By S-5! 

Complete S-5! ColorGard system offers medical home engineered safety that blends in beautifully with the roof.  

The project 

Award-winning Dr. D. Holmes Morton of Strasburg, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, created a medical model, which began when he and his wife, Caroline, developed the non-profit framework and community organization that became a pediatric clinic for children with rare, inherited disorders prevalent among the Plain people – mostly of the Amish and Mennonite churches – who live in rural communities, usually far from health centers and who have knowledge of genetic disorders. 

Their newest clinic in Belleville called the Central Pennsylvania Clinic, a medical home for special children and adults, also a non-profit, is a family practice that sees patients of all ages who suffer from rare, genetic disorders. Before the clinic opened, more than 500 patients, with nearly 100 genetic diseases, traveled two to five hours for comprehensive pediatric care. 

The clinic provides care and services on three floors: Main level – main entrance; reception; office and waiting room; exam rooms; a treatment and procedure room; phlebotomy room; a patient, family, doctor consult room; staff conference room; and staff offices. Lower level – biochemical and molecular laboratories; dental office; physical and occupational therapy rooms; hearing and vision labs; and staff offices. Upper level – meeting room for medical and community gatherings; kitchen; workspaces for students, doctors and nurses in-training; and a genetic and medical library. 

In true Amish fashion, the community organized a committee, put people in charge, assigned tasks and got it done. The project was a labor of love with materials and labor donated along with cash donations. The facility features a Kynar charcoal gray 24-gauge standing seam metal roof with the S-5!’s ColorGard® snow retention system. Kyfus Metals Sales used New Tech Machinery’s portable panel forming machine to rollform E.B. Martin Roofing’s and A.B. Martin Roofing’s steel on site. 

The challenge 

Along with determining an aesthetic solution to blend in with the beautiful scenic surroundings of this hilly rural community, the various roof contours and pitches of the roof presented a challenge for installers to determine precise snow loads. Additionally, the clinic anticipated much foot traffic and wanted to ensure a strong, long-lasting snow retention system to protect the pedestrian traffic going in and out of this busy Amish clinic. 

Another challenge was the coordination of the roof project since it was a community project involving donations from many local businesses. The siding and trim work had to be constructed precisely to receive the metal roof panels. It was critical for all components to be compatible with this standing seam roof where everything would lock together in place. And, it was important to the roof installers to do it the right way®.  

The solution 

Fisher’s Roofing utilized the complete S-5!® ColorGard system, including the S-5-S™ Clamp, VersaClip™ and SnowClip™ II. Together, the snow retention solution provided the aesthetics they were seeking since the ColorGard system offered perfect color and finish-matching designed to last the life of the roof.  And, it offered the fully tested and engineered safety they needed to protect patrons from sliding snow off the new metal roof.  

E. B. Martin Roofing based in Upstate New York donated the steel along with local metal roofing company, A.B. Martin Roofing. Other local businesses including Kyfus Metal Sales donated their time and equipment to rollform the steel on-site, and Fisher’s Roofing donated their time to install the roof and complete snow retention system. The result was a beautiful roof and facility that would serve the community for years to come. 

Project team 

Architect: Henry Architecture and Design 

General contractor: Sunset Construction 

Roofing contractor: Fisher’s Roofing 

Steel supplier: A.B. Martin Roofing & E.B. Martin Roofing 

Roll former: Kyfus Metals Sales 

Snow guards: S-5! 

Roof stats

• Roof profile: 24-gauge,19.5 panel, Kynar charcoal gray standing seam metal roof 

• Roof measurement: Approximately 12,000 square feet 

• Roof pitch: 4:12 

S-5! mounting products supplied

• ColorGard® (26) 

• S-5-S™ Clamp (130) 

• VersaClip™ (130) 

• SnowClip™ II (64) 

Learn more about S-5 in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.S-5.com. 

By Cass Jacoby, RCS Reporter. 

The new and improved S-5! manufacturing facility is good for the company and the community, providing more job opportunities in Iowa Park, Texas. 

Recently, S-5! celebrated its new 20,000+ square foot expansion project with a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house event. The company purchased the local abandoned Walmart building, salvaging the space and bringing in more job opportunities to local residents. 

When COVID-19 first hit, many companies were forced to lay off workers and cut back on production, but S-5! saw an opportunity for growth and began hiring and expanding. Rob Haddock, the founder of S-5!, reports that no one was laid off during the first two years of COVID, but rather, they have hired additional employees. And S-5! is looking to hire even more people as they continue to expand. 

S-5! Vice President of Manufacturing, Harry Carner said, “Finally being able to finish the addition to their facility is long overdue.” 

“It’s a big relief to have this additional space and not be packed like a bunch of sardines due to  both the growth of the company and the lack of storage space and  manufacturing space,” continued Harry. 

“We hire many residents in the area who have...very little job experience and put them to work and train them and teach them the craft.  This expansion gives people within the community the ability to be upwardly mobile,” Rob told local news channel 6, KAUZ. 

The ribbon cutting event was about sharing the good the company is doing with the community. Iowa Park Economic Development Director, David Owen told Texas HomePage the facility is “a great addition to the city of Iowa Park.” 

“We have been successful here, and I think we have helped this community grow because of it,” Harry told KAUZ. “Those folks on the floor understand why we make our parts, how they are used and why they have to be good parts. They want to do a good job; they put their name on every box of parts that goes out the door.” 

Rob says they are happy to bring life to an old building and new opportunities to the community. “We’re glad to have the opportunity to show folks in the area what we do here, and they can be proud of having our company here in Iowa Park,” Rob told Texas HomePage. 

This ribbon cutting marks a win for both the community and the company. 

Learn more about S-5! in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.S-5.com. 

Photo Credit: Texas HomePage

By Evelyn Witterholt, RCS Reporter. 

Solar expert, Mark Gies breaks down how solar is more accessible and why metal roofs are the best place to mount solar panels. 

With the solar industry growing rapidly over the course of the last decade, more and more roofing contractors are looking for ways to offer solar services to potential clients. We recently sat down with Mark Gies, director of solar business at S-5!, who gave us the inside scoop about the growth of the industry and how S-5! can help contractors looking to get into solar. 

Mark has worked in the solar industry for a dozen years, but for the last two years, he has been working with S-5! There, he’s been helping them make their products more innovative and durable for all kinds of metal roofs. 

“A metal roof is really the best place to mount solar,” Mark says. “The main reason for that is the durability of a metal roof. A metal roof can last 60-70 years or more and a solar asset is 30-35 plus years. To put that asset on a roof that may only last 15 years or so is a mismatch.” 

S-5! offers metal roof attachment systems that are rigorously tested to be highly durable and last the full life of the solar — and roof. Mark explained to us that their solar mounting systems are not one size fits all, but each one is designed to perform the best for a specific metal roof profile. That way, no matter what kind of roof you have, you’ll know that the clamp (or bracket) you get is exactly the one you need — at a cost savings. 

But S-5!  does not just sell you a solar mounting product or metal roof attachment and leave you unsure of what to do with it. They help their customers every step of the way to ensure their products are engineered for the specific roof profile and used to their most cost effectiveness, all things considered.  

“I've hosted webinars that people can watch on-demand that talk about our rail-less, direct-attach system,” Mark tells us. “We are always on the phone with our customers. We really do spend a lot of time providing support.” He also states that whoever you speak to on the support line is an expert in the field, and they will get you the answers you need. 

Solar used to seem like an inaccessible option, economically speaking. But Mark tells us that it is more accessible to consumers and contractors than ever before. He likens the solar industry to the computer industry. Before, you’d have to spend thousands of dollars to get a decent computer, but now you only need to spend a couple hundred. 

Mark states that a decade ago, “We'd put solar on your roof and in 10-12 years, it would be paid for... Now, it's like, I'll put this on your roof and three years from now it's going to be paid for, and from then on it's free power for the next 30 years.” 

With solar panels now being mandated on new construction homes in California, Mark believes that it’s worth it for metal roof contractors to start offering solar services. And S-5! can help them every step of the way. 

Learn more about S-5! in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.S-5.com.

By Evelyn Witterholt, RCS Reporter. 

With the solar roofing industry growing by the minute, here are some advancements to consider recommending to clients. 

When solar roofing first became commercially available in the 2000s, it seemed too expensive or inaccessible to the common consumer. Nowadays, it is not only more appealing to homeowners for environmental reasons, but it’s more financially feasible as well. According to Scientific American, financial incentives such as tax credits from the government and lowered installation costs in certain states have made solar roofing become more popular over the years. 

Many contracting companies or roofing manufacturers are hopping aboard the solar roof train. For those in solar roofing or who want to get into the industry, here are a few trends to keep an eye out for: 

Metal solar roofs 

The growth of metal roofing is undeniable and naturally there’s some overlap with solar roofing. Homeowners looking to get the most out of their roofs will do well to combine the durability of metal and the energy-efficiency of solar. Metal roofing contractors should pay attention to the rise of solar panels and consider offering customers the chance to optimize their metal roof with solar panels. 

For metal roofing contractors who do want to install solar panels on their roofs, consider the solar panel mounting systems that S-5!  offers. Their PVKIT® solar mount system for metal roofing is great because it can attach directly to the rails built into metal roofs. Because of this feature, it reduces the weight of the mounting system and the cost of materials. 

Affordable solar roofing systems 

As stated earlier, the financial incentives of solar roofing have attracted many potential buyers. But some still may find it to be an unattainable investment option. Not every customer will be able to afford to turn every shingle of their roof into solar. This doesn’t mean that they have no options. 

As a contractor, you can communicate with customers that affordable solar roof systems are out there. This Apollo® II solar system from CertainTeed gives customers the option of a cost-effective solar roof panel system that is still durable. You can also highlight the incentives available to them, such as the 26% federal investment tax credit (ITC). 

Solar roofing shingles 

Roofs made entirely out of solar shingles are also on the rise. Last year, we covered the solar roof made completely out of solar shingles from Tesla. Improvements in these shingles make it so that the solar roofs still look like any other roof, rather than having an obvious solar panel on top of an existing roof that could bother some customers. While these are a bit more costly, some customers prefer the curb appeal the solar shingles provide. 

Stay up to date with the latest roofing industry news when you sign up for the RCS Week in Roofing e-news. 

Photo credit: CertainTeed

By Heidi J. Ellsworth, RCS President. 

Attendees will experience networking, educational opportunities, fun events and great speakers. 

Those who are attending the 2022 IIBEC International Convention and Trade Show will experience some of the best networking, education and hospitality in the roofing industry. The conference will welcome building enclosure professionals from across North America to the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida March 17 – 22, 2022. 

“Our 2021 convention, which took place in September, was a success, but we’re pleased to be holding our 2022 convention at the normal time in the spring,” said Brian Pallasch, executive vice president and chief executive officer at IIBEC. “IIBEC members are looking forward to the networking, educational opportunities and great speakers that make our international convention and trade show the premier event for building enclosure consultants and industry professionals.” 

“Exhibitors are excited to be returning to in-person events like the 2022 IIBEC International Convention and Trade Show,” said Karen McElroy, vice president of events at IIBEC. “We know the strong interest we’re seeing among exhibitors will be matched by the interest in their products and services among the building enclosure professionals who will attend the trade show.” 

Several RoofersCoffeeShop partners will be at the show including: 

1. Duro-Last 819 

2. SOPREMA 713 

3. EVERROOF 417 

4. FlashCo 908 

5. Metal-Era 332 

6. S-5! 626 

7. Sika 600, 601 

8. Western Colloid 514 

9. Leister 110 

10. ATAS International 411 

11. CertainTeed  821 

12. IB Roof Systems 229 

13. Johns Manville  201 

14. Master Builders Solutions  518 

15. ROCKWOOL  501 

16. Roof Hugger 415 

17. National Women in Roofing (NWiR)  113 

18. Nations Roof 106 

19. National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) 316 

20. Single Ply Roofing Institute (SPRI) 215 

In addition, Johns Manville will be hosting a hospitality event to celebrate their 50th Bursi Anniversary on March 18, 2022, from 7:15 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. at Conway Room, Rosen Shingle Creek Resort. There will be cocktails and appetizers served during the reception. They are excited to celebrate their 50th Anniversary for the BURSI Program and would love to hear any stories attendees may have to share from attending past BURSI events. Be sure to RSVP here. 

According to IIBEC, the education will be off the charts, “Those looking to boost their continuing education hours (CEHs) at the show will earn 2.0 CEHs for spending up to four hours on the trade show floor and 3.0 CEHs for spending more than four hours at the trade show. The convention also includes more than 17 hours of live, in-person educational seminars. Kicking off the educational content on Friday, March 18 is an auxiliary seminar, “Florida’s High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) Product-Approval Process,” presented in three sections: the history of the Florida Building Code’s HVHZ section; Miami-Dade product-control requirements for fenestration and cladding components and systems; and Miami-Dade product-control requirements for roofing components and systems.” 

The opening general session will feature Duncan Wardle, founder of iD8 & innov8, who will share how he created magical consumer experiences while head of innovation and creativity at Disney, and how his unique Design Thinking process can help embed a culture of innovation into today’s workforce. 

Whether you are already attending or still thinking about attending, there is time to register and make a great plan for the 2022 IIBEC International Convention and Trade Show. Simply visit their website for full event details. 

Learn more about IIBEC in their RoofersCoffeeShop Directory or visit iibec.org

Rob Haddock talks about sharing the knowledge on metal roofs in his Metal Roofing A to Z class, and the importance of being a lifelong learner in this industry.  

Editor's note: The following is the transcript of an interview with Rob Haddock, the founder and CEO of S-5! You can read the interview below or watch the recorded livestream. 

Karen Edwards: Hello, and welcome to the Roofers Coffee Shop sound stage at the 2022 International Roofing Expo in New Orleans. I'm Karen Edwards, your host for the week, and I'm really excited to be joined by Rob Haddock from S-5! Welcome. 

Rob Haddock: Well, thank you very much, Karen. Thanks for having me and hello to everybody who is here or not here. 

Karen Edwards: Or not here. Right. And that's why we're doing these videos because there are some people that couldn't make it. So we want to bring a little bit of taste of the show to those who maybe couldn't be here. 

Rob Haddock: Sure. Great. I'm sure everybody's glad you're doing this. 

Karen Edwards: Oh, yeah. It's fun. Because if you can't be here for whatever reason you can follow along. And that's what we like. Tell us, for who might not know what S-5! does. 

Rob Haddock: S-5! is a technology and a product family that is all aimed at making it easy and prudent to mount things to metal roofs, especially standing seam roofs, but also face attached roofs in prudent ways that last the life of the roof and are engineered and certified to be what we claim they are. 

Karen Edwards: Wonderful. And I know Rob, I see you speaking at a lot of different events, METALCON, you had some classes here. What were your sessions that you did here? 

Rob Haddock: It's a program that I call A to Z or I bill it different names in different events, but here it was, Understanding Metal Roofing in part one and part two, and other places I call it A to Z and Metal Roofing from A to Z, everything you ever wanted to know, maybe some things you didn't want to know. 

Karen Edwards: Do you need to know it? And speaking of Metal Roofing From A to Z, he wrote the book. This is a really nice broken down in parts about the history of metal and just anything that you did or didn't want to know. And metal is just, it's really hot right now. It's growing. 

Rob Haddock: Metal has been growing in the marketplace for decades actually, but it is on a steeper growth curve now than in earlier decades. A lot of people don't realize how much of the market is metal roofing. And it depends whose statistics you believe. According to MBMA and Dodge Primary Construction, metal has been somewhere between 28 and 34%. It goes up and down year over year of Dodge Primary Construction, which is nonresidential, one and two story buildings, excluding high-rises, and hotels and motels. 

And so that's the biggest market share in the roofing industry really. If you compare it to single ply as a whole, it's not, but if you compare it to EPDM, or PVC, or TPO, it's a larger market share than any of those. In residential, it's about 15% of that market in reroofing choices. And that's more than any other roof type in the residential sector, except for asphalt shingle. 

Metal is a popular roof. And there are a lot of reasons why. When I teach things about metal roofing, my whole philosophy is that, we sell as a company. I love to educate people on what I know. I've spent 50 years learning, so there's no reason other people have to spend that long. 

Karen Edwards: Share the wealth, share the knowledge. 

Rob Haddock: Exactly. And as a company our philosophy is, the more you understand in this field of practice, the more you're going to want to buy our stuff. So we sell by education. We like to educate a customer so that he can make intelligent buying decisions when we're talking about commercialization. But in a general sense, we feel like the more everyone knows about metal roofing, the more they can relate to it, understand about it in general, whether they're customers of our product or not. It just promotes understanding and promotes metal. 

Karen Edwards: Yeah. And I know that as a partner on Roofers Coffee Shop, we do a lot of promotion of your education and webinar series. 

Rob Haddock: You do. And thank you for that. 

Karen Edwards: Yes. Yes. It's fantastic content and information. I like it because it can be consumed when someone has the time to do it. 

Rob Haddock: Exactly. 

Karen Edwards: It's recorded. So if you can't make a live session, watch it when you have the time and learn. 

Rob Haddock: Exactly. And we do similarly, when we do webinars, and we do trainings, and we do different blogs and so on, and post a lot of that kind of stuff on our website. It's not so commercialized. It's more just informational. 

Karen Edwards: Right. Right. It's not, "Hey, buy our product. We're the best." It's, here's what you need to know. Here's how to do it. Here's what's important. And just to deliver that information in an easy to understand way. 

Rob Haddock: Exactly. 

Karen Edwards: Yeah. 

Rob Haddock: As I said, the more you understand about this field of practice, the more you'll be inclined to want to buy our stuff. Of course, we want you to buy our stuff. I'm not going to lie. 

Karen Edwards: Yes. 

Rob Haddock: But we want you to do it because you understand that it's the right thing to, you understand why it's better than some other goods that may be out there in the marketplace. 

Karen Edwards: Yeah. So if I'm a contractor and I really want to diversify and get into metal, what should I do? How should I start? I know you guys offer tons of support and training. What's the first step, I guess? 

Rob Haddock: Wow. 

Karen Edwards: I know, big question. 

Rob Haddock: I didn't grow up when I was a little kid saying, "I want to be a metal roof contractor." 

Karen Edwards: Right. 

Rob Haddock: I don't think too many people do. I just sort of fell into it. I don't really have a silver bullet answer to that question, but in general, I would say learn all you can. 

Karen Edwards: Yeah. 

Rob Haddock: And you know, Karen, I've had quite a number of people, I've been teaching these kinds of classes for 25 years or more. And I've had a remarkable number of people come to me years later. In fact, just before I came here for this interview, there was a guy at our booth who stopped and said, "I want to thank you personally. I went to one of your seminars here at this convention some number of years ago. And it's helped me enormously to build my business." So learn all you can and never stop learning. When you stop learning, you're ready to go six feet under. 

Karen Edwards: Getting that kind of feedback is just so rewarding. 

Rob Haddock: It is. 

Karen Edwards: And what you give to the industry, with sharing your knowledge is just, it's invaluable. And you've probably helped 100s just like that guy to be successful. 

Rob Haddock: Well, thank you for that. I have had a number of them come and thank me, and that is very gratifying to me. 

Karen Edwards: Nice. So if somebody is here at the expo, where would they find you in the show floor? Do you know your booth number? 

Rob Haddock: We're at 2527. 

Karen Edwards: 2527. That's perfect because it's right in the middle. 

Rob Haddock: Look for the big gold roof up there and the S-5! Logo, this- 

Karen Edwards: Or for the guy in the cowboy hat. 

Rob Haddock: Right. 

Karen Edwards: There's not too many walking around here. 

Rob Haddock: True. And most of them are related to me. 

Karen Edwards: Just follow Rob, he'll guide you to the booth. If you weren't here either, and you missed the educational session, the IRE does offer the ability for you to purchase recordings so they can listen on their own time, when they have a chance to, and learn, Metal roofing A to Z, everything there is to know and help you be successful in your business. So, Rob, thank you so much- 

Rob Haddock: My pleasure. 

Karen Edwards: ... for being here, for giving back, for being part of the roofing industry, we appreciate you. And if you're not able to be at the show, you can visit S-5!'s, Roofers Coffee Shop directory. And on that directory, you'll find kind of everything in one place, links to educational, links to the website, information on different products. Check that out. We will be broadcasting, even though it's the last day of the show, we're still going to be broadcasting all day long. So subscribe to our YouTube channel and ring that bell so that you get those notifications and you'll know when we go live. We'll see you at the next one. Thanks, Rob. 

Rob Haddock: You bet. God bless you. God bless you all. Bye for now. 

Learn more about S-5! in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.S-5.com.

By Rob Haddock, CEO and Founder of S-5!.

Today, ASCE 7-16 – criteria for determining wind loads – is increasingly incorporated as states update building codes.

Did you know the bar is changing within the standards that govern wind design? Although most states are still using minimum design standards set forth by the American Society of Civil Engineers in ASCE 7-10 (2010 edition), the standard was revised several years ago. Today, ASCE 7-16 – criteria for determining wind loads – is increasingly incorporated as states update building codes. This also means wind maps have changed in certain parts of the country. These changes, along with others, have resulted in increased design requirements in most cases.

Certainly, new construction will need to adhere to newly adopted standards, but now an existing roof appropriately designed to meet codes a mere two decades ago might fall short of expected performance in a windstorm today.

What affects wind forces?

Both the overall terrain and the building’s immediate surroundings impact wind speeds. Valleys, hills, slopes and cliff-sides in addition to obstacles in the wind’s path, such as nearby buildings and wooded areas can reduce – or in a few cases – increase ground wind speeds. The absence of obstacles and wide-open terrain or open-water surfaces can set the stage for increased wind speeds.

Generally speaking, high wind-prone areas are found in coastal communities (like Florida) and in some mountainous regions, while most interior states are considered lower wind-prone areas.

Because wind speeds vary throughout the country based on topography and geography, the minimum standards for design wind forces vary according to these regions. Among other factors, the design wind speed is determined by the area’s highest recorded three-second wind gust (measured 33’ above ground). The size, geometry and architecture of the building alter the wind forces acting upon it. For example, a 60-foot-tall building will experience stronger wind forces than a 30-foot-tall building, even if both buildings are in the same area with the same design wind speed.

When ground-level wind flow meets a building’s wind-facing façade, it is diverted upward and over the structure, flowing above the roof. As it does, it gains velocity. Where it breaks over the eave or gable, it generates negative pressure (suction) directly above those roof surfaces. This is also called “uplift” force, or “wind uplift pressure.” It is the same principal of how airflow over an airplane wing lifts the plane.

The objective of any design engineer is to convert the actual wind speed experienced at (33’ above) the ground into units that he can design via pounds per square foot (psf) on the roof. When it comes to quantifying uplift pressures on these different roof “zones” (in psf), an engineer takes into account the design wind speeds (mph) along with building geometry and surrounds. This information is converted to uplift pressures (psf) in accordance with the rules and “importance factors” dictated by the building occupancy (i.e., hospital vs. cowshed) – as established by ASCE-7 and/or local code authorities.

The “allowable” wind resistance of any roof assembly (in psf) can be enhanced by methods and frequency of its attachment to the structure and in other ways as well. It must be proven and quantified by industry-accepted test standards and protocols.

Standing seam metal roofing is your best bet to withstand wind uplift forces

Among the different types of metal roofing, standing seam roofing (SSR) is considered among the most wind-resistive roofing options because the panels interlock at their seams, serving as a “structural” covering. In fact, SSR can be engineered to withstand even Category 4 and 5 hurricane wind forces. The roof covering and building structure, together, represent the complete assembly. Therefore, the overall resistance to wind relies on the strength of the following components and connections:

• The strength of the seam itself;
• The strength of the clip’s attachment to the seam;
• The strength of the clip itself;
• The clip’s attachment to the roof deck or structure (the clip screws); and finally,
• The limitations of the structure itself.

These components comprise a “load chain,” which is only as strong as its weakest link. Because of its complexity, most often a load-chain’s strength is determined by full-scale assembly testing.

Proven ways to fortify your roof

As with all best laid plans, load-chain failures may still occur – on SSR most commonly clip disengagement and seam separation. Clip disengagement happens when wind suction causes the panel seam to distort, allowing it to disengage from the mounting clip. Seam separation occurs when the suction pressure on the panel pulls the seam sideways causing it to unwind, which separates the male and female edges from each other. Other links may fail too – clips can break or fasteners pull out.

But, engineering and testing has proven several ways to improve wind resistance!

In new construction, you can:

• Increase the metal’s gauge thickness,
• Decrease the panel width, or
• Increase the fastening along the seam.

For both new construction and existing buildings, you can:

• Do any (or all) of the above, or
• Use external seam clamps.

External seam clamps offer cost savings and improved wind resistance

So, what is an external seam clam (ESC)? They are small clamps placed over the roof’s seams at designated intervals to increase the roof’s wind resistance capacity, preventing multiple modes of failure, including seam separation and clip disengagement when used at roof clip locations.

Consider your options through a cost-benefit-analysis lens for your roof, and you’ll find ESCs generally offer by far the greatest measure of improvement for the lowest cost. However, while these clamps are a great solution to guard against wind uplift, “generic” ESCs are ill-advised. Anyone can make a clamp and call it an “ESC.” That doesn’t make it effective.

It’s critical to utilize a seam clamp designed for the specific purpose and specific panel profile, and proven quantitatively to achieve a reasonable level of assurance that it will do what it is supposed to do. Otherwise, you won’t be able to calculate the strength (and resulting roof integrity) you’re seeking. S-5! has developed highly tested WindClamps™ since 1995 as a proven method for SSR reinforcement.

Here are some benefits to using them:

• You can increase allowable loads by as much as 300% without costly structural modifications, which helps meet new ASCE 07-16 requirements;
• In cases where a SSR standard construction does not meet design test pressures, the addition of eternal seam clamps may make using this roof type viable;
• ESCs can easily be added to a metal roof specification in new construction; and
• ESCs can be easily used to bring existing buildings into compliance with current codes and wind standards – for pennies per square foot.

Combined with our in-depth knowledge of how the total roof assembly responds to wind uplift, WindClamps™ can help you meet ASCE 7 -16 standards and, most importantly, protect your roof, property and building occupants.

Learn more about S-5! WindClamps.

Learn more about S-5! in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit s-5.com.

By S-5! 

Give your rail-less metal rooftop solar PV system visual appeal. 

We’re excited to announce a brand-new solar PV array accessory to complement the S-5!® PVKIT® rail-less mounting system. This accessory marks the latest advancement in our continually expanding product line. 

Introducing the PVKONCEAL™, our new, black module skirt. When used with our PVKIT, it conceals the lower and/or upper edge of your modules and mechanical/electrical components beneath, creating an attractive, clean finished look. 
 
5 features of PVKONCEAL 

1. Accommodates modules 30-46 mm thick  

2. Lightweight and easy to install  

3. Can be installed with new – or retro-fitted to existing – PVKIT installations  

4. Prefinished in black PVDF to last the life of the roof  

5. Corrosion-free aluminum and stainless-steel screws with black prefinished caps.  

The new PVKONCEAL is available for purchase through S-5! authorized distributors. 

Did you know we offer other solar PV components? 

Complement your next solar project with our new variety of PV wire clips, clamps and bonding jumpers.  

PV module cable/wire clips 

Cable management clips secure PV cables to the module frame.  

1. Dual degree module cable clip: ACC-F90-1 

2. Wire management clip; for 1 or 2 use 2 or PV wires: ACC-F2-90   

3. Dual degree module cable clip: ACC-F1-270 

Learn more about S-5! in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.S-5.com. 

About S-5! 

Since 1992, S-5! has been the leading authority on metal roof attachment solutions. S-5!’s zero-penetration clamps attach ancillary items to standing seam and exposed-fastened metal roofs, while maintaining roof integrity and warranties. S-5! solutions are engineered for a variety of roof-mounted applications and are now installed on more than 2 million metal roofs including 3.5 GW of PV worldwide, providing strength and longevity never before seen. For more information, visit www.S-5.com.

By Rob Haddock, director of Metal Roof Advisory Group & CEO and founder of S-5!  

Learn how to take advantage of the opportunities that arise when Plan A fails.  

One thing I have learned in life is to always have a Plan B. Things don’t always go the way you think they will. The pandemic is a stark reminder. For some, with the onset of COVID-19, it appeared as though the greatest economic boom period in history had come to a complete standstill. And today, with increasing costs of goods and raw materials, supply chain backlogs and the labor shortage, it can still feel like an uphill battle. So, it is imperative to have a Plan B. Not having a Plan B can cause unnecessary stress and anguish that affects both your personal and business relationships. Who wants that? 

In the wake of the pandemic, the S-5!® team put our heads together, mobilized, got creative and activated a plan to not only keep our business afloat but to thrive and be well-positioned for the future. Our Plan B was to kick off a series of educational webinars and video conferences to stay in front of customers and provide education and training opportunities. We introduced a more user-friendly website with revamped content, up-to-date information and additional resources, including a new resource center, a new training center and a host of new web-based tools to assist our customers. That plan was a true team effort and worked well for us.  

Then, the next challenge was upon us. Like all sectors of the economy, our industry has seen raw material price increases. Steel companies had shut down production and inventories became decimated. That’s raw material at its source. Other mills beyond steel, like aluminum, stainless, lumber and consumer goods shut down as well (both domestic and foreign). The result was an increase in demand along with a decrease in supply. 

At S-5!, we experienced this firsthand. Our key suppliers for raw materials suffered shortages. So, back to Plan B! How would we source alternative suppliers when we have spent the last 30+ years establishing long-standing relationships with our existing suppliers? 

Well, it begins with some honest conversation. And as it turned out, they understood our situation. Matter of fact, they were in the same boat–trying to meet the demand (we are one of their largest customers). They said to us, “…help us out and find a secondary supplier because we just can’t meet your demand.” So, after much research and testing, we have onboarded those additional raw material suppliers but are still able to maintain strong relationships with existing key suppliers and customers. We just got creative, shifted thinking and developed new relationships without compromising the old. 

Although for some, Plan B can get in the way of loyalty, I learned along the way, it is foolish not to have a Plan B. You can get trapped in tunnel vision, driving down the road. Just look at the map and figure out a different route. You have got to do what you have to do to get where you are going.  

For example, one of our European distributors is moving 60% of product by air freight now because the cost to ship via containers has more than tripled. He has now doubled his business by air freight. He’s doing what he has to do to get product to his customers. It goes back to shifting thinking, breaking conventions, being flexible and going with the flow. 

Additionally, Plan B can present opportunities. Throughout the health crisis, we have looked for opportunities instead of problems. Those opportunities were (and still are) out there — to respond to the near term, manage differently and plan for the longer term. Just shift thinking, re-direct resources, re-invest and prepare for the (new and increased) demand. Make sure you have a Plan B. 

Learn more about S-5 in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.S-5.com.

By Evelyn Witterholt, RCS Reporter. 

The metal roof attachment manufacturer had quite a year! 

With the new year upon us, S-5! looks back on 2021 with joy and gratitude. Despite the ongoing pandemic, the metal roof attachment manufacturer experienced continued growth over the past year and continues to produce products that revolutionize the metal roofing industry. 

“At S-5!, we are grateful for another year of continued growth,” says CEO and Founder, Rob Haddock. “We are nearing the completion of our new office complex in Colorado Springs and have added staff in virtually every aspect of the business.” 

In 2021, the company also completed a 20,000+ square foot expansion at its manufacturing facility in Texas and improved its manufacturing processes with additional state-of-art equipment and automation.  

And in response to supply chain and cost issues affecting the industry, Haddock says, “We are compensating for many of the supply chain and escalating cost issues affecting our industry through expansion and production efficiencies. 

Their expansion isn’t exclusive to the United States. Over the past year, they’ve grown their international business in multiple countries including Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa.  

Their web presence has grown in the past year too. They recently introduced a more user-friendly site with additional resources and up-to-date information for customers. The new website also offers web-based tools such as a project configurator and solar and snow calculators. S-5! now has a Spanish version of their website as well. 

In terms of product innovation, S-5! developed new products over the past year including the WindClamp2X and the PVKONCEAL solar solution. Innovation is the foundation of their business and with these latest offerings, the company continues to create and innovate more user-friendly products.  

“As the industry leader, we strive daily to earn your trust and be your choice for metal roofing attachment solutions by doing what we do The Right Way®,” Rob shares. “We thank our customers for their ongoing support, and we look forward to continuing to support them in a prosperous new year. 

Learn more about S-5! in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.S-5.com.