By The Coffee Shops®.

Learn how Petersen helps contractors balance jobsite control with manufacturer-backed systems.

For metal cladding contractors, timing, scheduling and material management can have a major impact on project success. In a recent MetalCast™ episode, Karen Edwards sat down with Ken McLauchlan of Carlisle Architectural Metals to discuss how Petersen is helping contractors take greater control of fabrication while maintaining alignment with manufacturer standards.

Ken, who serves as the national sales manager for association groups within Carlisle Architectural Metals, brings more than 35 years of experience to the conversation. Reflecting on his background, he shared, “I started as a contractor doing estimating and installation and everything else and worked my way up through it, and have now gone into the manufacturer's side.”

The discussion began with Petersen's longstanding role in the architectural sheet metal market. According to Ken, the company built its reputation serving the commercial architectural sector through standing seam roofing systems, composite material solutions and other specialty applications. He noted that architects often turned to Petersen and its PAC-CLAD products when they needed help bringing complex designs to life.

That strong specification presence remains central to the company's identity. As contractors face tighter schedules and evolving project demands, Petersen has expanded opportunities for qualified contractors to perform portions of fabrication closer to the jobsite.

Ken explained that the concept emerged from a desire to give contractors additional scheduling flexibility. Rather than waiting for every component to be factory fabricated, some projects allow qualified contractors to produce select standing seam panels onsite while factory locations continue supplying more specialized components.

The benefit, Ken said, is greater responsiveness when conditions change unexpectedly. “This allows a little bit more flexibility,” he explained, noting that contractors can keep raw material nearby and reduce delays associated with lead times.

At the same time, the program helps contractors better manage material quantities and reduce waste. As Ken noted, the goal is to avoid situations where crews are “over-ordering material, having extra labor, extra product on a site, because you were guessing at what you thought the lengths were going to be.”

As contractors continue looking for ways to improve efficiency, this blend of factory support and controlled onsite fabrication represents an important evolution in how metal projects can be delivered.

Listen to the full podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about contractor-controlled fabrication programs.

Contractors entering the architectural metal business need more than just equipment.

The architectural sheet metal industry offers significant opportunities for contractors, but success depends on far more than purchasing the right equipment. In a recent MetalCast™ episode, Karen Edwards spoke with Ken McLaughlin of Carlisle Architectural Metals about how contractor partnerships have shaped the growth of Drexel Metals and the broader architectural metal market.

Ken explained that Drexel Metals was founded in 1985 with a focus on serving contractors working in the portable roll-forming space. Over time, that commitment evolved into a business model centered on helping contractors navigate the increasingly complex architectural metal environment. “Drexel has always been the partner to the contractor. That's been their model,” Ken said.

This philosophy has become increasingly important as metal roofing and architectural metal cladding systems continue to gain market share. According to Ken, growth has been driven by contractors, manufacturers and the design community working together to educate the market and expand awareness of metal building solutions.

Yet opportunity often comes with challenges. Contractors pursuing higher-end architectural work must balance homeowner expectations, aesthetics, performance requirements and risk management. Projects may call for specific design features, lower-slope applications, fire protection considerations or tested assemblies that meet regional building requirements. “A lot of the smaller contractors have annual revenue that rivals some of these large contractors,” Ken noted, pointing out that specialty residential projects can be just as demanding and profitable as larger commercial work.

Finding the right partner often is the difference between success and frustration. Contractors may be tempted by machinery or systems that appear to solve immediate challenges, but Ken emphasized the importance of understanding long-term implications, particularly when it comes to testing, code compliance and system performance.

As more contractors look to expand into architectural metal work, the conversation shifts from simply acquiring equipment to building a sustainable strategy. This broader approach sets the stage for the next step: creating a support system that helps contractors grow with confidence.

Listen to the full podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about architectural sheet metal contractor partnerships.

By The Coffee Shops®.  

Tested metal roofing systems help contractors deliver long-term protection against wind, hail, moisture and ultraviolet exposure. 

Weather resilience is becoming an increasingly important consideration for residential and commercial roofing projects. This article by Drexel Metals explains that properly designed metal roof systems can withstand high winds, hail, heavy rain, snow and prolonged ultraviolet exposure while providing a service life of 40 to 60 years. 

This performance begins below the metal panels. Rigid roof insulation helps resist temperature extremes, while underlayment provides a barrier against moisture from rain and melting snow and ice. Above these components, durable metal substrates with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), an ingredient in Kynar® finishes, help the system resist weathering. Seamed panels and secure attachment methods such as clip systems support the roof’s ability to shed snow, prevent water penetration and withstand wind forces. 

Third-party testing gives contractors measurable information about system performance. Drexel Metals roof systems are certified to standards addressing wind uplift, static pressure and air infiltration. These capabilities support approvals from the Florida Building Code, Texas Department of Insurance and Miami-Dade County for use in High Velocity Hurricane Zones. 

Independent technical documentation can also help project teams navigate code requirements. International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) Evaluation Report ESR-5838 verifies that select Drexel Metals wall panel systems comply with applicable International Building Code and International Residential Code requirements. 

Metal roofing also offers protection against hail and wind-driven debris. Drexel Metals systems are certified to UL 2218 Class 4 Hail Impact and ASTM E1886 Missile Impact standards. Reflective finishes further help roofs manage sunlight by absorbing less solar energy and re-emitting solar radiation, which can reduce strain on air conditioning systems. 

For contractors, understanding these assemblies, certifications and performance standards creates an opportunity to deliver durable, efficient and low-maintenance roofing solutions. 

Read the full article to learn about weather-resistant roofing projects.

By The Coffee Shops®. 

Educating customers on Class A-rated metal roof assemblies and noncombustible building materials. 

As wildfires continue to threaten lives and property, contractors can give customers greater peace of mind by explaining how material selection contributes to a structure’s resilience. In this article, Drexel Metals shares that wildfire events are at a 10-year high. This means it is more important than ever that home and building owners are informed about their material options. Educating customers about how fire can spread and the risks certain materials carry can go a long way toward ensuring their future safety. 

During a wildfire, flying embers can travel ahead of the flames and land on roofs or other vulnerable areas. Roof assemblies that earn a Class A fire rating, the highest classification per Underwriters Laboratories 790 and ASTM International E108 testing standards, are designed to resist severe fire exposure, limit flame spread and reduce the likelihood that a roof becomes a fuel source. 

Many metal roofing systems can be installed as part of a Class A-rated assembly. Metal is noncombustible, meaning it does not add fuel when exposed to fire. Interlocking metal panels also can help form a barrier against ember intrusion. Beyond wildfire resilience, these systems are engineered to withstand high winds, heavy rain, snow and other severe weather while offering a range of profiles, colors and attachment styles. 

A family home in Boulder, Colorado shows how a metal building envelope can perform under extreme conditions. During a wildfire driven by a dry season and 100-mph winds, a nearby propane tank exploded and covered the property with flames, ash and shrapnel. The home’s metal roof, metal siding and stone siding resisted damage, leaving the structure standing. 

Contractors can help customers evaluate more than aesthetics by discussing Class A-rated roof assemblies and the fire-resistant properties of metal roofing and wall systems. Drexel Metals also offers metal wall panels and Defend-R CI Class A fire-rated wall insulation for projects seeking a more complete fire-resistant building envelope. 

To learn more about how fire-smart metal roofing from Drexel Metals can support resilient projects in wildfire-prone regions, read the full article here.

By The Coffee Shops®. 

The most vulnerable part of the building envelope can determine whether or not a roof survives a major storm. 

For many roofing professionals, the roof field often gets the most attention during design and installation. Yet according to Jason Hildenbrand, director of private label and OEM sales for Carlisle Architectural Metals, the roof perimeter is where performance is often won or lost. 

In one Read Listen Watch® (RLW) sponsored by Hickman Edge Systems, Jason explained why perimeter edge metal is such an important part of a roofing system. “Perimeter edge metal; it's essentially the termination and transition between the roofing membrane and other building envelope components,” he said. When installing coping, fascia, drip edge, flashing or gutters, the goal is the same: securely terminate and protect the roof system at its most vulnerable locations.  

That vulnerability becomes even more significant during severe weather events. According to Jason, “We know from decades of research and data that the roof edge itself is really the most vulnerable part of the building envelope because that's the area where the roof and the wall transition is subject to the highest pressure.” As wind speeds increase, uplift forces increase dramatically, placing exceptional stress on perimeter areas and corners. 

To illustrate the importance of proper edge securement, Jason shared a real-world example involving two adjacent buildings. One had recently been reroofed with a code-compliant extruded edge system while the other had not. Approximately 30 days later, an EF3 tornado struck the area. 

The results were striking. Jason explained that the newly reroofed building remained largely intact while the neighboring structure suffered catastrophic roof loss. “The membrane stayed intact on the newly reroofed building because the perimeter edge metal protected it,” he said. 

As severe weather events continue to impact more regions, protecting the roof edge is becoming increasingly important. For contractors and building owners alike, understanding how edge systems perform under extreme conditions can help reduce risk and improve long-term building resilience. 

Listen to the recording or Watch the full webinar to learn more about roof edge performance and wind resistance.

By The Coffee Shops®. 

Product performance testing helps ensure metal systems are designed for the conditions they will face. 

On an episode of MetalCast™, hosted by Megan Ellsworth, Jason Shumate, senior manager of project services, technical and warranty services at Carlisle Architectural Metals, explained why performance testing plays such a critical role in metal roof and wall systems. 

For Jason and his team, testing is not simply about meeting minimum requirements. It begins early in the project lifecycle, helping contractors and customers determine whether a system is appropriate for a specific application and whether it can meet performance expectations once installed. 

When discussing metal cladding, Jason emphasized that exposure to the elements drives much of the testing process. “The most important thing is that it's the exterior cladding,” he explained. “What we sell is exposed to all the elements of the weather.” 

Those exposures vary by region and project type. While some tests satisfy code requirements, others help determine the controlling factor behind a system's design. According to Jason, wind-related testing is often one of the most significant considerations. “A lot of people get confused between wind testing,” he said. “Wind speed is something that generates based on the geometry of the building wind uplift pressures. And what we test for on that wind uplift testing is the pressure.” 

Beyond wind performance, manufacturers evaluate systems for hail, air infiltration, water infiltration, wind-driven rain and impact resistance. The goal is to understand how a complete assembly performs under real-world conditions. 

Jason said testing also supports long-term warranty obligations and helps manufacturers manage risk. Carlisle Architectural Metals evaluates projects carefully to ensure products are used appropriately and installed correctly. “We try to do all of our homework on the front end, make sure that nobody gets in trouble or uses a misapplication, wrong product in the wrong spot or puts it on the wrong way,” he noted. 

Ultimately, thorough testing provides confidence for manufacturers, contractors and building owners alike while helping ensure systems perform as intended over time. 

Listen to the full podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about metal cladding performance testing. 

METALCON October 7–8, 2026 | Orlando, Florida

Heading to METALCON? Add these two sessions featuring Carlisle Architectural Metals leaders to your schedule.

1) Growing Your Metal Business: Real-World Strategies from Industry Leaders

Oct. 7, 2026 | 10:15–11:15 a.m. ET
Brian McLaughlin, Director of Associations for Carlisle Architectural Metals, moderates a panel offering practical strategies to strengthen and expand your metal business.
Earn 1 AIA LU or 1 FL CILB 
Business Practices credit.

See session details.

2) Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Metal Roof Systems

Oct. 8, 2026 | 4–5 p.m. ET
Join Brandon Jackson, Regional Group Manager for Carlisle Architectural Metals, to learn how addressing slopes, penetrations, flashings, transitions and rooftop equipment early can help prevent costly design and installation problems.
Earn 1 AIA LU HSW, 1 FL CILB General
credit., or 1 IIBEC CEH.

See session details.

METALCON 2026 

Oct. 7–9, 2026 | Orlando, Florida
While you’re there, visit Petersen, Drexel Metals, and the Carlisle Architectural Metals team in Booth 1724.

Plan your visit.

By The Coffee Shops®. 

Experience live metal system demonstrations, contractor-focused education and business growth resources at METALCON 2026. 

Metal professionals heading to METALCON 2026 can connect with Petersen, Drexel Metals and the Carlisle Architectural Metals team October 7-9 in Orlando, Florida. At Booth 1724, attendees can explore the companies’ offerings for metal cladding, accessories and rollforming equipment while meeting team members and finding resources designed to support efficiency and business growth. 

Live demonstrations will feature the Board and Batten wall panel system and T-seam metal roofing panels. Designed for vertical commercial and residential wall applications, Board and Batten panels install with concealed mechanical fasteners through pre-punched holes. The system is available in 12- and 16-inch widths, with a 2-inch-wide, three-quarter-inch-deep batten that creates dimensional interest while keeping trim offsets to a minimum. 

The T-seam roof system combines structural performance with architectural aesthetics. The panels can be factory-formed or field-formed to length, installed over several substrate types and mechanically field-seamed. Its concealed-fastener clip system is designed to allow thermal expansion and contraction. Because the panel is bi-directional, installers can begin in the center of a roof and work in both directions, helping multiple crews work simultaneously while creating a symmetrical appearance. 

Carlisle Architectural Metals is also sponsoring the new Contractor Business Success Center. Its expert-led sessions address profitability, operations, workforce development, storm resilience, sales strategies and leadership challenges in privately owned businesses. On Wednesday, October 7, moderator Brian McLaughlin will join panelists Colin Palladino, Richard Pruden and Matt Leonard for “Growing Your Metal Business: Real-World Strategies from Industry Leaders.” The panel will explore smarter operations, strategic equipment investments, portable rollforming, in-house fabrication and customized project solutions. 

On Thursday, October 8, Brandon Jackson will present “Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Metal Roof Systems.” Attendees will learn how slopes, penetrations, flashings, transitions and rooftop equipment can affect standing-seam metal roof design, and why addressing these conditions early can help prevent costly field problems. 

Visit Booth 1724 for demonstration times and additional details or to connect directly with the team. 

Learn more about the products, education and business resources available from Petersen, Drexel Metals and Carlisle Architectural Metals at METALCON 2026.

By The Coffee Shops®.

Make sure these sessions and exhibitors are on your METALCON short list.

METALCON is just around the corner happening October 7-9 in Orlando, Florida! With over 60 education sessions and 250 exhibitors, it’s important for attendees to plan their schedules carefully. From new products and services to innovative solutions, you won’t want to miss the chance to talk to these Coffee Shop partners: Carlise Architechtural Metals, Central States Manufacturing, Malco, Roof Huger, Van Mark, ATAS International, Inc., Metal Construction Association (MCA), Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA), Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings and more! Don’t forget to stop by booth 408 to meet the MetalCoffeeShop team!

Featuring an impressive lineup of industry experts and motivational speakers, the METALCON headline sessions just scratch the surface of the learning opportunities.

Keynote: nothing Can Stop You

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Jim Abbott shares his remarkable journey from Flint, Michigan, to throwing a no-hitter at Yankee Stadium. Born without a right hand, Jim developed creative ways to pursue his goals while learning the importance of accountability and trust. His inspiring keynote explores how mindset can transform adversity into personal growth, helping attendees recognize their own challenges as opportunities to build resilience, adapt and celebrate the experiences that shape who they are.

Register today!

Keynote: Building Through Uncertainty: A Market Outlook for the Construction and Design Industries

What economic forces will shape construction and design during the next 12 months? Former American Institute of Architects Chief Economist Kermit Baker examines the indicators influencing project activity, sector growth and client priorities. Attendees will gain a data-driven view of shifting pipelines, regional market differences and emerging opportunities. The session provides a forward-looking framework to help industry professionals anticipate risks, align business planning with changing conditions and make informed decisions in an uncertain market.

Register today!

Industry Outlook: Metal Construction Code Updates: What’s Changed and What it Means

Code changes can lead to permit delays, redesigns and compliance gaps when they are missed or misunderstood. Industry experts Bill Beals, Paul Deffenbaugh and Bob Zabcik will break down significant recent and upcoming updates affecting metal construction. Covering design, specifications, fabrication and installation, the session will help attendees understand current compliance requirements, distinguish the roles of standards organizations and prepare for emerging trends that could influence future projects and business decisions.

Register today!

Industry Outlook: 2027 the Future of Metal Construction

Industry leaders examine the economic, regulatory, material and jobsite forces expected to shape metal construction through 2027. Panelists Kermit Baker, Jeff Henry, Vincent Sagan and Benton Trotter will connect current market realities with the challenges and opportunities ahead. Attendees will explore how supply conditions, evolving codes and construction pressures are influencing project costs, delivery methods and building practices, gaining practical insights for managing risk and positioning their businesses for the next 12 months.

Register today!

The formal sessions are just one way to learn. Attendees will also enjoy a massive exhibition hall where they can network and learn from each other. Make sure our MetalCoffeeShop booth 408 is on your list too!

While you’re in the hall, don’t miss our Coffee Shops partners including: Western States Metal Roofing, BITEC, Franklin International, Giddy Up, H.B. Fuller / GSSI, Latinos en Roofing, MARCO Industries, Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA), McElroy Metal, MetalForming Inc., MFM Building Products, RoofScope and more!

Don’t miss the metal event of the year! Register for METALCON and use code 30MCS for $30 off passes!

By The Coffee Shops®.  

New evaluation report provides independently reviewed documentation for select metal wall panel systems. 

Code compliance documentation can help project teams move confidently from specification through installation. Petersen, part of Carlisle Architectural Metals (CAM), has expanded its customer resources with the issuance of International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) Evaluation Report ESR-5839, which covers select wall panel systems. 

The report includes the Box Rib Series 1, 2, 3 and 4; Highline Series B1, B2, C1, C2, M1, S1 and S2; HWP; Flush Panel; and 7.2 Panel. Through an independent technical review, ICC-ES Evaluation Reports demonstrate compliance with applicable International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC) requirements. 

For architects and designers, the documentation supports clear, code-referenced specifications while defining evaluated applications and system limitations. It can also simplify plan review and product selection by providing independently verified technical information. 

Contractors and fabricators can use the report to help streamline permitting and submittals, follow installation guidance for evaluated systems and reduce uncertainty during inspections. Clear documentation can also support smoother communication among the project teams involved in design, approval and installation. 

“Earning ICC-ES Evaluation Reports is another way Petersen is investing in the success of our customers,” said Mike Weis, vice president of sales for Carlisle Architectural Metals. “These reports provide architects and designers with trusted technical documentation while giving contractors and fabricators greater confidence during specification, permitting and installation. It’s another example of our commitment to delivering tested systems backed by the resources our customers need to succeed.” 

By bringing approved applications, installation requirements and compliance information together, ESR-5839 can help reduce questions and approval delays throughout the project review process. 

Learn more about Petersen’s evaluated wall panel systems.