Friday, April 07, 2006

iMetal Company - 305.915.2107





























Almond Color - 1.5 Standing Seam in Ocean Reef







1.5 Standing Seam - Key Largo

" We install metal roofing

for Your Peace of Mind

under high winds"

"To Protect is to plan ahead"





















"Be Safe under Best Cover"
















Metal Roofing,

has been available and utilized as a roofing material for centuries. Metal roofing is available in a wide variety of substrates, colors, textures, and profiles. Though diverse in appearance, metal roofing has many common attributes such as durability, recycled content, recyclability, fire resistance, low weight, and low life-cycle cost.







Depending upon the surface finish, metal roofing can provide enhanced energy efficiency with its solar reflectance and infrared emittance properties. In fact, the solar reflectance and infrared emittance of a metal roof can be engineered to meet the climate requirements of the building. A metal roofing can provide the desired high reflectance and low emittance in climates where heating loads prevail. A metal roofing easily meets the requirements of the EPA's





Energy Star® program.

What is Metal Roofing?
Metal roofing is represented by a variety of metal-based roof coverings designed to provide buildings with protection from the elements; allow for positive drainage of water from the roof surface; and to keep contents and occupants dry and comfortable. Metal roofing products are available in a range of metals including steel, aluminum, copper, zinc, stainless steel, and titanium.
The predominant metal roofing substrate is metallic-coated steel sheet. The metallic coatings include zinc (galvanized), 55% aluminum-zinc alloy (Galvalume® sheet), 5% aluminum-zinc alloy (Galfan®), aluminum and lead-tin alloy (terne).
With its expected long life, metal roofing is a highly desirable and sustainable building component. Additionally, many of the metals used in roofing will have recycled content varying from 25% to 95%, often with much of that recycled content being in the post-consumer category.


























































Types of Metal Roofing:
There are two basic classifications of metal roofing; structural and non-structural (also known as architectural). Structural metal roofing attaches directly to purlins or lathe boards and does not require any sort of solid support beneath it. Non-structural metal roofing requires a solid substrate beneath it, typically plywood, oriented strand board, or a metal roof deck.
Structural metal roofing is broken down into low slope and steep slope categories. Low slope products are available for roof pitches from ¼:12 to 3:12 while steep slope products are designed for roof pitches greater than 3:12. Low slope structural metal roofing consists of interlocking panels, commonly called standing seam roofing, that run vertically on the roof surface. These products can have a painted, mill-finish, or clear acrylic finish. To ensure watertightness on roofs of less than 3:12 pitch, some products will require machine seaming during installation. These special machines are rolled along the panels to crimp the panel seams together.

Steep slope structural metal roofing is available in both vertical and horizontal profiles. The vertical panels include standing seam systems that are fastened to underlying purlins with hidden clips or fastening flanges. A wide variety of corrugated or tile facsimile metal roofs that are attached with exposed fasteners directly through the metal roofing panels are also available. These products overlap or interlock on their side and end laps for watertightness. Special seaming machines are typically not required.







Most non-structural metal roof panels are designed for roof pitches of 3:12 or greater. Rather than transmit gravity loads through to purlins or lathe boards beneath them, non-structural systems transfer gravity loads to the roof deck beneath them. Non-structural systems are available in a variety of styles including vertical standing seam, corrugated, and tile profiles as well as a wide variety of horizontal panels. The horizontal panels simulate the look of standard shingles, wood shake, slate, and tile. Most non-structural metal roofing will have a coating for aesthetics and durability. Coatings include various paint finishes as well as aggregate (stone) finishes.




















Characteristics and Benefits of Metal Roofing:






  • Durability: Metal roofing products are not subject to the degradation experienced by organic materials when they are exposed to the weather cycle. This provides metal roofing with a long life in terms of its ability to resist the elements and also to possess a low maintenance cost.
  • Low Weight: Metal roof systems typically vary from 40 to 135 pounds per 100 square feet, making them among the lowest weight roofing products available. Low weight places fewer demands on a building's structure making metal roofing an excellent choice for retrofit projects.
  • Fire Resistance: Many metal roof systems have been tested to meet Class A, B, and C fire ratings.
  • Aesthetics: Due to its ability to accept coatings of various colors and patterns and its ability to be formed into a wide variety of functional profiles, cool metal roofing products can be found to fit and enhance the aesthetic design of virtually any building. This gives architects extensive design flexibility. Wind Resistance: The interlocking or active fastening of most metal roofing panels allows them to pass very severe wind and uplift tests.
  • Useful Life of Metal Roofing:Metal roofing has a very long history, with roofs dating back to the 1800s still in service. The durability of metal roofing provides property owners with a very low "per year" cost option in roofing. Metal roofing products being manufactured today carry manufacturers' warranties lasting from 20 to 50 years. However, most products have been designed so that they can be refurbished on site for additional life once their original finish reaches its useful life. Metal roofing materials are 100% recyclable in the event that they are ever removed. The high-quality, oven-cured paint systems used on pre-painted cool metal roofing are formulated to resist chalking and fading of their colors. In addition, these paint systems shed dirt and do not support the growth of algae or fungal matter.
  • Economics of Roofing: The long life and low maintenance of metal roofing, combined with the savings from energy efficiency, give it a very attractive life-cycle cost.






Metal Roofs Score Best in Comparative Analysis of Roof Life Expectancy, Life Cycle Costs, Maintenance Outlays -- Chicago, Illinois - June 13, 2005

Metal roofs have a significantly longer expected service life than either built-up roofing or single-ply roofs, according to a 2004 study of low slope roofing conducted by Ducker International, a Detroit-based research organization that specializes in construction materials.

Study participants said they expect metal roofs to last 40 years – 17 years longer than built-up and 20 years longer than single-ply systems.
At the same time, respondents to the Ducker study said they expected life cycle cost of a metal roof, including outlays for maintenance, to be about 30 cents a square foot per year, significantly less the 37 cents for built-up roofs and 57 cents for single-ply roofs.
Service life and life cycle costs were the two most important of ten criteria considered when purchasing of a roofing system, respondents said. On a scale of 1 to 5 (with 5 representing an extremely important consideration), service life rated a 4.8 and life cycle cost a 4.6
Little or No Maintenance Required for Metal Roofs
The expected low life cycle cost of a metal roof can be attributed, at least in part, to the fact that the owners and managers surveyed reported having to perform little or no regular maintenance to their metal roofs. Consequently, owners of metal roofs said they spent less than 4 percent of the total installed cost on maintenance compared to 29 percent by owners of built-up roofs and 19 percent by owners of single-ply roofs.
The life cycle cost of a roof is determined by computing the present value of all costs associated with the roof over its life, including annual maintenance costs. The Ducker analysis also factored in an annual inflation rate of 3.1 percent.
The study further confirmed that life cycle costs for metal roofs, unlike those for built-up and single-ply, are consistent across all major commercial construction categories, including office, retail, institutional and industrial.
Not reflected in the analysis are potential energy cost savings resulting from the use of a reflective roof system with adequate insulation. These savings could lower the expected life cycle cost of a metal roof by an additional 8 to 10 cents per square foot, depending upon the region of the country, building function and insulation thicknesses.
No Leaks in Metal Roofs Due to Material Failure
Among the more intriguing findings is that many of the roofs in the study experienced leaks, but none of the metal roofs leaked as a result of material failure. By comparison, 30 percent of the built-up roofs and 56 percent of the single-ply roofs experienced leaks resulting from material failure.
The roofs analyzed by Ducker had, for the most part, been in service for more than ten years at the time of the study and had an average size of 92,000 square feet. Typical metal roofs analyzed were 24-gauge standing seam roofs that used standard fasteners and a PVDF coating, while built-up roofs were typically 3 – 4 ply and single-ply roofs were made of 45 mil, non-reinforced membrane.
The performance record of the metal roofs examined prompted owners and property managers of these roofs to report the highest level of satisfaction with the “value for price paid.” On a scale of 1 to 5 (with 5 representing the highest rating), metal scored a 4.75 compared to 4.30 for built-up and 3.91 for single-ply.
In line with the owner/manager satisfaction rating, metal roofs also topped the field in terms of customer loyalty. When asked if they would use the same roofing material in the future, 92 percent of the metal roof owners surveyed said they would, compared to 46 percent of the built-up roof owners and 58 percent of the single-ply roof owners.

New Website Touts Benefits of Metal Roofs and Walls -- Chicago, Illinois - June 13, 2005










of manufacturers, individuals and associations in the metal industry – offers a broad range of information for building owners, architects and contractors on the features and benefits of metal materials used in commercial construction.
The site is intended to be an information source to professional building owners and their design teams, says Steven J. Collins, Marketing Director of The Metal Initiative.
The site addresses the key benefits of roofing and wall systems made of steel, aluminum, copper and zinc, including green and cool roof design, life-cycle costing, durability, design flexibility and sustainability.
Also featured is a section for case studies and photo galleries of installations involving low-slope and architectural steep-slope roofs; and pre-formed, insulated, metal composite and custom natural metal wall panels.
Other site components include an “Ask the Expert” section, a news room with stories such as the Ducker life-cycle cost analysis of low-slope roofs, and industry, contact and search links.










Q&A SESSION:










1. Why should I choose standing seam metal roofing?
A. The standing seam metal roof is one of the most exciting breakthroughs in roofing technology in the last 25 years. It fulfills the building owner's need for durable, puncture-resistant protection against the weather while working in concert with the forces of nature.
Metal roofing has an established track record in new construction, where it has been used in some 50 percent of all low-rise commercial and industrial buildings erected in the last several years. This acceptance has carried over to the re-roofing market, where standing seam metal roofs have been used successfully as a replacement for built-up and single ply systems. Leading applications for standing seam metal roofs in the retrofit market are schools, factories, warehouses, distribution centers and military facilities.






2. What are the benefits of metal roofing?
A. Standing seam metal roofs have many benefits. A few examples follow.





Metal roofs are:
Durable. The standing seam roof handles thermal shock through its concealed, sliding clip system. The clip assembly uses a rigid base attached to the building's structural members. An upper part clips the roof panel and forms into a seam during the seaming operation. The clip allows equal amounts of movement in either direction.
Lightweight. Metal roof panels weigh a relatively modest 1-1/2 pounds per square foot.
Easy to Install. Metal roofs can be installed year-round. Heavy rain, extremely cold weather or high winds are about the only conditions that prevent metal roof installers from working. In most projects, the metal roof can be installed right over the existing roof, eliminating costly and time-consuming tear-offs. Owners do not need to close the building area being re-roofed if the work must be done while occupants are inside. Occupants can continue their normal activities, even in the immediate area being re-roofed.
Easy to Maintain. Unlike flat built-up roofs that require frequent maintenance, standing seam metal roofs offer 20 years and beyond of trouble-free performance with little or no maintenance time or expense.
Weathertight. The standing seam metal roof is designed to withstand rain, wind and snow, and still remain weathertight. Panels are joined together by a weathertight seam that is raised above the roof's drainage plane. Factory-applied organic sealants are applied to the seam during roll forming of the panel. Once on site, automatic field seaming machines complete the seal.
Metal panels are attached to the roof substructure with concealed clips. These are roll formed or crimped into the panel seams without penetrating the corrosion-resistant steel weathering membrane. The clip system performs two functions: It retains the panels in position without exposed fasteners, and allows the roof to expand and contract during temperature changes.
Standing seam metal roofs are designed to perform in high-wind conditions and can qualify for a UL 580 wind uplift rating, as well as the ASTM E-1592 wind uplift test. Metal roofs also can carry a Factory Mutual Class A fire rating—the highest in the industry—which can substantially reduce insurance rates.
Reliable. Standing seam metal roofs assure adequate drainage from rain and snow, effectively solving ponded water problems, leaks and other related troubles commonly associated with flat built-up roofs. In retrofit projects, a sub-framing system is attached to the existing roof surface to provide a minimum 1/4:12 pitch for the new metal roof.
The panel fastening system is uniquely designed to handle potentially damaging effects from thermal movement. Precisely formed, factory-made metal panels are locked in place by clips inside a raised seam standing two to three inches above the roof surface. The clips have a moveable feature that allows panels to expand and contract with temperature changes. The concealed clip system reduces the chances of leaks and makes the standing seam roof attractive.






3. Are metal roofs energy-efficient?
A. Yes. Fiberglass blankets are the most common insulation material in standing seam metal re-roofing projects. On some projects, unfaced fiberglass insulation is simply laid directly on the existing roof surface before insulation blankets of the new standing seam roof. For other projects, insulation blankets are installed directly under the metal panels and stretched over supporting members. Foam insulation blocks are often used to separate the panels from the purlins to prevent thermal short-circuiting and condensation from forming. The roof expands and contracts independent of the insulation, giving the roof surface a floating action.






4. Are standing seam metal roofs cost-effective?
A. Standing steam metal roofs pay for themselves from the day that they are installed. And, they are cost-competitive.
Twenty-year material warranties are customary for metal roofing systems, which is considerably longer than the standard protection for built-up and single-ply systems. Long-term warranties are sometimes offered for weathertightness on metal roofs, including those with a 1/4:12 slope.
Standing seam roofs can qualify for the UL-90 wind-uplift rating—the highest in the industry—that can substantially reduce insurance rates in high-wind areas. It must be combined with the roof manufacturer's UL-90 system, which includes the panels, concealed clips, sealants and structural supports. The standing seam metal roof can also carry a Factory Mutual Class A fire rating.






5. Do standing seam metal roofs resist corrosion?
A. Metal roof panels resist corrosion with the help of a zinc, aluminum, or aluminum-zinc alloy metallic coating applied to the base steel.
Additional protection can come from attractive, specially pigmented organic paints that harmonize the roof with conventional brick, concrete and wood sidewall materials. Popular beige and earth-tone colors allow architects to coordinate the roof attractively with other design elements of the building.






6. I need a material that has flexibility in design. Should I consider standing seam metal roofing?
A. Yes. Steep slopes and flat roof profiles can be designed with the standing seam roof. The structural roof is the industry's alternative to flat build-up and single-ply systems. The roof spans from support structural to support structural in new construction with slopes of 1/4:12 or more. The architectural standing seam roof is used for visually exposed roofs, mansards facia, and similar applications. It is a water shedder and needs slopes of 3:12 or greater.
Like wood shakes, tile and slate, this application needs some form of decking for support and a base felt for added protection against moisture penetration.






7. Are standing seam metal roofs recyclable?
A. Yes. The overall recycling rate of steel products in North America is 70.7 percent—the highest of any construction material. Building professionals are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of using recyclable metal roofing materials for retrofit applications over old non-metallic roofs. This helps avoid expensive tear-off and disposal of solvent and chemical-based materials, which often wind up in overburdened landfills.
















Also call 1.800.939.1423 for a fast and reliable estimate of a metal roofing for your home or business or just watch our crew working, anywhere our tools' trailer is parked, at a roofing project in progress.















Please write us any comment or question on the matter with a click below.









Life Cycle Cost Analysis:
Consumers who have spent a good amount of time researching their options are aware that metal roofing typically carries a higher initial purchase price than other roofing materials.
But the average consumer may not be informed on the issue of Life Cycle Cost Analysis and the important fact that, because metal roofing is so enduring and requires so little maintenance, it often costs homeowners far less than alternative roofing in the long run.
While the components of a common standing seam metal roof may cost two to three times that of the asphalt shingles required to cover a given home up front, the metal roof will typically outlive two or more installations of asphalt roofs with little to no maintenance required. Add up the cost of multiple asphalt shingle purchases, re-installations, and repair fees and you can quickly see the price of asphalt rising well beyond that of metal roofing over the span of 50 years and more.






Material***Life Expectancy***Initial CostTotal***Cost in 50 Years





Metal **********50+ ***************250 - 600 *********250 - 600










Asphalt *****10 - 20 **************100 - 250 *********300 - 750
* Includes Cost of Building Materials and Installation ($/100ft2)






Additional Savings and Benefits
Homeowners who invest in metal roofing can further reduce their roof's life cycle cost by carefully selecting metal roofing products that:
Reduce energy bills by reflecting heat in the summer
Reduce insurance prices and chances of structural damage due to severe weather trends such as hail, high winds, forest fires and earthquakes
Increase the resale value of their home through home appreciation
For more information on metal roofing and consumer savings, please visit http://r.vresp.com/?MetalRoofingAlliance/603431ef9b/902356/0d49de0c46/0df5743.





Article taken from the MRA Metal Rooding Alliance web Page at http://www.metalroofing.com/




















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