COMMITTED TO RESHAPING THE WORLD

SUSTAINABILITY

At ABC, protecting the environment and minimizing our operational impact are key priorities. We champion sustainable design and construction by delivering architectural solutions and high-performance products that promote energy efficiency, support LEED certification, and align with Net-Zero building initiatives. Our products actively contribute to achieving major environmental certifications, including LEED, helping projects meet modern sustainability standards.

However, our commitment goes beyond what we produce; it guides how we conduct business. By maintaining a nationwide network of regional manufacturing locations, we shorten shipping routes and reduce fuel usage. Our transportation fleet is optimized for efficiency with tools like electronic engine monitoring, which provides insights that encourage smarter, more fuel-conscious driving behaviors. We have also implemented energy-saving lighting upgrades throughout our offices and manufacturing plants to lower overall consumption.

To further advance our sustainability goals, we partner with vendors and industry organizations that uphold similar environmental values. Working together allows us to increase our collective influence, drive meaningful change and support a more sustainable future for the communities we serve.

 

HOW WE’RE CREATING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

ABC is dedicated to supporting environmental sustainability, guiding our actions through three primary commitments:

  1. Sustainable Products: Our products are designed to improve the environmental performance of structures where they are installed, and we promote awareness of their long-term ecological benefits among key stakeholders.
  2. Eco-Conscious Business Practices: We manage our operations with a focus on monitoring environmental impact while empowering employees with the knowledge needed to support reduction efforts.
  3. Collaborative Responsibility: By partnering with like-minded organizations, we strengthen our shared mission to advance sustainable and socially responsible initiatives.

Here are some of the ways we’re committed to sustainability:

Most ABC products are manufactured from steel, the most widely recycled material in the world. The steel we use contains at least 30% recycled content and remains fully recyclable at the end of its extended service life, supporting a more circular building approach.

When compared to traditional asphalt shingles, ABC roof products offer a more environmentally responsible choice. Only a limited portion of asphalt shingles are recycled each year, while most are discarded in landfills. Because asphalt is derived from petroleum, it also increases dependence on fossil fuels. Steel roofing clearly stands out as a more sustainable and resource-efficient material.

ABC products are engineered for exceptional longevity, offering significantly longer life cycles than many conventional building materials. Building products that rarely need replacement, or require it far less often, are typically the preferred choice for both property owners and builders. Because of their durability, ABC products deliver strong financial value while supporting environmentally responsible construction.

The Metal Roofing Alliance reports that a metal roof can last two to three times longer than conventional roofing systems. With proper installation and routine upkeep, metal roofs commonly perform for 40 to 60 years or more.

For comparison, asphalt roofs generally last between 12 and 20 years, with factors like roof slope and regional climate potentially shortening that timeframe. Made from oil-saturated paper or fiberglass, asphalt shingles begin to break down once exposed to typical weather conditions. Metal roofing, on the other hand, resists decomposition and can maintain its integrity with proper installation and simple annual maintenance.

Alternative materials such as wood shingles, shakes, and tile also face weather-related challenges that contribute to deterioration. Wood roofing often requires replacement in less than two decades, while concrete tiles may crack or distort during freeze-thaw cycles in colder regions.

By contrast, metal roofing consistently outperforms these options, preserving its strength, appearance, and reliability for decades.

ABC architectural metal roof and wall panels are designed to serve as the exterior layer of a thermally efficient building envelope. When incorporated into a project, these panels may help support LEED credits toward overall building certification.

The details below are intended to guide design professionals in choosing materials that align with their performance goals and project requirements, based on LEED v5 standards for New Construction and Major Renovations.

Credit Category Credit Name How to Earn Metal Sales Contribution
SSc5 Heat Island Reduction Use roofing materials that have an aged solar reflectance index (SRI) value equal to or greater than 64 for low-sloped (≤2:12) and 32 for steep-sloped (>2:12) roofs. Many of our color offerings meet the SRI requirements for steep sloped roofs and a few meet the requirement for low sloped roofs.

See the Color Chart for specifics.
MRc1 Building and Materials Reuse Reuse at least 20% of existing building structure and enclosure elements. Panels can be used in retrofit projects for roof replacement and façade renewal.
MRc4 Building Product Selection and Procurement Use products and materials that have sustainability information available and that have environmentally, economically, and socially preferable impacts. Typical minimum average recycled content in steel products is 25% for standard steel and 92% for structural steel.
MRc5 Construction and Demolition Waste Diversion One point for diverting 50% of construction and demolition debris from the landfill.

OR

Two points for diverting 75% of construction and demolition debris from the landfill.

 Excess and scrap steel is 100% recyclable and can be diverted from landfill as part of a construction waste management program.

ABC continually advances new approaches that simplify the integration of renewable energy technologies into our products and building systems. Examples include easy integration with polycrystalline and thin-film laminate photovoltaic panels, micro wind turbines, solar thermal solutions, and rainwater collection systems.

Small in size but highly efficient, these lightweight devices attach directly to the standing seams of ABC roofing systems. Installation relies on engineered clips that avoid puncturing the metal panels, helping maintain the roof’s weathertight design. Additionally, the roof continues to expand and contract without restriction during temperature changes, supporting long-term performance.

The sun beating down on a roof is obviously the primary source of unwanted solar heat gain in a building. Cool coating technology helps to significantly reflect the sun’s energy away from a building. Learn more about Cool Roof benefits available with ABC metal panel.

Solar energy systems are highly efficient but can add significant weight to a structure. Standing seam roof systems available through ABC are engineered with the strength needed to support large photovoltaic (PV) panel arrays.

Polycrystalline PV panels are secured directly to the standing seams of an ABC roof using specially designed, non-penetrating clips. This installation method protects the roof’s weathertight performance by avoiding holes in the metal panels.

Additionally, the roofing system continues to allow natural expansion and contraction as temperatures change, helping maintain long-term durability.

This technology pairs exceptionally well with ABC standing seam roof systems. The long, flexible, and lightweight PV laminate rolls are engineered to bond securely to the flat surface of each roof panel for streamlined installation.

Compared to polycrystalline panels, this solution preserves the clean architectural appearance of standing seam metal roofing. However, performance levels may be lower than polycrystalline options in regions with limited sunlight.

Rehabilitating and repurposing existing structures can deliver meaningful environmental benefits compared to new construction. ABC products and systems also help make retrofit projects more cost-effective, creating both financial and sustainability advantages.

ABC Retro-R® metal roofing retrofit solutions enable a new metal roof to be installed directly over an aging or underperforming roof, whether flat or sloped. Because the original roof remains in place and serves as the foundation for the new system, costly tear-offs are avoided. These retrofit systems are compatible with existing R-panel metal roofs as well as asphalt shingles.

Upgrading a building exterior is more affordable with lightweight ABC wall panels used as rainscreen cladding. The process begins by adding continuous insulation over older masonry or EIFS walls. Adjustable vertical subgirts are then installed to support the panels and help correct uneven wall surfaces. Finally, new lightweight ABC wall panels create a refreshed, modern facade.

With more than 35 manufacturing locations across the continental United States and Alaska, ABC can produce finished materials near project sites. This proximity helps lower fuel consumption during transport while allowing for smaller, more efficient delivery methods.

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BENEFITS OF METAL PANELS

There are many factors to weigh when choosing the right roof and wall panels for your building project. ABC’s sustainable metal roofing and wall panels are durable, economical, energy efficient and offer a long life expectancy.

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