Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Offering multiple options in style, material and color, metal is an attractive alternative to shingles. Typically, steep-sloped roof styles are interlocking standing seam panels, exposed fastener panels or metal shingles.  Low slope roofs receive flat lock panels or standing seam panels. Standing-seam panels (above and below right) are long, narrow panels that often run the full length of the roof. These are suitable for both steep-slope or low-slope applications when machine seamed or sealant applied at the seams to ensure water-tightness.  Sheet metal panels (above left) offer a wider variety of profiles, sizes and thicknesses but are typically installed with exposed fasteners that may rust over time. Inspections require closely looking at the fasteners since they degrade at a faster rate than the panels.  Interlocking metal tiles are an attractive option however, are easily crushed if a technician walks on them.  Flat-Lock panels (below left) are ideal for low-sloped roofs because each interlocking panel is soldered creating a monolithic finished surface. 

Material options for metal roofs vary from steel to aluminum to copper or Rheinzink.  Steel typically is the least expensive with aluminum a step higher and finally copper and Rheinzink are the top of the cost scale. 

Copper and Rheinzink attract people with their natural colors and copper ages over time turning from bright to green. Color selection on steel and aluminum varies from white to dark and most manufacturers have a selection of “cool colors” that quality for Energy Star solar reflectivity criteria. Colors such as this Colonial Red roof are included even though it is not considered a light color. Solar reflectance measures the amount of solar energy immediately reflected from the surface.  Energy not deflected is absorbed by the panels and released after the sun goes down.  Cool metal roofing contributes to reducing a building’s annual energy consumption by having a lower surface temperature than dark asphalt roofs.  Buildings designed with correct amounts of insulation and ventilation further trims down the heat gain into the attic or living space below the roof. 

The eco-friendly benefits of metal include longevity, rainwater harvesting, and potential for solar panel attachment.  As a testament to the lifespan of a metal roof, this Nashville residence, built in 1931, has the original 5,000-square-foot standing-seam roof  that we have coated at least three times.  Coatings extend the life of the roof an additional 10-15 years depending on maintenance. 

Metal is the most commonly used surface to collect rainwater due to reduced algae, mold, moss or pathogens.  Steep-sloped metal roofs have a slicker surface making it harder for dust and debris to remain on the surface.  This makes annual cleaning unnecessary.  Metal roofs have a “collection efficiency” of about 95% while asphalt roofs average 85%.  Copper roofs do present a concern if you are intending to drink the harvested water, test to be sure that the copper levels are not too high.  All rainwater should be filtered and possibly tested for lead and other contaminants prior to use as drinking water.  For additional information on rainwater harvesting check out Brad Lancaster’s site.

Solar panels or photovoltaics (PV) convert sunlight to electricity.  Lightweight and flexible, amorphous silicon PV systems can be produced in a thin film able to be adhered between the ribs of standing-seam roofs.  Integrating into the design of the building while silently transferring energy without the boxy look traditional solar panels.  Serving as both roofing and energy provider can offer savings in electricity, reduction of fossil fuel use while adding architectural interest to the building.

Recapping, having a metal roof offers many benefits to homeowners and building owners: Longevity, solar reflectivity and PV conversion, rainwater collection, aesthetic, style and material options to fit the building. 

Wanting more information?

• Cool Metal Roofing.org
• The Metal Initiative.com
• Metal Roofing Alliance.com
• eco-home.com

Eddie Leonard, Architectural Sheet Metal Superintendent

Eddie Leonard,

Architectural Sheet Metal Superintendent,

Eddie’s sheet metal knowledge extends over 18 years with RD Herbert.  He spent 4 years as a sheet metal apprentice through the Local Sheet Metal Union # 177.  As crew journeyman for 7 years, he gained experience with quality control, workmanship and managing personalities. These skills translated to his current position of Architectural Sheet Metal Superintendent which he’s held for 5 years.

His general duties include scheduling sheet metal crews, organization and management of labor force, employment and dismissals of workers, training new apprentices, monitoring job-site safety, quality of workmanship, and warranty requirements, and maintaining and replacing necessary equipment and tools.

Achievements & Associations:

• OSHA 30 Certified
• CPR Certified

Feel free to contact him:

• 615-394-1905
• eleonard@rdherbert.com

Eddie Leonard's Card

• Plate: at least 3/16 inch thick and over 10 inches wide.  

Finishes:

Scale Not Removed

Blast Cleaned

Cleaned & Pickled

Surface Cleaned & Polished

• Hot-Rolled Or Cold-Rolled & Annealed, Scale Not Removed is specified for heat resisting applications or as an intermediate finish. Scale gives the plate a dark non-uniform appearance. When scale is visible, surface chromium has been lost, and this reduces the stainless steel’s corrosion resistance. Residual scale is not a concern for high temperature applications, but it should be removed if the stainless steel plate is to be used for an application where corrosion resistance is important.
• Hot-Rolled Or Cold-Rolled, Annealed, Blast Cleaned plate has a dull, gray appearance. After rolling, the coil is heat treated to produce a uniform microstructure (annealing) and to meet mechanical property requirements. Blast cleaning to remove scale is typically done with carbon steel shot, which can leave steel embedded in the surface. This is an intermediate finish that is purchased when there will be further processing, such as machining, that will change the finish appearance.
• Hot-Rolled or Cold-Rolled, Annealed, Abrasive Cleaned & Pickled is a dull silver gray finish. Finish uniformity varies with plate thickness and thicker sections have a less uniform appearance. There may also be shiny areas if surface defects are removed by grinding. It is the most commonly specified plate finish and it is used for applications where corrosion resistance is important and for heat resisting applications.
• Hot-Rolled or Cold-Rolled & Annealed or Heat Treated & Surface Cleaned & Polished is generally finished in the same grit range as a No. 3 or No. 4 polished sheet or strip. It is characterized by short, parallel polishing lines, which extend uniformly along the length of the plate. It is obtained by mechanically polishing with gradually finer abrasives. The final finish is generally between 80- and 150-grit but may be finer if specified.

Photos and information sourced from: SSINA: Specialty Steel Industry of North America.  Visit their site for additional information on this product.

Copper is available in 16, 20, 32 & 48 oz thicknesses.  Typical sheet width is 48”x120”  Most of our copper products can have a patina finish applied including a matte or gloss clear coat.  Please note each piece of copper ‘takes’ patina differently. No two copper items ever turn out exactly the same.  Each copper item, when completed, ends up with a patina that is in a range of color tones (from lighter to darker). Patina coloration is influenced by material, temperature, and by the individual patina mixture. The combination of these three elements that ultimately dictates the product’s final color and tone. This guarantees you always receive an original unique item.  Be aware that different lighting will make the copper look lighter or darker.

Copper Facts: antimicrobial, bio-static, recyclable, and the USA is self-sufficient in copper production.

Finishes:

Bright Mill	Light Antique	Medium Antique	Dark Antique
Non Directional Sanded	Directional Texture	Hammered

• Bright Mill: new penny color people associate with copper.  Due to the material’s natural ability to patina, or age, over time a clear gloss coat is required to maintain this color.
• Light Antique Finish: slightly browner than the bright mill finish, close to a cinnamon color.  The sanding or hammering processes (outlined below) can be added to the finishes to further define the copper.
• Medium Antique Finish: mid-brown color ranging from a red undertone to burnt ocher.  The sanding or hammering processes (outlined below) can be added to the finishes to further define the copper.
• Dark Antique Finish: dark brown color leaning toward a mahogany or dark chocolate.  With this darker finish, less patina or ageing will happen after installation. The sanding or hammering processes (outlined below) can be added to the finishes to further define the copper.
• *Non Directional Sanding  produced using an orbital sander to create an overall mottled appearance.
• *Directional Texture is characterized by parallel polishing lines, which extend uniformly along the length of the piece. It is  obtained by either mechanically polishing with gradually finer abrasives.  There are six standard variations available: fine satin, medium satin, coarse satin, uniform, hand rubbed and brushed.
• *Hammered copper varies based on closeness of the hammer strokes, size of the hammer and force used during the process.

View our projects to see these finishes.

Additional information available: Copper.org.  Visit their site for additional information on this product.

Commercial

Carlisle EPDM Roof @ Black Fox Elementary School – Murfreesboro, TN	Carlisle TPO Roof @ Montgomery Central High School – Cunningham, TN	Duro-Last PVC Roof @ GracePointe Church – Franklin, TN
Carlisle EPDM Roof @ MTSU College of Education & Behavioral Science – Murfreesboro, TN	Carlisle EPDM Roof @ Central Wastewater Treatment Plant – Nashville, TN	Carlisle TPO Roof @ 100 Oaks Mall: VUMC Medical Center – Nashville, TN

Residential

Carlisle TPO Roof @Carlisle EPDM Roof @ Swift Road Residence – Greenbrier, TN

Duro-Last PVC Roof @ GracePointe Church – Franklin, TN

Green Roof

Carlisle EPDM Roof @ RD Herbert & Sons Building – Nashville, TN

Carlisle TPO Roof @ Hillsboro Road Residence – Nashville, TN

Daniel Kelly, Chief Estimator

Daniel Kelly,

Chief Estimator,

Daniel is the senior estimator at RD Herbert & Sons, overseeing and quoting projects of various sizes.  His experience in the industry spans twenty-one years with knowledge of roofing, waterproofing, sheet metal and other building envelope specialties. Past activities include volunteer work, various product fabrication and installation, and project management.  He worked as a laborer then managed a field crew before moving up into project management and estimating.  Perspective and understanding of the installation side of a job is invaluable when preparing budgets and scheduling.  Daniel’s skills are utilized on a wide variety of  building types including industrial, commercial, residential, government and environmental.

Daily job duties include sales and estimating, design and specification, supervision, approving submittals and work orders and developing and maintaining new and existing relationships with building owners, homeowners and General Contractors.

Feel free to contact him:

• 615-405-3806
• dkelly@rdherbert.com

Daniel Kelly's Card

• Sheet: less than 3/16 inch thick and at least 24 inches wide.  
• Strip: cold-rolled material that is less than 24 inches wide and has a thickness of 3/16 inch or less.

Finishes:

No. 1 Finish	No. 2B Finish	No. 2D Finish	Bright Annealed
No. 3 Finish	No. 4 Finish	No. 7 Finish	No. 8 Finish

• No. 1 Finish has rough, dull, and non-uniform appearance. There may be shiny spots where surface imperfections were removed by grinding. It is generally used in industrial applications, such as equipment for elevated temperature service.
• No. 2B Finish is a bright cold-rolled finish.  The final light cold rolling pass is done using polished rolls, producing a more reflective finish that resembles a cloudy mirror. Finish reflectivity can vary from manufacturer-to-manufacturer and coil-to-coil with some coils looking quite mirror-like and others being fairly dull. No. 2B is a general purpose cold-rolled finish commonly used for all but exceptionally difficult deep drawing applications.
• No. 2D Finish is a uniform, dull silver-gray finish.   Pickling or descaling is necessary after heat treatment to remove the chromium depleted dark surface layer and restore corrosion resistance. Pickling can be the final step in production of this finish, but, when finish uniformity and/or flatness are important, there is a subsequent final light cold rolling pass (skin pass) through dull rolls.
• Bright Annealed (BA or 2BA) is produced by heat-treating (annealing) in a controlled atmosphere furnace. It has a mirror like appearance but may have some cloudiness and other imperfections. A finish that is designated “BA” has only been bright annealed. A finish that is designated “2BA” has been bright annealed and then passed between highly polished rolls. Bright annealed stainless is sometimes buffed to attain a more mirror-like finish.
• No. 3 Finish is characterized by short, relatively coarse, parallel polishing lines, which extend uniformly along the length of the coil. It is obtained by either mechanically polishing with gradually finer abrasives or by passing the coil through special rolls, which press a pattern into the surface that simulates the appearance of mechanical abrasion. It is a moderately reflective finish. If a fabricator blends in welds, the resulting polishing lines are usually longer than on product polished by a producer.
• No. 4 Finish is characterized by short, parallel polishing lines, which extend uniformly along the length of the coil. It is obtained by mechanically polishing a No. 3 finish with gradually finer abrasives. This general-purpose finish is widely used for restaurant and kitchen equipment, storefronts and food processing and dairy equipment. If a fabricator blends in welds, the resulting polishing lines are usually longer than on product polished by a producer.
• No. 7 Finish has a high degree of reflectivity and a mirror-like appearance. A No. 4 finish that has been polished to 320-grit is buffed for up to 10 minutes but existing grit lines are not removed. The remnants of fine polishing lines can generally seen by an observer standing several feet from a panel.
• No. 8 Finish is the most reflective polished finish that is covered by the ASTM standards. It is produced in the same manner as the No. 7 finish except that the buffing is continued for an additional five to ten minutes. In comparison to a No. 7 finish, the grit lines are much less visible, but they can be seen if the finish is examined closely. The resulting finish is mirror-like but not a perfect mirror.
• TR (Temper Rolled) Finish is specified when higher than normal mechanical properties are desired. Different temper levels are available (1/16 Hard, 1/8 Hard, 1/4 Hard, 1/2 Hard, 3/4 hard, Full Hard). These levels are defined by the yield and tensile strengths and elongation. Temper rolling is typically done on polished rolls and it produces a fairly smooth reflective finish.

Photos and information sourced from: SSINA: Specialty Steel Industry of North America.  Visit their site for additional information on this product.

Steve Righter: Estimator

Steve Righter,

Roofing Estimator,

Over the last thirty years, Steve held many titles including roofing installer, foreman and estimator.  He also owned his own roofing business for twenty-three years in Chattanooga prior to joining our firm as an estimator in 2007.  He has a Bachelors of Religious Education from Tennessee Temple University.

His overall estimating duties include sales and estimating, design and specification, supervision, approving submittals and work orders and developing and maintaining new and existing relationships with building owners, homeowners and General Contractors.

Achievements & Associations:

• Tennessee Residential Building License-2004
• Continuing Education Credit for Building License.
• CPR Certified

Feel free to contact him:

• 615-394-1902
• srighter@rdherbert.com

Steve Righter Card

Some manufacturers allow you to design your house (or one similar) with the shingles of your choice and color.

Changing Colors

• Certainteed
• Owens Corning
• GAF 
• DECRA Stone Coated Steel
• Englert Metal Roofs

Find your perfect shingles to match the style of your home or you:

• GAF Shingle Style Guide
• Owens Corning Color Compass Guide

Or just browse through colors, styles and materials for inspiration.

• Tamko Photo Gallery
• Vande Hey Raleigh Tile Gallery
• The Roof Tile & Slate Company
• Ludowici Roof Tile 
• Gerard Stone Coated Steel 
• Pac-Clad Metal Roofs
• Una-Clad Metal Roofs & Wall Panels