The many varieties of metal roofing.

Contrary to what some people believe, metal roofing doesn’t just come in one form. There are many different types, and all have their special qualities. Among the varieties:

• Aluminum: According to the Metal Construction Association (MCA), more than 3 billion pounds of aluminum is used for construction each year in the United States.The majority of that goes toward roofing and wall systems. And it’s diverse; building owners can choose from a variety of colors and coatings. Not only will the colors last, but the roof’s coating will help it remain almost maintenance-free for years.
• Steel: Always a popular choice for roofing, steel is very strong, versatile and durable, and it’s also a good economic choice. Steel can be found on top of all sorts of buildings, from libraries to schools to shopping centers. The American Iron and Steel Institute reveals that in the past several years, steel roof construction has been used in nearly half of all of the low-rise commercial buildings in the country.
• Terne: Many people have never heard of this word; terne is a product that’s made by coating metals such as stainless steel with a specially formulated alloy, which goes a long way toward preventing corrosion. In its inception, terne’s alloy contained about 80 percent lead and 20 percent tin. But as it became clear in the 20th century that lead was harmful to our health, the alloy was changed to a combination of zinc and tin.

If you’d like to know more about the many different types of metal roofing in Florida, we’re here to talk about all of your options. Contact us today!

More metal types

Below are two more popular metal roofing choices:

• Copper: Did you know that a copper roof can last for centuries in some cases? The oldest copper roof in the country is found in Philadelphia, atop the historic Christ Church (pictured). It was installed on the church in 1742. Copper roofs are known for not only being long-lasting, but they’re also low-maintenance.
• Zinc: Zinc, which is a natural material, retains the same look for its entire life, because it never fades and resists corrosion. In addition, it can conform to all sorts of design styles, so it’s a popular choice among architects. It also boasts a 100 percent clear water runoff.

If you’re interested in discussing the variety of metal roofing in Florida, contact B&B Metals today. Our customer service is unmatched in the industry, so put us to work for you.

Why a 'Cool' metal roof is a hot trend.

Sometimes when we think about metal on a hot day, we assume it will be hot or warm to the touch. But that’s not the case with a modern metal roof. Due to advances in the production of the material, metal now uses reflective pigment technology to shed the harmful UV rays from the sun.

According to the nonprofit Metal Roofing Alliance, this reflective pigment comes in a variety of colors, finishes and textures. These “cool” roofs can be unpainted, pre-painted or coated with granules. The result? Substantial energy savings for you.

Did you know that the average household in America spends about $2,200 a year on energy bills? Nearly half of that cost goes to heating and cooling, according to the Energy Star program and the Metal Roofing Alliance. But metal can come to the rescue in helping keep those costs down, because it reduces both heating and cooling expenditures.

If you’re interested in learning more about why cool metal roofs are a trend in Florida,contact B&B Metals for answers!

Metal matters in energy savings

 

A major trend in commercial roofing is to make the roof white, which better reflects the sun’s radiation and saves utility costs. But if you’re working with a residential project, a white roof isn’t always practical or attractive.

Luckily, “a metal roof doesn’t have to be white to be highly reflective,” says Bill Hippard, president of the Metal Roofing Alliance. “Rather than hearing complaints from neighbors, many homeowners looking to reduce year-round energy costs are choosing darker colored, yet highly reflective, metal roofs.”

These cool metal roofs look just like a traditional covering, but the difference you’ll see is in energy savings. According to the Metal Roofing Alliance, even utility companies are on board with cool roofs, because they reduce peak energy demand in the summer. This translates into fewer power outages.

More and more homeowners are seeing the light and choosing a cool metal roof. New statistics show that the number of houses with metal roofs has more than tripled over the past 10 years. Metal roofing has gone from 3 percent of the market to 10 percent.

Learn How To Prevent Workplace Falls

As you may know, fatalities caused by falls are a leading cause of death for construction workers. In 2012, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), such falls accounted for 279 of the 806 construction-related deaths recorded that year.

OSHA is working to help curb those numbers, as these deaths were preventable. Their campaign, called the National Fall Prevention Stand Down,” will take place from May 4-15 this year. OSHA is encouraging companies to take time out at some point during the campaign to discuss safety. Topics might include equipment inspections, rescue plans, or specific job hazards.

Last year, the Safety Stand Down was a huge success, with more than 1 million workers across the country taking part. This year, the goal is to reach more than 3 million people. If that happens, OSHA adds on its website, “we will have touched almost 4 out of 10 construction workers in the country.” Anyone who wants to prevent falls in the workplace can participate.

 

Based on comments from some of the participants last year, the talks do have an important impact on workers. Among the reviews that were posted:

“In April of 2013, we ourselves experienced a great loss to our community, when we lost one of our own to a fall at our plant. This being so close to the anniversary has great impact. Safety training, cultural change and fall protection in all areas has reached a whole new level.”

“Our training consisted of a blend of hands-on, storytelling and safety information related to ladders and PFAs, in both English and Spanish to communicate in an effective manner to all employees. As the result of the Stand-Down training, our employees are better trained to be aware of fall hazards in the construction industry.”

“We asked the crew to tell stories from their work experience about falls they had witnessed. This was a sobering talk for many of the younger workers who may not have witnessed the consequences of not tying off.”

DIY Metal Fencing

DIY Metal Fencing

Tired of the same old wooden fencing? Tired of all the maintenance that comes with it?

It is time for a metal fence!
Not only would your maintenance drop significantly, but you’ll have a fence that will last for years.

First you’ll want to measure your fencing area.
Once you gather your measurements, contact B&B Wholesale Metals and order the pieces of metal.

When you have all the panels, you can design your fence however you’d like.

This easy DIY Metal Fencing can be completed with just a few simple steps.

DIY Metal Headboard

 DIY Metal Headboard

Materials Needed
1 (desired size) Piece of Sheet Metal
Drill
Malco Metal Cutting Turbo Shears

First- You will want to decide the size of the headboard.

Once you have the measurements- you’ll want to order the piece of sheet metal from B&B Wholesale Metals.
B&B has a wide range of color to choose from, they also have different thickness of the metal.

Now that you have your piece of Sheet Metal- you will attached your Malco Metal Cutting Turbo Shears to your Drill.

Your creativity takes over here!
Personally- I would stencil my design onto the Metal before cutting the metal.

And you’re done.

Now you have a personalized headboard!