Category: Educational

Is all Standing Seam Roofing created equal?

Posted by Kevin Yoder on

Is all Standing Seam Roofing created equal?

If you are considering  purchasing a Standing Seam roof there are a few things that you should be aware of and watch for. Not all Standing Seam roofing is created equal so here at Classic Metals, we strive to provide you with all the information you need to make a informed decision.

Material Substrate

The substrate that steel panels are made of, is an integral part of the product and will affect the longevity of the steel. The two most common Substrates are Galvanized and Galvalume. Galvanized is basically steel that is hot dipped in zinc, and one of the main drawbacks is that the zinc coating can easily be scratched off. Galvalume is essentially a 55% aluminum to 45% zinc alloy coated sheet steel.  This blend is what makes it different than Galvanized Steel which is covered with a zinc-only coating. Galvalume Steel can be expected to provide at least TWICE the service life of traditional zinc-coatings of similar coating thickness under the same exposure conditions. This has been proven by actual exposure tests using flat coupon samples, conducted over 36 years in the U.S.A. and 15 years in Canada. These tests show that Galvalume has at least TWICE the service life versus Galvanized.

Trim Thickness

When you are discussing options with your installer or steel supplier, be sure and confirm that they manufacture the trims that you will need, out of the same steel as the panels. This is a common area that suppliers can cut costs and use 29 gauge trims on a 26 gauge roof for example. This is not only a unnecessary cutting of corners, it can lead to uneven fading of trims verses panels.

Oil Canning

Oil Canning in metal roofing is not a structural problem or a cause for rejection, however most manufacture’s and installers try to avoid it if possible. Material thickness and type of material can contribute to oil canning and install procedures also play a part, but panel design and machine settings play the greatest role. At Classic Metals we pride ourselves in maintaining high quality machinery that produce panel quality that is second to none. The picture of the two roofs to the right, show the difference between a panel that Classic Metals manufactured and a competitor. Both pictures were taken on buildings that were exactly the same, and less than 50 feet from each other.

Don’t settle for a Standing Seam Roof that is less than it could be, give us a call today and we will show you the difference.

 

 

 

The information provided is for reference only and may change without notice

Trump Pledges to stop Steel Dumping in the United States

Posted by Kevin Yoder on

Trump Pledges to stop Steel Dumping in the United States

President Donald Trump has pledged to end Steel Dumping in the United States, using both quotas and tariffs according to a transcript that was released July 13th. “Steel is a big problem. Steel is–I mean, they’re dumping steel. Not only China, but others. We’re like a dumping ground, OK? They’re dumping steel and destroying our steel industry, they’ve been doing it for decades, and I’m stopping it. It’ll stop”, he told reporters on Air Force One on July 12th.

What is Section 232?

In 1947—23 nations signed the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which in 1995 became The World Trade Organization, now with a roster of 163 countries. With the rest of the world’s major economies reeling from the destruction of WWII, American participation in GATT was both an act of generosity and of self-interest: We needed a recovered world with which to trade. To get agreement on GATT, the drafters had to include an escape clause: If imports threaten national security, the importing country can levy super-high tariffs on those products. In the United States, Section 232 of the deceptively named Trade Expansion Act of 1962 allows the president to initiate an investigation to determine whether our security is indeed threatened by imports, which threat can include “substantial unemployment … decrease in government revenue … displacement of any domestic products by excessive imports,” among other impacts. This broad definition of a threat makes the policy options virtually unlimited. President Trump has instructed U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Wilber Ross to compile a report showing whether steel imports trigger Section 232. This report is due within a week.

What will happen if Section 232 is implemented.Steel

No-one knows what President Trump will do, if the report shows that Section 232 can be implemented. He has talked in the past of placing a 20% tariff on for steel, however that would be very drastic. There is no doubt that if large tariffs or quota’s are placed on steel imports across the board, there will be a shortage of raw steel and the cost of steel products will rise. Here are a few quotes by people that are involved in the steel industry.

• Domestic steel mills will have less competition so their prices will increase. In turn, this will make the finished goods product that we produce more expensive than the same part being imported from China. Buyers will buy the less expensive product made in China and we will lose jobs.

• If Section 232 passes, domestics will follow with a round of large increases and it will send our industry into a self-made recession because people will stop buying and put projects on hold.

• It will force 100 percent dependency on domestic Galvalume coil.

At Classic Metals we will be watching closely what will happen regarding Section 232, and will be sure to inform everyone if we foresee long lasting effects because of this ruling. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions.

The information provided is for reference only and may change without notice

Snow guards: Are they necessary on a Metal Roof?

Posted by Kevin Yoder on

Snow guards: Are they necessary on a Metal Roof?

A question that we get asked a lot, is if it is really necessary to install snow guards on a metal roof. The short answer is that it depends where you live. Lets unpack some of the information regarding snow guards.

What is the purpose:

Snow 2

The purpose of snow guards is to hold accumulated snow on the roof, until it can slowly melt. Lets say that you live in a area that receives 4-6 inches of snowfall regularly. The snow can build up on your roof throughout the winter until there is 12″ or more accumulated. As the weather begins to warm, this accumulated snow can slide off the roof in large chucks, causing possible damage to gutters and personnel. If snow guards are installed, they prevent the snow from sliding, until it has a chance to melt.

What Damage can be Caused:

Depending on the situation, and the severity of the winter, the lack of snow guards can cause a lot of damage. Sliding snow and Ice can tear gutters off of your home, requiring new gutters to be installed. Chunks of snow can also slide off at the most inopportune times,inuring anyone that happens to be standing in its way. The last thing that you need is to have someone suing you because of being injured by sliding Snow and Ice.

What options of Snow Guards are available:Snowgem

There are several options of snow guards available depending on the style and look that you prefer. There are plastic snow gems that can be caulked, or screwed to the roofing surface. These are very economical and can be installed with little effort. There are also continuous bar options for both the Ag Panel and Standing Seam Roofing. These bar option are the cadillac of snow guards and are proven to work well in all conditions. If you are looking for a more decorative look, there are many options along that line as well.Snow 3ACE copy

In Summary:

Snow guards are something that can be overlooked at times, however, they play a important part in the performance of your roofing. Talk to your installer and be sure that this vital component is not neglected.

Be sure to give us a call if you have any question concerning your roof, and we will do our best to answer them for you.

 

The information provided is for reference only and may change without notice

 

 

Why Textured Paint is changing the Metal Roofing Industry

Posted by Kevin Yoder on

Why Textured Paint is changing the Metal Roofing Industry

Textured paint or Crinkle paint as it is sometimes called, is making a real impact on the metal roofing industry. There are several reasons for this and we want to outline a few of them for you. Textured painted metal will not replace the smooth coated products that have been used for years, however is is a very good option to look at, and in many ways it is a better option.

What is Textured Painted metal?

Textured painted metal was actually discovered by accident in a lab several years ago. The lab technician added a special catalyst to the standard paint formula and discovered that as the paint dried, the additional catalyst caused the paint surface to texture / wrinkle. This technique was refined and tested in order to achieve the highest quality and performance.

What are the improvements of Textured Paint?MetalStandingSeamRoof.com-Standing-Seam-Metal-Roof-r2

• Less Glare, The textured paint really minimizes the glare that a metal roof can inherently have. This lends to a overall better appearance.

• Better scratch resistance, Because the surface of the metal textured, it will resist small scuffs and scratches.

• Better traction, If you have ever needed to walk on a metal roof, you are aware that depending on the conditions, it can be difficult to maintain traction. The textured surface greatly improves that traction. This is a benefit for both the installers and the homeowners.

• Hides under decking imperfections, Because of the reduced glare of the textured metal, any substrate imperfections will be less noticeable.

More Information

Textured Painted metal is a really good option for someone that wants the long life of a metal roof, but wants something that has a lower gloss.

You can contact us if you are interested in more information, or would like to see a cost comparison for the textured paint in any of the 28 gauge profiles or one of the many 26 Ga standing seam profiles. Our office number is 330-674-7051 we look forward to hearing from you.

 

The information provided is for reference only and may change without notice

 

The difference between Galvalume, and Galvanized Steel

Posted by Kevin Yoder on

The difference between Galvalume, and Galvanized Steel

If you start looking into metal roofing, it won’t be long before you hear the term GALVALUME®.  So what is that , and how does it work?

What is Galvalume Steel

Galvalume was developed in 1972.  Essentially it is a 55% aluminum to 45% zinc alloy coated sheet steel.  This blend is what makes it different than Galvanized Steel  which is covered with a zinc-only coating. According to BIEC, the licensor, 120 million tons have been produced since 1972, and Steelroofing.com estimates 40 billion square feet of Galvalume steel has been used in roofing worldwide. With GALVALUME, the aluminum and zinc act together to resist corrosion and provide barrier protection on the roofing surface. Zinc alone would allow more rust to occur, while Aluminum alone does not stand up as well to hail and other damaging forces.

What is Galvanized Steel

Galvanized Sheet is carbon steel sheet coated with zinc on two sides by a continuous hot-dip process. This method tightly adheres the coating to the steel with an iron-zinc alloy bonding layer formed by a diffusion process while the heated steel strip is in contact with the molten zinc. One of the drawbacks of Galvanized is that if the Zinc coating is scratched off the steel, the Steel is left unprotected, and is subject to failure.

Galvalume vs. GalvanizedGalvalume vs Galvanized

While both products were developed to essentially sacrifice themselves to protect the steel sheeting they coat, the exposure comparison photo shows that Galvalume® performs (up to nine times) better in fighting corrosion as compared to Galvanized coating. While Galvalume® can initially show signs of corrosion faster than Galvanized, it has a sacrificial property that will prevent the corrosion from growing whereas once corrosion has started on a Galvanized panel, it can continue to corrode until panel integrity is lost. According to a study released by the Metal Construction and Zinc Aluminum Coaters associations, the longevity of a low-slope unpainted Galvalume® standing-seam roof is 60 years Additionally, primer and paint adhere better to Galvalume®-coated panels and they carry a 20-year limited warranty while galvanized panels do not, making them a smarter long-term investment for all building applications.

Conclusion

Another great feature of Galvalume Steel is that as the material is cut, the Zinc and Aluminum combine to prevent corrosion at any exposed edges. Galvalume Steel can be expected to provide at least TWICE the service life of traditional zinc-coatings of similar coating thickness under the same exposure conditions. This has been proven by actual exposure tests using flat coupon samples, conducted over 36 years in the U.S.A. and 15 years in Canada. These tests show that Galvalume has at least TWICE the service life versus Galvanized.

All of the Steel products that we use here at Classic Metals, are manufactured using Galvalume Steel. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or comments.

 

The information provided is for reference only and may change without notice

 

 

 

 

 

Metal Roofing, What is the True Cost?

Posted by Kevin Yoder on

Metal Roofing, What is the True Cost?

What is the true cost of Metal Roofing, and how does it compare to asphalt shingles? That is a question that i hope to clarify. When it comes to making a major purchase, the tendency is to only base our purchase decision on the price of the item. Sometimes this can be OK, but often it leads to making a decision that will cost us far more in the future.

The average cost of replacing your roof with a dimensional asphalt shingle is around $260.00 per square. This would equate to $7,800.00 for the average ranch home. The frustrating part is knowing that in 20-25 years those very shingles will end up in a landfill.  In a 60 year span this home will need to have the roofing replaced 3 times. This could very easily reach a total of $25,000.00.

The average cost of installing a entry grade metal roof will be around $300.00 per square. This equates to $9,000.00 for the average ranch home. This Metal Roof will have no problem in lasting 60 years, and will do so for the total cost of the original purchase.           ( $9,000.00 )

Another factor to consider is the energy saving of a energy star Metal Roofingmetal in comparison to asphalt shingles. This fact alone would
provide a substantial savings over a 60 year period. Some recent study’s have shown a average potential savings of $300.00 per year, equaling $18,000.00 in 60 years. An additional fact to consider is the increase of value that your home will have with a Metal Roof. If you ever sell your home, the buyer will have peace of mind knowing that the roofing is the last thing that he needs to be concerned about.

In the 60 year example that we laid out, here is the true total Cost of the two roofing systems

Asphalt Roofing–$25,000.00

Metal Roofing–$ -9,000.00 ( a Total Savings of $34,000.00 )

What is the True Cost of Metal Roofing?  You can’t afford NOT to buy a Metal Roof.

Feel free to Contact us if you have any questions or would like to have a estimate for your roof replacement.

 

The information provided is for reference only and may change without notice

Does Metal Roofing Cost More then Asphalt Shingles?

Posted by Kevin Yoder on

Does Metal Roofing Cost More then Asphalt Shingles?

Have you ever asked the question “Does Metal Roofing Cost More then Asphalt Shingles? ” If so, your first thought might have been that it does cost more than asphalt, if that is your belief than you are mistaken. Metal roofing actually costs LESS that asphalt, lets find out how together.

The first step is to understand the difference between COST and PRICE. Cost is the total amount of capital that is invested throughout the life of the product. Price is the initial purchase price of the product. Lets look at an example….

Bill purchases a car built by Cars-R-Us for the price of $3,000.00, He had looked at a similar vehicle at a lot across town that was manufactured by Built-Right Automobiles. However the price for that similar sized car was $5,000.00. There was no doubt in Bill’s mind that the Cars-R-Us vehicle costs less that the one by Built- Right Automobiles.

In the first year that Bill had the car, the right tire flew off and the front door refused to open, just a small issue, he thought, so he wreck2had that repaired for $500.00.  The following year, while going down a hill at 60 MPH, his brakes froze up and he ended up in Mrs. Pickles yard after running over her Rhododendron bush, and hitting the side of her house. It was then that he discovered that his insurance policy by Cut-Rate Insurance Co. did not cover incidences that occur on Fridays. The total bill for all the damages reached $2,500.00. Within 6 months of having the car repaired, the piston on the engine blew apart while idling at a gas station, and caused unrepairable damage to the car. It had to be towed to the junk yard. The worst part about the engine failure, was that at that very moment, Mr. Tootles was walking past the car, He suffered major hearing loss, and had to purchase a new pair of pants, as brown streaks on khaki pants are not appealing. Bill ended up putting 50,000 miles on the car.

Bill had a conversation later on with his friend Jim who had purchased a car from Built-Right Automobiles, and asked Jim about his experience with his car.  Jim had driven the car for 10 years, and had put over 200,000 miles on it. He did need to change the left wheel bearing at 80,000 miles, but the bearing was covered under the Built-Right Automobiles warranty, so there was no cost to him. Lets look at the final numbers…

Built-Right Automobiles
Purchase Price–$5,000.00
Bearing Replacement–$0.00
200,000 Miles = $.03 per mile Cost

Cars-R-Us
Purchase Price–$3,000.00
Door and Tire Repair–$500.00
Mrs. Pickles Repair–$2,500.00
Mr. Tootles new pants = Priceless
50,000 miles = $.12 per mile Cost

We can easily see that even though the Price for  the Car from Built Right Automobiles was more, the actual Cost is less. The same principle goes for when we compare Metal Roofing to a Asphalt shingles. We will be posting a article later with the broken down costs so that we all can see the true COST of Metal Roofing. Stay Tuned…..

If you have any questions feel free to visit our website at www.classicmetals.com or call 330-674-7051

The information provided is for reference only and may change without notice

Domestic Steel Pricing is Uncertain in 2017

Posted by Kevin Yoder on

Domestic Steel Pricing is uncertain in 2017

We all live in a global economy, and there are various forces that help drive the costs of products that we all use everyday. This fact is nothing to be afraid of, however there is a benefit to being aware of market trends and what is effecting the global economy. The raw steel market has been experiencing a major upward trend since the middle of 2016 because of several dynamics that are effecting the U.S. market.

One of the major drivers is the fact that in June 2016 the domestic steel industry won a major victory when the United States federal government decide to hit Chinese steelmakers with tariffs of more than 500 percent. The U.S. International Trade Commission found cold-rolled steel products from China and Japan, which the United States imported $431.6 million of in the previous year, were unfairly subsidized and sold for less than fair value. As a result, the U.S. Department of Commerce will slap tariffs of as high as 522 percent on cold-rolled steel from China that’s used to make cars and appliances. Record volumes of cheap Chinese steel caused a global import crisis that the United Steelworkers union blames for more than 14,500 steelworker layoffs in the United States. The Asian nation exported an unprecedented 112 million tons of steel in 2015 as demand there slowed, flooding world markets and driving down prices in an industry with high fixed costs. In simple terms, the US domestic steel mills have been trying to force tariffs on imported steel for years, saying that they are losing money because of the cheaper imports. In order to prove that point, there were even several mills that were shut down and workers that were laid off.Dow-Jones-US-Steel-Index_opt

Now that the Tariffs have been put into place, the imported steel has became more expensive, so everyone is turning to domestic mills in order to supply the demand. Unfortunately the United States does not have enough capacity to supply the entire demand, Less product available = Higher Prices. It will take a number of months for some of the mills that were shut down to be reopened and for the market to balance itself out.

Among President Donald Trump’s many campaign promises was one to utilize more U.S.-produced materials, including steel, and his actions thus far have reinforced those promises. Two weeks ago, Trump signed executive orders expediting the approval and subsequent construction of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines. An important caveat to those orders included the use of domestic steel for the upgrade and repair for the new pipelines. Forcing the use of domestic materials and labor is great for the United States economy, although it does trend the overall costs of products upward.

Here at Classic Metals we are working closely with our suppliers to stay up to date with the market, and do everything that we can to keep the pricing in check. Although there potentially will be a uptick in the costs for materials, we are confident that the market will balance itself, and business will continue as usual. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Five Mistakes people make when comparing Steel Roofing or Siding

Posted by Kevin Yoder on

Five Mistakes people make when comparing Steel Roofing or Siding

Knowledge is key when the time comes to compare products, and many times it is hard to find the information that you need. Here at Classic Metals, our belief is that we want to provide all the information that you need to make an informed decision, and to help you walk through the process.

Material SubstrateGalvalume vs Galvanized

The substrate that steel panels are made of, is an integral part of the product and will affect the longevity of the steel. The two most common Substrates are Galvanized and Galvalume. Galvanized is basically steel that is hot dipped in zinc, and one of the main drawbacks is that the zinc coating can easily be scratched off. Galvalume is essentially a 55% aluminum to 45% zinc alloy coated sheet steel.  This blend is what makes it different than Galvanized Steel which is covered with a zinc-only coating. Galvalume Steel can be expected to provide at least TWICE the service life of traditional zinc-coatings of similar coating thickness under the same exposure conditions. This has been proven by actual exposure tests using flat coupon samples, conducted over 36 years in the U.S.A. and 15 years in Canada. These tests show that Galvalume has at least TWICE the service life versus Galvanized.

Thickness of the steel

The thickness of the steel is an important consideration when you are comparing steel roofing and siding, however, most people do not realize how the thickness is measured and how some manufacturers use this to their advantage. Steel is measured in gauges and the smaller the gauge, the thicker the steel. Typically the thicker the steel, the more rigid the panel, and a longer lifespan is expected. Each gauge of steel has a range, so if the final thickness of the product, including paint, falls into a certain range, it is considered that gauge. Sometimes, steel manufacturers use this to their advantage and apply a slightly thicker layer of paint to either the top or even the bottom of the panel, and this allows them to classify the final product as a thicker gauge, while the longevity and stiffness of the panel have not changed. The only way that you can be sure of the thickness of the steel material, is to request the thickness of the steel, BEFORE the paint, is applied.

Paint Warranty’s

So much could be said regarding paint and the warranty that is associated with it, but as always with warrantys, read the fine print. Things that you want to look for, is overall life does the warranty pro-rate, are fading and chalking conditions that are under warranty, and if so, how much is tolerated. There are a lot of fine details that we could get into, but the main thing that you want to remember is that the paint on the steel is the main product that protects the steel and gives it the long life expectancy that it has. If you take a shortcut on the paint, it will have a major effect on the steel’s overall performance.

Trim Thickness

When you are discussing options with your installer or steel supplier, be sure and confirm that they manufacture the trims that you will need, out of the same steel as the panels. This is a common area that suppliers can cut costs and use 29 gauge trims on a 26 gauge roof for example. This is not only a unnecessary cutting of corners, it can lead to uneven fading of trims verses panels.

Hidden fastener design on Standing SeamS6302401

The Standing Seam roofing system was designed to provide a roofing system that would last a lifetime, and would not have any exposed screws that have washers that are susceptible to mother nature. As time has gone on there are many installers that in an effort to cut costs, they have reverted to using trims that are exposed fastened to the standing seam panel. This not only ruins the clean appearance of the roofing system, it introduces a great potential for leaks, and restricts the roofing from performing as it should. All trims that are used on a Standing Seam roof, should be designed in such a way that they are installed without any exposed fasteners. Don’t let your installer tell you otherwise.

If you have any questions regarding metal roofing or siding or would like additional help with a project, give us a call at 330-674-7051 or visit our website at www.classicmetals.com

 

The information provided is for reference only and may change without notice

 

 

 

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