Drexel Metals Blog

Like metal roofs, metal wall panels have become an increasingly popular choice for building facades. It’s easy to see why! Ideal for commercial or residential applications, metal wall panels can enhance the appearance of a building's facade in a variety of ways, from creating a sleek and contemporary look to adding depth and complexity to the design.  

Metal roofs come with several practical advantages, including a service life of 40-60 years—up to three times longer than other roofing materials. But it’s their ability to deliver lasting performance and style that make metal roofs well-suited for a variety of commercial, residential and custom applications. Metal roofing systems can be customized to help architects and designers create statement-making roof designs that enhance a building’s appearance. For example, in addition to offering multiple profile options, metal roofing systems from Drexel Metals can be finished in over 40 standard colors with custom colors available. With so many opportunities for customization, project designers do not have to compromise their design vision for roof performance. 

Winters can be tough on all roofs, especially for areas that experience extreme weather. While snow and ice formation can pose several problems to more traditional roofing materials, metal panel roofing systems can withstand the added strain. But like any outdoor building product that is exposed to the elements, metal roofs still need a little care to prepare for the colder months.

The resiliency, longevity and design versatility of a metal roof is truly unmatched. And yet, home and building owners can still feel hesitant to upgrade to a metal roof. Some believe that a metal roof is noisier (it’s not, thanks to insulation), and some think they are more prone to damage from extreme weather events like lightning strikes or hail (not true either due to high conductivity and high impact resistance).  

Building sustainably and reducing our carbon footprint has never been more important as climate change continues to affect the world. Nearly one third of the total energy consumed, greenhouse gases emitted, raw materials used, and waste created in the United States comes from the construction industry. It’s more crucial than ever, as a top energy spender, that the building industry find alternatives towards greener building.

Curved metal roofing panels open up countless design possibilities that are not easily accomplished by other roofing materials. Offering both functional advantages and building-defining aesthetics, curved roofs can be used on designs as diverse as era-defying Coptic churches to military outbuildings—plus, they are more easily attainable than ever before, thanks to advances in production technologies like on-site roll forming.  

Many home and building owners believe metal roofing systems attract lightning strikes and are easily damaged by hail.  Like the assumption that metal roofs are noisy when it rains, these beliefs are misconceptions. The facts paint a much different picture—mainly that metal roofing systems can endure various forms of extreme weather. 

Since 1985, Drexel Metals has been a trusted provider of superior-quality metal roofing systems, equipment and custom fabrication services. Unlike other metal roof manufacturers, Drexel Metals has built its first-rate reputation by using over 99% American-made and sourced products.  

Taking the next step to expand a roofing construction business can be full of uncertainty. Some of these doubts revolve around investing in the equipment necessary to expand. Which machinery will bring the most return on investment? Is this the same equipment needed to fulfill customer requests? How can it be used to its maximum potential?

As sustainable building practices have developed, the definition of what is sustainable in the building industry has expanded. Now, not only are designers and building owners aiming for construction methods that reduce environmental impact, but they are also specifying materials that off-set the emissions and pollution caused by erecting new structures.  

Metal roofing has a long history—some of the oldest copper roofs date back thousands of years to temples in Sri Lanka. Developments in galvanization and sheet forming have helped metal roofing systems provide long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing designs in the U.S. since the 18^th century. Despite this expansive history, myths about metal roofing still persist.  

A well-designed roof can intrigue passers-by and establish a building as an urban landmark. For instance, the New York Life Building’s roof provides a dazzling gold sliver to Manhattan’s skyline. Likewise, the iconic roof of Sydney’s Opera House can be recognized around the world. While jaw-dropping visual appeal is important, even the most decorative roofs need to serve a purpose: to protect a building’s interior and occupants.  

One of the main functions of a roof is to protect occupants from inclement weather. While the occasional light rain or snowstorm poses little cause for concern for most roofing materials, larger storms like tornadoes, hurricanes and blizzards can noticeably damage some roofing materials. These weather events can also create small breeches in a roof’s surface, which could worsen over time or cause costly structural damage. 

Roofing with metal provides customers with a long-lasting and sustainable product. Roofing professionals who use rollformed metal panels can go a step beyond and meet customer demand for a range of color and profile options, ensuring the roof will look as good as it performs. While these benefits may seem exclusive to the people living under them, they can also extend to the fabricators themselves. 

In the United States, the construction industry accounts for nearly one third of: total energy consumed, greenhouse gases emitted, raw materials used, and waste created. Acknowledging the profound impact of building, many architecture firms have pledged their commitment to more sustainable practices—adhering to LEED certification, the Living Building Challenge, the 2030 Challenge, and many more. 

Warranties guarantee the integrity of a product. They also provide valuable peace of mind that a roof will be covered should anything happen to it. But, as homeowners and contractors know, warranties can vary widely. This is especially true for metal roof systems, as many incorporate multiple components into one product and are influenced by environmental factors, seam profiles and installation methods. 

While metal roofing substrates are durable on their own, their ability to last up to 50 years relies heavily on their paint system. For metal roofing, the paint system is made from three basic ingredients: resins, pigments, and additives. Pigments add color to the paint system, and additives help those pigments attach to resins. In general, these ingredients do not affect the strength of a paint system.

Metal roofing is not new. In fact, it can be found on notable American buildings dating as far back as the
mid-1700s. While most historical uses of metal roofing were on commercial buildings, technological
advances have made it a popular choice for residential roofing as well. Its popularity extends beyond its
trendiness. Home and building owners who choose to build or resurface their roofs with metal will see
the following benefits: