FPL Residential Roof Replacement Program

With the Metal Roofing Industry changing constantly, the programs naturally go through changes as well.

As of Sept. 15, 2015, the Florida Public Service Commission approved changes to some of our energy efficiency programs. These programs are paid for by all FPL customers as part of their electric rates. The changes that are to come will allow FPL to carry on offering cost-effective programs to help participating customers save energy while keeping rates low for everyone.

FPL recently announced that Effective October 1, 2015, the Residential Roof Replacement program has been discontinued. All jobs related to this program must be installed by September 30, 2015, and the current rebate form must be received by FPL by November 29, 2015, in order to receive the rebate payment. No payments will be processed after November 29th.

Find out if these changes affect you and your home!

Give B&B Wholesale Metals a call for more information.

For more information, please visit FPL Website for the full article.
https://www.fpl.com/landing/residential-program-changes.html

For more information on the changes to the programs near you, contact a FPL Program Specialist.
https://www.fpl.com/partner/contractor/contacts.html?cid=aliasprogramcontacts

Everything you need to know about Kynar

For more than four decades, Kynar 500 finishes have helped protect many commercial and residential buildings. Kynar is a special grade of PVDF resin that is used to coat aluminum, galvanized steel and aluminized steel.
Metal, in order to retain color, has to be coated with a finish of some type. This not only keeps up its appearance but also resists pitting, chalking, chipping and premature aging. These systems generally start with a primer coat, followed by a topcoat.
If the coating is made of 70 percent Kynar resin, it can use the Kynar 500 trade name. This ensures that the product you’re receiving is of the highest quality possible. The finishes normally come with a 30-year fade warranty up to five Delta E units — which is the smallest recognizable color shift that can be seen by the naked eye.
Because of this high fade resistance and its unique metallic finish colors, Kynar is a popular choice these days with many business owners. Still, it’s not exactly the most economical route to take; Kynar is more expensive than many other coatings.
All coatings, whether they come in liquid or powder form, contain a resin that defends against weathering. Kynar 500-based coating is called polyvinylidene flouride, but you can also find coating resins made of acrylic, polyester, silicone polyester and urethane.
If you’re interested in more information about Kynar paint systems, B&B Metals is here to help! Contact us today with any questions you may have.


http://www.bbmetals.net/knowledge-base/articles

Improper materials and the damage they cause

Improper materials and the damage they cause
The installation of a new metal roof can be a great investment to your home or business — but you should be aware of what materials to use throughout the process. If you’re not sure about the types that are compatible, you could end up with corrosion.
Galvanic corrosion can occur when steel and aluminum are in contact with each other. The least “noble” of the two metals — usually aluminum — will end up corroding. This is the anode surface. The other metal becomes the cathode and will be protected against corrosion. In addition, it’s not a good idea to have a large cathode surface in contact with a smaller anode surface.
You should also avoid using zinc screws in aluminum. Over time, the screws will cause corrosion in the metal. Why does this happen? The contacting metals create a bimetallic couple due to their different affinities for electrons. This leads to a current that flows between the two metals.
Then there is the issue of pressure-treated lumber in conjunction with metal roofing. The chemicals inside the lumber can be very corrosive when they come in contact with the metal. Although the coating on the back side of the metal will protect it somewhat, it won’t last forever. For this reason, it’s a good idea to use non-treated lumber or to include an underlayment between the lathe and the metal. In addition, be sure to ventilate the air chamber as well as the attic.
If you’d like to know more about the dangers of combining improper roofing materials, B&B Metals is here to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today!

 

 

 

 

 

How to properly cut metal panels

As we all know, metal roofing can be one of the most durable systems available, lasting for decades. But you may not be aware of how crucial it is to properly cut the panels. This is a key part of high-quality metal roof installation.
Why is this such a big deal? If the galvanized zinc coating is damaged or scratched at all, the area will be prone to rusting. To prevent this, certain techniques must be used to cut them. The following steps are important to the process:

• Before cutting the metal, place it on a perfectly flat work surface, with the underside facing up. Measure out the length that you’ll need to cut it, using a tape measure. Mark that spot with a permanent marker, place the combination square onto the mark where it needs to be cut and drag the combination square and permanent marker along the cut line.
• Now it’s time to begin cutting. Remember that any blemishes on the surface of the metal will be vulnerable to rust, and this will cause the roof to be weaker than normal. To cut, use a power shear, nibblers or tin snips. Align the cutting blades with the cutting line that has been marked on the underside — but make sure it’s perfectly aligned. Even if it’s off by a tiny bit, it could cause a lot of damage to the panel.
• The power shear or other type of cutting tool should be used slowly. This sounds simpler than it actually is, but with patience and a steady hand, you’ll get the hang of it.

Some people choose to use a saw when cutting metal panels. If you do so, you need to make sure there are no burrs left on the ends of the panels, because these rough edges will rust. Also, the filings that fly off the blade during the cutting process are hot, and they will therefore stick to the surface of the panels. These filings must be removed or you will end up with rust and pitting on the surface.
At right is a picture of a metal panel that was improperly cut and wasn’t brushed off correctly. Notice the rust issues that have resulted.
If you’d like to know more about how to precisely cut your metal panels, contact our team of friendly professionals today. We’re always here to help you!
for additional information please visit us at:
http://www.bbmetals.net/knowledge-base/articles/how-to-properly-cut-metal-panels

What to look for in a contractor.

Has the time come for a new roof on your home or business?  

You may assume that all contractors are created equal, but that’s simply not the case. 

Below are things to keep in mind as you go through the re-roofing process:

• Beware of fly-by-night operations. After a storm, contractors will suddenly appear out of the blue to offer their services. The problem is that once the work is done, they vanish. So if any problems with the work should arise, there’s little chance for a remedy.

• Pay for the work when it’s done, not beforehand. It’s fine to submit a deposit, but never pay for the full project until it’s completed to your satisfaction.

• Don’t sign anything until you’re ready to hire the company. Also, be sure to get a copy of anything and everything you do sign.

• A reputable contractor will provide you with a written description of all of the work that will be done, the quality of materials, the start and completion dates, and the estimated cost of the job.

• Does the contractor have references to share with you? If so, this is a good sign. But follow through by contacting all of them — especially the ones that had similar work done to yours.

• Make sure the contract includes the name, physical address and phone number of the company.
•  The contractor shouldn’t ask for cash; look for one that prefers a check or credit card.

• The contractor should be able to show you his or her license from the state in which you’re located. Also, make sure the license is up to date.

• Go with the company that has worker’s compensation for all of its employees. If you hire a company that doesn’t have this insurance, it could cost you dearly should something go wrong on your property.

To see the complete list, please visit our website: http://www.bbmetals.net/knowledge-base/articles/what-to-look-for-in-a-contractor