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.    

Standing Seam Roofs-A Great Fit for Micronesia

A recently published Metal Construction News article highlighted the Metal Roof industry-outlining the top technologies in the marketplace today.  In recent years, GET,LLC has been witness to the utilization of one particular metal roofing system on Guam that can withstand the harsh tropical climate of the Western Pacific and provide a long lasting roofing solution. The end result has been an increase in value to current metal buildings from Yigo to US Naval Base Guam.

Whether you have plans to develop a commercial project or you are closely watching the Guam Housing Corporation's residential home building project in Dededo, there are many types of metal roofing options for a facility on Guam and Micronesia with only one shining above the rest-the standing seam metal roof panel.

The standing seam metal panels are interlocking single-skin panels with concealed fasteners and raised seams.  The panels in these systems are typically installed at continuous lengths from eave to ridge and can vary in widths and styles.  Installed vertically, these systems come in structural or architectural varieties. 

The benefits of a such a system begins with its durability.  A lack of interlocks allows for an expansion of the system that is much better across the entire roof which means a longer life usage.  

Most roofing systems are now sold to meet various UL classifications and ASTM standards for strength, wind uplift and energy efficiency codes for Guam and the region.  Made of aluminum, these systems are recyclable at end of life. With some posting 20 year warranties, the standing seam roof is an affordable solution to any roofing job in Micronesia.  The warranties also take weather tightness into consideration-a must with the amount of rainfall and storm activity we see on a yearly basis.

From a maintenance point of view, standing seam roofs are "low-to-no" maintenance if installed properly.  Cleaning these roofs are as simple as mild soap and clean water.  These systems are also energy efficient and can aid in LEED Certification-especially those in "cool roof" colors.  Integration with solar photovoltaics are simple. Need a quick roof solution? "Float" a standing seam roof system over existing roofing materials for an affordable fix that will last for years. Give a standing seam roofing solution a chance on your next metal building project.

To find out more about how GET, LLC, through our metal building partners at Ceco Building Systems, can help 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 S-5! Clip-A Product Line That Is Expanding

The first time I came across an S-5! Clip was two years ago on a roofing project at Naval Base Guam.  After completion of an over 150,000 square foot standing seam metal roof with Serrano Development Corporation, part of the scope was to ensure that the roof-mounted ventilation across this vast metal roof was properly secured to the structure.  The S-5! Clips brought on this particular job were pretty neat in its construction and offered a versatility I had never seen before.  A superior product that works well on these particular roof systems.  It was strong.  Plain and simple.

Near the end of last year, S-5! announced the expansion of its product line with 14 new clamps to attach roof accessories including solar and photovoltaic products, to metal roofs. 

Give the Colorado Springs, Colorado-based company credit for developing the new products to be cost-effective non-penetrating attachment systems. S-5!'s CorruBracket 100T attaches to corrugated roofing profiles and is fixed to the crest of the corrugation, leaving the drainage plane free of holes to protect against leaks. CorruBracket 100T comes with a factory-applied EPDM rubber gasket seal on the base and reservoir that conceals the EPDM from UV exposure.

S-5!'s S-5-V Clamp and S-5-V Mini Clamp fit most vertical-folded seam profiles manufactured in North America including structural and architectural profiles. The S-5-V Clamp works with other S-5! products including ColorGard, and the S-5-V Mini Clamp attaches rooftop accessories including signs, walkways and satellite dishes.

S-5!'s S-5-H Clamp and S-5-H Mini Clamp are two-piece clamps that accommodate metal roof panels with a horizontal seam. The clamps attach to the horizontal seam on the vertical leg of the seam.

My suggestion for metal building owners-if you don't have these on your roofs, you are missing out.

To find out more about how GET, LLC, through our metal building partners, including Ceco Building Systems,  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.   

    

Tips to Buying Metal Roofing

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.    

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.