Metal Construction Association (MCA)

The Metal Construction Association (MCA) is a trade association for companies that make and supply metal products used in building construction in North America, including metal roof and wall panels, metal composite material, insulated metal panels and coil coatings. It was launched on 1 June 1983 as a successor to the defunct Metal Building Component Manufacturers Association, and it is based in Illinois. Some sources give 1984, when operations were fully under way, as its starting year.

Mission and activities

MCA works to expand the use of metal in construction through marketing, education, technical work and advocacy on public policy. Its main areas include:

• Technical resources. The association publishes technical bulletins and guides on topics such as panel attachment, wind uplift, thermal performance and corrosion for designers and contractors.
• Certification programs. MCA operates certification programs for metal construction products, including a roofing certification and a certification for fabricators of metal composite material (MCM) wall systems.
• Education. It offers online courses through MCA Metal University, aimed at architects and other building professionals.
• Meetings. MCA is linked with METALCON, a trade show for the metal construction industry, and holds winter and summer member meetings.
• Research. It funds research with outside organisations, for example on energy performance and resilience of metal building envelopes.

Related initiatives

In 2002 MCA joined the Steel Coalition, and in 2004 it launched The Metal Initiative to inform commercial building decision makers. In 1998 it helped set up the Metal Roofing Alliance, a separate but closely aligned group focused on residential metal roofing.

Relevance to roofing

Metal roofing ranges from exposed-fastener corrugated sheets to standing seam systems and stamped metal shingles. MCA's technical work helps define how these products are tested and installed in North America, alongside standards from ASTM, UL and building codes.