stores and suburban strip malls, a large segment of the employed public works in buildings designed specifically to accommodate office space and commercial enterprises. And one of the growing features of these facilities is the use of exterior metal paneling.

People get into business because they know they can provide a product or service better than the competition. They also get into business because they know they can make money providing that product or service. When it comes to making money, efficiency is the key in any business. Samco Machinery produces roll forming equipment for a number of industries, including building and construction.

Koehn Construction Services of Fredonia, KS believes its loyalty to the suppliers with the best products breeds loyalty from their customers looking for the best buildings. When it comes to doors on the many large agricultural buildings Koehn has erected, Schweiss Doors is the only choice.

Metal is one of the more practical and widely-used roofing materials on the market today. Introduced as an alternative to roofing materials such as clay and wood, metal roofs can last between 40 and 70 years. However, when one has reached the end of its lifecycle, building owners are left with very few options.

Education is the cornerstone of our society. In addition to thoughtful curriculum, the youth of our nation need to have resources and well-designed spaces to help facilitate their growth and success. Color helps set the tone and mood of a building or room, and leaves a lasting impression. Utilizing color in the classroom, common spaces and building exteriors is no new trend; however, from elementary schools to universities we are seeing architects enlist color in new ways to encourage excitement and productivity.

One of the most common types of damage caused by sliding snow and ice is bent and broken ventilation pipes. They typically have little protection from being crushed or sheared during a snow and ice slide. Pipe boots are often damaged and can result in roof leaks.

SAF (Southern Aluminum Finishing Co.), headquartered in Atlanta, GA, marks its 70th anniversary this fall. At its founding in 1946, SAF was one of only two anodizing lines in the country. Founder Marvin McClatchey was a chemical engineer and pioneer in anodizing for architectural applications. Still in the family, SAF is currently led by second generation brothers and Co-CEOs, Penn McClatchey and Jim McClatchey.