Metal Manipulation: Roll formers can provide curving

Did you know you could curve a panel with your portable roll former? Bear Lake Roofing of Rice Lake, Wis., has done it on several occasions, most recently on a barn re-roof project.

Adam Miller simply adjusts the rollers — he marks right on the Zimmerman Metals roll forming machine where they have to go — and the panels run off with a slight curve.

For this project in rural Wisconsin, the panels were installed over an old shingle roof, which contained asbestos. Obviously, getting rid of the shingles would have been time consuming and costly when you found someone who would take them.

Metal over the top worked well.

“It looks good and it works,” Miller says. “It’s a little tricky to install because of the slope, but everything went pretty smoothly.”

Source constructionmagnet.com

Industry News (Apr-May 2008)

At its 2008 annual meeting in Marco Island, Fla., the Metal Construction Association recognized winners of its 2007 President’s Awards, an annual designation given to top projects involving MCA members. The awards honor innovation and encourage creativity while showing how MCA members’ products help achieve all types of designs.

Each year winners are selected from projects submitted by MCA. Board members chose winners in five categories: overall excellence, commercial-industrial, municipal-institutional, residential, and roofing. MCA President’s Awards are made to representatives of MCA member companies as well as architects, contractors and fabricators involved in each project.

Projects receiving the respective MCA 2007 President’s Awards were: Marina Condos, Madison, Wis., overall excellence; Teton Science Schools, Jackson, Wyo., roofing; Gregory Residence, Woodland Falls, N.Y., residential; Dallas Executive Airport, Dallas, commercial-industrial; and Stockton Arena, Stockton, Calif., municipal-institutional.
Roofing winners

--- The new 800-acre Jackson, Wyo., campus of the Teton Science Schools (above), a non-profit organization internationally recognized for educating students of all ages about nature, sports the winning roof design. The project was planned to have a low impact on the area and on the environment, so metal was the natural choice for the roof and parts of the exterior walls based on life-cycle costs, low maintenance and appearance.

SuperLok standing seam panels from Houston-based MBCI were chosen as the sole roofing material for this massive project. More than 73,000 square feet of panels were formed from 22-gauge Galvalume with a fluoropolymer paint finish with a Zactique II treatment to give it a weathered appearance. The campus sits on the edge of a national forest, so the high level of fire protection provided by the metal roofing was very important. For added protection, metal wall panels by AEP Span and fireproof HardiPlank siding were used on the walls. The same AEP Span metal panels were also used on low slope porch roofs.

The metal panel installer was Salt River Roofing, Afton, Wyo. The general contractor was Zaist Construction Management, Teton Village, Wyo. Architects of this winning project were MITHUN of Seattle, Wash., and Hawtin Jorgensen Architects of Jackson, Wyo.

--- An interesting metal roof adds new appeal to the Gregory residence (top) in Highland Falls, N.Y., an historic village on the banks of the Hudson River near West Point Military Academy. The roof is made from more than 1,100 square feet of Castle Top, diamond shaped shingles from ATAS International Inc., Allentown, Pa.

The 16-by-16-inch squares made of .032-inch aluminum are applied in alternating colors of classic bronze and medium bronze and have a Kynar 500 coating. Metal roofing installer was Double RA Construction Corp., Rye Brook, N.Y. General contractor on the project was Tim Brennan General Contractor, Cold Spring, N.Y.

--- MCA also recognized Del Boring, P.E., for his service to the metal construction industry and to the association by awarding him the Larry A. Swaney Award at its annual meeting.
Boring retired in December 2007 as vice president of construction market development for the Washington, D.C.-based American Iron and Steel Institute. He joined AISI in 1976 as regional director of construction codes and standards.

--- MCA also chose new members and re-elected existing members for its board of directors during the annual meeting.
Newly elected to the MCA were: Ted Miller, The Miller Clapperton Partnership Inc., Austell, Ga., who also serves as chairman of the MCM Fabricators Council; Lisa Repovs, Samco Machinery Ltd., Toronto, who chairs the Metal Forming Equipment Council; Mark Wendelburg, Ultra Seam Association, Houston, who also is vice-chair of the Metal Rollforming Council; and Joe Wilson, Metro Roof Products, Oceanside, Calif., a long-time member of the Technical Committee.

--- Sid Peterson, vice president of sales and marketing for Alcoa Architectural Products, and Carrie Miller, marketing manager for Whirlwind Steel Buildings, Inc., have been elected chairperson and vice chairperson, respectively, of The Metal Initiative, the educational arm of the metal roofing and wall industry.

Commercial building shows signs of slowing
Commercial starts in the United States grew in 2007 by 11.2 percent, but the year ended with curtailment of building activity in the last three months, according to Reed Construction Data.

Retail and office construction both experienced strong gains in December, increasing 37 percent and 29 percent, respectively, over the previous month. Industrial building starts grew by 10 percent, mostly due to new hospitals. Financing holdups during October and November may have delayed starts and boosted December’s numbers, Reed analysts said.

The final quarter of 2007 recorded a 17.6 percent drop in construction activity compared to the previous three months. This decline was attributed to more than the usual winter slowdown.

Looking forward, Reed Construction predicts starts of commercial buildings in 2008 will be restrained by higher financing costs, tighter credit standards and a slowdown in the economy.

NRCA forms new organization
With the understanding the built environment faces long-term, irreversible market trends that demand a focus on environmental stewardship, the National Roofing Contractors Association has established the Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing, a separate organization to promote the development and use of environmentally responsible, high-performance roof systems.

Bill Good, NRCA’s executive vice president, believes as the green building movement takes hold, the important role of the roofing industry in providing durability, energy efficiencies and environmental stewardship is not only significant, but potentially transformational.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the center’s core purpose is to establish a forum that will draw together the entire roofing industry into the common cause of promoting and increasing the knowledge base of environmentally friendly roof systems.

For more information, contact Craig Silvertooth, the center’s executive director, at 866-928-2347.

— NRCA released The NRCA Building Codes Manual, Third Edition, designed to assist roofing professionals in using model building codes and understanding the roofing-related provisions they contain.

The manual provides detailed analyses of building code requirements for specific roof system types contained in the International Code Council’s International Building Code, 2006 Edition; ICC’s International Residential Building Code, 2006 Edition; and the 2006 edition of the National Fire Protection Agency’s NFPA 5000: Building Construction and Safety Code. The manual also lists roofing-related standards referenced in the model building codes, as well as contact information for building code-related organizations and government agencies having building code adoption authority in all 50 states and 54 U.S. cities.

The NRCA Building Codes Manual, 2006 Edition costs $95 for NRCA members and $175 for nonmembers. For more information about the manual or to order a copy, call NRCA’s customer service department at 866-275-6722, e-mail info@nrca.net or access shop.nrca.net.

CSI announces formation of the BPMA
The Construction Specifications Institute announced the formation of the Building Product Manufacturers Alliance, a new group aimed at bringing together leading manufacturers to share knowledge that will reshape and enhance the future of the building industry.

BPMA will help its members improve their products and services and strengthen their outreach to the entire building industry by providing a forum to discuss common issues and challenges and to share best practices.

“Today’s construction market increasingly calls for high-performance buildings, environmentally friendly materials and practices, and technologically advanced components,” says CSI executive director and CEO Walter Marlowe. “BPMA will help building product manufacturers across all product categories meet the needs of the changing marketplace.”

BPMA’s inaugural meeting was scheduled for March 3-5, 2008, at the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Global Learning Center, in Atlanta. For more information, Contact Richard Voreis, consultant to CSI, at 214-361-2130.

Source constructionmagnet.com

Supplier News (Apr-May 2008)

Everlast Roofing, Inc., an innovator in the metal roofing industry is expanding its facilities in Bridgeton, Maine and Howe, Ind. This expansion will enable Everlast to market, manufacture and distribute to a geographically diverse area.

A manufacturer of metal roofing for the agriculture, commercial, architectural and residential markets, Everlast Roofing is headquartered in Lebanon, Pa. The Lebanon manufacturing plant will follow with an expansion project plan to kickoff in the first quarter of 2008.

Everlast Roofing won the 2007 Gold Key of Excellence Award presented by Rural Builder, as well as the Metal of Honor award presented by Metal Roofing Magazine. Everlast appreciates the honor bestowed on it by their valued customers for five years in a row.

Everlast also reported a record year for tonnage and lineal footage in 2007. President Craig Covell reports, “We had a record year in 2007, with Maine and Indiana achieving a 50 percent growth. Our Indiana location hit a record month in October 2007 allowing it to exceed its projected manufacturing output for six months in a row.”

Englert partners with Soprema
Englert, Inc. and Soprema, Inc., two of the nation’s leading suppliers of roofing systems and materials, announced a strategic alliance to cross-sell each other’s product lines and to offer a single-source warranty that will cover all roofing systems sold and distributed by both companies.
Englert is an innovator of onsite metal roofing and gutter systems and Soprema is one of the world’s largest producers of roofing and waterproofing products including SBS modified and liquid roof membranes. The two companies have agreed to jointly market and promote their respective product lines, particularly to contractors, architects and building owners who are incorporating metal and membrane as the roofing system for a single project.

The alliance will be supported by a single-source weathertightness warranty backed by both companies that will protect both metal and membrane systems for a period up to 20 years.

“We are delighted to be allied with Soprema, a world leader in research and development, particularly for modified bitumen,” says Deborah Tripod, chief executive officer of Englert. “Our alliance meets the needs of owners and architects who are looking to suppliers like Englert and Soprema to bring them peace of mind on their investments with a single point of contact and coverage of critical transition areas.”

Richard McKuhen, owner of Total Roofing Systems, Inc., in Port St. Lucie, Florida, has been installing both Englert and Soprema products for more than 15 years. “This is a very good, proactive venture on the part of Englert and Soprema,” says McKuhen. “By joining together and offering a single source warranty, they are creating a comfort zone and a simpler path for architects and owners with not only the ability to follow up when there is a need, but also by using a single roofing contractor who is certified by both of these manufacturers. This will help to eliminate a possible finger pointing situation and gives the designer a more secure basis for specifying the two products together on a single project, where a long term warranty is desired.”

? A white paper entitled Metal Roof Coatings: 50 Years of Development” is now available on the Englert, Inc. website at www.englertinc.com.

Website visitors can click on Roofing and then Architects to find the white paper section. The new paper focuses on the history of metal coatings, products currently available in the marketplace, their strengths and weaknesses and a look at the future of coatings.

Centria receives funding for sustainability efforts
Pennsylvania Congressman Tim Murphy presented the employees of Centria with $300,000 in federal funds during a ceremonial check presentation. The funds, which help further Centria’s commitment to sustainability and green building practices, will assist in the development of integrated solar building panels.

“We’re very pleased that Congressman Murphy and others in government not only recognize the importance of sustainable design, but also that Centria is an industry leader in this effort,” says Rick Mowrey, director of marketing and business development. “These funds will help us complete research and development, engineering standards and commercialization of BIPV (building-integrated photovoltaics) for standing seam metal roofs. These standards will be available for all metal roof manufacturers and contractors which will speed adoption of Solar Power as an alternative energy.”

BIPV solar energy systems combine lightweight, flexible and durable solar panels into one single roofing product that can be used to replace existing roofs or for new construction. It will be used as a national model in providing high-performance, energy-efficient buildings created with the power of the sun. As the designer of the system, Centria is helping to lead the industry in the development of environmentally friendly alternative energy sources.

“As the nation searches for new, alternative sources of energy, Southwestern Pennsylvania will continue to be a leader in developing the technology,” says Murphy, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “We have a dedicated workforce, a strong base of technology and energy firms and universities to train scientists and engineers. The building-integrated photovoltaic solar energy system which these funds will help create is one of the many advanced energy projects being developed in the region.”

Murphy obtained the funds as part of the 2008 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, which passed the House of Representatives in July of 2007 and was later included in the omnibus spending bill, which became law this past December.

N.B. Handy introduces rooftop delivery
N.B. Handy announced the immediate availability of rooftop deliveries to its customers within the state of Georgia. With this new service, N.B. Handy will deliver roofing materials to a jobsite and load it onto the roof, reducing the amount of time required for roofing contractors to set up a job and begin installation.

This new service also helps reduce the likelihood of material getting damaged while sitting on the construction site waiting to be loaded onto the rooftop. N.B. Handy will continue to offer standard job delivery service for those contractors that do not desire the new rooftop deliveries.

“Rooftop deliveries allow contractors to focus on the true task at hand, which is installing quality roofing materials in a timely manner,” commented Sean Foster, general manager of N.B. Handy’s Atlanta facility. “We have had great success with rooftop deliveries in other markets we cover and we felt it was time to bring this great service to our valued customers in the Georgia territory.”

Bradco Supply printing new catalog
Every picture is worth 1,000 words. That’s why customers are sure to be up-to-date on all that’s new in the building industry with a copy of Bradco Supply’s Residential Product Catalog and its annual Tool Catalog.
Bradco’s warehouses are stocked with a wide assortment of products from metal roof systems to asphalt and dimensional roofing shingles to vinyl siding and cultured stone to windows, doors and decking.

Call 1-877-4BRADCO to reserve a copy of the 2008 Residential Product Catalog and the 2008 Tool Catalog, or visit www.bradcosupply.com.

Uni-Solar panels going to South Korea
United Solar Ovonic entered an agreement with South Korea’s AirTec System Co. Ltd. for 25 MW of Uni-Solar brand thin-film laminates for integration into large-scale power projects. AirTec will take delivery of the Uni-Solar laminates during 2008 and 2009, primarily for medium- to large-scale ground-mounted solar power plants and large-scale rooftop and building-integrated applications.

The company says Uni-Solar laminates offer cost-effective solutions for roofing applications because they are lightweight, durable, flexible, can be integrated directly with building materials, and generate more energy in real-world conditions. They are three to five times lighter than conventional solar modules, offering an ideal solution for low-load-bearing roof applications.

Chem Link offers updated installation video.
Chem Link’s ChemCurb penetration seals have been replacing old style pitch pans on low slope roofs across the country for more than 12 years. The system includes pourable sealer and adhesive, and has circular, straight and corner forms that allow curbs of any size to be constructed.

The new version of the installation video includes the latest addition to the ChemCurb System, the MiniCurb, a snap-together 3-inch inside diameter circular form for small pipe and wire penetrations.

The ChemCurb video is a handy sales tool for distributors and makes an effective training device for contractors with their first time users. For a free video, call Chem Link’s Contractor Hot Line, at 800-826-1681.

Decra sponsors NextGen “Ultimate Value” home
Decra Roofing Systems was the official roofing sponsor of the 2008 NextGen “Ultimate Value” Demonstration Home at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla., in mid-February.

Decra Tile is an ideal alternative to traditional clay tile. Unlike clay or concrete tile that can weigh up to of 800 pounds per square, products made of steel weigh between 125 to 150 pounds per square and place less stress on the structure of the home. Strong and durable, steel is a walkable material; there is no fear of breaking tiles.

Decra Tile is installed on a batten system. A recent test by Oak Ridge National Labs compares products installed direct to the deck, like asphalt shingles, and those installed on a batten system. The test concluded the over the deck venting system, created by the battens, was key in keeping heated air out of the conditioned space; in fact, it was just as important as increasing solar reflectivity of the roof color.

In addition to being energy efficient, Decra Tile has upwards of 25 percent post-consumer recycled steel, is easy to use with rain catch and solar panel systems, has a long life cycle and a low lifetime maintenance factor.

W.P. Hickman reacts to hurricane investigations
W.P. Hickman Company implemented an upgrade to its website in response to recent hurricane investigation reports released by the Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Events. Located at www.wph.com, Hickman’s website now provides the building community with a new suite of tools and resources facilitating the design and installation of commercial roof edge systems, including:

? Roof edge installation videos, available in both English and Spanish, demonstrating proper installation techniques.

? Animated product modules, clearly identifying edge components and their role within an edge system.

? “Introduction to Roof Edge,” an online training module.

? Product Installation Guides, which provide detailed, product specific step-by-step instructions for installing Hickman’s roof edge systems.

? Downloadable CAD files for Hick-man roof edge product lines.

? A Wind Calculator which yields information required to effectively specify a roof edge in accordance with the IBC mandated ANSI/SPRI ES-1 edge standard.

? Various white papers and links on topics of interest to the roofing community.

ABC Supply distributes infrared cameras
ABC Supply, a leading wholesale distributor of roofing, siding and windows, will become the primary distributor of FLIR infrared (IR) cameras to the U.S. professional roofing industry, Boston-based FLIR Systems announced.

FLIR B-Series cameras can spot water accumulation and damage on roofing even when damage is out of sight. The cameras can also capture and record high-resolution thermal images and download them to a personal computer, the company said.

Metal Sales paint systems now lead free
Metal Sales Manufacturing announced it is the first component products manufacturer in North America to go 100 percent lead-free with its MS Colorfast45 and PVDF (Kynar 500) color finishes in its full line of metal panels.

With more than 40 years of proven technology, Metal Sales is the leader in the industry for providing its architectural, residential, and agricultural customers the latest product components with advanced technology on an eco-conscious level.

“We all know there are concerns with lead — especially in the brilliant reds — so we are very proud to be 100 percent lead-free,” says Dave Cunningham, national accounts manager. “We are thrilled that we can play such an important role protecting our environment as well.”

Manufactured in a wide range of styles and structures, Metal Sales, by following the Energy Star guidelines, distributes steel panels that provide customers tax credits, LEED credits for architects, as well as the benefits of steel with a 45-year paint warranty. In addition, steel panel systems are more energy efficient because they are solar-reflective and cooler.

Metal-Era to offer education webinars
Metal-Era, a national leader in commercial roof edge and roof ventilation solutions, will be expanding its continuing education program. Based on the continuing success of Metal-Era’s Understanding ANSI/SPRI ES-1 program, Metal-Era has added Principles of Commercial Ventilation to its program offerings.

“Principles of Commercial Ventilation” focuses on the unique demands of roof ventilation for commercial buildings. Attendees will leave this program able to:

? Describe the principles involved in properly ventilating a roof system

? List and recognize the additional, unique needs of commercial buildings compared to residential buildings

? Describe the role of net free area (NFA) plays in commercial ventilation.

“Commercial ventilation is a topic that hasn’t been well addressed in the past, creating confusion in the industry,” says Tony Mallinger, COO. “Our Principles of Commercial Ventilation program is designed to provide clear and sound guidelines for design professionals.”

Metal-Era’s continuing education programs are available in the form of monthly webinars (online seminars). Understanding ANSI/SPRI ES-1 is offered on the second Thursday of every month at 10:30 am central time. Principles of Commercial Ventilation is offered on the fourth Thursday of every month at 10:30 am central time. Additional presentations (either face-to-face or webinar) are available upon request. There is no charge for the program.

Both programs offer one American Institute of Architects continuing education unit, one AIA health, safety and welfare credit and one Roofing Consultants Institute continuing education hour.

For more information or to register for either program visit Metal-Era’s website, www.metalera.com.

Duro-Last honors Parsons Commercial
Duro-Last Roofing, Inc. recently honored Parsons Commercial Roofing of Waco, Texas with the 2007 “Contractor of the Year” and the Golden Eagle awards during the 26th annual Duro-Last National Sales Seminar held in Orlando, Florida. It was the second consecutive year that Parsons earned these two prestigious Duro-Last honors. Parsons was also inducted into the 10-Year Club for earning Duro-Last sales awards for a total of 10 years.

Becker Specialty acquires Sherwin-Williams coil coatings
AB Wilh. Becker has acquired the North American coil coatings business of Sherwin-Williams as well as related assets. The business will be integrated into Becker Specialty Corporation, a Chicago based subsidiary of AB Wilh. Becker.

Becker Specialty became part of the Becker industrial Coatings family in January 2007. Becker Specialty is a North American industry leader in custom formulated coil coatings for metal applications. In addition to Chicago, the company has manufacturing facilities in the Los Angeles area.

Source constructionmagnet.com

MRA Update (Apr-May 2008)

By Bill Hippard, MRA president Roofing demand in the United States is slated to reach 278 million squares in 2010, with value expected to rise to $14 billion. A recent study conducted by the Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry market research firm, reports renovation activity in the residential market will provide growth opportunities for roofing. Among the various roofing materials, plastic and metal will see the fastest growth in the U.S. through 2010.

According to the study, metal roofing, a key material in the industrial building segment, will see solid gains due to the recovery in construction spending in this market.

Metal roofing will continue to increase in popularity in commercial applications and in residential markets. Tiles, metal panels and shingles are being used as alternatives to roofing tile and asphalt shingles.
The study also indicated:

? Despite the weakness in new housing construction, opportunities for growth are expected in the residential roofing market.

? Products designed to mimic asphalt shingles, roofing tiles, wood shakes and shingles and slate will post gains.

? Environmentally friendly products such as recycled roofing materials and composite shingles will post gains.

From a regional perspective, the fastest growth in roofing product demand (in value terms) is expected to be in the West and South. These regions boast favorable construction spending, economic growth and population gains that will support these advances. The West will outpace all other U.S. regions through 2010, despite a less than favorable new housing outlook. Nonresidential construction spending will bolster gains as will residential renovation activity.

More good news was reported by the National Roofing Contractors Association. A survey of their members found architectural metal roofs in new home construction reached a projected 30 percent of the market in 2007 — this a 23 percent increase from 2004. Fiberglass asphalt shingles were used in a projected 44 percent of new residential projects in 2007 — this is down from 50 percent in 2004.

There are a number of reasons the metal roofing industry continues to flourish. The trend toward cool roofing and environmentally conscious energy codes has had a huge impact on our industry. Metal roofing is recognized as a sustainable building material as many metal roofs typically have a minimum of 25 percent recycled content. This level of recycled content allows metal roofing to be routinely included on listings for “green” and recycled content products. Metal roofing is 100 percent recyclable where other roofing materials are routinely removed and disposed of by the ton in landfills.

The secret to residential metal roofing’s energy savings is the variety of options in finishes. A basic unpainted metal roof will reflect much of the solar radiation usually absorbed in the attic and home with an asphalt roof.

However, for homes in warmer climates, pre-painted or granular coated metal roofing systems not only reflect solar energy, but they also cool the home by re-emitting most of the solar radiation absorbed. Where annual cooling loads dominate, a highly reflective and highly emissive painted or granular-coated metal roof is optimal for reducing energy consumption and can actually re-emit up to 90 percent of the absorbed solar radiation. This is extremely important given the EPA reports that $40 billion is spent annually in the United States to cool buildings which accounts for one-sixth of all electricity generated in a year.

As a result of its unique product offerings, the metal roofing industry is poised for growth in the booming energy-efficient, ecologically friendly marketplace.

Bill Hippard is the president of the Metal Roofing Alliance and vice president for sales at Precoat Metals.

To learn more about the Metal Roofing Alliance visit www.metalroofing.com or call Tom Black at (360) 275-6164. For more information on residential metal roofing, please visit www.metalroofing.com.

Source constructionmagnet.com