When properly designed and installed, rooftop solar power systems are extremely reliable. But that requires several aspects to be considered in a good way. Solar mounting systems consist of a number of field-assembled parts and have to be integrated with existing roofing materials, as well as the underlying structural components of a house. Anatomy of Solar Panel Mounting Systems A. Solar panels (...

Galvanized steel is steel that has gone through a chemical process to keep it from corroding. The steel gets coated in layers of zinc oxide because this protective metal does not get rusty as easily. The coating also gives the steel a more durable, hard to scratch finish that many people find attractive. For countless outdoor, marine, or industrial applications, galvanized steel is an es...

Aluminum comes in different alloys. A construction or structural alloy is an aluminum alloy designed for building structures, such as in the rails of a mounting system – examples of this type are 6005-T5 or 6106-T6. Lower-grade aluminum like AL 6063 is most commonly used to build office partitions or window framing. It is not as strong, and you should be wary of a mounting system rail constructed ...