Carlisle Construction Materials (CCM) is pleased to announce its acquisition of Drexel Metals, Inc.

Carlisle Construction Materials (CCM) is pleased to announce its acquisition of Drexel Metals, Inc. of Louisville, KY. Drexel is a leader in the architectural metal roofing segment serving both residential and commercial customers from its regional facilities in PA, KY, FL, CO, and MD. Drexel’s primary business model of on-site roll forming of metal panels is complemented by its ability to also provide custom trim and cornice fabrication, edge metal, and a wide range of underlayment and insulation products. Drexel’s senior management team will be staying on and working with CCM to greatly expand the brand’s presence in the architectural metal roofing segment.

“Drexel Metals is excited about being part of the CCM family of products and what this new structure will mean for its customers and employees. Carlisle’s strong management team and resources bring an unprecedented level of support and add impetus to Drexel Metals’ growth strategy,” commented Brian Partyka, President of Drexel Metals.

CCM CEO John Altmeyer commented, “Drexel Metals represents an outstanding opportunity for CCM to expand its roofing presence beyond its traditional low-slope, single-ply segment. The fragmented nature of the metal roofing business allows for both greenfield and acquisition growth opportunities that the experienced team at Drexel will be encouraged to pursue.”

Read between the lines – Not all Metal Roofing Paint Warranties are created equal

Metal Roofs are the best roofs that money can buy;  They last longer than other roof systems, utilize “cool” technologies allowing them to improve the percentages to reflect rather than absorb heat energy and can withstand most of what mother nature throws at the structure.  However DON’T be FOOLED by the number of years of the manufacturer PAINT warranty.

There are Three main components of a Paint Warranty;

• Film Integrity or paint adhesion  paints ability to remain on the substrate and will not crack, blister or flake.
• Color Change or how many allowable shade units will the color change over time
• Chalk Rating or how much vividness will the product lose based on the “white film” produced over time.

Metal Roofing manufacturers do misrepresent their years on their warranty based on FILM INTEGRITY.  A 40-year warranty sounds much better than a 30-year warranty SO PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR CHALK AND FADE YEARS!

A quality metal roofing warranty will match the chalk and fade requirements in the warranty with the number of years of film integrity.  We recently had a competitive situation that required a 40-year warranty and when we peeled it back we found 40-years on Film Integrity and 30-years on Chalk and Fade. In our opinion, this is a 30-year color fade paint warranty and not 40-years as advertised.  History shows us that properly applied paint will provide years and years of worry free adhesion the appearance of the roof is more important to the owner.  This is misleading and not healthy for our industry.

So buyer beware….read your metal roof warranties….they are selling tools and make sure you are getting what you are paying for.  Less is more with paint warranties and make sure you have a quality manufacturer to stand behind the product.

Drexel Metals Releases First of 12 Installation Videos

Drexel Metals proud to ‘Pay it Forward’ in Louisville with Valentine Basketball Camp

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (July 5, 2016) – Taking advantage of an opportunity to give back to its hometown Louisville community, Drexel Metals is a major sponsor for the Valentine Basketball Camps, scheduled for four week-long sessions this summer.

Robbie Valentine, a member of the 1986 University of Louisville men’s national championship team, has been conducting the camps for kids ages 6-16 for more than 30 years. Some of the guests who will be dropping by during the camps include former Louisville coach Denny Crum, 1986 Louisville team members Milt Wagner and Chris West and 1980 Louisville national championship teammates Tony Branch and Wiley Brown.

“We’ve been doing the camps for 31-plus years and this will be our first year at the KFC Yum Center here in Louisville,” Valentine says. “And it’s not just about basketball. It’s about the kids making better decisions in their lives and maybe getting a job at Drexel Metals someday.”

Other local sponsors include Papa John’s and Vision Works.

“This was a great opportunity for us to be involved with a program that does so much for our kids and families here in Louisville,” says Brian Partyka, president of Drexel Metals. “Robbie is an inspiration and he’s been doing tremendous work for a long time. He’s got a lot of fans here in Kentucky. If you know anything about the state of Kentucky, there is a great passion for the game of basketball, horses, bourbon and a special pride in being from the Bluegrass State. There is nothing better than to help kids in and around the communities where Drexel Metals has locations. This year Drexel Metals sponsored 40 kids that were required to maintain good grades and had parent engagement that otherwise would not have been able to afford or attend Robbie’s basketball camp. We’re very excited to be a part of such a strong program for Louisville youth.”

 

Drexel Metals Inc. is headquartered in Louisville, Ky., with locations in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Tampa, Denver and more than 60 DM-ARM Authorized Fabricators throughout the U.S. Drexel Metals, a member of the Metal Roofing Alliance, has sales offices located throughout the country. For more information, call 888-321-9630 or visit www.drexelmetals.com or www.residentialmetalroof.com.

 

4 Financial Benefits of Choosing a Metal Roof

Drexel Metals Standing Seam Roof

While metal roofs are known for durability and energy-efficiency, their initial cost sometimes creates the wrong impression that they might be too expensive. The reality, however, is far different; metal roofs actually provide more financial benefits than traditional asphalt shingles, producing an amazing return on investment that few other materials can match which is why metal roofs have become the second largest residential roofing product on the market today. Here are four ways that a metal roof can save homeowners money:

1. Metal Roofs Increase the Value of a Home

When people consider ways to increase a home’s value, they generally think of the bathroom or kitchen. However, choosing to invest in a metal roof is one of the most effective ways to attract potential buyers and raise property value. Besides the appeal of a brand-new roof, there are a number of reasons why metal roofs add to curb appeal.

Besides looking sleek, metal roofs are healthier for the environment than other materials, like asphalt. With the growing emphasis on developing sustainable forms of construction, making a house more eco-friendly is a way to future-proof it and keep it ahead of the technological curve.

Metal roofs also last longer. This helps quell any reservations a potential buyer may have about replacing a roof or performing major renovations post-purchase. With very basic, infrequent maintenance, these designs can last 35 years or longer.

As reported by Sal Alfano of Remodeling Magazine, homes with a standing seam metal roof show a rate of 85.9% cost recouped making a metal roof a very smart investment for your home.

2. Metal Roofs Save Money on Energy

Metal roofing is considered “cool” roofing—and for good reason. Homeowners who install metal roofs frequently report a decrease in overall energy costs due to the infra-red reflecting pigments used to reflect rather than absorb heat energy.

Metal roofs can help keep homes nice and cool during the summer months. When combined with proper attic insulation, metal roof designs can also help stabilize temperatures during winter. Metal Roofs have really thin thermal mass allowing them to dissipate any absorbed heat gain quickly through your properly ventilated roof system. Heat rises so the use of proper ridge vents and soffits will help to reduce the amount heat into your attic or dwelling.

The color of your metal roof may also influence energy costs. Lighter colors can reflect the sun’s ultraviolet rays, which helps keep the interior comfortable. This effect can be enhanced through light-colored finishes, and for cooler climates, a darker-color finish may help absorb heat, a natural form of energy, to help keep the house warm. Energy Start listed metal roofs use a solar reflectance percentage to provide you with amount of solar heat reflected back into the atmosphere.

Here’s how it works: If you install a Regal White metal roof that has a solar reflectance of 70% this means that 30% of the heat will be absorbed and the balance (or 70%) will be reflected away from your structure. According to Oak Ridge National Lab, every 1% of absorbed heat percentage is equal to a 1 degree F increase in your surface temperature.

According to a study conducted by the Florida Power and Light Company, “findings indicate energy savings are most strongly influenced by the solar reflectance of roof materials.”

3. Metal Roofs Are More Resilient and Last Longer

Many homeowners have faced the challenge of re-shingling a roof—especially after rough snowstorms or strong winds. Fortunately, metal roofs do not tear like asphalt shingles, and as a result, they are better prepared to withstand adverse weather.

This means maintenance costs are generally much lower. It also means the roof can easily last more than 35 years without any serious repairs.

With warranties that usually extend up to 50 years, it’s easy to appreciate how strong and reliable metal can be. It’s that strength and integrity that saves homeowners money in typical shingle repairs. Metal Roof warranties are transferrable and if the paint fails for any reason you will be covered for both replacement materials and labor (certain manufacturers only).

4. Metal Roofs Allow for Insurance Premium Reductions

There is no better roof system to protect you and your belongings against the element than a metal roof. Whether it’s wind, fire or hail metal roof systems have been tested and approved to meet some of the most stringent building codes in the country. Check with your Insurance provider to see they offer a discount program if you install a metal roof. We have heard of discount of 30% or more.

Authored by: Paul Kazlov is a “green” home remodeling enthusiast and an industry pioneer for innovation in home renovation. Paul writes for the Global Home Improvement blog and strives to educate people about lifetime remodeling solutions such as metal roofing. Follow him on Twitter @PaulKazlov.

Links to: Global Home Improvement (http://www.globalhomeinc.com)
@PaulKazlov (http://twitter.com/PaulKazlov)

Metal Roof Warranties – Don’t be fooled by the years!

In the metal roofing industry it’s amazing that there is such as wide range of warranties! It’s actually become a bit of marketing game and one that confuses the contractors, architects and for the most part those metal roofing sales teams.  Here’s a simple question;  If we were to tell you that we’d supply you a product that comes with a 45-year SMP warranty vs. a product that would come with a 35-year PVDF warranty…which product would you choose? The 45 year product of course!  What you don’t know is that the SMP performance criteria is not as good as the PVDF system and more is actually less.  Let me breakdown the differences for you:Paint Warranties cover three main items; Film Integrity, Chalk and Fade/Color Change. Paint doesn’t rust so the substrate is not included in your PAINT warranty (although there is a perforation warranty on Galvalume even when painted). Here’s a breakdown of each coverage item:

• Film Integrity: The paint will not crack, flake of PEEL for the life of the warranty.
• Chalk: This is a number system that allows for a certain amount of chalk. Chalk is the residue resulting from Weathering Decomposition of the paint films.  Visual Ratings are assigned according to ASTM D659 and ratings range from 10-0 with 10 being the best.
• Fade/Color Change: is the change in the paint film color and appearance due to degradation from UV Radiation in Sunlight…this is also known as Color Weathering.   Ever hear of a Delta E or NBS unit?  This is the measuring unit for color color change per ASTMD2244.  Values range from 0 to infinity where 0 is the best (No color change).  This is measured on both Vertical and Non-Vertical applications.  Metal Roofs are typically Non-Vertical.

So back to that 45-year warranty.  This is actually the number of FILM INTEGRITY years that your warranty covers however if you read each section (Color change and Chalk) you will find that there is only a 30-year warranty on both chalk and color change.  So in reality, you have a 45-year warranty stating that your paint will not fall of your roof but only 30-year coverage on aesthetics.  The coverage is replacement materials only and does not include labor.

I wanted to give you an idea of color change using the photo below. On the left is the unexposed product and on the right is the allowable color change during the term of the warranty.   As you can see, PVDF (Kynar500(R) or Hylar5000(R)) resin systems perform much better in the color change department than the SMP system.  The 35-year warranty covers you for 35 years whereas the 45 year warranty actually covers you for 30 years.

The bottom line;  understand what’s covered and what is not and don’t be fooled by the # of years.  More is actually less in this case you’ll often make the wrong decision without understanding all of the facts. You may be thinking who cares…in 30 to 35 years I am not going to care what color my roof is….the key is you are not getting the value for what you think you are paying for.  Also keep in mind, warranties are only as good as the companies that stand behind them and most of them are non-transferable from owner to owner.

For more information about paint warranties please visit http://www.drexelmetals.com and make sure you check out our Gold Standard Paint Warranty; which covers labor, replacement materials and is fully transferable for the life of the warranty. It also requires a Drexel Metals Certified Installer to install your roof using approved Drexel Metal products from the roof deck up!

Perception vs. Value…when to select a three coat metal roof system

This is Brilliance Red and is a three coat paint system and will provide color stability for the length of the warranty.  Without the clear coat the vivid red would change to a burnt orange.

Over the past 18 plus years in the metal roofing roofing industry I have pretty much  seen everything when it comes to specifications.  The reality is as an architect has to pick 3000 (on average)  products per project and we as manufacturers look to use “Spec Hooks” to make our products different from our competitors.  Therein lies the issue.  Spec Hooks can cost your owner more money for the same result.  Here’s an example;  your metal roofing resource comes in to your firm and promotes a metal roof system with a “three coat” or “increased gauge” stating better long term performance.  It would make sense…its roofing and thicker is probably better…40 mil rubber vs. 60 or 80 mil rubber provides a longer and more stable performance however added thickness to paint film doesn’t enhance performance unless it’s color or environment based.

Let me explain the anatomy of a paint system.  A standard paint system used in our industry is a two coat paint system consisting of a pretreatment, primer and topcoat.  The pretreatment preps the strip of aluminum or steel to accept the primer (0.2mils to 0.3 mils of primer) and then the PVDF topcoat (0.7mils to 0.8mils) is applied which is typically a Kynar 500 or Hylar 5000 for commercial projects.  The system is passed through the paint line once we are left with a baked-on 1.0mil DFT (Dry Film Thickness) to standup to the elements.  The paint system warranty  (typically 20 to 35 years depending on the manufacturer) is backed by the paint company and is passed through the Coater to the end-user (manufacturer) and covers color fade, chalk and delamination.

So if the standard paint system offers you this level of performance and warranty when should you spec a three coat?  If you plan on using a VIVID color like a bright red, bright yellow, bright blue, purples and oranges then you should add the additional protection of a clear coating on top of the topcoat.  This clear coat aids for long term performance of the vivid and unstable pigments that make up this vivid color which in the past we lead-based pigment (no longer being used).  If you choose a standard Bronze or Green, there is no need use a three coat as it will not improve the long term performance based on the warranty term. A three coat has to go through the paint line twice which adds cost and increases the scrap amount of the paint run and can add up to 40% to the total cost of your roof installed system.  It’s just not worth it for your owner and is not a “belt and suspender” approach but a sales tool to make you think that thicker is better. Another reason to use three coats would be to enhance environmental performance however you should consider that if you are installing a metal roofing in aggressive environments that you need to be more concerned with the core substrate of the products rather than it’s paint system.  Here’s a simple way to look at paint….paint doesn’t rust and just like on the interior it adds character and color and although its a coating its not a protective coating against red rust.  So…let’s make sure the product will perform in its intended environment first and then select your paint system.  Aluminum is the better substrate and choice for aggressive environments.  Increasing the gauge of the steel product, unless you are concerned about deflection (oil canning), doesn’t add any additional corrosion resistance.  Increasing the gauge from 24 gauge to 22 gauge can add up to 20% to the overall cost to the installed project.  Going with aluminum adds 30% compared to 24 gauge but is the better solution for aggressive environments.

The perception that thicker is better works well for underlayment and other types of roofing but is a tricky “Spec Hook” and adds very little value and a lot of costs for your owner.

Metal Roofing and Standing Seam Project Gallery by Drexel Metals

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Drexel Metals’ Metal Roofs are a great choice for the Jersey Shore!

I grew up in Central New Jersey, Exit 7A off the NJ Turnpike in a town just south of Princeton.  For those who know 7A it’s the exit for 195 or Six Flags or Shore Points.  In my youth, we vacationed as a family on Long Beach Island and many day trips down to the Point Pleasant boardwalk.   My dad’s boat was docked in Belmar’s “Shark River” Inlet and remember waking up early on Saturday summer mornings to go fishing with my dad and our neighbor, Bob…I cherish those days.   I met a Jersey girl from exit 116 off of the Garden State Parkway, we got married in Red Bank and had our rehearsal dinner on the beach at Rooney’s in Long Branch.  My Jersey roots are deep and although we now live over the river in PA we take our two girls who we take down the shore to create lifelong memories for them!  In fact, owning a shore house is on our bucket list.

Prior to Hurricane Andrew hitting southern Florida, the Miami area was considered to have one of the best building codes in the country. Fortunately, Miami was spared from the worst part of this storm. Only 20% of the metropolitan area was affected by Andrew. Since Andrew hit, the population has nearly doubled. Building structures are one of the best in the nation.  In fact, building product manufacturers spends millions of R&D dollars to make sure their products meet the high sustained wind requirements.

In an instance like Hurricane Katrina, most of the damage and problems occurred due to the infrastructure of the city and the malfunctions of man-made levees. The way I see it, Hurricane Andrew was the wind-storm whereas Katrina was a storm of epic flooding conditions. Could it be possible that these two elements are combined by one storm pushing into a vulnerable city? It is possible and we witnessed this with Hurricane Sandy with storm surge and Category 2 sustained winds.

Hurricane Katrina was a Category 3 hurricane when it pushed into the Gulf States. If there is anything to learn from past hurricanes, it is that we should always be ready for a hurricane and be prepared ahead of time.   By prepared, I am not writing about having the right amount of batteries or gas for the generator.  Nope…I am talking about when the re-build occurs that we adopt the same philosophy as Dade County, the state of Florida and the fourteen counties along the coast of Texas have adopted…that is to use tested, listed and approved Building products.   Zone the Jersey shore as an HVHZ area (High Velocity Hurricane Zone) with wind maps and building codes that reflect location on the structure.

I’m a partner in a metal roofing manufacturing company with locations throughout the US.  One of our branches is in Clearwater, FL and in the state of Florida, you either have your product approved by the State or you can’t have your products installed.  This is by law and is a way of life for the contractors and manufacturers.   We’ve invested the required tests and submitted our products to withstand sustained hurricane force winds.  For us…this is money well spent and for those who live under one of our installed metal roofs it’s a peace of mind that their family and their belongings are protected from the events like Sandy and Andrew.   Rebuilding the Jersey shore will happen…just like South Florida rebuilt after Andrew…however when we re-build the homes and buildings will require more thought than when they were built in the 60’s and 70’s.

Drexel Metals DMC175S – DMARM Member: Kupex Exteriors

I realize that a lot of the damage from Hurricane Sandy was flood related it should not be overlook that there were sustained winds of 80+ Mph.  Since my background is in roofing, specifically metal roofing I think its important to tell you why you should choose a new Drexel Metals Metal Roof when you are looking to rebuild down the Shore:

1. Designed and engineered to meet 120+ MPH sustained wind speeds.
2. Dade County Approved roofing assemblies.  The word “assembly” is key…all roof systems start with the attachment to the structure and its built up from there.  Just installing a “metal roof” without understanding the deck attachment, height of the seam and clip spacing does not mean it will meet HVHZ requirements.
3. In salt environments, we engineer painted aluminum metal roof systems.  These are corrosion resistant and will provide a 35+ year life span for your property.
4. Energy Efficient and made of Recycled materials.
5. Class A fire rated assemblies
6. Wide range of colors
7. Low Maintenance
8. Sheds snow
9. Continuous from Eave to Ridge
10. Internally fastened

Here’s a wind speed map for your reference:

Metal Roofing is the obvious choice for replacement and if Drexel Metals can help you to ensure you are re-building with the right product and more importantly that you have the product by a certified installer of Drexel Metals products.  Please stay away from storm chasing contractors, never give a deposit to an out of state contractor and always make sure that the products they are installing are backed by the manufacturer.   I’ve seen too many homeowners loose deposits during the rebuilding process in Florida.

Please feel free to contact me directly via email bpartyka@drexmet.com if I can assist or call 888.321.9630 or visit www.jerseyshoremetalroof.com or www.drexelmetals.com for more information.

Brian

Metal Roofs and Fire – Choose a Drexel Metals Metal Roof System!!!

Drexel Metal Roof Systems can be considered one of  the safest of roofs due to its class A fire rating and non-combustibility…

It’s true…Pictures say a thousand words! Metal Roofs perform better than any other roof system and will protect your investment!!!!

Drexel Metal Roofs are tested and listed with UL – Click the link below:

http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/template/LISEXT/1FRAME/showpage.html?name=TGFU.R25244&ccnshorttitle=Roofing%2BSystems&objid=1078364332&cfgid=1073741824&version=versionless&parent_id=1073993597&sequence=1

• Class A rating is non-combustible, and so will withstand severe fire exposure without igniting.
• Class B rating is given to roof structures that can withstand a moderate amount of fire exposure.
• Class C rating is the lowest rating applied to roofing materials, and can only withstand a small amount of fire exposure, but enough to allow those inside to escape.
• Metal isn’t combustible, metal roofing is fire-rated as Class A.

Watch this video of a shingle roof fire (metal roofs are safer):

Drexel Metals Roof System – Class A flame spread

Keep in mind, it’s impossible to create a fireproof structure, fire ratings system allows architects and builders to select materials that reduce the spread of fire, giving more time for your family to vacate and allowing more time for firefighters to arrive and fight it.  Drexel Metal roof systems are fire-rated as Class A, they represent the most fire protection offered in a roofing material.

Though your Drexel Metal roof system carries a of Class A fire rating, your entire roof structure may receive a different rating. When a building’s roof is fire-rated, all the materials are taken into account–including whatever is underneath the metal roof. For example, if a metal roof is installed on top of something that is not Class A like wood shingles, the shingles will lower the roof’s fire rating because they are made of a combustible material. Therefore, though the metal roofing is rated as Class A, the entire roof structure may receive a Class C rating.  Please make sure your entire assembly carries a Class A fire rating…if you have any questions please do not hesitate to call Drexel Metals at 888 321 9630.

Click this helpful link to visit the US Forest Service’s “protecting residences from wildfires” article http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/publications/documents/gtr-050/struct.html

Having a Drexel Metal roof systems with a Class A, your structure will have much more protection from fire, and so is suitable for even the most fire-prone of areas, such as dry climates with frequent wildfires!!!  For more information call Drexel Metals at 888-321-9630  or visit www.drexmet.com