Metal Roofs-The Right Choice

There are two facts that cannot be disputed relative to the usage of metal for the roof of your home or business.  The first is that The Metal Roofing Association (MRA) has reported that non-metal roofs last 17 years on average, but metal roofs can last a lifetime. Though higher in initial costs, they can boost homes’ resale value and cut homeowners’ insurance premiums in some states by up to 35 percent.  The second is The Metal Construction Association (MCA) has produced a study that found that certain metal roof systems can last at least 60 years, meaning they do not require replacement during a commercial building’s service life.

What do we know about metal roofs?  Metal roofing systems do not rot, warp, crack or break. They are also superior to conventional roofing systems in standing up to extreme weather with great finish warranties and guarantees to warranty in high winds-an important factor of roofing systems in Micronesia.  Metal roofs last two to three times longer than ordinary roofs, meaning they can last 40 to 60 years or longer, according to both the MRA and MCA.

The MCA holds that  the expected service life of an unpainted 55% Al-Zn coated steel (known by many trade names throughout the world, principally GALVALUME® and Zincalume® in the United States) standing seam roof constructed today in a wide range of environments using best practices can be expected to be in excess of 60 years, a value that equals the assumed building service life as described in the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design building rating program, Version 4. The study also confirmed that these types of metal roofs resist corrosion even in "weak" spots, such as sheared edges and panel profile bends. Inspections showed an absence of significant red rust after up to 35 years, indicating exceptional corrosion resistance in areas susceptible to exhibiting the first signs of corrosion.

While we would be the first to ask you to make the switch, it is clear that one thing needs to be done to protect these investments over time-maintenance.  All roof systems require a regular maintenance program to annually clean off debris and to inspect the condition of the roof in order to achieve the kind of service lives reported in this blog post.  While  steel standing seam roof systems were projected to last up to 60 years, components such as fasteners may need to be replaced during the roof life, but this represents significantly less than 20% of a total roof replacement cost.

To find out more about how GET, LLC, through our metal building partner Fabral 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.    

The Future of Metal Construction Through the Eyes of Fabral

GET, LLC has had a great opportunity to meet and work closely with Fabral President Kit Emert.  It was in the Fall of 2012 that we had the pleasure of getting to know the head of the 47 year old premier supplier of metal roofing and wall systems for architectural, industrial, commercial, agricultural, post frame and residential applications.  Kit and our friends at MCR Guam Inc. are responsible for nearly a quarter of a million square feet of roofing at U.S. Naval Base Guam and Andersen Air Force Base since 2011.

Earlier this week, Kit shared his thoughts  on what lies ahead for the metal building business this year and into the near future: "In the U.S., as well as globally, there is a huge inventory of buildings sitting idle awaiting new office occupancy, industrial expansion or institutional upgrades.  In many cases, these structures are simply in need of exterior updating while in other cases these buildings are in need of substantial interior and HVAC improvements.  Regardless of the individual owner or building need, it is often the more sensible and sustainable option to retrofit a structure to meet current and expected future needs than to build new.

Metal exterior, and interior, cladding systems are ideally suited to meet the demands of retrofit construction.  Metal products are typically lighter in weight than other building materials and that means there may be less structural work necessary to accommodate a new metal cladding system and to meet building code requirements.  Metal can also be easily fabricated to meet the design element demands of retrofit construction and to address tolerance requirements that may be prevalent on an aged building structure.  Additionally, metal cladding systems integrate easily with other building materials and elements that may be maintained from the original construction design.  And, finally, metal can be fabricated to match historically significant metal construction design elements, such as, cornices, spires, finials, reveals, trims and panel systems.

Metal does provide an ideal architectural and functional fit for retrofit construction applications.  An idle building, or a building that is an eyesore, can become functional and architecturally significant with a beautiful metal enclosure system or design element makeover."

Thanks Kit for the vision and great advice.

To find out more about how GET, LLC, through our metal building partner and Fabral representative for Guam and the Pacific Rim MCR Guam Inc., 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.    

Mobile Apps and the Steel Building Industry

Over the past week, I have spent a majority of my time on the roof of a steel building in the final stages of a standing seam roof retrofit on a federal defense installation.  The experience has been a great one for me as I am but an "infant" in the metal construction industry.  I have been intrigued by the many requests and discussions on the proper fasteners for this particular roof design, what are the safety measures in place once the roof is completely installed and would a "clip" be able to hold in place critical infrastructure during a natural disaster-particularly a typhoon or tropical storm.  The short lectures and insight had me asking if there was a way to use technology to get to the heart of these issues and answer some of the arguments on the job site.  While the debates should be minimal because of contractually mandated submissions and approvals by competent professionals, there still can be discussions to drive future decision making processes. 

Timing is everything in this business.  

It just so happens I came across an interesting initiative of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) that may have answered my questions related to the "steel biz".  The AISC has launched its first mobile app called Build-A-Bolt.  The app reportedly helps steel construction industry professionals select the right structural bolt, washer, nut combination and can be used in the field to determine bolt grade and manufacturer. Apparently the app is also useful for detailers and specifiers in providing dimensions and fastener compatibility. Best of it all-the app is free.  You can find it on the AISC website and is a must for your field Smartphone, iPads or computers. We can expect more steel apps to be rolled out in the near future, thanks in large part to the AISC and a new Steel Apps contest at www.aisc.org/steelappscontest giving the opportunity to win cash prizes, totaling $9,000. I expect this type of technology will help me grow and become "mature" in this metal business in no time.

GET, LLC is so very proud to be partnered with MCR Guam Inc., a small business poised to grow in the years to come.  MCR Guam Inc. is bringing new products and services to bear on contractors and steel building owners across the Pacific Rim.  They have strategic alliances with the World's Leading Provider of Metal Roof and Panel Systems Fabral, America's top metal building company Ceco Building Systems of Columbus, Mississippi and access to a vast network of metal building professionals across the globe. 

To find out more about how GET, LLC and MCR Guam Inc. can help your next project, give us a call at 671-483-0780 or our website for more information.

Steel is Good "Shelter from the Storm"

A great article by Mark Robbins of Metal Construction News recently brings to mind a great sale pitch for metal buildings: "...with proper design and storm-resistant construction, the damage to buildings by Mother Nature's tantrums can be greatly reduced."

While building to code is just not enough, ensuring your metal building is designed and constructed to resist wind effects is very important.  Living in the Western Pacific that is so true.  Life in "Typhoon Alley" means you must build to withstand hurricane or typhoon force winds of 170 miles per hour.  The best constructed steel buildings on Guam have answered that call.  There are still some post-War buildings that stand today on our island that have seen dozens of storms come and go in our latitude.  Must mean that the construction of the vertical and lateral load paths of these monuments to Mother Nature were spot on.  Fasteners, bracing and straps were also instrumental in keeping these buildings intact.

In discussions with CECO Building Systems, they have assured that will take extra efforts to ensure that steel building built on Guam will be properly engineered to this extreme weather condition that I believe is such a value added benefit for the local steel building customer.  Extra time to ensure that their product can withstand the harsh elements related to tropical storms or typhoons in the Western Pacific is a testament to their commitment to great customer service and above all-keeping the building owner and the neighboring public to these facilities safe.

While perlins and girts need to be strengthened,  it is the roof that must be able to be storm-resistant.  One of our partners in Fabral are just as committed to protecting against the sometimes volatile Western Pacific trade winds.  Their attention to detail in the engineering of roofing systems can be seen on a number of buildings here in Micronesia and take the extra step with weather tightness warranties that are so very important out here.

Other parts of the steel building from the gutter, louvers and curbs cannot be overlooked in relation to being storm ready.  Windows and doors should also be impenetrable to the harsh environments that island life can bring.  

Design to code and install correctly.  Take these steps and your metal building will serve your needs for decades and saves costs and reduces liabilities during a storm.  For more on metal building solutions for your organization, please contact GET, LLC.  Our strategic partnership with MCR Guam Inc. and Metal Construction Resources LLP will ensure you have the best metal building for your needs.  Drop us a line or call us to discuss further.