A rolling stone gathers no moss……but your roof sure does, in addition to any number of other growing things. Organic growth on a prepainted metal roof is an aesthetic problem that may become a more serious problem if not addressed. This blog offers a simple approach to dealing with the problem.
A roof can look like this…


…or this

These biological growths thrive on moisture and organic debris. The more water and the more debris, the greater the chance of growth. Another critical factor is the amount of shade your roof receives. A well-shaded roof prevents the evaporation of moisture, creating excellent growing conditions.
But what is this stuff? It is usually some combination of moss, algae, and lichen. Sometimes there is dark buildup that may look like dirt, but it is more likely algae growth called gloeocapsa magma, also known as blue-green algae. A similar material in the same family is cyanobacteria. The “cyano” in this bacteria refers to its blue-green color. This growth can turn very dark in color over time. Algae is an airborne plant, so it spreads relatively easily. It thrives in humid conditions because it needs heat, moisture, and nutrients to grow.
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These days, it’s not uncommon to hear businesses from nearly every industry discuss “sustainability” or plans for a more sustainable future. As the term becomes more ubiquitous in today’s business planning, its definition can be somewhat vague. For our purposes, sustainability refers to a company’s efforts in reducing its environmental impact through the use of more environmentally-friendly building materials and less consumption of natural resources. While the coating industry works diligently in manufacturing products that adhere to high standards for sustainability, there are several ways to be more sustainable and environmentally conscious.
Year after year, the coated metal industry continues to innovate and inspire designers and architects with new aesthetical and color options that have reshaped consumer expectations. More than ever, buildings have the ability to stand out, while reaping the durability and environmental benefits of using prepainted metal. Here are just a few of the latest trends in coated metal that define why there’s never been a more exciting time in the industry.
Over the past few years, we have seen a significant increase in the use of metal roofs in the residential sector. In fact, the
We’ve seen the beauty and innovation prepainted metal has brought to countless exterior applications. But did you know prepainted metal can be an integral part of a number of interior applications? Here are five ways prepainted metals can spice up the interior of any building:
Architects and building owners continue to expand the use prepainted metal for its long-term durability, specifically its excellent chalk, fade, and adhesion performance. The use of Insulated Metal Panels (IMPs) is also on the rise in a variety of roof and wall applications due to its sustainability and versatility. Combining the two, prepainted IMPs provide superior energy efficiency and durability, both of which are necessary in today’s competitive marketplace to comply with ever-evolving building codes and customer expectations.
Prepainted metal is a popular choice for consumers, architects and specifiers who are looking for environmentally friendly, durable, and aesthetically pleasing options. The National Coil Coating Association’s (NCCA) members are seeing a growing trend for textured, prepainted metal products in commercial and residential building design.