Sunday, January 30, 2011

Roof Panels: Exposed Fastener vs. Standing Seam

As you look around our site, you will see that we carry a full line of metal building roof panels, wall panels, trim and accessories. A majority of our products are variations of each other. They maybe a different profile, yet they are installed virtually the same way. However, when you get to roof systems, the similarities stop there.

MBP carries two vastly different types of roof panels. We carry:
  • Exposed Fastener Roof Panels
  • Concealed Fastener Roof Panels
    • Meridian (Commercial & Residential)
    • Master Lok / Trapazoidal (Commercial)
    • Maxima / Batten Lok (Commercial)
    • Medallion / Snap Batten (Commercial) 

What is an Exposed Fastener Roof Panel?

Exposed fastener roof panels are those panels which are lapped over each other and fastened to the structure using self-drilling fasteners that penetrate through the field of the panel into the structure below.














Benefits
  1. Economical
  2. Can be installed over open structure or solid substrate
  3. Easy installation
  4. Quickly remove and replace damaged panel

What is a Standing Seam Roof Panel?

There are a variety of standing seam metal roof systems. However, all of them can be described as metal panels with a raised seam that are typically fastened down to the roof deck using hidden clips and fasteners.












Benefits
  1. Depending on the profile, SSR can be installed over open structure or solid substrate
  2. Reduce potential weather infultration
  3. No exposed fasteners
  4. Clips allow panels to move during expansion and contraction of metal
     
If you are looking for further roof panel information or have specific questions, please contact MBP at info@metalbuildingparts.com or 877.MBP.METAL

Disclaimer: EA Building Solutions, LLC and www.metalbuildingparts.com shall not be held liable for any claim or claims arising from material handling and/or installation.

CHECK OUT OUR "HOW TO ORDER" VIDEO



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Unloading, Storing & Handling Metal Roof & Wall Panels

Many of our customers ask us what is our recommended method for unloading, storage and handling of this material?
Prior to receiving your materials, there are a few important questions to ask yourself.

      1) Do I have the right equipment to unload the materials?

      2) Do I know where I am going to store the material, and is there enough room to properly store it?

Be prepared prior to the truck’s arrival!

UNLOADING

All material will be bundled and crated. If possible, ensure all bundles remain crated until resting in their final storage location. If the bundle must be opened for any reason, we recommend re-crating it prior to moving.
When unloading bundles remember to:


     1) Lift bundles at their center of gravity
                Note:  Improper loading and unloading may result in bodily harm or material damage.
     2) Fork Lift may be used for bundles up to 25’-0” long
                - Spread forks out to maximum width
                - Do not transport open bundles

     3) A crane with a spreader bar is recommended for bundles longer than 25-0”











STORAGE
After unloading, inspect panels for moisture accumulation. If moisture is present, unbundle panels, wipe dry and allow to air dry completely. Ensure the product is completely dry, carefully restack and loosely cover with a tarpaulin. A loose tarpaulin will allow ample air circulation. Tight fitting covers may protect from downpours, but will trap heat and moisture and accelerate metal corrosion. If possible, store bundles inside or under shelter.Bundled sheets should be stacked high enough off the ground to allow ample air circulation and to prevent contact with accumulating water or dirt (2 - 2 x 4 or 1- 4 x 4 is sufficient). Also, if possible, raise one end of the bundles higher than the other to allow any moisture build up to run off.
.












When selecting a storage location, be sure any metal roof and wall panels, trim and accessories do not come in contact with the following:

     1) Saltwater
     2) Corrosive Chemicals
     3) Ash
     4) Fumes

Long term storage is not recommended. If long term storage is required, extra precaution and care must be taken to prevent the development of white / red rust or watermarks.


HANDLING

To prevent scratching and damage, care should always be used when handling any metal products. Gloves are recommended in order to prevent reaction with salts found on skin. Also, rubber soled shoes should be worn during installation to prevent scratching the surface of the panel.
Panels should be handled carefully to avoid bending. When carrying panels, they should be grasped at the edge of the panel, and carried vertically. Panels should never be carried horizontally, this could cause the panel to buckle or bend and damage the panel beyond repair. It is recommended that there be only 6’-8’ between panel support points.







 





If you are looking for further installation information or have specific questions, please contact MBP at info@metalbuildingparts.com or call us at 877.MBP.METAL
Disclaimer: EA Building Solutions, LLC and www.metalbuildingparts.com shall not be held liable for any claim or claims arising from material handling and/or installation.

CHECK OUT OUR "HOW TO ORDER" VIDEO

 
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Installation of R-Panel / PBR Panel (Exposed Fastener) Roof Panels

At www.metalbuildinparts.com we are a customer service driven company. To us, that means providing our customers with quality materials, ready for installation. Our other blogs have focused on material orders. In this blog, we will focus on installation.

Installation of R-Panel / PBR Panel (Exposed Fastener) Roof Panels

The three most important factors to remember when installing any metal roof panels are:

1)      SAFETY IS PRIORITY #1 – Follow All OSHA safety guidelines
2)      Panels must be installed square
3)      Fasteners must be installed in the proper location.
        ** More is not considered better when installing metal roof systems


R-Panel / PBR Panels installation should begin at the gable end of the roof. R-Panels / PBR Panels are installed from right to left. To begin, measure one full panel width in from the edge of the roof. At this point chalk a line or pull a string from ridge to eave (avoid getting chalk on panels— it may stain the panels!). Place the leading edge of the first panel along this line. It is extremely important that this panel be laid square to the eave and ridge so that the remaining panels will line up square. Depending on crew size, it is wise to have a person at the eave and one at the ridge to ensure that the proper panel coverage is being maintained and the panels are running squarely across the roof. In applications where end-lapping is necessary, the upper panel on the slope should lap over the panel that is lower on the slope. Lower sloped roofs require a greater amount of panel overlap (6” minimum). All end-lap applications require two horizontal rows (across the panel) of butyl sealant tape and proper fastening to provide a maximum water seal. An overhang of 2 to 3 inches is recommended to provide a drip edge, while only 1 inch overhang is necessary where gutters are used. The open panel ribs at the eave should be sealed with inside closures and one row of butyl tape.

Trimming and Cutting Steel Panels

The best device for cutting steel panels across the profile is either a portable or hand shear, double cuts or a nibbler. Tin snips may also be used. When using Tin snips, be aware; they do come in right-hand and left-hand models. Be careful when using a nibbler; nibblers do have a tendency to leave hot metal particles that can burn paint surfaces or leave rust marks on panels and trim. The same is true of any filings left on the roof caused by the application of screws. Care should be taken to brush all such particles from roof surfaces after application.
To cut panels lengthwise: Use a straightedge or chalk a line to indicate where to cut. Depending on the length of cut, either a double cut, or nibbler is suggested. For short cut, tin snips can be used.

CAUTION!   Clean All Metal Shavings and Particles Off of Roof To Avoid Rusting and Rust Stains

If you are looking for further installation information or have specific questions, please contact MBP at info@metalbuildingparts.com.

Disclaimer: EA Building Solutions, LLC and www.metalbuildingparts.com shall not be liable for any claim or claims arising from material handling and/or installation.
  
Check Out Our "How To Order Video"  

How to place an order on WWW.METALBUILDINGPARTS.COM

Several customers have asked us to blog on how to order products off our website, www.metalbuildingparts.com. We understand that the process of ordering metal building components online is new to folks and can seem cumbersome. To aid in the process, we have laid out our products in a user-friendly way. First, our components are categorized according to their use, i.e. roof panels, wall panels, metal trim and accessories. Furthermore, within each category, items for both residential and commercial applications are sorted accordingly. Once you find the item that you wish to purchase, simply click on the image. At this point, you will be directed to the page where you select the type of gauge (please reference our blog detailing gauge if you are unsure what the difference between gauges are), paint type (galvalume or color), and length of the product that you are ordering. Please note that the measurements are in feet and inches, so we can provide you with components that are ready to be installed. No additional work should be required!

Ordering is easy.
1.   Select the product needed
2.   Enter the length of the panel you need, and both the price per linear foot and price per section (i.e. one 10’3” panel) will modify.
3.   Enter how many panels, trim, etc. your project requires (i.e. 20 10’3” panels)
4.   Then click “add to toolbox”. You are then taken to your toolbox where you can view your order details, unit price and subtotal (price excluding shipping).
Example: I am ordering 20, 10’3” r-panels, 29 gauge in Ash Grey, my unit price is $20.42 and my subtotal is $408.40 (20 x $20.42).
5.   If you have a discount code, please enter the code in the space provided. Once the coupon code is   entered, click apply coupon; the pricing figures will adjust based on the amount of your coupon.
6.   You may request a quote on shipping on this page as well; please just enter in your country, state and zip code and click on “get a quote”.
7.    After you have reviewed your order, click on proceed to checkout.
8.   You will be prompted to register with MBP; this process will enable you to view the status of your order at any time and will facilitate the checkout process on future orders.
9.   After your billing and shipping address have been confirmed, shipping/freight costs will be added to your order. At this time, you will enter in your credit card information; at www.metalbuildingparts.com we accept Visa, Master Card, Discover and American Express.
10. Once your payment information has been entered, click on continue. You will be asked to review your order for accuracy; once you have confirmed that your order is as you requested, click on place order and you are finished! You will receive a confirmation email containing the details of your order.

 If you are looking for a product that is not on the site, please contact MBP at info@metalbuildingparts.com. We can place a custom order at no extra cost.

 Check Out Our "How To Order" Video 
  
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Friday, January 28, 2011

Introducing WWW.METALBUILDINGPARTS.COM

Revolutionizing the way in which metal building components can be purchased, we are thrilled to introduce www.metalbuildingparts.com (MBP). Our goal at MBP is to provide individuals with the opportunity to purchase metal building components online. Until now, orders for metal building components typically were placed with contractors who in turn placed the order with a metal building component manufacturer. Because our components are shipped directly from the manufacturer, MBP provides consumers with speedier product delivery and direct financial savings. We offer an extensive variety of metal roof and wall panels, as well as accessories and structural components. If a product is not listed in our catalog, we welcome an email or phone call to our office; happily, we will complete a custom order. So, please take a look around our site and remeber to visit frequently as new products are added and promotions offered. Stay tuned for our next blog where we will present in detail the differences between our available gauges and finishes.

Check Out Our "How To Order" Video


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What Is Gauge? Am I Ordering Metal Panels Or Shotgun Shells?

The sheet metal gauge (sometimes spelled "gage") refers to the standard thickness or diameter of sheet metal.  As the gauge number increases, the material thickness decreases.
Sheet metal thickness gauges for steel are based on the weight of steel. The weight of steel is 41.82 pounds per square foot per inch of thickness (8039 kg/m3); this is known as the Manufacturers' Standard Gage for Sheet Steel.
The standard gauge numbers correlate to the thickness measurements referenced in the chart below. At www.metalbuildingparts.com we offer most of our roof and wall panels in 24 and 26 gauge, however we do offer 22 and 29 gauge in select products.
We offer our structural components such as purlins, girts and c-channel  in 12, 14, and 16 gauge.
Structural Components
Standard
Gage No.
Ferrous Thickness
(Steel)
Non-Ferrous Thickness
(Aluminum)
(in)
(mm)
(in)
(mm)
12
0.1046
2.6568
0.0808
2.0523
14
0.0747
1.8974
0.0641
1.6281
16
0.0598
1.5189
0.0508
1.2903

Metal Roof Panels and Wall Panels
Standard
Gage No.
Ferrous Thickness
(Steel)
Non-Ferrous Thickness
(Aluminum)
(in)
(mm)
(in)
(mm)
22
0.0299
0.7595
0.0253
0.6426
24
0.0239
0.6071
0.0201
0.5105
26
0.0179
0.4547
0.0159
0.4039
29
0.0135
0.3429
0.0113
0.2870

Check Out Our "How To Order" Video
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Choosing Your Finish (Galvalume or Kynar 500)

At www.metalbuildingparts.com we often receive inquiries about the differences between the finish systems we offer on our metal panels and trim. A majority of inquiries ask what is the difference between galvanized metal panels and the Galvalume panels that we carry. Galvanized panels are those in which the substrates are coated in zinc, whereas Galvalume substrates are coated with an alloy of zinc plus aluminum. Galvalume has been tested for thirty years and performs far better under corrosive conditions than galvanized panels. The patented combination of barrier-resistant aluminum and corrosion-fighting zinc is what makes Galvalume four times more durable than galvanized panels. Galvalume is ideal in outdoor environments and performs exceptionally well in harsher northern climates and marine locations. The coating system (or paint) for the metal panels is just as critical as the substrate (galvanized or Galvalume). For the life of the panel, the surface coating will be exposed to environmental elements including the ultraviolet rays of the soon, acid rain, dirt and debris. Over time, these environmental conditions will break down the surface coating resulting in color fade and “chalk”. Color fade and “chalk” is not aesthetically pleasing, and the degree of fading and chalking is directly related to the surface coating system. The three most common surface coatings for metal panels are Kynar 500, Siliconized Polyester and Polyester. Of the three, Kynar 500 provides the best protection against fading and chalking. For this reason, at www.metalbuildingparts.com, we only offer metal panels and trim in Galvalume and/or Kynar 500.

Check Out Our "How To Order" Video

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