Top 10 Construction Apps

Did you know your smartphone can double as a construction calculator, a construction management solution, or for sharing blueprints? All of these activities and more are now available as mobile applications. There are specialized apps for everything else, construction included. Using mobile apps gives you the ability to use tools you may have only had at your office anytime and anywhere.
Fieldwire from Fieldwire
www.fieldwire.com/
Application: Construction Management and Blueprint Sharing
Operating System: Android, iOS
Fieldwire provides users the ability to view blueprints, track inspections, track issues, and perform tasking on a smartphone.

• It has the capacity for agile project management.
• The free version includes 10 users and 5 projects. All versions include unlimited sheets.
• Business and Enterprise plans have API integration, email support, and phone support.

PlanGrid from PlanGrid
www.plangrid.com/en
Application: Construction Software
Operating System: Android, iOS
PlanGrid is a collaborative software solution that allows everyone on a construction project to share plans and markups in real time. Contractors and architects can share and collaborate from a desktop or mobile device on all project plans, photos, specifications, RFIs, and punchlists. The app also includes:

• Automatic master set version control
• Issue tracking
• Hyperlinks created from detail call-outs
• Cloud backup
• Simple export to .zip files

BIMx from GRAPHISOFT
http://www.graphisoft.com/bimx/
Application: Building Information Modeling (BIM) Project Presentation
Operating System: iOS
BIMx allows contractors to share 3D models with clients. The free version, available in both iOS and Android, provides an unlimited number of 3D models on any device. On the PRO plan, contractors and architects can view 2D and 3D models and access hyperlinked 2D documentation. Other features include:

• View 3D cut-aways
• Custom element information sets
• Zone stamps on floor plans and zone labels in 3D model
• Print from iOS device to AirPrint capable printers

Control Center 8 from EarthCam.net
https://www.earthcam.net/
Application: Remote webcam control with image and video sharing
Operating System: Android, iOS
Control Center 8 Mobile Support provides real-time control and access of jobsite webcams with the capability to share images and videos on social sites or through email. This application is excellent for keeping track of progress and security on any jobsite.

• Live streaming video
• Swipe, pinch, pan, tilt, and zoom controls
• 360-degree panoramic views
• Time lapse
• Historical archiving

LEED Construction Software by Green Badger
http://getgreenbadger.com/
Application: LEED documentation software
Operating System: Android, iOS
LEED Construction software provides a convenient way to document and verify LEED construction credits at the jobsite or the office. It verifies VOC content, provides the team with real-time updates, and offers reporting and documentation for LEED certification.

• General contractors
• Sustainability professionals
• Owners
• Developers
• Tenants

Buzzsaw by Autodesk
www.autodesk.com
Application: Document and data management software
Operating System: Android, iOS
Buzzsaw enables BIM workflows through a mobile device. The software also provides centralized access to project information and team collaboration. Users can exchange models, markup in design and review, and notify team members of changes to drawings.

Sun Seeker by ozPDA
www.ozpda.com
Application: Augmented reality camera 3D view showing solar path
Operating System: Android, iOS
Sun Seeker uses GPS to display the position of the sun and the light path to the user’s current position. Excellent for envisioning where and at what angle sunlight enters a room in order to plan window layouts.

• 3D augmented camera overlay view showing the sun’s current position and path
• Map view with hourly solar direction
• Ability to select location or date to view solar path for that day and place
• Includes maximum solar elevation, rise, and set

Handyman Construction Calculators by Kalyani
Application: Complete construction calculator
Operating System: Android
The Handyman Construction Calculator app contains multiple calculators, time tracking tools, and measurement converters.

• Concrete
• Lumber
• Brick
• Square footage
• Asphalt
• Job estimate
• …and many more

BulldozAIR by BulldozAIR
http://www.bulldozair.com/
Application: Visual task management and collaboration
Operating System: Android, iOS, Windows

BulldozAIR provides the means for teams to collaborate with the office and each other from the jobsite by exchanging visual information. Collaborate through visualization, traceability, reports, and notifications.

• Centralizes project documentation
• Provides offline access to key documents
• Captures and edits pictures and notes
• Assigns tasks to workers and clients

Construction Master Pro by Calculated Industries
www.calculated.com
Application: Advanced construction-math calculator
Operating System: Android, iOS, Windows
Construction Master Pro began as handheld construction calculator. Now the same functions are available on a mobile application.

• Solves difficult construction-math problems with a smartphone
• Reduces errors
• Saves time on estimating, bidding, and building
• Built in help

Mobile applications have proliferated along with the smartphone. Most of these applications are available for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. They can take the place of multiple pieces of hardware from your computer to a hand calculator and you can carry it all on your mobile device.
Having these tools can save you time, eliminate errors, and help you get the bid back to the client before your competitors. You can check the angle of the sun from anywhere on the globe or monitor your LEED certification points, plus calculate, manage, and view almost any phase of your project.

Submitted by:
Steve Wright

Steve Wright works for Whirlwind Steel Buildings, a manufacturer of pre-engineered steel buildings and components. Whirlwind Steel metal buildings are manufactured and designed to meet the highest quality standards. To learn more, visit http://www.whirlwindsteel.com.

Product of the Week - PREMIUM SOLDERING KIT

Our Tool of the Week for the first week of February 2016 is not just a tool, it’s a kit:

One of our most popular products for the metal craftsman, the Premium Soldering Kit by Freund is perfect for the pro or do-it-yourselfer. These kits contain everything you need to successfully solder copper and zinc sheet. The only thing you need to supply is solder and a propane cylinder.
What the kit includes:

• Express 367/8E Self Igniting Premium Soldering Iron
• Medium Express soldering Iron Tip (9 oz - 3-3/4" Long)
• Pressure Regulator. UL Classified, compact design allows adjustment from 30-60 psi
• Solid Brass LP Gas Quick Connects
• 12'0" UL Listed Hose
• Freund Soldering Block Holder with ammonia stone, brush holder & flux canister
• Express Gel Soldering Flux for New Metals (zinc and copper). Easy to handle and easy to use
• Soldering fluid bottle with screw cap for soldering fluid, acids, etc.
• 25 pack of soldering fluid brushes for flux, oil, acids
• Stack-On Pro-Tough Tool Box/Carrying Case

The Express 367/8E features a push button Piezo electric ignitor (up to 50,000 ignitions), a patented CERCO burner that heats the iron to working temperatures in about 70 seconds and won’t blow out (great for windy environments), an ergonomic handle and an easy to use flame (temperature) control knob. The most commonly used soldering tip is included. The medium copper tip must be tinned prior to use, but its solid copper construction allows it to be reshaped if needed and can be used hundreds of times when well cared for. Replacement tips are readily available.

Freund has added a Quick-Connect fitting to make tool changes and removal fast and easy.

A 12 foot hose and UL listed pressure regulator connects directly to your LP (propane) cylinder and allows perfect gas regulation.
 
What kind of propane cylinder you ask? The regulator Freund supplies fits any US made propane cylinder. The one under your gas grill. No special gas or cylinders to purchase!
Also included are a bottle of Express Solder Flux (10.8oz bottle), flux brushes and a soldering block including an ammonia stone (for cleaning and tinning your copper tip).


All of this comes in a compact Stack-On brand tool case.
To view this set, get a current price or place your order, go to our Premium Soldering Kits web page.

Product of the Week - 49.2" Wide Zinc Sheets

49.2" Wide Natural Zinc Sheets are now available exclusively from Rapid Materials!

Custom counter tops, kitchen islands and tables are often wider than standard zinc sheets offered in North America. Manufactured by VM Zinc in France per our specifications, these 0.8mm x 49.2" wide sheets offer the best coverage available in North America. Fewer joints, less soldering and cleaner, faster installations!
Our 49.2" wide sheets come in standard lengths of 120" (10'0") but can also be cut to custom lengths to suit most any project.   (email us at info@rapidmaterials.com or call 770-405-1060 M-F 8am -5pm eastern for more info).
At .8mm (.031" or 20ga) thick, this natural zinc material is the most specified thickness for countertops, bar tops, wall coverings and more.
To price and order our 49.2" wide zinc sheets, visit our 49.2" Natural Zinc Page or go to our Zinc Sheets Page to see all of our zinc sheet products.

Rapid Materials Product of the Week

SFS Standing Seam Metal Roof Panel Clips

SFS metal roofing panel clips are the standard by which all others are judged. Manufactured to exacting standards at an ISO-9001 certified facility in Pennsylvania guaranteeing that the materials and manufacturing processes are first quality.

With SFS clips you get accurately produced American made standing seam clips for a wide variety of panel profiles, including snaplock, mechanical seam (both fixed and floating) and a variety of quality bearing plates.

And the best thing about using SFS clips? No more worries about where the material was sourced and inconsistent production standards. These are the clips used by professional roofers and OEM roof panel system manufacturers across the country when they need to know that they are using the best attachment system available to ensure a safe, permanent metal roof installation.

http://www.rapidmaterials.com/pages/standing-seam-metal-roof-panel-clips-by-sfs-intec
Want more information about standing seam metal roof panel clips? With almost twenty years in the industry, David Trefzger at RapidMaterials has the answers to your questions.

New Version of RapidMaterials.com offers 25+ construction supply brands and over 10,000 products

November 12, 2015

AUSTELL, GA – Rapid Materials, Inc. is very excited to announce the newest version of RapidMaterials.com. The newly revised site features over 10,000 construction materials, supplies and tools from more than 25 brands like S-5!, Trespa^®, Freund, Rodenhouse, SFS Intec and others which the construction pro, tradesman and even the savvy DIY-er would find quite useful.

Despite the vast breadth of products available at your fingertips 24/7, what Rapid Materials customers love most about the site is access to David Trefzger – our dedicated technological expert and resource available for your project and purchasing questions via Twitter (@rapidmaterials), e-mail and phone. “Having someone like David available to assist customers is phenomenal,” said Zane S. Miller, Vice President of Miller Clapperton and supervisor of Rapid Materials. “He’s known as a go-to in the construction industry and is a trusted expert that will actually take the time to talk to you on the phone and help you figure out what you really need. He’s not there to sell you something that won’t work, he’s there to help make sure your project is a success.”

The new RapidMaterials.com is divided into three easy sections: our Product Catalog, Wall Cladding Products (like Alucobond^®, larson^® and Reynobond^®) and Products by Brand. That way you can easily get to the information you want and quickly find what you need (especially with regards to items on sale). Ordering is equally easy. Just click the blue “buy” button on the product you want, enter the quantity and you’re on your way to checkout.

“It’s important to me that people know what they’re getting and it’s going to actually help them with their project. I’m not going to sell you anything I wouldn’t buy for myself if I were in your shoes,” says David, Rapid Materials Manager. “Construction supplies in particular are hard to shop for. No one’s ever available to take your question and knowledgeably talk to you about your problem. I wanted to fix that. RapidMaterials.com gives me a way to help you do your job better and I like that.”

There’s a complete list of brands available currently on rapidmaterials.com under the “Products by Brand” section. The blog section is also a great way to keep up to date on new materials, tools and supplies now available on the site. Additionally, customers can also sign-up for the Rapid Materials e-mail newsletter – just contact David Trefzger to get added to the mailing list.

 “We are adding more and more products by the day!” said David. “I’m excited to see how many more products and brands we’ll be able to offer our customers to accommodate any of their needs, for any of their products.”

About Rapid Materials: 

A division of Miller Clapperton, Rapid Materials, Inc. is an internationally recognized online retailer of construction tools, materials and supplies for the construction pro, tradesman and DIY-er. The website features over 29 top brands and over 10,000 products, including clips-metal roof panels by SFS Intec, gutter and roof products (including copper), fall protection – anchorage systems, fasteners-screws, leader heads/conductor heads, rooftop mounting and sealing, S-5! Clamps for metal roofing, Dow-Corning sealants, snow retention snow-guards, solar mounting kits, general construction tools, zinc sheets by VMZINC, stainless steel sheets and more. Rapid Materials also has an in-house technical expert available 24/7 for purchasing and project advice. For more information and a complete list of brands sold: www.RapidMaterials.com | Twitter: @rapidmaterials | Facebook | Blog

About Miller Clapperton: 

The Miller Clapperton Partnership, Inc. is one of the largest providers of engineered facade cladding in the United States and beyond. Since its inception in 1979, Miller Clapperton has successfully completed thousands of projects in five countries (Bermuda, China, Kuwait, Mexico, and Trinidad and Tobago) and 43 states utilizing Metal Composite Material, High Pressure Laminate Phenolic Resin, and other exterior wall cladding products. For more information: www.millerclapperton.com | Twitter & Instagram: @thepanelguys | LinkedIn | Facebook

ACM Sheets Now Available From Rapid Materials

ACM SHEETS

Rapid Materials now offers a huge selection of ACM (aluminum composite material) sheet goods from the best names in the business, including Alucobond® by 3A Composites®, Reynobond® by Alcoa® and Larson® by Alucoil®.
Through our special program, folks who wouldn't normally be able to purchase these products in smaller quantities, such as sign makers and glaziers, can purchase what they need from one sheet up to ten!
That's right. Our minimum order requirement is one (1) single sheet! No more buying the farm when you only need one cow!
We offer all standard 4mm colors from our manufacturers and factory direct lead times as short as one week.
(PS: look for more colors coming to Rapid Materials soon!)

GAS STATION ACM SHEETS

In conjunction with this new program, we also supply CAP Panel™ by 3A Composites®.
CAP Panel™ is a 3mm ACM product designed specifically for service station use, with a range of colors that match most common gas station brands.
Our CAP Panel™ program is just as exciting. The minimum order is one (1) sheet, and with CAP Panel™  there is no maximum order limit!

MetalCon 2015 Top 10 Takeaways

We walked MetalCon 2015 with our coworkers at Miller-Clapperton.

Good show and lots of people to talk with and products to see.

Want to read our take on Metalcon 2015?

Our Top 10 Takeaways from Metalcon 2015

15% OFF TOOLS SALE - Limited Time Offer

15% OFF TOOL SALE. Until midnight Friday, October 9th, 2015, get 15% off on a huge selection of tools on rapidmaterials.com simply by entering discount code BL61VTGVC60DJ2 at check out!
This sale includes great tools from tool manufacturers like Malco, Midwest, Express, Freund, Rau and more!
Go to our Sale Tools Collection to view and purchase tools that qualify for this discount.

Trespa^® Meteon^® is now available from Rapid Materials at http://www.rapidmaterials.com/pages/trespa-meteon
What is Trespa^® Meteon^® you ask?
"Trespa® Meteon® is a decorative high-pressure compact laminate (HPL) with an integral surface manufactured using Trespa's unique in-house technologies, Electron Beam Curing (EBC) and Dry Forming (DF). The blend of up to 70% wood-based fibres and thermosetting resins, manufactured under high pressures and temperatures yields a highly stable, dense panel with good strength-to-weight ratio's."
Used to produce beautiful facades, Trespa^® materials have been available on the world market for almost fifty years and have evolved to become one of the highest performance products out there for exterior cladding.
Trespa^® Meteon^® can be milled to just about any shape using common wood milling tools and the results can be spectacular.

To learn more about Trespa^® Meteon^® visit our website or contact me at 770-405-1060 M-F 8am-5pm eastern, or email be at info@rapidmaterials.com.

Zambelli manufacturers some of the worlds finest half round gutter systems; their painted steel line adds aesthetics and beauty to any home or business at a cost that is more budget friendly than copper and zinc.
Available in 5", 6" and 7.6" gutter widths, Zambelli half round gutter systems are just that; a system. Every elbow, downspout , hanger and bracket is engineered to exactly match all other components in the system and with attention to the small details, like the self-sealing gasketed endcap and snap-on downspout outlet drops, this system is easy to install with basic hand tools.
Crafted from heavy gauge galvanized steel, then painted the same color inside and out (most painted gutters have a white wash-coating on the inside), Zambelli offers durable long-lasting color finishes in these colors:

*G-90 Galvanized is unpainted and will naturally develop ash gray patina over time. Galvanizing is an electroplated zinc coating for corrosion resistance.
Want a price on a complete system? Just call 770-405-1060 M-F 8am to 5pm, or email info@rapidmaterials.com.
Orders for Zambelli gutter products over $250.00 qualify for discounts as high as 50% on many components! Call and talk to me about your needs!

Its a bit of a standing joke around the office. Evidently I like snips a lot and I get pretty enthusiastic about them when someone asks.
Truthfully, I like all tools. I've always found the ingenuity that goes into creating or updating a tool fascinating. But today I want to talk a bit about snips.
The following is an excerpted from my own writings and is copyrighted, so please read it & share it, but do not reproduce it without asking first!
SNIPS
Snips are basically a scissor designed to cut sheet metal. There are as many varieties and styles as the years they’ve been in use; there have been examples of early sheet metal snips found in Roman ruins thousands of years old. Early snips didn’t have to be too strong; they were only cutting soft copper and lead. The industrial revolution saw the advent of better quality metals, thus better quality snips had to be made.
Why so many varieties? Specialization, modernization, competition.
Today there are a couple of main groups of snips readily available to the do-it-yourselfer:

1. Pattern Snips
2. Aviation Snips
3. Traditional sheet metal snips.

Pattern Snips
Pattern snips have so many varieties that it would probably take a hundred pages to review all of them. Essentially a pattern snip is a tool designed to do layout cutting in flat sheets. They can cut long straight lines, wide sweeping curves and even some tighter curves.
Pattern snips are older traditional designs that are usually manufactured of forging steel. They are available in long straight broad blade designs, bend blade designs, duckbill designs, and now, using light-weight aluminum and magnesium for the handles, offset and replaceable blade designs.



Aviation Snips
As their name suggests, aviation snips were originally created to cut the aluminum used in the construction of aircraft. With the advantage of compound leverage mechanical linkage, aviation snips have a distinct advantage over traditional sheet metal snips. Less effort is required to cut materials and some designs feature offset blades that help flow material up and away from the hand.

Traditional Sheet Metal Snips
Are just that. Traditional designs, usually of forged steel, than are available in a wide variety of shapes that are used for a variety of tasks. Essentially anything you would use an aviation snip for, you can do with a sheet metal snip, but it will take a little more work and skill. The designs have remained relatively unchanged since the beginning of the industrial revolution, but with the application of modern steel alloys for durability and strength.

Too Many Choices? What is best for metal roofing?
This really a loaded question. Most snips have some purpose when used in metal roofing applications, however what works best is pretty subjective. In other words, it really depends on the skills, needs and pocketbook of the user.
For the average do-it-yourselfer, my recommendation would be a good set of offset blade aviation snips.
Why aviation snips and why offset blades?

• Aviation snips are generally less expensive than other options
• Aviation snips can cut any sheet metal product used in a metal roof
• Aviation snips feature a compound leverage action that requires less effort to cut
• Aviation snips usually feature color coded handles so you know which way they cut
• Offset blades angle the snip and place your hand above what you are cutting
• Offset blades push the cut metal away from your hand better than regular aviation snips
• Offset blades are great for cutting curves and circles. Offsets can even cut a small 6” diameter hole in sheet metal with just a little practice

Standard aviation snip on the left. Offset aviation snip on the right. Note how the offset aviation snip’s angled blades change raise the handles above the kerf angle and away from that raw, jagged edge you just cut. Another advantage of the offset aviation snip is that you can use it to comfortably cut from below and you can turn the tool around and cut back toward yourself.
What’s with the different colored handles?
Aviation snips manufactured for the North American market have color code handles that are indicative of the expected direction of cut. All aviation snips will cut straight, however green and red handled aviation snips will cut curves much better than a yellow handled snip.
RED – Cuts Straight and LEFT
YELLOW- Cuts Straight
GREEN – Cuts straight and RIGHT
I don’t see any need for yellow handle aviation snips. I’ve known plenty of professional metal roofers and most of them don’t even own a pair.
Buy a set of red (cuts left) and green (cuts right) offset aviation snips and you’ll have everything you need. Most likely you will develop a preference for which one you prefer to cut straight with, but remember, they will both cut straight just fine.

I hope that this has helped you understand which tool works best for your application. When in doubt, call or email me. I can always be reached at 770-405-1060, or by email at info@rapidmaterials.com

Rapid Materials Store News

Great news! Since we launched the new RapidMaterials.com website, our site traffic has steadily increased. We are now in the top 9% of all stores launched at around the same time in terms of site traffic!

Swenson Shear Metal Roof Panel Cutting Tools

Rapid Materials now offers a range of great metal roof panel cutting tools from Swenson Shear including the Model 48 HD Heavy Duty Pivot Shear (48" blades), the Model 64 Hip Valley Pivot Shear (64" blades) and the hand 1 Arm Bandit (available in both 24" and 34" blade lengths) . We also carry replacement blades for all current Swenson shear models including the Model 42.

All Swenson shears feature a variety of metal roof panel blade matches, and specialty blades designed to cut hips and valleys perfectly for a professional finish fast and easy.
We also offer the Swenson SnapTable HD, a unique machine that makes the task of notching and hemming standing seam roof panels a "snap". This popular specialty machine speeds the installation of standing seam metal roof panels considerably, with consistent panel notching and bending even valley cuts and bends. As all professional metal roofers know, appearance is everything and this machine virtually eliminates call-backs and rework due to uneven panel end appearances.

Swenson Shear was founded in 1959 in the small valley town of Ceres, California, east of San Francisco and has built a reputation of manufacturing quality metal cutting tools for the professional.

48" Wide Zinc Sheets from VM Zinc

This may be just a little premature, but the work needs to get out!

VM Zinc will soon offer 48" wide x 120" 0.8mm natural zinc flat sheets for shipment from the Mesa, Arizona plant.

The 48" wide product has been in the works for sometime now and will be available for purchase around the beginning of September 2015.

This product will be available exclusively through Rapid Materials and our sister web-store buyzincsheets.com.

VMZINC is the international brand name of rolled zinc products manufactured and sold by the Building Products Unit of the Umicore group, which is specialised in materials technology.
VMZINC has developed a large range of rolled products (coils, sheets) and manufactured products.

 For more information, call me at 770-405-1060 or email david.trefzger@rapidmaterials.com

S-5! ColorGard Calculator

The S-5!® ColorGard® snow retention system is the best on the market when it comes to holding snow on metal roof systems.

The problem is knowing how much ColorGard® and components are needed to make a complete system; in the past a trained snow retention specialist was your best option. (We are factory trained. If you need our expertise, call us at 770-405-1060 or email us at tech@rapidmaterials.com)

Now you can calculate your ColorGard® snow retention requirements yourself with our easy to use online ColorGard® Calculator.

In order to use the ColorGard® Calculator, you will need the following information at hand:

• Roof Panel Info
• Brand name or style (we can help with this)
• Material: Aluminum, zinc, copper, steel (galvalume or galvanized)
• Gauge or thickness of material
• Width of roof panel (dimension from panel rib to panel rib)
• Height of panel ribs
• Length of assembly
• Length of the eave of each roof area to be protected by snow retention (If you have a straight gable roof and you want snow retention on both sides, you would have two assemblies
• Length of roof panels.
• You don't need the length of each panel, just the length of the longest panel for each roof area to be protected
• Vertical Snow Load
• This should be the "Roof Design Snow Load".
• Because many existing structures (and new ones) do not have this data, a good starting point is to find the ground snow load for your location. The ICC (International Code Council) has a snow load chart available.
• You can also contact your local municipality's building codes department and they should be able to provide you with at least the ground snow load.
• It is important to note that ground snow load does not necessarily equate to roof snow loads, and certainly not roof design snow loads. The purpose of having this information is to determine the appropriate amount of snow retention devices to keep the snow retention device from separating from the roof and/or allowing the snow to slide. It does not determine the ability of the roof structure to support the snow load. When in doubt, it is always recommended that a structural engineer be consulted to determine if the structure is sufficient to support the load requirements.
• Roof Slope
• This is the roof slope in "pitch". This is given as feet of vertical rise in 12 feet measured horizontally. (or inches of rise for 12" of horizontal run)

As always, call or email us with any questions. 770-405-1060 M-F 8am-5pm. tech@rapidmaterials

A great metal roof bending tool manufacturer - JS Designs

We are pleased to announce that we now offer a line of great metal roofing tools manufactured by JS Design of Memphis, Indiana.

For more than twenty years JS Design has been manufacturing metal roof bending tools specifically designed for the task of bending the top (ridge) and bottom (eave) of roof panels, making the job easy, fast and economical. All JS Design tools are manufactured in the USA.

To see all of the great tools we offer from JS Design visit the JS Design page on our website.

For hemming tools (eaves bending tools) visit our Eaves Bending Tools page.

For turn-up tools visit our Turn-Up Tools Page.

These tools are common sense easy to use and economically priced.

Zinc Counter Tops - Cleaning & Maintenance

A commonly asked question by potential (and current) zinc countertop owners is: how do I clean and maintain a zinc countertop?
Zinc can be cleaned with any mild household cleaner but avoid anything with ammonia, bleach or citric acids. these products can etch and damage the surface.
Realistically, the best thing to use is a mild soapy water (dish-soap) solution. After cleaning, the countertops should be wiped dry.
One thing that is often overlooked is simple maintenance. Without some sort of maintenance, zinc will develope an ashy surface and finger-prints will be very visible.
Strub oil is a light-weight specially formulated mineral oil that is designed for zinc surfaces. It keeps the surface shiny, prevent fingerprints and helps the zinc surface to patina evenly.
VM Zinc recommends that any zinc product used as a countertop surface be protected with strub oil after every cleaning.
Proper maintenance of your zinc countertops will ensure a beautiful surface for many, many years.

The Women's World Cup

The Women's World Cup sure was an exciting series of matches this year. While I am definitely a fan of the US team, I did find time to watch several other matches and enjoyed the series thoroughly.

Generally speaking, the level of play and professionalism was awesome. I think I may have enjoyed this World Cup more than the men's World Cup last year. Less drama.

The final match between the United States and Japan was exciting to say the least! 3 goals scored by the US team within the first 15 minutes with a fourth during the fifteenth! Amazing!

Congratulations to the entire US Women's National Soccer Team!

You guys are professional in every sense, exciting to watch, and generally juts plain awesome!

Fall Protection Anchorage for Metal Roofing

One of the biggest obstacles facing the metal roofer or building maintenance professional is safe access of a metal roof system during and after installation.
For the roofer, there are plenty of anchorage systems that can be used prior to roof panels and flashing being laid in place, but only a handful available after the roof is on and fewer still that can be installed and removed without damaging the paint or penetrating the roof panel.
For the maintenance pro, the challenge is having a permanent system in place that doesn't end up leaking, doesn't require repainting, doesn't rust or corrode and doesn't cost a fortune.
Problems both face: Compliance with OSHA regulations and standard of safety on the job site.
ABS Safety of Kevelaer, Germany, manufacturer of some of the finest fall protection anchorage systems in the world, has developed a complete line of anchorage products designed specifically for metal roofing applications that meets all of these needs at an affordable price.
With both single-user anchorage and continuous life-line anchorage systems available, ABS Safety products provide everything both the roofer and the maintenance pro need:

• Easy to install - no special tools required
• Can be used as temporary & permanent anchorage
• Rust free stainless steel (300 series) hardware and components, with aluminum clamps means low maintenance
• A standard fit for just about every metal roof panel system in the United States
• Tested in accordance with EN 795:2012
• Meets or exceeds:
• OSHA 1926.502
• ANSI Z3591.-2007
• Affordable pricing
• Great customer support

For more information about ABS Safety fall protection anchorage systems for metal roofing, go here:
http://www.rapidmaterials.com/pages/fall-protection-anchorage-systems-for-standing-seam-metal-roofing/?utm_source=blogger
or contact me at 770-405-1060 M-F 8am-5pm or email me at david.trefzger@rapidmaterials.com

The Real Cost of Snow Retention (Snow Guards)

Snow retention is a phrase that gets tossed around in construction and remodeling from time to time. Its a pretty simple concept: a device of some sort is mounted on a roof top to "retain" snow and keep it from sliding off of the roof.
Why go to all of the trouble and expense? Its just snow, right. Light, fluffy stuff?
Well, according to someone measures things like that for a living, the average snowflake weighs in at 0.00042 grams. That's about 0.0000148oz. In other words, it would take 270,270 snowflakes to weigh about as much as the all-beef patty on a McDonald's cheeseburger.
However. (This is a big word when used at the right time)
One cubic foot of snow loosely packed weighs about 15 pounds. Compacted it can weigh 20 pounds or more.
Think about this, a 12" wide, by 12" long by 12" thick slice of snow weighs as much as the average bowling ball. Even more.
Imagine a bowling ball being dropped 10 feet from your roof top and landing on something soft, like your dog or cat. Yuck. Well, fortunately snow tends to break apart a bit when it lands on something, but on the other hand, it also sticks together very well as it begins to slide off of your roof.
Lets put it into perspective. The average American ranch style house has about 3,000 square feet of roof area. lets say for argument's sake the roof in our discussion is a straight gable roof, so we can say half of the roof slopes to one side of the house, and half to the other.
So 1,500 square feet of roof per side. Now add a nice 6" blanket of snow all over than 1,500 square feet of roof. What do you have?
If the snow on your roof is nice and fluffy, you have a mass of snow that weighs 11,250lbs. Which can start sliding at any time. Of course your gutters will stop it from sliding, right? Oh yeah, don't forget about the plumbing vent pipes that sprout out of the roof. They'll help hold it too!
OK, so lets talk about the real cost of snow retention.

The REAL COST of Snow Retention is Not Having Any!

No, your gutters won't hold back the snow if it starts sliding. If you're lucky the damage will only be localized, but in most cases, you're going to have to have your gutters replaced the next spring.
Vent pipes? Eh. These days most are PVC. Which is brittle when cold. Which breaks under loads while cold. Call a plumber. And a roofer to replace the flashing after the plumber is done.
Car parked under the eave of the roof? Uh oh. I wonder if your auto insurance is going to cover the damage caused by an 800 pound chunk of snow falling on your car. Probably not. But the good news is that your homeowners insurance will pay if the snow sliding off of your roof damages your visitor's car. Hopefully nothing will slide off while the Christmas carolers are singing on your front steps. Or the postman is putting your mail through the door-slot. Or...well, you get the idea.

The Good News!

The good news is that you can do something to prevent all of these things from happening. By the way,metal roofing is not the only type of roofing susceptible to snow slide. This can happen on any type of roofing material or any roof. Even more so in northern climates where roofs are steeper. Note that the reason roofs are built steeper in snow country is not so the snow slides off easier, its because its structurally more resistant to heavy snow loads that remain on the roof!
The most important thing you can do is be proactive. Install a snow retention system during the warm dry months. Don't wait until snow is falling!

System Costs.

Depending on the type of snow guard or snow retention system you select, the cost can vary, but usually averages between $7.50 and $15.00 per foot. A premium 3 rail system such as the Syca ornamental snow guards may cost better than $30 per foot, but is ideal for short runs over doorways.
An S-5! Colorgard® system (designed specifically for metal roofs) is pretty darn reasonably. The average cost per foot for residential size projects using this system is around $10.50 per foot (materials only).
Both of these systems are easily installed using common hand-tools, look good and perform great.

How Do You Get Help Deciding What System to Use?

If you have a metal roof and are interested in the Colorgard® system you can use our online system finder to see what parts you will need. We suggest you contact us for assistance in determining the required quantities of parts; we can quickly and easily calculate and price complete systems (including volume discounts) for you in just a few minutes.
For any snow retention snow guard system, we can help. We can explain all of the options. We can tell you what tools you will need and how to install each and every system we sell.
Call us at 770-405-1060, Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. If we don't answer the phone, we're helping other customers, so leave a message and you will get a call back, usually within the hour. You can also email us at info@rapidmaterials.com.