Lorin Industries and Metallic Products have recently become members of the Metal Construction Association.

The Metal Construction Association (MCA) is proud to announce two companies have recently become members of the association: Lorin Industries and Metallic Products.

These two companies have joined 100+ MCA member companies which include manufacturers and suppliers dedicated to expanding and developing the metal construction industry.

For nearly eight decades, Lorin Industries has been a worldwide provider of coil anodized aluminum. Lorin partners with many of the world's leading designers, product engineers, architects and fabricators. They are known for their creativity and innovations in bringing new and exciting products and building designs to life and helping their clientele achieve their vision. Their products include coil coating, natural metal and metal coil.

Established in 1962, Metallic Products takes pride in providing quality, cost-effective ventilation products, outstanding customer service and shortened lead times to its customers. While the company is internationally known for ridge ventilators, it offers a host of related products, including roof curbs, wall louvers and door canopies.

"Lorin is excited to be a new member of the Metal Construction Association. We believe our membership will serve not only as an opportunity for Lorin to become more educated and involved in the metal construction market, but also for us to provide educational guidance about continuous coil anodizing and the value it can bring to the market as a whole,” said Steven F. Soderberg, corporate marketing manager, Lorin Industries.

Travis Wendt, owner/president, Metallic Products said, "Metallic Products chose to join MCA because of our shared mission in being advocates for the use of metal in the building envelope…especially roofs. We have been in business for 60 years and we believe MCA will help us to prosper for the next 60 and beyond. We look forward to the great work both of our organizations can accomplish together."

Both companies will now have access to the resources available to all MCA members, including updated technical reports, research data, the Annual Market Study, networking opportunities and industry information in the members only section of the MCA website.

MCA members represent a broad array of companies including metal roof, wall panel, shingles and coatings manufacturers, coil coaters and metal producers, distributors, equipment and accessories manufacturers, energy insulation system manufacturers, MCM fabricators and contractors.                     

MCA member companies benefit from participation in association activities and connections among suppliers and industry leaders in research, codes and standards, market development, and technical programs. The association works to increase the use of metal materials in construction by educating the building and design communities about the benefits of metal. 

For more information about membership, email info@metalconstruction.org or visit www.metalconstruction.org/membership.

About the Metal Construction Association

The Metal Construction Association brings together a diverse industry for the purpose of expanding the use of metal in construction through marketing, research, technology and education. Companies involved in MCA gain tremendous benefit from association activities that focus on research, codes and standards, market development, and technical programs. MCA’s market development efforts increase the use of metal materials in construction through the education of the building and design communities about the benefits of metal. To learn more, visit metalconstruction.org.

By Heidi J. Ellsworth, RCS president. 

Dale Nelson of Roof Hugger awarded Larry A. Swaney Award  

RoofersCoffeeShop® (RCS) is proud to be a partner with the Metal Construction Association (MCA). During their 2022 winter meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona, I was able to attend the meetings and learn more about the important initiatives of this association. 

The mission of the Metal Construction Association is to promote the use of metal in the building envelope through marketing, education and action on public policies that affect metal's use. Under the leadership of current Chair James Bush of ATAS International, the association continues to work to not only promote the use of metal in building architecture but also strive to generate important technical information for the ongoing improvement of installation practices. 

A highlight of the meeting was the awards program where several distinguished metal construction professionals were recognized. For the Larry A. Swaney Award it was incredibly exciting to see Dale Nelson of Roof Hugger receive this distinction. The award is entrusted to an individual who has worked unselfishly for the success of the association and the betterment of the metal construction industry as a whole. The recipient is recognized for reflecting the spirit of Larry A. Swaney, the founding president of the association and an individual committed to promoting communication, cooperation, sharing and unity, as well as fostering growth and enhancing the betterment of metal construction. 

Also recognized was Miguel Pena of GSSI for the Patrick R. Bush Service Award.  This award recognizes one individual from an MCA member company who has recently made significant volunteer contributions to the Metal Construction Association. Pena is the chair of the METALCON Liaison Committee, and worked endlessly with PSMJ, MCA’s partner for METALCON, to host a successful METALCON event last October. He was instrumental in executing the new METALCON Live monthly webinars. These webinars give people in the construction industry an opportunity to stay current with metal initiatives and to learn new techniques to ensure proper installation, and so much more. 

With several councils and committees reporting during the meetings, it was obvious that there is an emphasis on sharing the benefits of sustainability, durability, performance and safety. There were reports from the Codes and Standards committee chaired by Andy Williams of Panel Cladding Solutions and Bob Zabcik of Z-tech Consulting, the Technical Committee chaired by David Stermer of Metal Sales Manufacturing Corporation, the Market Development committee chaired by Lee Ann Slattery of ATAS and many more. All the committees are focused on providing information for the metal construction community around changing standards and ongoing metal success stories. 

The MCA also hosts several councils and alliances during their meetings. Renee Ramsey, executive director of the Metal Roofing Alliance presented the market growth of residential metal roofing and the growth of roofing contractors. The current chair of the MRA is Dick Bus of ATAS and according to him, “The Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) is the leading voice for companies and professionals involved in the residential metal roofing industry. Since its inception in 1998, we have shown millions of people just how beautiful, durable and economical metal roofing can be.” With yearly studies and market analysis the MRA is showing that the growth of metal continues in double digits yearly. 

Additional councils including the Accessories Council, Insulated Metal Panel (IMP) and Metal Composite Materials (MCM), Retrofit, Roofing Council and Single Skin Metal Wall Panel Councils and Alliances reported to the membership. Reports included technical updates, market development initiatives along with a variety of new projects underway that will continue to provide great value to those in the metal construction industry. 

The MCA Winter and Summer Meetings are open to members and non-members. Attendance offers tremendous insights into everything about metal in construction. Save the date for the 2022 Summer Meeting is June 13-15, at the Hilton Rosemont/Chicago, 10 minutes from O’Hare International Airport. RoofersCoffeeShop will be there. 

Learn more about the Metal Construction Association by visiting their RoofersCoffeeShop directory or visit www.metalconstruction.org.

By Evelyn Witterholt, RCS Reporter. 

Highlights from the 2021 Q4 survey on reroofing market trends indicate expansion and optimism in the industry. 

The Q4 results of the Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing are finally here! Roofing contractors and consultants gave their thoughts on the state of the reroofing market. For this survey, 73% of respondents were roofing contractors and 27% were consultants. In terms of market type, 88% of respondents stated that their business was low slope or a combination of low and steep slope and 12% reported they only work in steep slope. 

In this year's survey, the Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA) introduced two new features: the Project Contracts Index and the Customer Inquiries Index. The intent of these indexes is to provide members of the reroofing industry a number that can help them better understand the state of the market. 

The Customer Inquiries Index is based on a scale of 0-100. Any score above 50 indicates optimism or expansion and anything below 50 indicates pessimism or contraction. For Q4, the index number was 63.8 compared to 62.2 for Q3. 

The Project Contracts Index is based on this same scale and for Q4, the number was 61.1. Q3 had an index number of 59.4, so this is quite the increase! In terms of project backlog, 51% of respondents reported a backlog of three months or more as of January 2022. 

49% of respondents reported that the number of project contracts increased for Q4, with 33% reporting no change and 22% reporting a decrease. For customer inquiries, 49% reported that inquiries increased, with 31% reporting no change and 21% reporting a decrease. 

Interested contractors and consultants who want to participate in next quarter’s brief survey can sign up for a notification. 

Learn more about PIMA in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.polyiso.org. 

About PIMA  

For more than 30 years, the Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA) has served as the unified voice of the rigid polyiso industry, proactively advocating for safe, cost-effective, sustainable, and energy-efficient construction. PIMA’s members, who first came together in 1987, include a synergistic partnership of polyiso manufacturers and industry suppliers. Polyiso is one of North America’s most widely used and cost-effective insulation products. To learn more, visit www.polyiso.org.

Together with members of the Metal Construction Association (MCA), S-5! recently participated in a three-part white paper series on solar photovoltaics (PV) and metal roofing.

Contributors to the white papers series include MCA members and S-5! staff, Rob Haddock, CEO and founder; Dustin Haddock, vice president of research and development; and Mark Gies, director of solar business; along with Bob Zabcik, MCA technical director and president of Z-tech Consulting, LLC; and Andy Williams, MCA director of codes and standards and principal of Panel Cladding Solutions, LLC.

Part 1 - Service Life Comparisons focuses on solar/roof service life compatibility. Information is widely available concerning basic and advanced technologies of why and how PV works from many online sources. This white paper instead focuses on a commonly overlooked topic: the PV and the roof are inextricably codependent and must be regarded as a single asset. Consideration must therefore be given to the durability, longevity and service-life compatibility aspects of the roof to the PV system. Oversight of this important aspect can compromise the PV value proposition and grossly diminish the financial return.

Part 2 - Mounting System Methods explains the common types of PV mounting systems for metal roofs, associated risks and pros/cons of each. Attention is directed to the essential criteria of mounting solar PV to metal rooftops to provide the best practical and economic benefits for building owners and solar contractors alike. This information is requisite to preserving the integrity of both the roof and solar PV system as well as maintaining code compliance while achieving the lowest maintenance, longest life, lowest (initial and life-cycle) costs and greatest return on investment on the solar PV system.

Part 3 - Mounting System Installation digs into more detail and the critical technical factors for solar PV systems specific to mounting on metal roofs and illustrates how long-term performance of roof-mounted solar PV systems can only be achieved through careful planning, design, procurement, installation and quality control from start to finish. It also details how metal roofs enable these solar PV systems to live up to their stated potential durability, versatility and inherent value. 

The three-part series can be downloaded at www.metalconstruction.org.

About S-5!

Since 1992, S-5! has been the leading authority on metal roof attachment solutions. S-5!’s zero-penetration clamps attach ancillary items to standing seam and exposed-fastened metal roofs, while maintaining roof integrity and warranties. S-5! solutions are engineered for a variety of roof-mounted applications and are now installed on more than 2 million metal roofs including 4.2 GW of PV worldwide, providing strength and longevity never before seen. For more information, visit www.S-5.com.

The purpose of the survey is to take the pulse of the reroofing industry on a quarterly basis and serve as a regular barometer of the industry’s business conditions.

Roofing professionals are invited to join industry trade associations representing contractors, consultants and manufacturers in the U.S. and Canada in taking part in the latest Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing to evaluate business conditions during the fourth quarter of 2021.

The purpose of the survey is to take the pulse of the reroofing industry on a quarterly basis and serve as a regular barometer of the industry’s business conditions. By asking a handful of business questions and measuring responses across a number of demographics, the survey helps give an indication of the reroofing market’s strength and trajectory. 

The results of the Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing are made available to survey participants via an online dashboard that enables users to filter results by region and other metrics. 

For the previous survey that measured business activity during the third quarter of 2021, 58% of responses came from roofing contractors and 42% came from roof consultants. The results indicate opportunities in the reroofing industry improved or held steady compared with the same quarter in 2020. 

The survey is an industrywide effort to collect information about the reroofing market spearheaded by a coalition of trade associations, including the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, Canadian Roofing Contractors Association, Chemical Fabrics & Film Association Inc., EPDM Roofing Association, International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants, Metal Construction Association, National Roofing Contractors Association, National Women in Roofing, Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association, Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association and Single Ply Roofing Industry. 

The quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing is available at bit.ly/RoofingSurvey. Survey responses may be submitted through Friday, January 21. 

Since 1886, the National Roofing Contractors Association has been the home for generations of entrepreneurial craftsmen and enterprises who shelter and protect America’s families and businesses and each other. Our vision is the recognition of our members as professionals and to unite the industry to that purpose. NRCA is one of the construction industry’s most respected trade associations and the voice of roofing professionals and leading authority in the roofing industry for information, education, technology and advocacy. It represents all segments of the roofing industry, including contractors; manufacturers; distributors; architects; consultants; engineers; building owners; and city, state and government agencies. For information about NRCA and its services and offerings, visit nrca.net. 

By Colin Sheehan, RCS Reporter. 

Join a panel of metal roof experts as they examine the pros and cons of standing seam vs. exposed-fastened metal roofing. 

In the first part of Insights with Experts video series on Wind Design, Dustin Haddock from S-5!® discussed the purpose of WindClamps and how they can help contractors avoid costly wind uplift damages. 

In part two of Insights with Experts on Wind Design, Dustin and colleague Mark Gies go back to the basics in a discussion about the key differences between standing seam and exposed-fastened metal roofing with a panel of experts from FM Global, Metal Construction Association (MCA), and Metal Building Components Inc., (MBCI).  

The experts discuss: 

• The pros and cons of both roof types 

• The history of structural standing seam metal roofs in the 20th century 

• The different ways these roofs are seamed together 

Panelist Ken Buchinger, formerly with MBCI, explains that a crucial con of exposed-fastened roofs is their tendency to leak. When fastening, it is easy for crews to miss the purlins, often leaving a hole that will need to be treated (and continually re-treated) to prevent water intrusion. 

“Certainly, the concealed clip standing seam is much preferred to [exposed fastened] for larger buildings where you’re going to have [significant] thermal expansion,” said panelist Dick Davis from FM Global. “[Standing seam] is also less likely to leak.”  

The panel then dives into what exactly a standing seam metal roof is, as well as some of the products S-5! has made for contractors to use in conjunction with them. 

Although the origins of standing seam go back 1200 years, the “structural” standing seam originated in the 1930s. It wasn’t until the mid to late 90s that the structural standing seam became a popular choice. This movement towards standing seam started in part by new energy codes, which made many smaller buildings adopt standing seam to achieve the necessary U-factor as per code ECC and ASHRAE 90.1. 

“They require a standing seam metal roof [to have a layer of insulation] between the roof and purlins,” said explained Haddock. “Since the early 90s, two of the most common [types of standing seam] is where we’re going to spend our time. A mechanical fold and the snap-together seam...Within the history of metal roofs, a standing seam metal roof has been around as long as metal roofs have.” 

Watch the entire video for more information on standing seam metal roofs and S-5! WindClamps.

Learn more about S-5! in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.S-5.com.

MCA works to eliminate barriers to using metal in construction through education and research. 

RoofersCoffeeShop, the award-winning place where the industry meets for technology, information and everyday business, is pleased to welcome the Metal Construction Association (MCA) into its community for contractors. 

Made up of manufacturers and suppliers, the Metal Construction Association is an organization that promotes the use of metal in the building envelope through marketing, education and action on public policies that affect metal’s use. 

Through MCA’s efforts, you can expect: 

• Support for product performance testing, initiating research, and monitoring and responding to codes and regulations that affect metal. 

• Educational opportunities for building owners, designers, installers, educators and those who determine relevant codes and standards. They offer a robust online learning program full of resources from certifications technical specifications to the latest standards to Continuing Education Credits. 

• Product certifications that help differentiate your company from the competition. 

• Memberships that put you at the forefront of technology in metal, allowing you to network with industry leaders throughout the supply chain and participate in collaborative research and marketing strategies.  

• METALCON Exhibition and Conference, which MCA established in 1991. METALCON provides a multi-level learning experience through an exhibition of the latest products from leading industry companies, a comprehensive education program with AIA credit courses, and three days of live-action demonstrations. 

MCA’s mission is to promote the use of metal in the building envelope through marketing, education and action on public policies that affect metal's use. Join them in making metal the number one material in roofing. 

RoofersCoffeeShop® is proud to welcome the Metal Construction Association! 

About Metal Construction Association

The Metal Construction Association is an organization of manufacturers and suppliers whose metal products are used in structures throughout the world. Since it was formed in 1983, MCA has focused on one key strategy - to promote the use of metal in the building envelope through marketing, education, and action on public policies that affect metal’s use.

Dick Bus, President of ATAS International, received an Icon Honors award.  

The awards recognized Greater Lehigh Valley business leaders for their notable success and demonstration of strong leadership both within and outside of their chosen fields. The awards not only celebrate the recipients’ leadership skills, but also their dedication to their community. 

ATAS is an industry leading manufacturer of metal panels and accessories for the building envelope and interiors, with locations across the United States. Bus has served as President of ATAS since 1995, and he is also the Vice President of their sister company, BRIGHTSMITH Coaters. In 1963 the company began as Aluminum Trim and Shapes, founded by Bus’ father, Jacobus “Jack” Bus, evolving from his siding and trim installer business. At that time, Jack and Nel Bus lived in a home in Rochester, New York with their eight children, and the business started in their basement. Bus helped his father by working on jobsites during his childhood, taking on other responsibilities and positions in manufacturing as the company continued to grow.  

Currently a board member of the MCA (Metal Construction Association) and the NRCA (National Roofing Contractors Association), Bus has served and supported numerous industry associations for many years. He is currently the President of the MRA (Metal Roofing Alliance), a member of CSI (Construction Specifications Institute) and a former President of the MCA. Locally, Bus serves on the boards of the Da Vinci Science Center and the MRC (Manufacturers Resource Center). 

A strong proponent of educating youth on the exciting careers in manufacturing and the AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction) industry, Bus has supported many initiatives. Those include MRC’s “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing” video contest in the Lehigh Valley for middle school students and NAM’s (National Association of Manufacturers) annual Manufacturing Day (an open house for students to tour manufacturing plants and explore career opportunities). Bus has also been a supporter of the Let’s Build Construction Camp for Girls, which began in the Lehigh Valley in 2017. He has assisted the camp with sponsorships and donated materials, and employees have volunteered time as instructors and mentors to the campers. The Pennsylvania Education Improvement Tax Credit program to foster scholarships for the trades and manufacturing has also benefitted from Bus’ support. 

From 1994 to 2004, Bus resurrected the Boy Scouts of America Troop 150 in Orefield, Pennsylvania. He led four of the original seven scouts to the rank of Eagle. In 2016, he received the Good Scout Award from Boy Scouts of America.  

Although the third generation of his family is now involved in the management of ATAS, Bus shows no signs of slowing down. He will continue to contribute toward the business with the development of innovative building products, services, education, and training, along with continuing to participate in industry and local organizations, to further their missions.  

By Colin Sheehan, RCS Reporter.

In this special edition episode of Roofing Road Trips, Heidi talks with Renee Ramey on the METALCON floor! 

In Season 3, Episode 63 of Roofing Road Trips, Heidi takes the opportunity to chat in-person with Renee Ramey at METALCON 2021. In this episode, the two discuss the hottest products in metal and what has been made an impression on them at the show. They also talk about a recent study conducted by the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA), their market share report and MRA’s 2022 initiatives.  

Renee has been in the industry for over 25 years, starting out in steel and paint conversion, before moving into her position today as the executive director of the Metal Roofing Alliance, a nonprofit trade association focused on promoting and educating homeowners about metal roofing.  

“There's a lot of myths out there, misconceptions, false information or just unawareness of metal roofing as an alternative for your roof on a home,” said Renee. “We exist to make sure that homeowners get accurate information in an easy to read, easy to understand format in one spot, and that we really dispel those myths, open their eyes to all the different options that are available with metal roofing.” 

Renee and the team at MRA want to make sure that metal roofing becomes part of a homeowner’s consideration when they need to reroof their house. Since MRA was founded, they have conducted annual market research studies and found that metal roofing continues to rise in popularity among residential markets. 

"We went from 12% in 2019 to 15% of the reroof market in 2020. So, we continue to make great strides in market share against asphalt and against some of the other products that are out there,” said Renee. 

More and more homeowners are looking for roofs that offer sustainability, longevity and beauty, which they can get from choosing metal. Not only is most metal made from recycled product, it’s also recyclable at the end of its life cycle. Metal also provides energy savings, as well as being the best platform to hold solar roof systems. 

“It's really a good alternative if you're interested in the solar side [and] it's durable,” said Renee. “In fact, I'll bring it to a current example. One of our members worked with us to install [a metal roof] on a residential home in Alabama. As it turned out, the roof was done just a few weeks before Hurricane Ida came through. And they were directly in the path of the hurricane and the homes around them, and we have video footage of it, are just decimated. Their roof was 100 percent, just looks great, performed exactly as it should have [and] the home was kept safe.” 

Listen to the entire podcast to hear more from MRA’s executive director and the innovative products that hit the floor at METALCON 2021.

Vertical zinc panels were used for wall cladding on this 10-story building.

The David Rubenstein Forum project at the University of Chicago utilized 60,000 square feet of custom Versa-Lok and custom fabricated wall panels that were manufactured by ATAS in 1.0 mm grey zinc. The panels were used as exterior wall cladding on this 166-foot-tall building consisting of 10 stories (a two-story base, and an eight-story tower).  They were installed by Tuschall Engineering of Burr Ridge, Illinois, and the architects for the project included Diller Scofidio + Renfro of New York City and Brininstool + Lynch of Chicago. This project was the first-place winner in ATAS’ 2020 Project of the Year competition in the commercial walls category. 

The David M. Rubenstein Forum, which opened in September of 2020, is located on Chicago's Midway Plaisance, and offers views of Downtown Chicago, Lake Michigan and the University Campus. The architects' vision was to create a retreat space, which would allow for both formal presentations as well as casual meetings. The uniquely shaped building has an auditorium, a variety of meeting spaces, a dining room and an elevated wine bar and cafe. The University Room, which is the building's largest room, seats more than 600 people theater-style.

Vertical zinc panels were chosen to express the idea of connectivity on the facade. Zinc was favored because it is a natural and durable material that is timeless and creates its own patina which protects the material for a long time. Zinc is very flexible, which worked well with this building's geometry, and the way it reflects sunlight was appealing to the design team. The vertical panels also accentuate the height of the building. 

The Forum is targeting LEED Gold certification with its sustainable design. The choice of zinc as a wall cladding material will help to reach that goal.  Zinc is durable, resistant to corrosion and 100 percent recyclable, which makes it safe for the environment. It can be reclaimed and reprocessed indefinitely without significant degradation of its properties. As well, the expected long-life span of zinc means that the wall cladding will not need to be replaced for decades. Depending on the environment, metal wall cladding can last well over 100 years, often outlasting the building itself.

This project also won two awards earlier this month. ATAS International was the grand prize winner of the Metal in Architecture Awards, which was presented at METALCON in Tampa, Florida on October 7. The David Rubenstein Forum project was the overall winning project, and it also won in the category of walls. A panel of judges comprised of the Metal Construction Association (MCA) council chairs and other metal construction and design industry experts determined the winners. Entries were judged based on the use of metal in design and construction as shown in the project photographs. 

About ATAS International, Inc.

Founded in 1963, ATAS International, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of metal roofing, wall cladding, ceilings, perimeter edge metal and accessories. The ATAS portfolio features an expansive selection of products available in aluminum, steel, zinc, stainless steel, and copper. Standard profiles include narrow and wide ribbed wall panels, corrugated styles, standing seam and batten seam roof systems, metal shingles, shakes, tiles and more. Additional options include curved, tapered, and perforated panels; concealed or exposed fasteners; smooth or embossed textures; horizontal and vertical applications; and a choice of over 40 stock colors with 70% PVDF finish.

With sustainability at the forefront of modern building design, ATAS proudly supports green building objectives with high performance solutions, such as solar-ready roof panels, insulated metal panels, cool roofing products, and solar air heating wall panels. The ATAS team consists of product and market specialists that provide a high level of support for your project, from initial discovery and design to installation. ATAS has two ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing locations in the United States: the headquarters in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and their facility in Mesa, Arizona.  ATAS also has a second location in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and recently added a new manufacturing location in University Park, Illinois.  For more information about ATAS International, please visit www.atas.com or call 610.395.8445.