Metal roofing and siding are popular choices because they are energy efficient, strong, lightweight and inexpensive in comparison to other roofing and siding materials such as brick, wood or stucco.There are different types of metal siding that can be used which can be very energy efficient as well as deflect light for additional cost effectiveness.
Types
One type of metal siding that is popular is IMP’s or insulated metal panels, which are formed by two pieces of sheet metal that are injected with a liquid insulating foam, usually made of polyurethane.Once the sheets are filled with foam they are hung to dry so that the foam fills the sheets, hardens and it becomes one solid panel that is fully insulated.Unlike other siding where there tend to be gaps in the insulation, thus making them less energy efficient, these IMP’s are solid, ensuring uniform protection from the elements, both hot and cold.
There are also metal composite materials or MCM, which are moldable into geometric shapes for versatility.These MCM's are made of two metal skins are put around a plastic core to form different shapes of metal siding.They can be bent or curved and joined together in a long lasting metal siding.There are also preformed profiles that are made in different styles such as batten, corrugated, stepped, smooth or a stucco look.
Benefits
There are many benefits of using metal siding on a kit homes or commercial building.Metal siding is light and easy to install, using different widths, lengths, gauges and finishes to fit any type of project.They can be installed vertically or horizontally in order to create different patterns and designs for different projects.In addition, because metal siding is lightweight, it is more economical to use since it does not take as strong of a frame to support the siding and the metal siding can be moved in mort cases by a forklift instead of cranes like other siding.
In addition to being economical and easy to install, metal siding is long lasting, with many manufacturers giving twenty to forty year warrantees for kit homes.Metal siding is also recyclable, so if a panel is taken from one project, it can easily be used on another one.The metals within the panels are also often made of recycled metal, often up to twenty-five percent recycled material.Metal siding is also resistant to water since it does not absorb it like concrete, wood or other material, this holding its true shape better than other material for years to come.
Mail this postIn the world of kitchen remodelling ideas there is a new concept, going green.The idea for a kitchen remodel to go green is a newer one and the technology and the products are now available to make your new kitchen remodelling ideas a reality.Green products are available in so many kitchen products from countertops made from recycled products, energy efficient water systems, energy efficient appliances, cupboards and shelving made from 100% recycled materials.
What’s In A New Green Kitchen
Most new green kitchens will be remodelled with recycling ideas in mind.Incorporating a built in recycling centre in the cabinetry to either rollout or open to allow for easy sorting and storage of recycling in the kitchen.
Another green kitchen remodelling idea would be to incorporate kitchen flooring that is eco-friendly or made of as much post consumer recycled material as possible.Bamboo, cork and eucalyptus wood flooring is becoming the next generation of eco-friendly flooring because it takes half the time to grow the wood to maturity than hardwood.
As an idea and thinking green remodel your kitchen countertop with recycled material or concrete mixed with recycled stones.Sealing these materials is the only extra step needed to ensure a lifetime of use.
Try and seal any old cabinets that may contain VOC (VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS) resealing these older cabinets will prevent exposure to urea formaldehyde.If possible and you are sourcing new cabinets, look into cabinets using plant stems as binding agents like wheatboard or strawboard.
Another small kitchen remodel idea is using air admittance valves instead of through the roof valves on your plumbing will save you money in extra plumbing and flashing when remodelling your kitchen and saving’s the idea.
The appliances are going to surprise you when you start shopping for green alternatives.The cost is of course higher simply because the mass consumer marketplace hasn’t jumped on board the green alternative bandwagon yet.For example a radiant stove is about 60 percent efficient when cooking on the stovetop, but induction stoves are over 90 percent efficient.However the induction stoves being relatively new are selling at a premium compared to many other conventional stove brands including natural gas.
Green, Not Just Hype
In 2009 we have to realize this green talk is not just marketing initiative.The idea has to be used in all our thinking. We need ideas like this in kitchen remodelling, in kit homes building, in car manufacturing, in manufacturing in general and in all things that we do.Every single change we make as consumers is one less impact that we are making on our environment and it is one more message we are sending to all the powers that need to be aware how concerned we are.
Mail this postWhen it comes time to finally put a new roof or such on your business or your storage shed units, many people find that their best bet is that of the architectural sheet metal roofing as it is sturdy and extremely long lasting. Of course installing sheet metal roofing could be something done for a kit home but it would probably decrease the value of the kit homes before it would ever increase it. The architectural sheet metal roofing is usually used only in places of business as it meets the needs and desires of business owners.
Unlike years ago, there are many options for architectural sheet metal roofing and you are bound to eventually find something that you like. With so many options to pick from, you will be able to find architectural sheet metal roofing that goes with the style of your entire building to make sure that everything blends well. You certainly would not want something that is going to stand out like a sore thumb, no matter how much you like that particular style.
Hiring The Right Company
There is doubt about it, when you are dealing with something as important as the roof you want to make sure that you are doing everything possible to make sure that you have hired the right people for the job. While it is tempting to do the work yourself in order to try and save money, it would be much better to hire someone else if you really do not have the experience behind you. Attempting to do an architectural sheet metal roofing job on your own for the first time could possibly leave you putting out more money in the end if you mess it up. This is not something that you want to take risks with so you are probably just much better off if you hire a professional company to come in to do the job right.
If you happen to know anyone that has used a company before for their own architectural sheet metal roofing job then you want to see if they could refer you to whom they used. Knowing someone who has used the company before and where you can see the finished product is always a great thing. If that does not work for you then all you can do is start calling around to different companies for quotes on the architectural sheet metal roofing and ask for references. You will simply have to trust your gut and hope for the best since you really have no other choice.
Mail this postCommercial buildings such as warehouses and barns were traditionally known to have metal roof panels.The only metal roofs seen on residential buildings were small unkempt structures that had decayed through the year until it seemed as though the roof was the only part of the house that was still intact. Today, there is a rise in kit homes metal siding and roofing due to the increase in different types of finishes with metal siding and roofing products that allows the same wood-like or stucco-like appearances yet retain the durability, strength and cost of metal roof panels.
Benefits
The cost of metal roof panels is not the only benefit but is probably one of the initial draws for consumers who are considering what materials to use to redo or construct a roof on any type of structure.The cost of metal roof panels can run as low as three dollars and fifty cents per square foot, which is only three hundred fifty dollars for each one hundred square foot panel.Aluminum is the least expensive of metal roofing materials and is the one most commonly used.Residential roofing as well as some offices will branch out into copper roofing panels which are the most expensive costing metal roofing panels.
The cost of metal roofing panels, even using the more expensive ones, is offset by the savings gained through the longevity and low maintenance costs of metal roofs.Metal roofs usually last about forty years, so much so that many metal roofing companies will five warrantees on their roofs for twenty to forty years, depending on the company.The maintenance cost on metal roofs is also low at about thirty cents per square foot per year, which is much lower than other types of roofing that requires more maintenance.
There are some metal roofing panels that are called 'cool metal' panels because they do not absorb the heat of the sunlight like other metals do.These cool metal panels have a heat deflecting metal coating on them so that the heat bounces off and keeps the inside of the structure cooler, thus saving on air conditioning costs.This is a great asset for warmer climates and the savings in air conditioning costs soon offsets cost of the specialized metal roof panels needed for the job.There are also insulated panels which have a foam insulation that has been hardened in between the two metal panels leaving no air gaps and so ensuring that the insulation is uniform wherever the panels are found.These also cost more at the outset but save the consumer money in the long run.
Mail this post