By Jenny Yu.  

At IRE, Carlisle Architectural Metals shares how metal material performance, design and resilience are shaping the future. 

At the 2026 International Roofing Expo, Heidi J. Ellsworth met with Mike Weis, vice president of sales for Carlisle Architectural Metals (CAM). CAM brings together five established metal brands under one umbrella. “CAM is comprised of five different brands. Five different metal brands,” Mike explained. “Petersen Aluminum Corporation (PAC), Drexel Metals, Metal-Era, Hickman Edge Systems and Citadel Architectural Products.” While CAM serves as the parent organization, Mike emphasized that each brand maintains its own identity. “We are still very brand focused because every one of the brands provides its own value and has its own niche and its own market focus.” 

With over 25 years working in the industry, Mike has witnessed the exponential rise of metal in the roofing industry firsthand. “The significance of it is substantial,” Mike stated. “You can talk about sustainability, performance, visual aesthetics, design solutions, ease of install, longevity of product — so many reasons why metal has become more impactful to the architectural industry.” 

One of the main factors driving the accelerated adoption of metal is the extreme weather taking place nationwide, from fires on the west coast to hurricanes on the east coast. “If you think about Florida down in the southeast, all that hurricane work, you have to design a structure that can withstand that,” Mike said. He added that rigorous testing remains critical, noting, “That’s why testing is so important. We’re always going to invest in testing and always try to make sure that we’re helping create a safe building, that we’re providing a safe solution.” 

Along with impressive durability and weather-resistant properties, with metal, you don’t have to sacrifice design and aesthetics for performance. “There’s this new digital print technology that’s out there,” Mike explained. “You can create wood grains, you can create marble-looking finishes, you can produce a weathering aspect. Architects are really driving this. They like to make sure they're maintaining the original design intent of some of these buildings. You can do so many things with metal.” 

As contractors move beyond traditional roofing into full building envelope solutions, Mike emphasized that metal is here to stay. “Metal is going to continue to grow,” Mike said. “Carlisle is investing in the right way, and we’re proud to be a part of it.” 

Watch the interview to learn more about how CAM is helping lead the industry into the realm of metal.

By Jenny Yu.  

In a time of market uncertainty, this company unites five leading brands to fuel momentum across its architectural metals portfolio. 

In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Karen Edwards spoke with Carlisle Architectural Metals’ (CAM) Vice President of Growth, Brad Van Dam, about the latest trends in the industry and how contractors can stay competitive in both commercial and residential roofing. The CAM portfolio brings together some of the most established and trusted brands in the metals industry, including Hickman Edge Systems, Metal-Era, Drexel Metals, PAC-Clad Petersen and Citadel Architectural Products, with roughly 17 facilities across the United States. 

“It's really cool to see CAM putting the effort into growing these five brands and the overall architectural metals group,” Brad shared. “I’m very proud to be a part of that. My job is to grow it as the vice president of growth. I like to say, my job title is not vice president of decline. So, how do we get it going, regardless of what the market is doing and all the craziness around us? How do we continue to grow this business and grow for our people and our culture?” 

This growth is anchored in the appeal and performance of metal. “It hits on a lot of the key points that are important in the market — sustainability, durability, ease of installation,” Brad said. “Aesthetically, people like the look of metal. It’s clean, it’s sleek, it’s newer, it really gives you that feel of something unique and strong.” 

Brad acknowledged that market uncertainty, from tariffs to interest rates, continues to shape the behaviors and decisions in the industry, or what Brad calls “the pulse.” Yet, he maintained that those challenges have also opened new opportunities. “Data centers, large warehouses, some multifamily — those segments have done better during this uneasy market — really have shined for a lot of contractors. Those veins of strength add a lot of momentum,” he stated. 

From CAM’s perspective, their mission remains clear. “It’s full steam ahead,” Brad said. “How do we help customers? How do we focus on the customer? What are the ways that we can bring more value to those we’re dealing with?” 

Listen to the podcast to learn more about how CAM is meeting the shifting needs of an evolving roofing market. 

By Dani Sheehan. 

OneDek delivered big on cost, speed and simplicity in this Pittsburgh business park project. 

Located just three miles from Pittsburgh International Airport, Chapman Westport is a 300-acre Class A business park that includes light manufacturing, distribution, flex and retail space and more. For a recent 100,000-square-foot built-out within the development, the project team needed a roofing system that could reduce complexity and streamline the construction timeline. Using OneDek from All Weather Insulated Panels, Robert Brate of Nationwide Steel Works, the installer on the project, shared, “We were able to install the structural deck and insulation in one shot, which helped us complete the installation in roughly six weeks.” 

A smarter way to build low-slope roofs 

The project used four-inch OneDek RD1 Panels paired with a Cooley 60 mil fully adhered TPO membrane, 40-5/12 diaphragm shear fastening and Metal-Era edge metal. The integrated nature of the OneDek system meant fewer materials, fewer installation steps and less labor on site. 

Unlike traditional roofing methods that require multiple components – decking, vapor barrier, rigid insulation and cover board – OneDek combines all of that into a single, high-performance panel. That means fewer trades involved in project planning, less coordination and a faster path to project completion. “OneDek is a great new product and better overall low-slope roof system for installers and building owners,” Robert added. “We were excited about being part of the OneDek project and look forward to more OneDek project installations in the future.” 

Thanks to the efficiencies built into the OneDek system, the project saw a 15% reduction in steel framing costs, which translated to substantial savings on materials. Just as importantly, the project team cut 13 weeks off their materials procurement lead time. 

Built for contractors, backed by performance 

OneDek simplifies the process without compromising performance. With projects like Chapman Westport proving its value in the field, OneDek is quickly becoming a popular solution for commercial low-slope roofing and helping contractors stand out from their competition. 

Original image source: All Weather Insulated Panels

By Hickman Edge Systems, a part of Carlisle Companies Incorporated.

Learn how TerminEdge EX and TerminEdge EX MB have been engineered to provide maximum wind protection.

The first line of defense between a roof and the elements is the building’s edge metal. This is the part of the roof that protects from weather conditions like strong winds, driving rain and heavy snow. In addition to being crucial to the structural integrity of a building, edge metal is also a huge factor in the aesthetic appearance of a building.  

It was with these two needs in mind that the engineers at Hickman, a Carlisle brand, created the TerminEdge EX and TerminEdge EX MB fascias. These two products provide top-of-the-line protection and performance along with attractive aesthetics. If you are looking for a sleek and strong solution to safeguard a roof and those beneath it, TerminEdge EX and TerminEdge EX MB are a great choice.

Efficient installation  

TerminEdge EX and TerminEdge EX MB both feature simple applications via a full snap-on design with a patented extruded aluminum bar, reducing installation time.  

• No stripping-in or heat-welding typical with other systems for overall productivity savings.
• Prefabricated miters and accessories eliminate the need for field fabrication, further speeding up completion.
• Product is provided in 12'-0" lengths with pre-punched holes for a quicker process.
• All anchor bar EPDM splice plates and fasteners are included, lowering material cost.
• The extruded anchor bar can be removed, cleaned and reinstalled at any time without compromising its strength and appearance.

Quality materials

TerminEdge EX and TerminEdge EX MB come in a range of materials and sizes to fit your project specifications.

TerminEdge EX

• Cover materials: 24 ga. or 22 ga. steel and .040” aluminum
• Standard sizes: 4”, 5.5”, 7” 8.5”

TerminEdge EX MB

• Cover materials: 24 ga. or 22 ga. steel and .040” aluminum
• Standard sizes: 5.5”, 7” 8.5”

These dependable products carry a 215 MPH Lifetime Wind Warranty are designed to meet the highest industry standards:

• ANSI/SPRI/FM 4435/ES-1 tested to comply with International Building Code.
• Factory Mutual approved for wind uplift protection.
• Miami-Dade approved to comply with Florida Building Code.

Original article and photo source: Hickman Edge Systems

By Emma Peterson.

This product is not a nail gun and isn't always made of wood, so what is it?

In today’s industry, there are a wide variety of materials available, from the more traditional wood to metals and metal composites. In this new episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Karen Edwards sat down with Eric Younkin, leader of the product and engineered services team for Carlisle Architectural Metals (CAM) to talk about wood nailers, their role in securing the building envelope and what they can be made of. As the lead of the product and engineered service team, Eric is not only in charge of product development, but he also works with the development of product codes and testing.

Being in that position gives him a great perspective on products’ entire lifecycles, from development to how they work in the field. One example of this is his work with Carlisle’s wood nailers. He explained briefly what these are, sharing, “Wood nailers, some might refer to it as blocking, are used wherever we're going to have a termination of the roof system.” In general, this is used around the edge of the roof, but it can also be used internally around hatches and other things. These nailers are installed there to act as the foundation of the rest of the wall or roofing system. Eric elaborated, “Historically, these wood components allow you to build up the insulation equal to the height of the wood and allows for securement of both the roofing membrane and more importantly the edge securement, so the metal edge, whether that be a drip edge or some type of fascia.” In short, wood nailers are key to keeping a roof secure during severe weather.

As the name might reveal, these nailers were traditionally made out of wood. But, in today’s world of new materials, is wood still the best option? Eric explained that there are benefits and disadvantages, sharing, “Wood is time tested, it's been around and we’ve seen that it works well. But there are some cons. We have the question of do I use pressure treated or treated wood lumber or not... You also get a lot of warping, they're just not straight. So that becomes a pain as well when installing.” In an effort to address some of these challenges that come with working with wood, there has been a development of nailers made of galvanized or extruded metal.  

Read the transcript or Listen to the full episode to learn more about these metal nailer options and the benefits that they bring.

By Metal-Era.

Metal-Era provided the High Museum of Art with a new perimeter edge metal system that maintained its modern aesthetics.

Contemporary and clean are the words often associated with the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia. The roof of the High Museum of Art features an edge metal system that was recently in need of replacement. Keeping up its artistic appearance was a crucial aspect of the project. Guided by the architect, it became essential to prioritize the aesthetics of the replacement to ensure it remained as uniform to the prior version as possible. Metal-Era, the leading authority on – and manufacturer of – edge metal systems, provided unique advantages.

To achieve these design guidelines, custom coping was mandatory. The safety railing around the perimeter introduced a great deal of variance in the lengths required for a tight fit between its posts, and numerous field cuts to adjust on site risked inconsistent, rough edges. Fortunately, the contractor on the project knew that Metal-Era's Regional Technical Sales (RTS) team offers complimentary measurements with a reputation for ensuring precision.

Metal-Era's RTS wingman’s careful, accurate work saved the contractor hundreds of field cuts in addition to the time and labor required to perform them. To preserve the original profile, two custom styles were manufactured: a radius coping as well as a standard flat coping that had a hem overhang that aligned seamlessly behind existing panels. More than 20 different lengths, from 26-48”, were created to cover the parapets between the safety fence’s posts with no more than a quarter inch of clearance on either side. The perimeter underneath the skylights also had little space for error, but the custom profile radius coping snapped perfectly into place.

Even given the complexity of the project, the installation was plug and play with no hiccups. With Metal-Era's support, the result successfully achieved the goals of the project. The aesthetics at the High Museum of Art – or at least those of its roof edge system – are ensured for many years to come.

Original article source: Metal-Era

By Hickman Edge Systems.

Find the balance between beauty and function with these unique and customizable coping solutions!

Coping is a crucial part of a roof system; in fact, the International Building Code specifies that the parapet walls on roofs are required to be caped because, without coping, water can infiltrate the interior, with the potential of causing extensive damage.

However, just because coping is necessary to the function of the roof does not mean it cannot also offer aesthetic benefits. PermaSnap Premier and PermaSnap Premier Plus Coping by Hickman Edge Systems are sleek products that complement your project’s appearance. Both are designed to work in a variety of situations, coming in standard or custom colors and finishes. They combine everything you could want — functionality, design and quality — into easy-to-install solutions.  

Painless installation

• Simple, snap-on design requires no crimping for overall productivity savings.
• Provided in 12'-0" lengths for ease of installation.
• Prefabricated miters and accessories to prevent need for field fabrication, reducing labor costs.
• Pre-punched slotted fastening holes to ensure proper attachment, thermal movement and a quicker process.
• Corrosion-resistant, stainless-steel springs attached to anchor clips provide long-term, positive spring loading, increasing product lifespan.

Superior materials

Both coping products are ANSI/SPRI/FM 4435/ES-1 tested to comply with International Building Code and carry an industry-leading manufacturer wind warranty. PermaSnap Premier and PermaSnap Premier Plus come in a variety of materials and customized sizes to suit your needs. Check out the table to the right to see some of these options!

Express, standard and premium options

Express, standard and premium colors and finishes are available to meet your job requirements, with a 30-year Kynar 500® finish warranty on coil-coated standard colors. Check out Hickman Edge System’s Color Chart for all of their offerings (Note: custom colors are also available).

Original article and photo source: Hickman Edge Systems

By Metal-Era.  

Keep your building projects up to code by choosing the right ventilation solution.

There are several measurements necessary to select the correct products for building projects in need of a ventilation system. Each project will have different building code requirements that need to be met with precision. Several calculators provided by Metal-Era can help calculate the required specifications to ensure your project is developed smoothly and is current with code.  

A balanced ventilation system

A balanced ventilation system is vital to the longevity of your roof and building. Every inch of exhaust air requires an equal or greater amount of air intake. Intake and exhaust vents should be installed with equal amounts of net free area (NFA). NFA is the amount of total unobstructed area that will allow air to enter or exhaust a vent system.

Building code requirements (commercial versus residential)

Commercial and residential building code requirements are similar; however, commercial buildings are usually much larger and require a greater amount of ventilation.

The calculation needed for an attic ventilation system determines the amount of air space.

(af/300) x 144/LF= Inches2 of NFA/LF

(This calculation needs to be run once for the LF of eave and again for the LF of ridge)

af = Attic Floor Square Footage

LF = Lineal Feet of Eave or Ridge (run calc separately for eave & ridge)

NFA = Net Free Area

Note: Based on the 1/300 rule for attic ventilation. For more conservative results based on the 1/150 rule, multiple the results by 2.

Metal-Era offers great resources to help you with your calculations for your attic ventilation requirements…

Attic Ventilation Calculator

Metal-Era's Attic Ventilation Calculator will help you calculate the NFA for your project and the necessary vent width for your ridge vents or vented fascia products. Enter either the square feet of attic space or the NFA that your project requires and the vented eave and ridge length.

Vented Nailbase Calculator

When there is no attic space to ventilate, there are some unique challenges to establish a balanced ventilation system. The 1/300 rule does not apply here. For nailbase ventilation systems, you need an air gap between 1-2 inches. The overall idea of the vented nailbase system is to exhaust the same amount of air you are taking in.

Metal-Era's Vented Nailbase Calculator can help you determine the proper air gap, which provides benefits no matter the region of your building:

• In cold regions, the right air gap and insulation R-value will prevent ice damming. In other words, on the graph of the calculator results, you do not want a blue limit of effectiveness line, as this could create damming.
• In warm regions, the right air gap and insulation R-value will keep your roof cooler to prevent your shingles from curling and prolong the life of your roof.

Metal-Era’s calculator accounts for the R-value of insulation and slope or the roof that affects how fast the air exhausts. Your air gap and R-value of insulation can be adjusted to create the proper ventilation to get a balanced roof system/cool roof system (preventing ice dams).

Metal-Era has sloped roof ventilation products for a wide variety of room types, backed industry-leading wind and ventilation warranties.

Examples:

• If you have a 10 ft. length and you take in 12 NFA per foot (1” Ridge Opening)
• 120 square inches of air/NFA exhaust through ridge (1:1 eave to ridge ratio – this would be a single pitched roof)
• 5 ft. ridge length you still need to exhaust 120 NFA (2” Ridge Opening) (2:1 eave to ridge ratio – this would be a roof that has pitch on both sides, typically a gable roof)

Original article source: Metal-Era

By Metal Era. 

Discover why proper ventilation is crucial for maintaining roof longevity and energy efficiency in varying climates. 

Promoting a sustainable and energy efficient building can be accomplished with the right ventilation. This also prolongs the life of the roof system by reducing the difference between the outside temperature and attic air temperature. Metal-Era outlines the benefits of proper ventilation in supporting your sustainability needs. 

Benefits in warm regions 

In warm regions, during the dog days (and months!) of summer, proper ventilation on your building will help keep the roof cool, ultimately extending its lifespan. Keeping your roof cool is important, as excess heat can cause shingles to curl and deteriorate. 

Example (Fig. 1): Without proper ventilation, the left side of the attic is heating up to roughly 140 degrees, causing the roof sheathing to be 170 degrees. Meanwhile, the right side has a solid ventilation setup in place, resulting in the attic being roughly 25 degrees cooler while helping prevent premature shingle deterioration. 

Studies conducted by Oak Ridge National Laboratories found that ventilation can reduce the heat gain through the roof assembly up to 45% when compared to an unvented system. 

Benefits in cold regions 

In cold regions and/or during winter months, proper ventilation helps minimize the temperature differential between the attic and the outside air (Fig. 2), thus reducing the risk of moisture buildup that can cause rust and corrosion in metal roofs, insulation damage, and mold/mildew. 

One of the biggest benefits of proper ventilation is preventing freezing/thaw cycles that cause ice dams. There are three key elements to preventing ice dams: 

1 – Proper insulation: see the U.S. Department of Energy recommended R-values for each region. 

2 – Proper ventilation 

3 – Use of ice and water shields 

Proper insulation 

The U.S. Department of Energy has specific recommendations to properly insulate a building based on the climate, type of heating and cooling system, and the part of the building you plan to ventilate. 

Proper ventilation at-a-glance 

Proper ventilation minimizes the temperature differential between the attic and outside air. 

This prevents freeze/thaw cycles that cause ice dams by bringing in outside air at the eave and exhausting it at the ridge. 

Original article source: Metal-Era 

By Metal-Era. 

ANSI/SPRI GT-1 testing sets industry standard for gutter systems to make commercial roofs more secure in the wake of high winds 

After two years of development led by the Single Ply Roofing Industry group (SPRI), ANSI/SPRI GT-1 became an official testing standard for gutter systems in 2016. The intention was to make low slope, commercial roof systems more secure. The ANSI/SPRI GT-1 standard improves the security of commercial roofs by creating standardized testing and performance measures for the gutters that secure load-bearing membranes. Metal-Era’s own Vice President of Growth, Brad Van Dam, participated in the committee process approving this standard. Since its standardization in 2016, ANSI/SPRI GT-1 was approved and included as a part of the International Building Code, beginning in the 2021 edition. Read on to learn the details about this standard and what it means today! 

Is it required now? 

ANSI/SPRI GT-1 is vital and – as states adopt the latest building code – increasing required throughout the United States. Though each state controls their building code, there are 21 states that already require ANSI/SPRI GT-1 testing as part of their building code, with four others requiring it at local levels as of October 2024. As other states look to follow, there is wisdom in getting ahead of the changes before it is required by your building code.  

Download a copy of the ANSI/SPRI GT-1 standard from SPRI. 

Where is it located in IBC? 

Like the ANSI/SPRI/FM 4435/ES-1 testing standard for edge metal systems, the ANSI/SPRI GT-1 for gutter systems is in Chapter 15 of International Building Code (Section 1504.5.1). 

“Gutters that are used to secure the perimeter edge of the roof membrane on low-slope (less than 2:12 slope) built-up, modified bitumen and single-ply roofs, shall be designed, constructed and installed to resist wind loads in accordance with Section 1609 and shall be tested in accordance with Test Methods G-1 and G-2 of SPRI GT-1.” 

What's at stake? 

When Hurricane Matthew devastated many portions of Florida, countless businesses and homeowners were faced with damages. In just one example, a 7,000 square foot large box retail building saw substantial damage from 80-90 MPH winds. The cause of the damage was most likely from a loose gutter and/or flashing, which led to the roof covering peeling back. Proper gutter/flashing securement would have resulted in no loss. Instead, the retail store was hit with a $70,000 Repair Cost claim, $1.7 million Content Cost claim and $1.75 million Business Interruption claim, for a total $3.52 million claim paid per insurance. (Source: RICOWI Presentation Slides March 2019) 

How to meet ANSI/SPRI GT-1 requirements? 

With tested gutter solutions sized for every application, Metal-Era can help you understand the ANSI/SPRI GT-1 Standard and update your low slope membrane gutter specifications. Available now, ANSI/SPRI GT-1 approved and backed by a 30-Year, 160 MPH Wind Warranty, Seal-Tite WR Gutter is your go-to solution from 5.25 - 7.75" and Seal-Tite XL Gutter is your XL solution from 8 - 14". 

Also, take advantage of Metal-Era's Gutter Calculator, which not only determines design pressures for ANSI/SPRI GT-1, but also calculates the size of the gutter required for specific projects. 

Original article and photo source: Metal-Era