Metal Building Basics

Covering Systems

Roll Forming
The Covering System of roof and walls provide a skin which protects the building and its contents against the elements; rain, snow, ice, wind, heat and cold.  The entire covering system - panels, fasteners, sealants, flashings and other components - must work together to offer an effective protection against those elements.  Appearance is an important function of any building's complete covering system of roof and walls. A&S panels are available in three different finishes: "Galvalume Plus®", "Vistacolor 20®" ( or "Dura 20®") and "Royal K-70®". 
(Click on Color Chart to see the selections) 
GALVALUME®  and GALVALUME PLUS® are Bethlehem's trade names for its aluminum - zinc coated steel.  Which is a coating of 55% aluminum, approximately 44% zinc and silicon or for Glavalume Plus®, a state-of-the-art patented polymeric passivation system.  This gives Galvalume Plus® excellent corrosion resistance and increased resistance to hand or foot marking.  Galvalume Plus® is the material of choice when it comes to Standing Seam or any screwdown roof panel.  A&S's Painted Steel Panels, start out with a base metal of 26 or 24 gauge Galvalume®  steel, pretreated and primed, then painted with a choice of finish; Vistacolor 20® or premium finish Royal K-70®.   Strong configuration of a metal panel in one of the major design factors employed in metal buildings.  A&S achieves many panel profiles by roll-forming the panel from pre-painted coils. 

Roll Forming


 






Roll-Forming is a continuous process performed on a machine consisting of a series of graduated metal rolls arranged in pairs, (one top and bottom) called stands.  The thickness of material may be expressed in either inches or the decimal equivalent, but most of the time is referred to as a gage.  Most of our standard panels are rolled with 26 or 24 gage material, all standing seam are 24 gage.  The lower the gage, the thicker the material. 

Light transmitting Panels are also available and made of a high strength translucent glass fiber reinforced polyester.  They let in natural light and come in insulated or un-insulated to match the standard panel profiles. 

Metal Building Insulation generally consists of fiber glass with a vinyl vapor barrier facing and installed just before the roof or wall sheets are attached.  Another alternative are the Insulated panels from an A&S sister company IPS - Insulated Panel Systems.  There are a variety of options when it comes to the choice of covering systems.  In addition to the choice of materials and colors made of metal, the walls can be designed out of masonry, pre-cast concrete panels, wood or a combination of any. 

A covering system obtains its support and strength from either or both of two sources:

  • The Structural Frame
  • Its own Stability and Rigidity
The metal roof panel is supported by and attached to purlins and eave struts.  The metal wall panel is either hang on the structural framework, or rest on the foundation, or both, and attach to base angles, rake angles, girts and eave struts.  A properly designed covering system must have sufficient strength and rigidity to resist forces and transmit applied loads to the structural system.  Metal covering material are often fabricated with corrugations or ribs which increase their strength. 
Trim Parts

Flashing, Gutter and Trim

Flashing, gutter and trim complete the covering system.  They work together with the panels, fasteners, sealants to make an effective protection system against the elements. 

Accessories

In addition to frame, wall and roof systems, there are other components called Accessories.  These include roof ventilators, light transmitting panels, interior liner panels, louvers, wall lights, wall openings, windows, pedestrian doors, overhead doors, fascia, mansards, canopies and other trim options.  These individual components are also manufactured as integral units for the metal building system.  When installed, they will be compatible in both design and appearance with the wall and roof systems that they penetrate. 
 
 


Canopies


 










There is an endless combination of options and building configurations to fit almost any need.  The first step in designing a metal building, is defining your needs.

For more information on the words used in the Metal Building industry, go to Glossary of Terms. 

 
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Hale Construction, Inc.
1990 South Economy Road, Morristown, Tennessee 37813
P.O. Box 1674, Morristown, Tennessee 37816
Phone: (423) 587-2612
Fax: (423) 587-2208

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Last updated 7/16/01 by Don