Who isn’t a retro music fan? Retro was the name given to a hodge-podge of music that included psychedelic tunes from the 1960s, punk rock from the 70s and 80s and even an outgrowth of new wave music from the 90s. But not all music from those times is considered retro. Most retro music has the distinct sound using computers, synthesizers and a unique electronic instrument called the Theremin.
Retro music has a strong following today. We’ve all been to a wedding reception where at least one retro tune is played for those who want to attempt to dance to the music. Today’s retro music includes many varieties and ranges from experimental art music to electronic dance music. Perhaps you’ll recognize these Retro bands by the names of “Are These My Pants”, “Crosseyed Chickens”, “Gang Green”, “Pregnant Men” and “Zombies Under Stress”. If you didn’t see your favorite retro band listed there, check out many others on ‘The Canonical List of Weird Band Names – the Peculiar and the Profane,
The term “retro” comes from the Latin prefix, retro , meaning “backwards” or “in past times”. It implies a movement toward the past instead of progress toward the future. In addition to specific music genre, “retro” describes certain types of art, fashion, cars and even sports. But even in the building construction industry, retro has a distinct contribution to make — retrofit. And this construction technique is anything but moving toward the past.
The retrofit portion of the building construction industry is the fastest growing segment. In today’s weak economy with homeowners and building owners staying in their structures longer, the need to retrofit or revamp the building has become very popular.
Even in the green segment of the construction market, sustainable retrofitting of buildings is expected to shine. Market research by McGraw Hill Construction has found that 86 percent of commercial building owners expect the green retrofit market to grow, and half expect it to increase 20 percent or more over the next three years. The research also showed that 70 percent of owners who had engaged in green retrofit or renovation activities are planning to continue to do so for over 15 percent of future renovation projects, with 24 percent of owners planning to do so on over 60 percent of future projects.
Metal construction is playing a large role in the success of green retrofitting of buildings. Installing a metal roof over existing roofs of any kind is just one example of retrofit in commercial or residential construction. A metal roof retrofit project can introduce additional energy efficiency improvements, allow for solar thermal heating/cooling through air flow, and introduce alternative energy systems for on-site production. Retrofitting walls with a metal wall system can also introduce some surprising energy efficient improvements, as well as improving the aesthetics of the wall.
METALCON in Atlanta this year will once again showcase the technologies, and products used for metal roof and wall retrofit projects. The education seminars will also discuss case studies and novel integration of multiple technologies into retrofit schemes. For those contractors whose customers are not too keen on new construction but are looking to retrofit or renovate their buildings, METALCON is the place to be for learning about the latest techniques, systems, assemblies and possibilities available with metal retrofit components. And if you listen closely enough, you might even hear some of that classic Retro music playing at the Georgia World Congress Center on October 11-13.
