Originally Published as: October Doesn’t Trick
October wants you to think it’s here to trick-or-treat, but this issue’s honest: it’s here to work. Harvest’s not done, Metalcon’s about to open its doors, and half the industry is currently arguing over whether steel or wood is the one true pole barn material. (We’re staying neutral. Mostly.)
Speaking of Metalcon — if you’re headed to Orlando October 7-9, buckle up: the theme parks have nothing on 250 exhibitors showing off fasteners that can survive a hurricane and a toddler simultaneously. There will be coatings that outlive their warranties out of spite, roll-formers that make grown men emotional, and at least one booth rep who will try to explain “thermal bridging” to you using only hand gestures. Coverage lands next issue, but consider this your permission slip to walk the floor guilt-free. Yes, even the booth with the free popcorn. Especially that one.
This issue also digs into oil and gas infrastructure buildings, because nothing keeps a structure honest like living a few feet from something combustible. We talk to the people who build for that particular flavor of pressure, and what it takes to sleep at night when your building’s neighbor is a wellhead.
We’ve also got agricultural heating and cooling built for weather that refuses to check a forecast. Because livestock don’t care about your HVAC budget, they care about not being miserable at 6 a.m. in a 20-degree swing. And we’re rounding out the issue with a look at “bonus” safety features: the upgrades nobody asks for, nobody budgets for, and nobody notices until the day they save a finger, a roof, or a Tuesday.
So grab your coffee, brace for cooler mornings, and let’s get to it.
