Heading into the new year, many homeowners will be starting to look toward the home improvement projects they have to complete. For many, that may entail having the roof replaced on their homes. As the use of metal roofing increases steadily in the residential market, we put together an article on the 2020 residential metal roofing trends. From color to durability, solar systems and energy efficiency, we take a look at some of the things homeowners will be considering as they are faced with replacing their roofs. Check out the article here.
Also this month, we introduce a new section called Metal Fine Points. This month’s topic is on glazing, and manufacturers submitted articles that showcase how to best specify different types of glass, including smart glass and low-iron glass. See this month’s articles here:
- Smart Glass: A Premium Product with Endless Design Possibilities
- Tips for Specifying Glass
- For High Style, Get Low-Iron Glass
We also take an in-depth look at two projects that use metal products to achieve their sustainability and design goals. In this month’s Building Profile, we see how the Eddyfi Technologies headquarters in Quebec City uses a hybrid steel-wood structure and separate steel structure to create an elegant and warm building. Then in Green Scene, we take a look at how insulated metal panels and a transpired solar collector wall help meet energy goals at the Pulichino Tong Business Center at University of Massachusetts Lowell in Lowell, Mass.
In other news, as a follow up to Alan Scott’s November Constructive Insights column on “Avian Amicable Architecture,” the New York City council recently passed a bill that will update the building code with design and construction requirements aimed at making buildings safer for migratory birds. Set to take effect in December 2020, the code now requires exteriors on the lowest 75 feet of new buildings, and on any structure above a green roof, to have avian-friendly materials to make transparent surfaces more visible to birds. Existing buildings aren’t required to be retrofit, but any future renovations will have to comply. It will be interesting to see if any other large cities follow suit in the coming year with similar bills.
Thank you for joining us as we head into another year together. Best of luck on your endeavors for the year ahead, and feel free to drop us a note about any projects you’re working on. We love to see and hear what are readers are up to.
