Podcast
Welcome to Metal Minutes: a podcast series where we dive into frequently asked questions and hot topics in the metal construction industry.
In each episode, subject matter experts from across the Cornerstone Building Brands family share their expertise and knowledge relevant to many types of projects and applications. Learn from industry leaders who collectively have hundreds of years of experience and apply these best practices to your next project.
Winter-Ready by Design: How PEMBs Help Builders Deliver in Harsh Conditions
Snow loads, drift zones and frozen jobsites can turn a well-planned project into an expensive headache fast. In this episode, host Mike Fry sits down with David Stermer, structural engineer at Cornerstone Building Brands, to help general contractors, erectors and construction managers understand what it really takes to deliver a PEMB project through harsh winter conditions.
The discussion covers the structural and logistical challenges cold weather creates for builders, why PEMBs are well-suited to handle them and the roof and envelope details like standing seam systems, drift reinforcement, vapor control and thermal blocks that determine cold-climate performance. The episode wraps with a practical builder’s checklist and one essential winter detailing tip straight from the field.
If you’re building in snow country, this one’s worth your time.
Unlocking Open Space with the Long Bay® System
Ready to reimagine metal building design? Host Mike Fry sits down with industry expert Brandon Holt of Cornerstone Building Brands to explore the capabilities of the patented Long Bay® System, a groundbreaking solution that opens up large interior spaces, enhances warehouse functionality and supports today’s sustainability goals.
Brandon unpacks the open web truss design that enables wide-span, column-free construction, walks through real project examples and shares practical guidance for builders and architects looking to get ahead. Whether you’re evaluating structural systems or planning your next metal building project, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can apply right away.
If you’re looking for smarter, more adaptable construction solutions, this is an episode worth your time.
Debunking Metal Roofing Myths with Dave and Jenny Marrs
In this episode of Metal Minutes, Mike Fry hosts Dave and Jenny Marrs from HGTV’s Fixer to Fabulous to discuss the many aspects of metal roofing. They debunk common myths about metal roofs, such as noise levels and concerns about lightning strikes. The conversation also highlights the design versatility of metal roofs, showcasing their aesthetic appeal across various home styles. Finally, they delve into the benefits of metal roofing, emphasizing its longevity and cost-effectiveness as a long-term investment for homeowners.
Building a Greener Future: Metal’s role in Sustainability
In this episode of Metal Minutes, host Mike Fry dives into the evolving world of sustainability in metal construction with guest Amanda Turner, Sustainability Specialist at Cornerstone Building Brands.
Amanda shares why sustainability is rapidly becoming a priority across the industry, and how metal buildings are uniquely positioned to support long-term environmental goals. From reducing embodied carbon to enhancing energy efficiency, metal construction is proving to be a powerful tool in the push toward greener, more resilient buildings.
Lessons Learned Pt. 3: Information & Technology
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many industries, turning business models on their ear and driving prices for commodities like steel through the roof. While COVID is still a part of our lives, we can look back at the last two years and see how the industry has changed while evaluating lessons learned about key business elements.
In part three of our series, we discuss how COVID affected IT departments across the construction industry and how we were able to keep our systems up to standard at the peak of COVID, including some advice to take with us.
Lessons Learned Pt. 2: HR & Safety
Lessons Learned Pt. 1: The New Pricing Reality
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many industries, turning business models on their ear and driving prices for commodities like steel through the roof. While COVID is still a part of our lives, we can look back at the last two years and see how the construction industry has changed while evaluating lessons learned about key business elements.
Over the next few episodes, we will dive into key business categories to discuss what we’ve learned and how the way we operate will be changed moving forward.
In part one, we will talk about the new pricing reality and how COVID impacted different pricing strategies, both at the peak of the pandemic and in the years to come.
The Metal Peak: What’s Behind the All-Time High Steel Prices
Steel prices have never been higher, and manufacturers, contractors and consumers are feeling the effects. In this episode of Metal Minutes, we dive into the factors driving these chart-topping prices for a better understanding of why and how we got here.
What You Need to Know About Loads When Building Mezzanines
Some of the most influential factors in your mezzanine design and pricing are the loads and spans. In our latest podcast episode, we will be discussing what you need to know about these loads and how they will impact your mezzanine build.
Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings Compared to Wood and Concrete
Building owners, architects, developers, engineers, and others routinely seek the best value for their investment made in design and construction. Listen to our latest podcast episode to hear how metal buildings compare to wood-framed and concrete buildings.
Steel-Curtain Roll-Up Doors 101
In this episode of Metal Minutes, we provide an overview of steel-curtain roll-up doors, offer recommendations on how to select the right one for your project and also reveal why—in a marketplace with a plethora of options available—people are choosing them across a wide variety of industries.
Fire Performance of Insulated Metal Panels
The International Building Code has different requirements regarding the use of specific materials depending on the configuration of the building as well as its end use. In this episode of Metal Minutes, we discuss how to interpret insulated metal panels under these codes and how they can provide necessary protection against fires.
The Cost of a Steel Building
What goes into the cost of a steel building and how can you ensure you get the best value for your money without sacrificing quality, longevity or design? Listen to the newest episode of Metal Minutes for insights that can help you make the most of your steel building dollars.
Converting Buildings Into Self-Storage Facilities
As the demand for self-storage facilities increases, finding the right place to build one can be challenging. In this new episode of Metal Minutes, we explore the benefits of converting an existing building into a self-storage facility and ways to optimize your conversion investment.
Prescriptive vs. Performance Building Codes
A general understanding of building codes helps all parties involved in the design and construction of a building understand the specific requirements for compliance, preventing errors, delays, cost overruns and most importantly, ensuring public safety. In this episode of Metal Minutes, we explain how to meet energy building codes using insulated metal panels and the two paths for compliance: prescriptive and performance building codes.
Selecting Metal Panels Based on Roof Slope
When specifying a metal roof system, choosing the correct panel is a key factor. In this episode, we discuss the main things to consider when choosing a metal roof with regard to roof slope, including building codes and minimum slope requirements.