A40 vs G60

Posted on April 5, 2012 by admin

I recently received a phone call asking me what the difference between the “A” and the “G” was when talking about hot dipped galvanized products.   And of course that spawned a quest for knowledge.  So here is what I learned about A40 vs G60 in case one day you’re asked the question.

And don’t forget my post on Galvanized vs Galvanneal for more information.  Please comment below if you have anything to add.

A vs G

Hot-Dipped Galvanized is produced to established minimum zinc coating weights in ounces per square foot. These coating weight will have a prefix of either “A” or “G” Generally “G” denotes a free zinc coating whereas “A” denotes a zinc/iron alloy coating.  The “G”, free zinc type, offers better corrosion resistance, but the “A”, alloy type, is more easily spot welded.

The corrosion resistance of the “G” type is directly related to the amount of zinc coating, i.e., G90 will resist corrosion to the base metal longer than G30.

The “A” coatings have a dull gray color with no spangle while the “G” coatings are bright/shiny and can have various sized spangle visible. This is the traditional galvanized appearance.

Hot-Dipped Galvanized can be chemically treated to inhibit the formation of zinc oxide or have a surface oil applied to retard storage stains. The “G” types are often coil coating with paint and are usually post formed by roll forming or embossing of the strip. Garage and entrance doors are examples of this practice. The “A” type is typically painted after all forming or bending is completed.

Both types, “A” and “G” are available on a full range of steel grades from CS (Commercial Steel) through EDDS (Extra Deep Drawing Steel). These grades have varying ability to be formed. Hot-Dipped Galvanized is produced to meet ASTM A 653 Specifications, “General Requirements for Steel Sheet Zinc Coated by the Hot-Dip Process”.

40 vs 60

Now, in reference to the number following the A or G refers to the amount of zinc represented in ounces per square foot (or sometimes grams per square meter) total both sides. Its designation, for example, may be G60 (or A60, in the case of Galvannealed), constituting .60 oz/ft2.

 

 

 

 

 

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More Friday Fun, Let’s go to the Movies!

Posted on March 16, 2012 by admin

What else is fun?  Going to the movies, that’s what!

I can remember going to my first motion picture movie.  My parents took my younger brother and I to the drive-in theatre.  Back in the day, the theatre would show a kids movie first, then the feature film for the grown-ups.

That night the kids’ movie was Disney’s “Gnome Mobiles”.  And to this day I can still sing the chorus to the song.  I was so mesmerized by the action being played out on the huge screen before me.  I was an instant movie fanatic.

My first date movie was Arthur with Dudley Moore. Every time I hear the theme song “Best that You Can Do”, I am immediately taken back to that theatre.

Watching the movie “The New Kids” as a teenager inspired my brother and I to start jogging.  It didn’t last long, but we did get out there a couple of mornings.

I love everything about going to the movies.  I love how cold it is in the theatre even on the hottest summer day.  I love the strange feeling you get when you went into the movies in the daylight and come out in the dark.   I love popcorn, over priced cokes and raisinets! I even love sitting through all the previews.

My taste in movies has drastically changed since the “Gnome Mobiles”.  I am a major action movie buff.   The more gunshots and blood shed the better.  Just recently, while watching “Cowboys vs Aliens”, I thought this is my kind of movie when two people are shot and killed in the first two minutes.

My favorite all time movie scene is in “Terminator II” when Sarah Connor is breaking out of the mental hospital and running toward the elevator.  When the elevator doors open, the Terminator from the first movie steps out.  In slow motion Sarah Connor drops to floor, screaming nooooo, while trying to scramble backwards.  Love it!

I love anything with Clint Eastwood (starring or directing), all the Lethal Weapons, Terminators 1 & 2, Rocky’s I-IV, First Blood, Die Hard and the list could go on and on and on.   I am one of those people that can watch a movie 20 times, or to my husband’s dismay, more.   Of course, I like more than just action movies but they are definitely my favorites.

I would love to hear your movie favorites. If you’re feeling lucky, punk, comment below.

Posted in Just Talk | 1 Comment

New FBC Wind Maps

Posted on March 15, 2012 by admin

The 2010 Florida Building Code goes into effect today.

I found an informative flyer on the FBC site referring to the changes on the wind maps

that’s worth checking out. Here’s a clip:

The wind speed maps in the 2010 FBCB have been revised significantly from the 2007 Florida Building Code. The primary changes are as follows:

  • Strength design-level (Ultimate) wind speeds replace the ASD-level wind speeds in the 2007

    Florida Building Code.

  • Wind speed maps are provided for each Risk

    Category (formerly Occupancy Categories) instead of applying an Importance Factor to the design pressure calculations for Risk Categories III and IV. The Importance Factor for wind loads has been deleted from ASCE 7-10.

Here are the new FBC wind maps for Category I & II Building & Structures.  All maps can be found on the FBC Site.  For a full description of each Risk Category, refer to Table 1604.5 in the 2010 FBCB.

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Make a Difference, It’s Fun!

Posted on March 9, 2012 by admin

Throughout my life I have always tried to stay active as a volunteer.  One of my first opportunities as a teenager was with Wildlife Rescue, Inc. in Tampa.  Their main focus was on rehabilitating wounded Florida Panthers.  What an experience it was to feed and help care for them. They also took in other animals, including reptiles and birds of prey.  I will never forget climbing in to clean the cage of a wounded buzzard.  He was on his perch watching my every move, it was quite intimidating to say the least.

The Annual Hillsborough River Clean-Up was another favorite of mine while growing up in Tampa.  Hundreds of volunteers would show up with canoes and garbage bags to purge the river of trash left behind by the “inconsiderates”.  (spell-check doesn’t like that word, so I maybe I just invented it).  I have also participated in coastal clean-ups as well.

I enjoyed the ease of picking volunteer opportunities through Hands On Tampa.  By that time I was older with children and looked for things they could help with.  We put together food bags for the hungry, picked Oranges for the Gleaners, sung Christmas carols at a nursing home and much more. (Remember that one, Ginny?!)

Lately my volunteer opportunities are industry related.  I enjoy working with Alachua Habitat for Humanity WomenBuild .  I am happy to hear they are ready to start building House #6.  A few months ago my NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) presented construction career opportunities to a local girl scout troop and promoted the construction industry through a Block Kids Competition.

        

This last weekend, in honor of Women in Construction Week our NAWIC chapter built and donated 3 raised garden boxes for the PACE Center for Girls.  The teachers are creating a curriculum around the boxes to include planting, tending, harvesting and maybe even canning.

 

 

I urge you to get out there and make the world a better place, at least your small corner of it.

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More Tools for you to use

Posted on March 9, 2012 by admin

I created a fraction/decimal conversion chart for you to use.   Find it on page “Doors 101″ to download and print. More tools of the trade on the way.

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Volunteering on an AT Work Crew

Posted on March 2, 2012 by admin

Fridays are for fun, right?  I have decided to reserve Fridays for posts about things I consider fun.  I thought I would start this series with one of my favorite hobbies, hiking.

Bustin' Rock into gravel sized pieces

The Appalachian Trail has been a crush of mine for many years.  It started as a blazing obsession with dreams of one day hiking the entire trail, every one of the 2,180 miles stretching from Georgia to Maine.  Not having the time, an average of 6 months, to devote to this dream, I have had to find other ways to satisfy this hunger. My favorite is volunteering to help maintain the trail. Volunteering on an AT Work Crew is absolutely my favorite way to spend 8 days!

I was looking through a volunteer vacation book and was intrigued when I ran across this opportunity.  I mean come on, the following description would have any girl excited, right?

WORKING CONDITIONS

Trail work is hard, physical labor. It involves working with hand tools, and getting dirty is guaranteed. The crews work eight- or nine-hour days, rain or shine, hot or cold, regardless of black flies, mosquitoes, and other insects. During the course of the crew season, the weather can vary from sweaty, summertime heat to freezing, winter-like cold.

Another place I love to spend time is Gatlinburg, TN and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  So imagine my delight when I researched further and discovered the Rocky Top Trail Crew.  My interest grew upon discovering this particular crew operates for two months, September and October. October is my favorite time to spend in the smokies.

Rocky Top Trail Crew
The Rocky Top crew works exclusively on 70 miles of the A.T. through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park following the ridge crest from Davenport Gap to Fontana Dam. The crew is sponsored jointly by the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club, the National Park Service, and ATC.
Because its work sites are so remote, the Rocky Top Crew has an eight-days-on, three-days-off schedule. Please note that the Rocky Top Crew involves a long backpack in to the work site, and eight days of backcountry camping.

Did you catch that last part?  …involves a long backpack in to the work site and eight days of backcountry camping!  I know right, I could barely contain my excitement.

My first (yes, that means I have done this more than once) experience working on a trail crew was amazing.  Keep in mind this trip is not for the weak-hearted. Seven nights with no electricity or plumbing.  Also, the trail crews practice the “Leave No Trace” philosophy so that means no fires which translates to no heat.

I won’t go on, because I could forever!, but I will leave you with a few pictures.

Various Trips including Rocky Top & Konnarock Crews

Ready to Hit the Trail

Did I mention it was cold - and no heat!

Hard at it!

Side-hilling to improve drainage

Relaxing after a hard days work

Did I mention Back Breaking?

Bustin' Rock into gravel sized pieces

Placing a Rock Step

Each time I volunteered was truly amazing.  I highly recommend a volunteer vacation, it is very rewarding.  And I saved the best part for last…no cell phone reception!  8 days disconnected from technology helps you reconnect with your soul.

 

 

 

Posted in Just Talk, Pictures, Travel | 2 Comments

Design Hardware New Product Alert

Posted on January 19, 2012 by admin

Design Hardware is proud to announce the addition of a Keyed Removable Mullion to their quality product line-up!

DESIGN HARDWARE NEW PRODUCT ALERT!!

Posted in Design Hardware, Featured Products | Leave a comment

Galvanized vs Galvanneal

Posted on January 17, 2012 by admin

Per Wikipedia - Galvannealed or galvanneal is the result from the combined process of galvanizing and annealing to produce specialized sheets of steel. The galvanization is made through the hot-dipping (Hot-dip galvanizing) process and gives a very fine greyish matte finish. Galvanneal does not flake off its galvanized coating when formed, stamped, and bent. The very fine matte finish acts like a primer, allowing paint to adhere easily, and is very rust proof; only white to dark grey marks appear if it comes in contact with water. Galvanneal sheets offer good paintability, weldability, corrosion resistance, and formability. It is extensively used in the automotive, signage, electric equipment, and other industries requiring a metal with good paintability and long reliable service life. This steel process is produced by many steel mills and it is commonly referred by its trade name of Jet-Kote.

Mesker recently addressed this issue in a newsletter sent out to the architectural community.  See what our very own Mike Mehaffy, AHC has to say about galvanneal:

Galvanized vs Galvanneal - What are they and when should we specify them.

To know what and where to specify these coatings first we must know what these terms are and what they mean for our finished product.

Galvanized describes a process in which steel sheet is immersed in pure molten zinc at a temperature of approximately 850° Fahrenheit, which bonds the Zinc to the steel on the molecular level. The word “galvanize” comes from the galvanic protection that the zinc provides to steel when it is exposed to a corrosive environment. The zinc is not just a simple barrier coating it actually provides 3 types of protection to the base steel.

Galvanneal: Galvanneal is the same process as galvanized but after the zinc coating is applied the steel is heated to approximately 1050°.

This additional heating makes more of the iron come out of the steel and mix with the zinc so that the top layer of galvanneal is 5-6% iron and harder than the top layer of galvanize. This is beneficial for a few reasons.

The additional iron in the top layer makes it better for welding.

The galvanneal will bond with paint better than the galvanize. In fact, galvanneal does not require a primer.

The galvanneal is harder than galvanized so it is not as easily scratched.

Barrier protection: When the zinc bonds with the steel it forms multiple layers with the first layer at the steel being the hardest. These hardened internal layers make the coating difficult to compromise.

Cathodic Protection: The electrochemical relationship between zinc and steel in the presence of an electrolyte like moisture means that if the galvanized coating is compromised down to the bare steel the electrons in the zinc will sacrifice themselves to prevent corrosion. A flash rust will occur at the surface but then the corrosion stops and overtime zinc from the top layer will flow into a cut up to 1/4″ wide in the coating to heal it.

Zinc Patina: The zinc patina is a hard thin film that forms on the galvanized coating when it reacts with the oxygen, moisture and carbon dioxide in the air. The zinc patina acts as a barrier for the galvanized coating and must wear off before the galvanized coating can begin to wear.

So how does this apply to steel doors and frames.

In the steel door industry there are typically 3 types of galvanize / galvanneal used for doors and frames.

The first being A40. This is a galvanneal coating of .40 oz. per square foot. This coating provides minimal protection.

The second being A60. This is a galvanneal coating of .60 oz. per square foot. The A60 coating has 50% more protective coating and 50% more protection than the A40 coating. This is the best all around for steel doors and frames. It is adequate thickness for good protection but is not so thick that it is hard to work or has a displeasing appearance. This coating would be used on all exterior doors and any interior doors that have contact with any excessive moisture.

The third being G90 galvanized. This is a galvanized coating that may tend to look rough even after finish painting. It is a very heavy coating and does give added protection over the A60 coating. This coating should be used in extremely corrosive environments like pool areas or areas that come into contact with salt.

So when specifying Hollow Metal Doors and Frames don’t forget to include the proper coating for the application.

Thank You, Michael Mehaffy, AHC

 

 

Posted in Mesker Hollow Metal, Shop Talk | 1 Comment

DHI Class Pictures

Posted on January 16, 2012 by admin

While re-organizing my files for the new year I ran across these DHI Class Pictures.  I thought I would share and bring back memories of the Good Ole Days.  Chime in if you are in these pics, I’d love to get re-acquainted after all we did go to school together.

Posted in DHI, Faces of the Industry, Just Talk | 2 Comments

New Year ~ New Goals ~ New Chances

Posted on January 5, 2012 by admin

A fresh New Year is an opportunity for…well anything!

What are your hopes and plans for 2012?

The hum about the construction industry is that we can expect a slightly better year than the last.  I can attest to a significant increase in quote requests during the last six months.  A nice percentage have turned into Purchase Orders, adding to a slowly growing but consistent backlog.

I hope your strategic plan for 2012 includes classic tried and true marketing techniques as well as fresh new avenues such as social media.  If you are unsure of the power of social media take a moment to watch this video posted on SocialMedia4Builders blog.  This site is owned by Todd Vendituoli and is a useful tool for learning how Social Media can help you.

An upward swing in business is a great way to start off 2012.  Let me know how I can help to keep the momentum going.

 

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