MCA’s Metal Roofing Certification Assures Quality Standards, Builds Consumer Confidence

By Jim Bush, ATAS International

Recently, the Metal Construction Association developed a Metal Roofing Certification Program to identify varied levels of quality available in the marketplace for metal roofing products. The certification was developed to promote the widespread use of “appropriate” metal roofing products and to increase consumer confidence in choosing a metal roof.

Why Certification Is Needed

According to some reports, metal roofing accounts for more than 10 percent of the market share in steep slope roofing applications. As the demand for metal roofing in this market continues to grow, the choices for products available to the consumer are also increasing. As those choices increase, consumers are often overwhelmed by the options available to them and do not truly understand the performance levels of products that are offered.

In other industries that have implemented product standards and certification programs similar in nature to the MCA program, certification has been proven to offer numerous benefits to the industry itself, to product manufacturers, to installers, and also to the general public. With the tremendous outlay of promotional efforts being put forth within the metal roofing industry, there is a concern that certain levels of quality must be met to ensure the continuation of a perceived level of performance which is the strongest advantage of metal roofing when compared to competing products.

The Program’s Intent

The MCA Metal Roofing Certification Program’s primary focus is to ensure that products meet or exceed standards published in the MCA’s Guide Specification for Residential Metal Roofing. Certified products must meet minimum standards set forth for base metal quality and have paint coatings that meet “real-time” weathering exposure requirements as outlined in this guide specification.

Products are identified as:

• MCA Certified Natural Finish (when no paint finish is applied such as mill finish copper, zinc, or certain metallic coated steels)

• MCA Certified Standard Painted

• MCA Certified Premium Painted

In part, the MCA Metal Roofing Certification Program was designed to eliminate confusion regarding the wide range of warranties associated with painted metal roof panels. It is not uncommon to see longer term warranties applied to painted products that are accepted by most in the industry as being inferior to other painted products. For example, often hidden within the warranty is greater allowance for chalk and fade of the paint system versus those of higher quality systems.

It also became apparent that many products initially designed for agricultural use were being introduced to the higher end architectural steep slope metal roof market. In addition to having questionable long term performing paint systems, these products often have base metals that were not designed or intended for long term performing products.

The MCA Metal Roofing Certification Program, in essence, offers an easy method for everyone to identify and discuss levels of quality. The certification program identifies performance values for actual weathered product in south Florida—for a period of 5 years for standard painted systems, and for a period of 10 years for premium painted systems. It’s widely understood that actual weathered product testing is a more true to life performance value than frequently-used accelerated test methods. The truth is that actual field performance cannot be questioned, while accelerated test methods often do not identify true paint performance.

Importance Of Third-Party Verification

The MCA Metal Roofing Certification Program is governed by third-party verification of a manufacturer’s quality control procedure to ensure program compliance. Actual paint system manufacturers must first obtain approval of their paint systems’ performance which is then carried over to individual product manufacturers. Product manufacturers must then submit an application to the MCA for approval.

Currently, the certification program does not affect or govern product acceptance by current recognized building codes. In most cases, meeting the requirements of the MCA Metal Roofing Certification Program will result in products that meet or exceed current weatherization requirements of model building codes. This will aid in establishing the program as the benchmark for quality metal roof products. Program participation is available to paint and coating manufacturers, roofing product manufacturers, coil processors and regional roofing product manufacturers/mobile roll formers. To learn how to participate in the program, click here. (To learn more about the Metal Construction Association, click here.)

Widespread Benefits From Participating

Everyone involved in the MCA Metal Roofing Certification Program will benefit. By setting a high quality standard, the program establishes a baseline for current and future metal roof products and ensures that owners of both commercial and residential structures will receive the optimal long term value of their metal roofing choice. Building and home owners should also keep in mind that selection of a Certified Metal Roof Product is only a part of a successful roof installation. Installation qualifications should also be reviewed and manufacturer’s installation instructions followed to ensure the high quality and long life of the metal roof.

Jim Bush is vice president of sales and marketing at ATAS International Inc. a leading manufacturer in the metal roofing and wall systems industry. He has been involved in the metal roofing and siding industry since 1984. Jim is also Chairman of the Metal Construction Association (MCA) Roofing Council, Chair of the MCA Roofing Certification Committee, Chair of the MCA Retrofit Task Force, a member of the RICOWI Wind and Hail Investigation Teams, and member of the Construction Specifications Institute. He also organizes the annual Demonstration Area at METALCON International, and speaks at seminars throughout the U.S. about metal roofing, weather events, cool roofing, above sheathing ventilation, BIPV systems, transpired solar collectors, and other green construction topics. He can be reached at jbush@atas.com. For information on ATAS International’s products, go to www.atas.com.