A recent article by Metal Construction News noted the challenges of the supply chain of America's top metal roofing manufacturers. While the construction industry supply chain is having its problems, there is no question of the trickle down impacts to the rest of the specialty markets including metal roofing. U.S. suppliers are concerned of the how such challenges are impacted by the infiltration of international competition and getting consumers to stay home when purchasing metal roofing. Also, new players in the market have long time metal roofing companies cautiously optimistic on what the future holds for their industry.
What will rule the day?
One answer-the establishment of minimum requirements for metal roofing quality.
US manufacturers remain under the constant barrage of products introduced into the American marketplace from all over the world. Keeping bad metal out keeps the bad experiences out. Performance is key here. Process is just as important with an eye on pre-treatment, metal coating and substrate gauge. Finally, experience is probably the single most important variable that a consumer must take into consideration before buying a metal roof-little experience means greater cost down the road for the unsuspecting building owner or facility manager.
Key to protecting both the consumer and this important U.S. market is education. Writers on this topic are saying that consumers need to understand the language of metal and the metal roofing industry needs to raise awareness among consumers of the benefits of metal roofing as well as the importance of choosing the right contractor.
Quality contractors also need to educate the marketplace as well. Can they certify the coating, paint warranties, steel thickness and quality? Is there documentation to support the quality levels? The Metal Construction Association (MCA) has an established a certification program for metal roofing. According to Executive Director of the MCA Jeff Henry the program currently has 45 metal roofing products certified among a handful of manufacturers. If the program is expanded, industry experts believe such action will ensure the industry doesn't suffer from adverse publicity because of poor metal roof performance.
Bottom line-Contractors need to work with experienced, long-term providers who stand behind their work.
To find out more about how GET, LLC, through our metal building partners can help with your next steel building or aluminum roofing project, give us a call at 671-483-0789 or our website at www.get-guam.com for more information.