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Is Steel Cheaper Than Aluminum

When it comes to the age-old debate of steel versus aluminum, the question of which material is truly cheaper involves many factors worth examining carefully. Most construction projects require careful material selection, and many property owners find themselves consulting with dedicated metal roofers to determine the most cost-effective options for their specific needs. Production methods, raw material costs, and market demands all influence the overall value proposition of these metals. While initial price comparisons might suggest an obvious choice, a deeper examination of long-term efficiency reveals nuances that could significantly impact your decision-making process. Production Methods Impacting Costs Production methods play a crucial role in determining the final prices of steel and aluminum. Steel manufacturing involves converting iron ore into molten steel through either the basic oxygen furnace (BOF) or electric arc furnace (EAF) method. The BOF approach excels at efficiently...
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How to Cut Aluminum Flashing

Let’s talk about the best methods for cutting aluminum flashing efficiently. When it comes to working with this material, precision is key. Many homeowners attempt this task themselves, but consulting with devoted metal roof installers can provide valuable insights into proper techniques and safety measures. The process involves several critical steps that significantly impact your project’s outcome. Understanding the right tools, measurement techniques, and cutting approaches will help you achieve professional results whether you’re working on a small repair or a larger roofing project. Choosing the Right Tools When cutting aluminum flashing, tin snips are the preferred tool for precise and clean cuts. These snips come in three main varieties: straight-cut, left-cut, and right-cut, each designed for specific cutting needs. Straight-cut snips work best for long, straight cuts, while left-cut and right-cut snips excel at making curves in their respective directions. Selecting the approp...
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7 Tips for Making Your Commercial Roof Stand the Test of Time

Roofing professionals will tell you that roof lifespans are typically based on averages. This is a function of location. But some materials will outperform others in any given place. The following guidelines are designed to help you make your roof perform to the very best of its potential, no matter where it may be. Proper design There can be no doubt that sizing structural members properly, carefully considering penetration details, and even choosing the right roof type at the beginning of a project can add many years of longevity to your roof. Proper ventilation Even commercial roofs need good ventilation. Allowing for a good air flow at the roof level not only helps your roof stay cooler in the summer and again warmer in the winter, ventilation also helps to prevent moisture and therefore mold from collecting in the roofing materials. Choosing the right HVAC engineer will help ensure that you are planning carefully for air flow and will also extend the life of your roofing materials...
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All About Continuing Education Units for Architects and Engineers

There are many different reasons to participate in continuing education activities if you are an Architect or Engineer. Of course the primary reason that most of us do it is that our licensure requires it. Being professionally licensed as an Architect or Engineer means you must obtain a certain number of hours of continuing education annually, from as little as 8 to as many as 30, depending on your state. Individuals must keep their own records of these efforts as they are done on good faith but open to the occasional audit. But rather than seeing continuing education as a burden, many professionals today are getting increasingly creative in seeking out continuing education opportunities that both enhance their career and their career goals and fit their busy schedule, turning those hours into productive time to explore ideas, subjects, and entire courses. Especially now that so many of these continuing education courses are available in so many convenient formats, it is relatively eas...
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OSHA Regulations 101: New Confined Spaces Law

OSHA has long regulated work done in confined spaces in the interest of minimizing risks to workers. On August 3, 2015, however, new OSHA regulations went into affect that will significantly impact the construction industry. Are you ready for the changes to come? 1. What is A Confined Space? For an area to be categorized as a “confined space,” the following three requirements must be met: The space must be large enough to be occupied by a single person. The space must not be intended nor designed for continual occupancy. The space has limited entry and exit. Some spaces that typically fall into this category include boilers, manholes, air conditioning ducts, bins, and storm drains. Other factors, such as atmospheric hazards, the possibility of engulfment, and other serious hazards may play a role in the classification. 2. Why Are The OSHA Regulations Changing? The existing regulations that pertained to general industry were deemed to be inefficient for the construction industry. Accord...
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The 5 Most Commonly Violated OSHA Regulations

If you look at photographs taken during the construction of the Empire State Building, it’s obvious that worker safety has come a long way since the 1930s. Back then, it was commonplace for workers to dangle off the side of tall buildings without harnesses, and there were few, if any, hardhats to be seen on construction sites. Today, OSHA regulations do a lot to protect the safety of construction workers. Still, violations occur – sometimes due to lack of awareness, and sometimes due to intentional circumvention of regulations. Whatever the cause, the list of the most common violations in commercial construction changes little from year to year. Here are the usual suspects that almost always earn a place on this Most Wanted list: 1. Scaffolding Damaged or insufficient scaffolding can collapse, injuring workers. OSHA regulations vary somewhat based on the type of scaffolding (general, supported, etc.), but all construction scaffolding must be capable of bearing four times its intended l...
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The Future is Now: How to Use Drone Technology in the Roofing Industry

There is a new technology on the scene in the roofing industry that has only started to scratch the surface in terms of the ways it can transform how roofing and construction work is performed, measured, and maintained.  Spurred largely by the inception of Part 107 in August of 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration's Small UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) Rule (14 CFR part 107), commercial drone operators can now own and fly a drone without the complexity of obtaining a pilot’s license.  And that has made all the difference.  To own and operate a drone, start by completing the simple knowledge test, paying a small fee, following a set of common sense operational limitations, and be 16 years or older and ready to present your drone for inspection upon request.  This is the procedure to have a member of your company that can safely obtain and maintain a remote pilot in command certification.  Passage of Part 107 was a huge step towards making drone technology ac...
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