The Building with Metal Podcast – Presented by McElroy Metal
Welcome to The Building with Metal Podcast, presented by McElroy Metal. Whether you're a contractor, architect, designer, or building owner, we're here to help you build better with metal. This is your source for insights and tips on metal roofing, metal walls, and metal building construction.
All Episodes
Episode 71 - Cold-Formed Steel Buildings: Cost, Benefits & How They Compare to Red Iron with Jason Sellers
Cold-formed steel can offer significant advantages over traditional red-iron construction—but where does it make the most sense? Jason Sellers joins Building With Metal to break down McElroy Metal’s EasyFrame system, including cost considerations, foundation savings, lead times, installation, customization and structural capabilities. We also discuss when cold-formed steel is—and isn’t—the right solution for a building project.
Episode 70 - What Makes a Metal Roof Last? Lessons From South Texas Metal Roofing with Edward Montemayor
What makes a metal roof last—and what installation mistakes can shorten its life? Edward Montemayor of South Texas Metal Roofing joins Building With Metal to share lessons from years in the field. We talk about common installation mistakes, roofing in the demanding South Texas climate, finding skilled labor, producing panels in-house, and what separates great metal roofing contractors. Edward also shares why, despite years of experience, McElroy Metal’s installer certification training still taught him something new.
Episode 69 - When Buildings Shake and Burn: Inside Fire & Earthquake Testing
How do engineers know a building system will perform when it matters most? In this episode of Building with Metal, host Kathi Miller welcomes back Bob Zabcik of Z-Tech Consulting—one of our most popular guests—to explore the science behind fire and earthquake testing. Bob takes us inside today's testing laboratories to explain how building systems are evaluated under extreme conditions and why those results play such a critical role in building codes, product development, and public safety. We discuss what engineers are really looking for during fire tests, how seismic testing has evolved, and why testing is about far more than simply passing or failing. The conversation also features an incredible look at multi-hazard testing, where researchers subjected a full-scale building to a simulated earthquake before exposing it to fire—providing valuable insight into how structures perform during real-world disasters. Whether you're an architect, engineer, contractor, or simply fascinated by how buildings are designed to withstand nature's toughest challenges, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the science that helps make our built environment safer and more resilient.
Episode 68 - AI on the Jobsite: How Smart Contractors Are Building the Future with Christian Rosas of Nexus Builders
Artificial intelligence is changing construction faster than most people realize—but it's not about replacing skilled workers. It's about giving contractors better tools to work smarter, communicate more effectively, and solve some of the industry's biggest challenges. In this episode of Building With Metal, Christian Rosas of Nexus Builders joins us to discuss how AI is already making an impact on jobsites. We explore practical applications for contractors, the ongoing labor shortage, using iPads to simplify onboarding, overcoming language barriers, and why successful companies will view AI as a powerful assistant rather than an autopilot.