Tag Archives: Marco Industries

Ridge Vent with Steel Roofing

Proper ventilation is one of the most overlooked, if not entirely ignored features when it comes to pole building.

I’ve written about ventilation previously, read more at: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/blog/2014/02/pole-building-ventilation/)

For many pole builders and pole building kit providers, their idea of a ridge vent is to just omit the closed cell form fitted closures which should be provided beneath the ridge caps to prevent rain, snow, leaves, needles and critters from entering the building. For those doing it on the cheap, great solution as long as birds flying around inside of the building, or a pile of snow growing in the middle of the floor are not issues.

The informed buyer, however, is just not going to settle for this solution, which is actually more a lack of a solution.

When Hansen Pole Buildings was in its infancy, we offered a ridge vent system manufactured by Closure Vent, Inc. (www.closurevent.com) A huge step up from the “no ridge closure”, we provided them for several years, until we began getting feedback from clients who were experiencing weather coming through the vents.

LP2 VentAlways searching for a better solution, we found the Marco Industries™ LP2™ Ridge Vent. This product provides the ultimate attic ventilation benefits, contributes to reducing or eliminating condensation issues – at an affordable investment for the end user!

The LP2™ is a green building product made from Marco’s flame- and tear-resistant nonfabric-covered Python vent recycled, fiber-based polyester (for those who have seen 1977’s Saturday Night Fever too many times – this may be where John Travolta’s wardrobe went). It is a strong, durable modified polyester, which never breaks down and it is durable, non-woven and non-wicking. And its specially cut contours provide a custom low-profile for any pitch roof.

The product keeps out moisture, pests, dust and prevents wind driven rain and snow infiltration. The screw bed and pre-applied industrial strength peel-n-stick adhesive make the LP2™ easily installed by just one person in two steps.

When aesthetics are important, the LP2™ is completely invisible. With the custom contoured fit and low profile, the only people who will know the ridge vent is there are the installer and the building owner!

Why not use traditional fans, turbines and/or louvers? With the Weather-Tite LP2™ a roof ventilation system is created which is less expensive and simply vents the attic better than traditional systems.

The great part – when properly installed with soffit or other intake vents, LP2™ is Building Code compliant!

Foam Closure Strips

Inside Foam Closure Strips to be exact.

There are lots of little pieces involved when it comes to the assembly of a pole building, which the average lay person would have little or no knowledge of. Some of them don’t make a difference until the lack of them (or their failure to perform) becomes apparent.

Pole Barn Inside ClosureOne of these unsung heroes is the “Inside Foam Closure Strip”.

What the H are Inside Foam Closure Strips, and why would a new building owner care?

Imagine you are inside of your brand new steel roofed pole building, enjoying the wonderful space. Along the eave (where water drips off when it rains) side, are the underside of the high-ribs of the steel roofing. In most cases, every nine inches is a rib about ¾ of an inch high….and unless this space is filled with something, it is an entry point for outside light (no big deal, in most cases), as well as obnoxious flying things – like hornets and wasps (much bigger deal).

Having inside foam closure strips installed along the eave sides of the roof steel can be the difference between a happy or unhappy pole building owner. What is even sadder for the building owner without them is, they are very economical.

Not just any foam strip will perform admirably for years. There are providers who will supply (as well as builders who will install) open cell foam instead of investing in a true inside closure. Open cell foam typically comes in rolls of 10 to 25 feet in length, and easily compresses to conform to the rib pattern of the steel. It also is not UV resistant – resulting in deterioration and a very short lifespan.

Hansen Pole Buildings has done the research and found what we feel is “the product” when it comes to Inside Foam Closure strips. Manufactured by Marco Industries™, the closure foam is hydraulically die-cut for a precise fit. The use of crosslink polyethylene foam with a unique coating provides a better UV resistance and better durability than the industry standard. Independent testing confirms Marco’s 1.5 density foam provides a better UV stability than the competitive products with a 2.0 density. What does this mean to the average consumer? The Marco Industries Closure-Foam™ is UV resistant and designed to last 40 years or more!

During the installation of the steel roofing on Eric’s new post frame storage building, one of my son’s jobs was to have the inside foam closure strips placed ahead of the next sheet of roof steel. Each three foot wide closure strip has a dove tail on the end, which interlocks with the previous strip. The interlocking occurs beneath a high rib of steel, which means the strips need to be placed “ahead of the game”.

One of the challenges is – the strips must be accurately placed to cover only three feet. They will stretch, if pulled, so one must be acutely aware of the need to be laying them out using a tape measure.

Why acutely aware?

Marco’s Closure-Foam is designed to stay put. A generous ¼” adhesive bead of M63™ industrial adhesive on each strip eliminates blow away problems. The adhesive will even adhere in subfreezing temperatures and on wet surfaces!

In constructing our own self-storage building, we found the adhesive to be so good – if the closure was not originally placed correctly, it was a true task to remove and reseat it properly!