Swarf are the shavings of metal debris produced during machining. Woodworking, grinding, and other manufacturing processes also produce these chips or fillings. Metal, wood, plastic, and stone all produce this debris, often referred to as “swarf”.

COR-TEN® is a special steel alloy that has a weathered, rusty-orange look. The material, also referred to as corten or CorTen, was developed to eliminate the need for painting the metal. Cor-Ten forms a stable rust-like appearance after being exposed several years to weather.

A trapezoidal roof profile has a ribbed trapezoidal-shape pattern across the panel. This means, it is a quadrilateral (or a four-sided shape – see Figure 1) that has just a single pair of parallel sides. Sometimes, trapezoidal roofs are mistakenly referred to as corrugated. This is a misnomer as the corrugated profile has a repeating wavy pattern across its surface.Trapezoidal rib roofs are popular with producers because the shape makes them very material-efficient (a high strength-to weight ratio). 

This is the conclusion of our three-part series on S-5! Manufacturing. Part One featured the fortuitous meeting of Rob Haddock and Harry Carner, their partnership, and how they built their well-oiled manufacturing machine. Concerned about lack of control and a desire to always improve “the right way” to do things, these two men joined forces.

The new and improved S-5-N clamp is an innovative attachment solution that cures your nail strip profile seating issues. The clamp features an insert to facilitate installation and fit. it also fits seam profiles having a base of rib dimension < .82". 

What makes makes up a metal roof? There is flashing, ridges, valleys, eaves, and more. Where are all these on a roof and what is their purpose? Read on as we deconstruct the rest of the metal roof.

The International Roofing Expo (IRE) recently concluded in Nashville, TN. Now that the busy din of the show has subsided, it is a perfect chance to reflect on the show’s success. What did those who actually went think of the show? 

Pop quiz. Should you install a metal roof or asphalt shingles? Which is a better choice? Asphalt shingle roofs are everywhere. But metal roofs have been in use for almost three thousand years. They have come a long way from the simple, yet functional corrugated or standing seam metal roof design usually associated with barns or sheds. So, which is the best choice for you? To answer this, let’s take a deeper look under the hood, or the roof, as it may be.

In Part 1 of our three-part series on S-5 Manufacturing, we discussed the history and the relationship between Rob Haddock and Harry Carner. In Part 2, we venture inside the facility to learn more about how those mighty clamps and brackets are actually made. We'll also delve into all of the plant staff - the human kind AND the machine kind. 

A corrugated panel has a repeating wavy or rippled pattern across its design. It was the first mass-produced metal panel design in the United States. These panels can be used for roofing, siding, decking, and flooring. Corrugated panels are connected by overlapping the sheets, and then securing them in place with exposed fasteners. Trapezoidal rib panels are often mistakenly referred to as corrugated roofing.