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Preparing a “fire hardened” home is essential as wildfires threaten more U.S. and Canadian regions than ever before. Leading residential trade organizations such as the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) and wildfire safety experts say it is up to homeowners to take steps now to help their home survive a wildfire. That includes paying heed to the four “S’s”—Structures, Spacing, Selection and Sprucing.

In the realm of modern architecture, innovation is the cornerstone of progress. It's the spark that ignites creativity and allows architects and designers to redefine the boundaries of possibility. At Norbec, we invite you to embark on a journey with us as we unveil our latest masterpiece – Architectural Elements | fins. These elegant and versatile design elements are revolutionizing building envelopes, adding a new dimension of both aesthetics and functionality. In this blog, we'll delve into the world of Architectural Elements | Fins, exploring their myriad applications and the boundless possibilities they offer to architects, builders, and dreamers of architectural excellence.

Last year, raging fires destroyed much of Lahaina, a historic resort town located on the island of Maui. An image that quickly went viral showed the burnt remnants of homes once populating the scenic tropical coastline. Each had been reduced to ashes and debris except one—a nearly 100-year-old dwelling that just the year before was fitted with a standing seam metal roof.

Laurel, MT - Insulated metal panels (IMPs) can be challenging to lift, move, and install on the jobsite. Before vacuum lifting changed the game, the weight and size of IMPs required extra time, extra muscle, and extra equipment. More importantly, other handling methods posed a greater risk for personal injury and load damage.

Aurora, CO - As a business owner, it’s important to take advantage of every opportunity to save on taxes. Contractors and manufacturers who purchase new rollforming equipment may be eligible for a significant tax deduction on their machine by taking advantage of Section 179 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, which offers substantial tax benefits for qualifying equipment purchases.

Bossier City, LA – Installing a new roof is an investment, not just in terms of money but in the protection of your customers’ property. It’s a vital component of the property that provides protection and greatly impacts property value. With its 50-to-60-year life expectancy and warranties, metal roofing has an acknowledged advantage.

Whiting, IN - In a significant development for coastal construction projects across the Hawaiian Islands, Armored Coast, the renowned metal roofing solution celebrated for its exceptional durability and resilience, has now made its debut in Hawaii. This milestone marks an important step in advancing coastal roof protection in the region. Armored Coast will redefine standards for roofing excellence in Hawaii's unique environment, both for the unique composition of metal and for the warranties for homeowners.

Davidson, NC - The design of educational buildings is about more than functionality; instead it’s about creating spaces that encourage curiosity and an enthusiasm for learning. By incorporating durable and sustainable ALUCOBOND with its imaginative range of brilliant colors and rich finishes, architects are able to generate building designs that, when implemented, promote an enthusiasm for discovery.

Portland, OR — Homeowners take heed: The prime time for thunder, lightning and hailstorms is on the way, with two-thirds of lightning-related fires occurring between June and August. With that in mind, how do you separate fact from fiction when it comes to protecting your home from one of Mother Nature’s most powerful forces? Take the following pop quiz.

Fairefax, MN – The concept of human flight is virtually as old as humankind. Ever since man first walked the earth, he has dreamed of ascending above it. Mike Schweiss, founder of Hector, MN-based Schweiss Doors, fulfilled a piece of that dream with his first solo flight behind the controls of a Cessna 172 in 1991. Although he continued to fly after earning his license, Mike was sidetracked with an occupation that gave a distinct boost to the world of aviation.

Aurora, CO - "Standing seam metal roofing is a popular option for both residential and commercial buildings due to its durability, weather resistance, and attractive color and style options. Standing seam metal roofs generally fall into the categories of snap lock and mechanical seam profiles," writes Rick Zand of New Tech Machinery. In this article, he provides detailed comparisons.

Boucherville, Quebec, Canada – In the realm of building construction materials and energy efficiency, two key terms often surface: R-value and U-value. Both are critical in determining how well a building is insulated, but they offer different insights as to how a given material will help the overall building’s thermal performance.

Portland, OR — The month of April and celebrating Earth Day are perfect reminders of how every improvement decision homeowners make has a major impact on the planet. That's the message being conveyed to home and property owners by the Metal Roofing Alliance.

Whiting, IN – Let’s hear it for fair trade practices. Backed by rigorous investigations, the U.S. The Department of Commerce has determined some bad actors and initiated a process to financially counter those found to be at fault. At the forefront of preliminary fines are China, Mexico, Turkey, and Indonesia. At the time of reading this, US Customs and Border Protection will be collecting these preliminary duties against those countries in question. This current action itself is only one step which is focused on countervailing, or offsetting, subsidies provided to the countries by their domestic governments, but it stated more fines are soon approaching.

Muskegon, MI - Anodized aluminum exhibits a natural metallic beauty that makes it a preferred choice by designers and architects. The reason these finishes look like metal is because the anodize layer is transparent, allowing a clear view of the base aluminum to show through. All aluminum can be anodized. However, there are many different alloys (series) of aluminum which will produce different colors when anodized.

Aurora, CO - "The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into various sectors has been revolutionizing industries everywhere, and the metal roofing industry is no exception," writes Rick Zand of New Tech Machinery. "It’s worth mentioning, you don’t have to understand how AI works to benefit from it. However, you should have a basic understanding to see its possibilities."

Auburn, WA - "Let’s talk about gauge selection," writes Peter Tuininga, Vice President at The Bryer Company. "A common question, especially in the residential roofing market is, what thickness of steel should my metal roof be? This is a seemingly basic question with a difficult and nuanced answer. There are a multitude of factors to consider, so let’s break them down."

Davidson, NC - The design of modern healthcare facilities continues to advance, shifting from the sterile and monotonous institutions of 50 years ago to today’s warm and welcoming structures intentionally tailored to the communities they serve. By incorporating durable and sustainable ALUCOBOND into their designs, whether interior or exterior, its robust array of brilliant colors and rich finishes, allow architects to create eye-catching projects across the U.S. that stand out and make a positive impression.

Whiting, IN — The world of textured metallic is changing, and East Lake Metals has expanded its product range to include WeatherXL™ Crinkle Coat to stay ahead of this trend. This textured finish for metal is not just a protective shield, but it could be the next thing you hear from aesthetically minded clients. Textured metal has become more popular than ever, thanks to the bolder designs, building materials, and sophisticated aesthetics of modern homes and businesses. East Lake Metals stocks a collection of five colors and 26-gauge materials. Crinkle Coat is a popular paint finish that comes with a 40-year warranty.

Deland, FL — Retrofits are key to reducing rising greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the built environment, according to new research by 3Keel and Kingspan. The study revealed that U.S. emissions from the built environment have increased by 3% in the last decade – a trend that looks set to continue. The research warns that reductions in GHG emissions from buildings are reversing in the U.S. and the nation’s building stock is “far off track for reaching net zero by 2050.”