When you're considering making changes to your home or business, changes in heating and cooling costs can be a very important deciding factor. But did you know that the type of roof you select can make a big difference on your utility bills? In this post, we'll discuss how metal roofing's inherent properties and supplemental systems can do an amazing job of reducing your utility bill while keeping your structure comfortable.

áExterior reflection of heat and light

A light-colored metal roof is by nature reflective. Instead of soaking in the heat as asphalt shingles do, metal roofing reflects that heat back into the air, allowing it to stay cooler. At the same time, it's also reflecting light away from your building, preventing the light energy from heating up the shingles, much like the science experiment comparing temperatures of dark and light objects placed in the sun. This means that your cooling bill is significantly lower in a metal-roofed building than a comparable asphalt-shingled building.

Interior reflection of heat

Metal roofing isn't only reflective on the outside - it's also reflective on the inside. When you're heating a building, would you rather that the heat simply transfer through the roofing materials to the outside or would you rather it be reflected back into the building to help retain the heat? There have been a number of new insulation and radiant floor heating products developed over the past few years that are based on reflecting heat back into a structure, but metal roofing has been providing that same effect for many decades.

Minimizing heat gain

By using a few techniques, you can also minimize heat gain from a metal roof. If you place spacers between the metal and your building, it becomes much harder for heat to transfer from your roof into your building. Metal roofing also integrates well with insulated roofing systems, making it the perfect material when you're working on a project that requires green certifications, such as the LEED certification process. Choosing a color that is available in a reflective surface helps maximize the amount of solar heat and light that is directed away from your structure. By comparison, an asphalt roof is typically laid directly on the structure, allowing any heat it picks up to transfer into your attic or loft, making it unbearably uncomfortable.

Easily ventilated

Because metal roofing has been used in warm climates for so many years, there are a number of ventilation systems that are easy to incorporate in your design. By allowing air to circulate between the roof and the building proper, you're providing an escape for hot air at the top while naturally drawing in cool air at the bottom as the convection cycle continues. This means that over all, your roof stays much cooler than even a well-ventilated asphalt shingle roofing system can accomplish.

Lack of thermal mass

Asphalt shingles are created from a heavy, dense material. Much like large stone or log structures, they can take a very long time to heat up or cool down because they hold heat on your roof and in your attic. This essentially creates an unintended heat sink on the top of your home or building while making it take much longer to heat up or cool down. By comparison, metal roofing has a very low thermal mass, meaning that it doesn't have an inherent ability to hold heat or cold that radiates back into your structure and makes it easier for your building to be heated or cooled effectively awhile requiring less energy.

Contact us todayáfor more details about our metal roofing supplies, to get a quote or to schedule a delivery that keeps you on the job site instead of running to the store.

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Versaroc boards are used in various construction applications. Versaroc is a strong building material that resists fire and moisture making it perfect for walls, floors, ceilings and roofs. Lightweight portability and custom fabrication make Versaroc the ideal choice for modular additions to schools, hospitals, libraries, hotels, hospitals, and many other building types. Versaroc composite strength provides a defense against weather erosion, insect infestation and other structural afflictions. Versaroc boards can also be used for making cabinets, bookcases and other interior home-design projects. As a building material, these cement bonded particle boards are highly versatile in function and application.

Versaroc Advantages:

• Composite Nature Allows for Structural Strength and Flexibility
• Fire Resistant (UL Listed) and Resists Moisture
• Durable Against Weather Erosion
• Protects Against Insects and Other Pest Infestation
• Can be Custom-Fabricated to fit Design Needs
• Easy to Install with standard equipment and tools of carpentry.

Versaroc Uses:

• Ideal for Walls given its Sturdy yet Pliant Nature&nbsp
• Great for Floors due to its Easy Installation and Custom Fabrication to
• Design Specifications
• Perfect for Roofs because of its ability to Protect against Fire, Moisture and Infestation
• Makes for a Excellent Outer Casing for Structural Insulated Panel Systems
• A Solid Choice for Furniture and Interior Design Purposes.

Versaroc is the cement bonded particle board manufactured by U.S. Architectural Products. For over 25 years, U.S. Architectural Products has provided durable and lasting materials in the construction industry and Versaroc lives up to that standard as the flagship brand for cement bonded particle boards.á

Versaroc Composite Make and Design

Cement bonded particle boards are made of Portland cement infused with softwood fibers. The particle board is cut then resin is used to glue the particles together and stabilized the board. The Versaroc boards can be shipped out according to design specifications and can easily bond to building materials. Versaroc is made of non-toxic materials rendering it asbestos-free and safe for the environment.á

Versaroc is Versatileá

Versaroc cement bonded particle boards appear physical similar to plywood making them easy to handle, but the composite cement nature gives Versaroc boards strength to bear loads and resistance to impact and abuse. The Versaroc boards are light weight and flexible making the boards easy to transport and easy to install.

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As a contractor, you undoubtedly face more than a few challenges. áFrom unrealistic delivery times to not having enough help on hand, your obstacles indisputably cause your projects to fall behind schedule. áBut what if there was a way to speed up your project? áWhat if you could meet the demands of your boss without going over on your budget, all the while meeting the codes and regulations that you have to adhere to? á

Here's a quick look at the various benefits to be gained from using QuietRock drywall products.á

Meeting All of Your Various Project Needs

Are you building a theater? áA bar or pub? áHow about a professional studio or music room? áIt doesn't matter the type of project you're completing, because our QuietRock drywall products provide maximum noise reduction, and best of all, they come with high STC ratings. áFurthermore, it only takes a single layer of our QuietRock drywall products to achieve the best of the best soundproofing deliverance.

QuietRock 545

For commercial theaters and media rooms, as well as other projects that require optimized soundproofing, QuietRock 545 is your go-to drywall product. áThis sound damped panel provides the highest performance of soundproofing available on the market. áIt's undeniable benefits include all of the following:

• Up to an 80 STC rating
• Ideal for multiple projects, including sound rooms, high-end home theaters, convention centers, studios and more
• Compared to older methods of soundproofing, QuietRock 545 has been lab tested and proven to give greater soundproofing results
• No matter the frequency -- high or low -- QuietRock 545 delivers superior soundproofing

If you are in need of exact product specifications, which you probably are, because your boss will want to know the exacts of QuietRock 545, here they are:

• Permeability: 0
• Thickness: 1-3/8"
• STC-rated: 60-80
• Weight: 6.2 lbs/sq.foot

QuietRock 525

As stated before, as a contractor, you have to adhere to a specific budget. áQuietRock 525 serves as a solution to your budget and soundproofing requirements. áFor multi-family construction projects, you can't go wrong with the QuietRock 525 product. áIt can also be used for other various projects, including:

• Hotels
• Conference rooms
• Schools
• Hospitals
• Party walls
• Home theaters
• Offices
• Commercial properties

As far as meeting code for STC ratings, you can rest assured that a single layer of the 525 product on one side of the studs will exceed the ratings you are going after. áNot only does this let you avoid having to pay for materials and labor of providing double studs, but it even expands floor space. á

Notable aspects of QuietRock 525

• Non-metallic composition
• Same fire rating as Type X drywall
• Even after fixtures have been installed into the walls, noise reduction still takes place
• When having tiles installed in bathrooms with ceramic side facing outward, 525 can still be used under the tiles
• Installation is equivalent to that of regular drywall
• STC ratings between 51 to 72
• Compared to other soundproofing methods, 525 is much more cost-effective

Product specifications for QuietRock 525 are as follows:

• Fire-related: 1 hour
• Thickness: 5/8"
• UL-rated assemblies: U386,W317
• STC rating: 51-72
• R value: 0.5
• Weight: 2.7 lbs per square foot

No matter the construction project that you are carrying out, if soundproofing products are needed, then it's best to make sure you are using the right ones. áAfter all, poor soundproofing can lead a wide array of issues. á

Take for example that you're building a hospital. áIn order for effective communication to take place between staff and patients, soundproof drywall is of the utmost importance to ensure patient safety and first-class healthcare services are provided. á

Or perhaps you're building a bar or pub. áThe owner will want to rest assured that the activities and noise taking place in his bar will not be heard by nearby residents and business owners; this could lead to him losing his licensure to operate his business.

Fortunately, no matter the project you're completing, there is a QuietRock soundproofing product that can meet your needs.

Additional QuietRock soundproofing products: their applications and features

• 510: Lowest cost, 1/2" thickness, STC rating of 49-68 and ideal for remodeling and upgrades
• 516: Meant to be used on 16"OC studs, 1/2" thickness, STC rating of 46-49 and ideal for single family residences
• 525: Fire-rated, 5/8" thickness, STC rating of 51-72 and ideal for commercial properties, multifamily complexes, hospitals and hotels
• 527: Meant to be used on UltraSTEEL studs, 5/8" thickness, STC rating of 55+ and ideal for UltraSTEEL construction projects
• 528: Mold-resistant, 5/8" thickness, STC rating of 50-58 and ideal for high moisture areas
• 530: Shear resistance, 5/8" thickness, STC rating of 52-74 and ideal for high-end homes, commercial properties, hallways and schools
• 530RF: Enhanced RF shielding, 5/8" thickness, STC rating of 52-74 and ideal for medical shielding and SCIF rooms
• 545THX: Highest performance, 1-3/8" thickness, STC rating of 56-80 and ideal for high-end homes, music studios and commercial theaters

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When it comes to acoustical or suspended ceiling materials, Armstrong and USG are often the first manufacturers to come to mind. But what can you do when a client wants something different or that exceeds the typical specs set out by these companies? Though many contractors are aware of CertainTeed's huge presence in insulation products, very few are as aware of the company's suspended and acoustical ceiling systems. Their products often exceed the specs set by other industry leaders, making it a high-quality option from a known industry leader. Here's a quick look at their cross reference guide, designed to help contractors find the perfect materials for their project.

With the prevalence of Armstrong and USG products in the acoustical and suspended ceiling market, it doesn't take long for an experienced contractor to figure out which product they should use to meet a project's requirements. CertainTeed is still a relatively new entry into the market, and for this reason, many contractors bypass their products because they're not sure which specific product they should use in place of particular Armstrong or USG products.

When they realized this issue in the market, CertainTeed took the time to make it easier for contractors to find the right product for the job. Their Acoustical Ceilings and Suspension Systems Cross Reference Guide was designed so that you could simply look up the competitor's product in the guide and follow across to the similar CertainTeed ceiling product, making the conversion process very simple. The guide also includes indexes of both competitors' products, as the cross reference lists the products in order by the CertainTeed product, so the index makes it very easy to find the competitors' model.

However, CertainTeed recognizes that not all products will convert exactly, so they've based their cross reference guide based on aesthetic appearance and technical specifications. In many situations, the CertainTeed product that you find in the cross reference will be superior in terms of appearance, performance or technical specifications. When multiple competitor products match the same general specification or CertainTeed product, all the competitor's models will be listed for comparison.

One thing you'll definitely notice as you're going through the cross reference guide is the sheer number of additional product lines and options that are available from CertainTeed, especially when compared to Armstrong and USG lines. At a quick estimate, there are nearly three times as many options available in the CertainTeed lines than are available from their competitors. This provides you and your clients with a much wider range of options, allowing the best possible solution to be selected for your project rather than the one that comes the closest.

CertainTeed offers a wide range of acoustical and suspended ceiling options for your project, and the cross reference guide makes it easy to find the exact material that will work best for your situation while offering a wide range of additional selections to meet your project's needs. If you are interested in CertainTeed acoustical products for your next job be sure to download the CertainTeed Ceiling Tiles and Suspension Systems Product Guide using the blue button below or by clicking here.

A suspended ceiling can provide manyábenefits for your building, especially when done correctly. You can add a suspended ceiling to the front of a warehouse to createáoffice space, without having to put too much labor and money into the project. A suspended ceiling helps muffle excess noise, allowsáeasy passage of communication and computer networking needs and is simple to repair andámodify because of standardized tile sizes. But one area where your suspended ceiling may need help to reach peak energy efficiency is how you seal the places other components pass through, such as lights, intercoms, HVAC vents, wiring, plumbing and other infiltration areas.

To determine the best way to deal with these problems, we received expert advice on improvingáa suspended ceiling for peak performance from someone who knows serious insulation. LloydáMcIntireáis a recently retired insulation contractor in Tower, Minnesota - the town that broke the record for the coldest spot in the contiguous United States at -60║F in January 1996. As the only insulator in one of the coldest parts of our country, he was happy to share a little ofáhis 42+ years of experience with us.

The first step is to determine what's already in your suspended ceiling. "You have to start by doing an inspection and verifying what you already have in place. (A client) had a situation where he'd added insulation that blocked ventilation and allowed air leaks, causing hot spots and ice dams. A friend had told him he needed to add insulation, so he'd put sheet foam on top of the fiberglass. When he shoved the sheet foam on top, he displaced the existing fiberglass. That would have been messy, but still done the job, but to fit the boards into the space, the foam was cut 1/8-1/4" narrower than the space, so all the heat loss was going around the (unsealed) cracks in the sheet foam." Because the fiberglass had also been displaced, air was going directly through the looseágrid and tile spaces in the suspendedáceiling, through the holes where the fiberglass batting had been displaced and around the cracks at the edges of the sheet foam. Mr.áMcIntireáwas called in to "fix" the problem by removing all the insulation and putting in insulation that had been properly fit to the space andáeliminatedáthe problematic air infiltration gaps around the space. By the time the ceiling was fixed along with adding appropriate insulation to the ductwork and exposed concrete block walls that were losing heat to high winds, the client's heating expenses were lowered by 45-50%.

The next step is to add insulation and seal around any areas of infiltration. "Spray foam is much better than fiberglass (in this situation)ábecause moisture in an unventilated area can cause problems with mold and mildew in the fiberglass. Spray foam fills any spaces, so it seals pipes, wiring, anything that goes through that area," Mr.áMcIntireámentions. "Sheet foam is another option if you need to seal wall spaces (above the suspended ceiling) against infiltrating air, as long as the gaps (between boards) are sealed."á

He also notes that it's vital to ensure that insulation is replaced around new items added to a ceiling, such as a new run of wiring, new ductwork or similar areas of potential infiltration. "If you're really going to look at atticá insulationáand áso on, you should really be caulking and have a vapor barrieráneed to look at moving the insulation to seal around any air bypasses to the inside or outside of the area above the suspended ceiling. This includesálights, wire penetration up to the attic, plumbing, thatáneed to be sealed with caulking or weatherstripping."áThis is also true when you have a dead space above your suspended ceiling where the temperature is not being controlled.

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