Boost your advantage in metal roofing

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Having precision-crafted roofing panels right at the job site could save costs and improve quality, but not without a few challenges.   

In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, host Heidi J. Ellsworth chats with Jeff Haddock and Jeffrey Medeiros from AEP Span about their advanced approach to metal roofing: on-site roll forming. Designed for large-scale projects, AEP Span’s mobile roll-forming system enables the creation of durable, continuous metal panels over 45 feet in length, making it an ideal solution for extensive commercial roofs that benefit from seamless construction. This advanced system is particularly suited for projects on complex, expansive structures like gymnasiums and aircraft hangars, where sleek, uninterrupted metal roofing panels enhance both aesthetics and structural integrity. By forming panels directly on-site, contractors can reduce waste, mitigate handling risks and deliver a streamlined installation for impressive architectural builds. 

Jeffrey notes the demanding requirements of these installations, advising contractors to consider the logistics thoroughly. “When you're bidding this job, you need to take into consideration...site control, site access and weather conditions.” To accommodate the rolling process, an open space of 120 feet may be needed, especially if handling long panels, which also might require costly equipment like cranes and spreader bars. 

Jeff further expresses the quality AEP Span delivers, stressing that their mobile roll former retains all of the rigorous ASTM and FM certifications typically reserved for factory-made panels, including the demanding ASTM E1592 wind uplift test, which can reach resistance levels up to 220 pounds per square foot. “One mistake can damage a long expensive panel,” Jeff adds, noting that using certified contractors familiar with AEP Span’s Span Lock HP panels can prevent costly errors. These panels, with their two-inch, mechanically seamed standing seam design, are built for high-performance, resisting everything from air and water infiltration to hurricane-force winds. 

For contractors aiming to specialize in high-stakes metal roofing, certification and understanding the complexities of large-panel work are key. By gaining expertise in on-site roll forming, they can tackle unique projects, maintain high standards and deliver an unmatched roofing solution that few in the industry can offer. 

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to learn more about how on-site roll forming could transform your next roofing project!