The Metal Construction Association is an organization of manufacturers and suppliers whose metal products are used in structures throughout the world. Since it was formed in 1983, MCA has focused on one key strategy - to promote the use of metal in the building envelope through marketing, education, and action on public policies that affect metal’s use. MCA’s marketing and technical activities create awareness of metal, its applications, and its benefits. MCA also works to eliminate barriers to metal’s use in construction by supporting product performance testing, initiating research, and monitoring and responding to codes and regulations that affect metal.

These well-established activities help educate building owners, designers, installers, educators and those who determine relevant codes and standards. The result – more metal products are chosen for a broader scope of projects. MCA is a volunteer-led organization with much of the work achieved through strong leadership by its board of directors and member-driven MCA councils and committees. MCA hosts two meetings a year and welcome all industry professionals to attend. These meetings will give you an opportunity to learn about all the innitiatives we MCA is working on to help promote metal in construction. Work of the association continues throughout the year via a third-party management team and ongoing communication between board, council and committee groups. This is achieved via phone conferences, Webinars, as well as committee and council meetings as needed.

Visit our website.

MCA Design Awards

INNOVATION & INSPIRATION

This program is a great opportunity to get your products in front of the design community and to build awareness on product-diversity. Award recipients and winning projects will be promoted on the MCA website, press releases, and on social media. Photos of the winning projects and award submissions will be on display at METALCON in Atlanta.  

Submit your project now! Deadline to submit is May 10, 2024.

SUBMIT A PROJECT

MCA Summer Meeting

Speakers

Darcy Bien — Partners in Change

Darcy Bien has more than 20 years of experience helping hundreds of companies with her team-based approaches and time-tested process helping companies build actionable strategies.

She is the Director at Partners in Change, LLC, a Cincinnati-based strategic consulting firm and has also partnered with the Dayton-based consulting firm, Aileron, since 2010, to support their strategic planning initiatives. Prior to that, she was the National Partnership Director of the National Speaking of Women’s Health Foundation, where she developed new partner sales processes and created long-term partner strategies.

Darcy holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Her career started at Procter & Gamble, where she spent five years cultivating operational, team development, and risk management. As a business solutions consultant, she completed a process improvement sales initiative for Bayer Plastics and a supply chain management project for Johnson Wax Professional.

Alan Scott - Director of Sustainability, FAIA, LEED Fellow, LEED Ap BD+C, O+M, CEM, WELL-AP, at Intertek.

Alan Scott, FAIA, LEED Fellow, is a registered architect and sustainability practitioner with over 35 years of experience and lifelong commitment to the environment. Since 2000—as the 13th LEED AP—Alan has creatively applied his skills as a facilitator, consultant, project director, and teacher in support of high-performance, sustainable built environment projects in North and South America. His project work focuses on boosting new and existing building performance, decarbonization, occupant wellness and resilience. Alan served on the LEED Faculty for over eight years, delivering full-day LEED workshops, and he has also presented dozens of conferences, workshops and webinars on numerous topics related to sustainable communities, high-performance buildings, healthy building, and resilience to audiences on three continents. Alan currently serves as Vice-chair of the USGBC Resilience Working Group, and as a member of the USGBC LEED Environmental Quality Technical Advisory Group and the AIA Resilience and Adaptation Advisory Group. He is a regular contributor to Metal Architecture magazine.

Allison Lundberg - Digital Marketing Strategist, Americaneagle.com

Allison will speak after the Market Development presentation. “Managing the Modern Marketing Team: Understanding Personalities and Achieving Goals”. With data always at your fingertips and new technologies arising every day, it’s difficult to know how to manage the everchanging team. In this session, Allison will address melding personality styles, implementing data measurement strategies, and achieving omni channel excellence. Teams need to be working collectively to achieve the goals of your business, so let’s dive into how to communicate and achieve them!!

Paul Trombitas

Register for the MCA 2024 Summer Meeting.

NFPA 285 - The Critical Test for Exterior Wall Assemblies

Why NFPA-285? Fire Safety is an important responsibility of the building designer and owner.  Even if individual elements of a wall assembly are not combustable, the assembly must be tested.

NFPA-285 is an important test that measures for vertical and lateral flame spread of the geometry and layers in a wall panel. It's the closest test to real world application in the US. 

Engineering judgements and Engineering Evaluations based on NFPA-285 are important part of building code compliance and provide a cost-efficient way to apply the code. Below on the right are links to three technical papers to help in designing your wall assemblies to meet NFPA-285.

What assemblies need to comply? Metal wall assemblies containing:

• MCM panel cladding system
• Insulated Metal Panel (IMP) cladding system
• Metal panels using combustible insulation
• Any wall system that contains a combustible component (beyond a limited class of WRB)

Why is testing the wall assembly important?

• Changing one component can affect results
• Adding components can affect results
• Removing a component can affect results
• Assemblies cannot exceed the tested air gap if combustibles are present (WRB. Foam, Cladding)
• Joint sizing –width and depth considerations can affect compliance
• Joint location, window header and free air cavity are important and can affect flame spread
• Adding fire blocking (NYCBC) can assists in complaince

Read the White Papers and Technical Bulletins.

Environmental Benefits of Metal

The LEED® rating system recognizes and certifies sustainable buildings.

In addition to the general New Construction standard, the current LEED version applies to the Core and Shell Building Development, Schools, Retail, Data Centers, Warehouses & Distribution Centers, Hospitality, and Healthcare.

All of these categories are excellent candidates for metal buildings, with LEED credits and certification to be earned at the certified, silver, gold, or platinum levels. With many green advantages over other materials, metal can:

• reduce energy consumption
• improve air quality and thermal comfort
• help comply with energy codes
• minimize environmental impacts
• get recycled indefinitely

Cradle to Cradle: this term refers to design standards for creating products that model the view of natural materials as nutrients circulating in healthy, safe metabolisms. Metal meets these requirements.

Recyclability: metal is the only known construction material that can be recycled and repurposed indefinitely. Any excess or scrap metals, particularly steel and aluminum, are readily and easily recyclable.

Sustainable Sites: shop-fabricated metal components reduce on-site labor, cycle time, and construction waste. A 2,000 square foot residence framed in steel produces less than 2% leftover material, all of which can be recycled, compared to wood framing with 20% waste going to a landfill.

Energy Efficiency: metal buildings offer effective insulation, reduced air leakage, and high-performance windows and doors. A metal roof can also be the ideal base to support solar panels. All of these factors can be used to earn LEED points.

Indoor Environmental Quality: metal components are shop painted; any volatile compounds are controlled at the factory, not released at the jobsite. Daylighting and exterior views can also be easily incorporated into a metal building design to earn LEED credits.

Read the White Papers and Face Sheets.

Qualifying Snow Retention Systems for Metal Roofing

Metal roofs provide durable, long-term solutions and have been preferred by many for use in challenging northern and alpine climates where snow and its migration on and from the rooftop is a normal occurrence. 

Such climates can pose unique challenges for any roof.  Pitched roofs of a material that has a slippery surface can pose sliding snow and ice hazards below eaves. 

In many instances, snow retention systems are installed on these roof types in order to reduce the risk of sudden rooftop avalanche and mitigate the hazards present in the discharge areas below the eaves.  

All snow-guard systems represent a load chain to transfer the sliding forces of snow into the building structure.  For proper design, each link in this chain must be proven to withstand the forces to which it will be exposed. 

This is not guesswork, but a combination of testing, science, mathematics and quality control.  Proper design begins with prudent and adequate testing and/or engineering of each link in the chain, followed by the science and math to apply these results to any given project.  

Read the full report.

Oil Canning in Metal Roof and Metal Wall Systems

Many uncontrollable factors contribute to oil-canning and no panel manufacturer, fabricator, or installer can assure the total prevention of oil canning on any given project. With careful attention to the production, material selection, panel design, and installation practice, the tendency for oil canning can be minimized.

Oil Canning can be defined as visible waviness in the flat areas of metal roofing and metal wall panels. In technical terms, oil canning is referred to as elastic buckling (more commonly known as “stress wrinkling”). Oil canning can occur in any type of metal panels: steel, aluminum, zinc, or copper. For purposes here, all four terms shall be considered synonymous: Waviness, elastic buckling, stress wrinkling and oil canning. The degree of waviness can be difficult to measure, but may be visually apparent, especially under specific lighting conditions. 

Read the full report.

Test Method for Wind Load Resistance of Metal Roof Flashings

This test method evaluates the wind load resistance of flashings to be installed at the roof perimeter and roof plan transitions of metal roof systems by testing the flashing and its attachment to the supporting structure using line loads. In significant wind events, failure frequently begins at the flashing attachment at the roof edge, e.g.  eaves and gables, and at roof plane transitions with a reflex angle, e.g. hips and ridges.  This test method is intended to determine the capacity of these flashings to withstand the anticipated wind loads. 

For direct-fastened faces less than 4 inches (100 mm) it is anticipated that the mode of failure will be fastener pull-out; therefore, testing of faces less than 4 inches (100 mm) is not required. Fasteners used to direct-fasten faces less than 4 inches (100 mm) must have adequate pull-out resistance for the design loads. For cleated faces less than 2 inches (50 mm) the design loads  will yield a line load that is too low to allow for a significantly meaningful series of test cycles; therefore, testing is not required for flashing with faces less than 2 inches (50 mm).   

Watch the video and read the full report.

Submit a METALCON Live! Webinar Idea

MCA members and leaders, it's time to submit your proposals for METALCON Live! webinars to be presented in 2024. Each webinar needs to be 60 minutes (including any question-and-answer time). They are presented live from 1 to 2 pm ET Wednesdays. Think about industry topics you or someone at your company or in your council have expertise on to create a presentation plan for submission. You'll need to specify who will present the material (ideally someone who can educate, engage, inspire and speak in ways that enhance the attendees' knowledge and experience).

For interest, consider using a variety of delivery formats, such as case studies, panel discussions, product comparison, opposing viewpoints, or tips and tricks for processes. Education must meet AIA credit requirements, so sales pitches cannot be accepted. Special consideration will be given to courses that could meet AIA HSW credit requirements. PSMJ, our METALCON Live! partner, will assist in securing AIA approval for your presentation.

Submissions will be reviewed and considered by METALCON staff. If the presentation is accepted, staff will contact you to schedule a presentation time that fits into the existing schedule and your presenters' availability.

Submit a webinar idea today!

Save the date for the 2024 METALCON!

This is the only show dedicated to the use of metal in construction and design returns to one of the world’s most exciting cities. Join us at the Georgia World Congress Center - Oct. 30th - Nov. 1st for METALCON 2024!

Attend METALCON to advance your knowledge and skills, making your business more competitive, efficient and profitable. This is the the largest international event in the metal construction and design industry. Established in 1991, it’s the only annual tradeshow and conference devoted exclusively to the application of metal in the building envelope. Designed for contractors, architects, developers, owners, fabricators, manufacturers, suppliers and distributors from 45+ countries, this event brings them together to explore the latest products, solutions, opportunities and innovations related to the use of metal in design and construction.

With its dynamic exhibit hall, interactive education and access to the Who’s Who of the metal construction and design industry, attendees count on METALCON to deliver the innovations, solutions, tools and expertise they need to turbocharge their businesses through the application of metal. Whether you are a building owner, installer, contractor, architect or specifier seasoned in the application of metal, or just beginning your exploration, METALCON will prepare you to put the latest applications, solutions and products for commercial and residential roofing, wall applications and more in action!

Add it to your calendar today!

MCA Launches New Scholarship Program

MCA is launching a new program to provide scholarships to MCA member companies' employees and employees' spouses, children, and grandchildren.

Applications for scholarships are due February 1, and recipients will be announced May 1st. Recipients will be selected by the scholarship committee with acceptance determined by a written essay, which will include the applicant's goals and how the scholarship will impact them, as well as, transcripts, personal references and extracurricular activities.

This is the program's inaugural year, and MCA is soliciting donations to fund scholarships this year and in future years. Email scholarship@metalconstruction.org to learn about donating to this worthy cause.

Learn more about MCA scholarships.

National Frame Builder Magazine

The NFBA's official publication, National Frame Builder Magazine, is member-driven, peer-reviewed, and contains the latest industry news as well as up-to-date information regarding the efforts of the NFBA Board and Committees. We hope you'll find this bi-monthly publication to be a reflection of the value created when representatives from all aspects of the industry come together.

Check Out the latest issue of the National Frame Builder Magazine!

Download the MCA App!

Connect with peers and stay up-to-date on MCA initiatives promoting the use of metal in construction. Also learn about the latest technical research, events, and newtwork with industry leaders!

Download on the App Store
Download on Google Play

Experience the Power of MCA

MCA is dedicated to expanding the use of metal in the building envelope. Our members include companies throughout the supply chain that collaborate on initiatives to promote the use of metal in construction. Our research is shared with industry professionals and architects to educate them on best practices for installation, sustainability, and creative uses for metal in construction.    

Joining MCA makes you a part of the conversation and ensures you and your company are at the forefront of important decisions about the use of metal in construction. MCA members enjoy a range of benefits. Join us to enhance your knowledge, build your network, increase your brand exposure, and amplify your voice in the industry. 

 Top Reasons To Join:

• Network with industry professionals.
• Expand your knowledge and expertise.
• Stay informed about current technology, codes, standards, and sustainability issues.
• Participate in collaborative research to ensure your company sector is represented when making important decisions.

View the 2022 Annual Report.

Become a member today!

Above Sheathing Ventilation: The Forgotten Cool Roof

ASV is the concept of ventilating the air space between the roof cladding material, the roof deck, and subassembly. This allows the roof cladding temperature to be closer to the outdoor ambient temperature and reduces heat gain passing through the insulation during summertime scenarios. 

• Roofs experience much higher temperature fluctuations than any other surface

• Higher than ambient during sunny days, by 50°F or more

• Lower than ambient during dry, cloudless nights by 10-20°F 

• Ventilation mitigates this effect

• Decouples thermal connection between panel and insulation

• Always works to push roof temperature toward ambient outdoor temperature

• Ventilation may be natural, forced, or throttled • Solar gain drives ASV; the higher the solar gain, the more air flows through the cavity

Read the full report today!

Metal Core Laminated Panels Used as Exterior Cladding

The International Building Code (IBC) has identified and provided a dedicated section for Metal Composite Material (MCM) panels since its original publication in 2000. (Section 1406). 

Manufacturers of laminated panel materials made with an aluminum core sometimes claim compliance with the requirements for non-combustible material as defined in IBC Section 703.3 (2021) through an exception originally written to address the paper facing on gypsum wallboard. This exception is not intended for materials laminated together with a combustible adhesive layer and an aluminum core. 

This has been addressed by an approved addition to the 2024 IBC, Section 1402.8, which recognizes that there is a certain level of exposure when combustible adhesives are used in exterior wall cladding. This new section requires that metal laminate panels used greater than 40 feet above grade must meet the same performance requirements and successfully be tested to NFPA 285 the same as required for MCM panels. 

Read the full report today!

Online Education

MCA Metal University is the industry’s definitive source for information and education about metal roofs and metal wall panels. We offer an abundance of resources for building decision makers, including educational seminars and webinars to white papers, manuals and other technical resources.

Find the right resources for you.

Get your products certified & Raise the Roof!

Paint Systems & Roofing Products, Differentiate your company from the competition! Certification is available for metal roofing products through the Metal Construction Association (MCA) Metal Roofing Certification Program. The Metal Roofing Certification Program is open to paint & coatings companies, roofing product manufacturers, coil processors and roll formers. It applies to base metal as well as paint finishes and granular coatings.

With the confidence and credibilIty that comes with certification, you'll be able to assist contractors and consumers alike in choosing the right metal roof for their needs. Selecting products from a certified paint and coating manufacturer ensures the durability of a newly installed roof.

Apply today!

Latest Contests and Games

Get Recognized! Enter MCA Design Awards

INNOVATION & INSPIRATION This program is a great opportunity to get your products in front of the design community and to build awareness on product-diversity. Award recipients and winning projects will be promoted on the MCA website, press releases, and on social media. Photos of the winning projects and award submissions ...
View Contest or Game

Latest Awards

Get Recognized! Enter MCA Design Awards

INNOVATION & INSPIRATION This program is a great opportunity to get your products in front of the design community and to build awareness on product-diversity. Award recipients and winning projects will be promoted on the MCA website, press releases, and on social media. Photos of the winning projects and award submissions ...
View Award

Latest Scholarships

MCA Launches New Scholarship Program

MCA is launching a new program to provide scholarships to MCA member companies' employees and employees' spouses, children and grandchildren. Applications for scholarships are due February 1, and recipients will be announced May 1. Recipients will be selected by the scholarship committee with acceptance determined by a written essay, which will ...
View Scholarship

Latest International Content

Trade Association Coalition Announces Q3 Findings From Market Index Survey for Reroofing

A coalition of industry trade associations representing contractors, consultants and manufacturers in the U.S. and Canada has completed its Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing for the third quarter of 2023. The survey is an industrywide effort spearheaded by a coalition of trade assocations, including the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, Canadian ...
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Latest Canada Content

Trade Association Coalition Announces Q3 Findings From Market Index Survey for Reroofing

A coalition of industry trade associations representing contractors, consultants and manufacturers in the U.S. and Canada has completed its Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing for the third quarter of 2023. The survey is an industrywide effort spearheaded by a coalition of trade assocations, including the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, Canadian ...
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Latest Podcasts

Jeff Henry - Look Who is Turning 40 – Metal Construction Association!

S1:E15 Heidi J. Ellsworth visits with Metal Construction Association (MCA) Executive Director Jeff Henry about their 40th anniversary. The MCA is well-known for their activism with promoting the use of metal along with technical and specification work to help the overall installation performance of metal products. They will talk about the ...
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Renee Ramey - Inside METALCON 2021

S3:E63 You won’t want to miss this Roofing Road Trip as Heidi travels to Tampa, Florida for the 2021 METALCON show! With in-person events making a comeback, Heidi takes the opportunity to chat with Renee Ramey on the METALCON floor! In this special podcast, the two discuss the hottest products in ...
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METALCONLive! Presents: Build Back Better! - Listen On-Demand

METALCON Live is your online weekly business boosting broadcast that connects you with other metal construction company owners, contractors, fabricators, suppliers and experts for the strategies that enable us all to BUILD BACK BETTER. With the COVID-19 crisis, the metal construction industry faces a new challenge every week, so METALCON Live! ...
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Latest Webinars

BEST PRACTICES – GENERAL MAINTENANCE ON METAL FORMING EQUIPMENT MACHINERY

The Metal Forming Equipment Council (MFEC)/Rollformer Council has partnered with a collaboration of machinery OEMs to provide a structured outline of the benefits of proper general maintenance schedules for machinery. Fabricating accurate and aesthetically acceptable metal trim and panels is essential to the success and efforts of many other supply ...
Watch the Webinar

Forging the Future: Exploring the Dynamic Intersection of Metal and Design

Join our expert panelists as they explore cutting-edge advancements in metal construction and its role in shaping the future of building design. Discover how advanced technologies, such as solar-integrated metal panels, reflective coatings, insulated metal panels, and above sheathing ventilation (ASV) systems, are revolutionizing sustainability, energy efficiency, and aesthetics in ...
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METALCON LIVE Residential Re-Roofing with Metal

Join Todd Miller of Isaiah Industries as he shares information on residential re-roofing with metal. Residential has the largest share of the roofing market. For many years, metal has been outpacing other materials in terms of growth. This seminar digs into what contractors and architects both need to know in order ...
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Read Listen Watch - Educational Content

The Importance of Associations in the Metal Industry and How to Get Involved

In this MetalTalk, Karen Edwards visits with Jeff Henry of Metal Construction Association (MCA) to discuss what is coming up in metal construction overall in 2024. They talk about the upcoming year along with the importance of being a member of an organization/association like MCA. Best practices are also a ...
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Buy Online

A partner to the downloadable MCA Metal Roof Installation Manual, this exam is broken up into 20 chapters with approximately 10 questions per chapter. The exam’s “Save and Resume” feature is enabled for the participant’s convenience. Each question addresses the installation of metal roofing material and related accessories and ...
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Latest Videos

Episode 98 - IRE just around the corner, new RLWs and Coffee Convos, Malco Building Pro of the Year

Join Heidi and Karen every Friday to learn about the latest roofing news. The 98th episode of The Weekly Blend is here! Join the Coffee Shops’ President Heidi J. Ellsworth and COO Karen L. Edwards every week for the latest episode of this Coffee Shop original web series. Heidi and Karen discuss ...
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Episode 69 of The Weekly Blend is Here!

Join Heidi and Karen every Friday for The Weekly Blend to get the latest news in the roofing industry. Episode 69 of The Weekly Blend is here! Join the Coffee Shops’ President Heidi J. Ellsworth and COO Karen L. Edwards for this latest episode of our original web series. This week, Heidi ...
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Episode 67 - Celebrating CRRC's 25th Anniversary, Upcoming NRCA Leadership Conference, Discussing Labor Shortage

Join Heidi and Karen every Friday for The Weekly Blend to learn the latest news in the roofing industry. Episode 67 of The Weekly Blend is here! Join the Coffee Shops’ President Heidi J. Ellsworth and COO Karen L. Edwards for the latest episode of the Coffee Shop original web series. On ...
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