2021 has so far been an unprecedented year for us in the metal building industry. As pandemic restrictions ease and the economy and construction rebounds, demand for steel has soared. However, steel is in increasingly short supply in the United States.
A simpler, more efficient alternative to traditional low-slope roofs
Unfilled orders for steel in the last quarter were at the highest level in five years, while inventories were near a 3 1/2-year low, according to data from the Census Bureau. The North American steel market is in turmoil with prices skyrocketing threefold for hot-rolled coil from pandemic lows (Bloomberg, April 27, 2021). The benchmark price for hot-rolled steel hit $1,176/ton recently, its highest level in at least 13 years.
Soaring prices are driving up costs and squeezing profits at steel-consuming manufacturers. This creates a ripple effect with price increases and extended lead times eventually hitting contractors and installers, delaying jobs and cutting into profits after what was a particularly difficult year for the commercial construction industry.
Metal builders, roofers and erectors must now look away from outdated construction methods if they are to stay ahead of the herd and weather crises such as steel shortages in the future. For example, insulated roof decks are proving to be a simpler, more efficient alternative to traditional low-slope roofs.
Efficient Alternative
An independent study was conducted comparing insulated roof decks with more traditional low-slope roof construction methods by utilizing a performance rubric intended to represent the systems’ intrinsic ability to avoid construction cost overruns and delays. Requiring fewer steps to assemble, it was found that insulated roof decks saved installers vital labor time and, critically in the current climate, has the benefit of being a single-source supply rather than from multiple suppliers.
Labor time savings are possible due to the greater spans achieved by insulated roof decks, thus, requiring fewer steel joists to install. Insulated metal roof decks also require far less fasteners to install. According to the study, construction utilizing insulated roof decks needed approximately 15,000 fasteners to install as opposed to double the amount required for the traditional low-slope roofs.
The simplicity of insulated metal roof deck systems cannot be understated, being composed of only two basic components compared to upwards of a half dozen components for traditional roofing systems. Crucially however, insulated roof decks eliminate the need entirely for steel B-decks. With current steel lead times being long and uncertain, a simplified system is proving to be the next step forward for contractors and roofers.
Matt Nance is business development manager-OneDek at All Weather Insulated Panels, Vacaville, Calif. To learn more, call (919) 348-7483 or visit www.powerofonedek.com.
Labor time savings are possible due to the greater spans achieved by insulated roof decks, thus, requiring fewer steel joists to install
