The Top 8 Resources for Architects Designing for Metal Roofing
Discover the top 8 Sheffield Metals resources to help architects design durable, high-performing, and sustainable metal roofing systems.
Architects designing for metal roofing systems face a steep learning curve. The nuances of panel systems, structural and thermal performance, flashing details, and the priorities of the owner all need to be taken into account.
Sheffield Metals is a leading supplier of metal coils and sheets for the architecturally driven metal panel market. We’ve advised architects all over the country for decades and know what it takes to create impressive designs that last.
Sheffield offers an extensive suite of resources to help architects with their metal roofing projects. Below are eight of the most valuable resources.
- 1. Sheffield Metals Architect Hub
- 2. Trusted Design Support for Your Next Metal Roofing Project
- 3. AIA Continuing Education Systems (CES) Courses
- 4. SMI Document Selector
- 5. Engineered Panel Profiles
- 6. Metal Roofing Fundamentals and Design Guides
- 7. LEED Support
- 8. Product Comparisons
- Frequently-Asked Questions
1. Sheffield Metals Architect Hub
The Architect Hub is the go-to place for architects working on metal roofing designs. It’s a one-stop-shop where architects can access a comprehensive set of free resources and tools to support their designs, including:
- BIMobject integration to easily specify Sheffield Metals products
- Panel profiles listed with information on test reports, installation information, regional product approvals, and more
- Color and finish options with on-line sample ordering available
- Architect-specific articles and videos
- Contact info to Sheffield Metals Architectural Reps for consults via email, phone or virtual meetups
If you don’t know where to start, the Architect Hub is the ideal place to hit the ground running and easily find the information you need to succeed.
2. Trusted Design Support for Your Next Metal Roofing Project
Sheffield Metals has an architectural team that provides one-on-one support with our architectural reps and their decades of experience and in-depth knowledge of both standing seam metal roof systems and the entire design process. They provide advice on projects and guidance on product and material selection, performance and engineering data and direct you to any further information you may require in a most efficient, timely fashion.
3. AIA Continuing Education Systems (CES) Courses
Check out Sheffield’s AIA-CES courses that registers attendance with the AIA once you’ve completed. We offer both in-person and virtual learning sessions in hour-long segments, or 30-and 15-minute nano courses. Hour-long courses deliver 1 Learning Unit, while 30 minutes courses earn 0.5 LU and 15 minute courses earn 0.25 LU.
- Underlayment for Metal Roofing – Course Details & Registration
- Clips & Cleats for Metal Roofing – Course Details & Registration
- Galvalume vs. Galvanized – Course Details & Registration
- Metal Roofing Materials Types – Course Details & Registration
- Warranties for Metal Roofs & Walls – Course Details & Registration
4. SMI Document Selector
It’s easy to get buried in piles of documents, or worse – not be able to find the documents you need for a project. The SMI Document Selector offers a solution to that problem – easily find cutsheets based on the profile, metal, decking assembly, engineering reports, and guide specifications. You’ll have the option to download all of your relevant documents as a package or as individual files.
Visit the Sheffield Metals Architect Hub and scroll down to find the Document Selector.
5. Engineered Panel Profiles
Commercial metal roofing projects typically require weathertight warranties to back up their performance, and those warranties will require specific engineering to fulfill. Engineering refers to the testing and specific installation methods that ensure a particular roofing system can withstand even severe weather.
Sheffield Metals supports a variety of engineered panel profiles formed from New Tech Machinery rollformers with extensive testing, all listed on the Architect Hub. You can click on any of these profiles to review the signed engineering reports, (wind uplift, air and water testing, fire and hail ratings), warranties, and regional approvals.
6. Metal Roofing Fundamentals and Design Guides
Check out the Metal Roofing Learning Center for full access to articles and videos on metal roofing design. Plus, get access to our eBook on metal roof design, which goes in-depth on what you should know to design a standing seam metal roof that lasts:
Even if you’ve worked on metal roofing designs before, it never hurts to brush up on the basics. There’s a lot to know when it comes to metal roofing, from different paint coatings, metal gauges, and more nuanced topics like mixed batches of paint. Here’s a list of articles and videos to help you understand the fundamentals of metal roofing:
7. LEED Support
The standards for LEED certifications are updated regularly. Sheffield Metals makes sure to keep up with all the recent changes and provide you with the sustainability data needed to make educated decisions on your project with metal roofing. Check out these links to content on LEED and sustainability in metal roofing:
8. Product Comparisons
Sheffield Metals offers side-by-side comparisons of products, which provides several advantages:
- Provides for the architect an efficient, clear and concise tool for the substitution process
- Makes it easier to explain to clients why one system might perform better or cost more
- Helps you avoid specification conflicts or substitution surprises
- Serves as a reference when justifying decisions
At this juncture in the bidding process, time is of the essence. Our Side by Side Product Comparison is the clearest document to make the substitution process as painless as possible.
What Are Side-by-Side Comparisons for Architectural Product Substitutions?
Frequently-Asked Questions
