Craig Hardin of Hardin Construction

Craig has done metal roofing work in the Frederick, MD area since 2004. He made the cover of theaMetal Architecture Magazine-April 2015 edition. Here is his response of his favorite roofing tool.

I would have to say that a must have and favorite for me is the Stubai plastic seaming block/anvil.aWhy?aBecause it can be used for complex seaming details on all metals including factory painted metal. With the right hammer ?12-16 oz plastic faced dead blow? this combo offers an opportunity ato apply traditional detailing without compromise to the materials finish.

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Jorge Fiscal ofaCustom Copper and Zinc

Custom Copper and Zinc is based in Raleigh, NC and started in 2000. They offer services covering basicaflashing repairato the most complex architecturaladesigns on facades and standing seam roofs.

Iahave to say that I miss my blakladder pants? why they don?t sell Skillers here in the USA?? I know they have a summer version with the same pockets and cordura reinforced on the right areas but jersey-like on the sides to help cool off.

Recently a friend gave me a simple pocket ruler, it has a built in protractor and kind of locks in place, it helps me a lot to transfer angles, a straight edge and of course, a long ruler.

Number one is the Wuko rolling bender. Genius of a man who came up with such great concept.

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Lou Rondeau of Rondeau Construction

Lou has been in the metal roofing industry for 20+ years and has given presentations at many of the top roofing conferences. His favorite product is the MASC Nibbler.

Masc Nibbler works it?s way through another great job. The tool of choice that I have constantly in hand during these types of roofing details.

Well worth the minor investment. Well worth having in my toolbox.

Daniel Delle of Copperworks

Daniel has more than 15 years experience in the industry, beginning his career in Germany as well. He has expertise in the designing stage of the roofing systems.

My favorite tool is the Wuko Bender 2202adue to the versatility of bending on site

While metal is already a popular roofing material in various countries, it has just began to gain popularity here in the United States. Considering that most roofs here are built using individual shingles such as asphalt, it is not surprising that there are some misconceptions about this new product.

So the question is what really is true about metal roofs and what it is not. Following are some answers to some of the common misconceptions surrounding this product.

Myths

• Noisy ? Due to metal?s high resonance properties, it is commonly believed that this type of roof is noisy, particularly during rain or strong winds. While it is true that the material can be noisy in these situations, it is only true with old systems. The modern method of installation makes use of a thick underlayment along with a solid decking as well as the use of thick fiber insulation to further dampen the noise that may be generated.

• Corrosion ? While it is true that galvanized steel is prone to corrosion, modern metal panels come pre-coated to protect against rusting. Some materials such as aluminum, copper and stainless steel are corrosion-proof so applying a protective coating is only optional.

• Lightning ? Although metal is more prone to lightning strikes than other material, this only occurs if it is located at the highest point of an area such as on a tower. A device that stops lightning can be installed to provide additional protection to the building. There is also no risk of the structure catching fire in case lightning does occur since the material is completely fireproof.

• Hot ? Metal has poor insulation properties, which is why many believe that indoor temperatures will be as hot or as cold as the outdoors if this material is used. This is not the case since proper insulation can effectively separate the temperature in the living space from the outside temperature. It is highly reflective, which means it can effectively dissipate heat rather than absorb it.

Facts

• Cost Effective ? This kind of material is the most cost effective one currently on the market as it has a considerably longer life span up to as much as eighty years. It is almost comparable to slate in terms of longevity, yet at a cost that is lower than the average asphalt shingles considering the life span of the material and low maintenance requirements.

• Durable ? The inherent durable characteristics of metal is also available as a roofing product. Although the panels come in thin sheets, it still maintains its shape with the help of corrugation. It is ideal for use in hail-prone and windy areas where conventional shingles can easily break or fly off.

• Lightweight ? When installing metal roofs, there is no need for elaborate support structures since galvanized steel is thin and lightweight.

• Maintenance Free ? Metal structures are almost maintenance free. They are not prone to moss or algae infestations, are not get easily blown off by strong winds, and do not curl from extreme heat. The only required maintenance for a full service life is a regular coating of paint to prevent corrosion.

In summary, metal roofs may be relatively new here in the United States, yet they already have an established reputation abroad. They are cost effective, durable, and low-maintenance system. Hopefully this article has helped debunk some of the myths surrounding this material and has highlighted its true advantages!

Let Schulte Roofing Be Your Houston Roof Professional!

Are you in need of a Houston roof company who knows about the many benefits of using metal for a building top? Schulte Roofing at 800-367-7663 is an expert in the installation of this type of material and can help greater Houston area customers with this and many other roofing needs!

The reality is, that over the lifetime of a typical commercial or industrial roof, the roof will be in need of repair at some point in time. The watertightness of the roofing system will be breached, in which case a repair is essential. These breaches could be caused by a myriad of reasons, such as a worker dropping a heavy sharp object that results in a cut to the roofing membrane. Even a loose piece of metal siding tumbling across your roof in a windstorm could cause damage that would need repairing.

Depending on the nature of your building, it is also common that roof penetration items, such as HVAC units, vent pipes, electrical lines, etc., will be removed, replaced, and added. When these activities take place, holes are left behind that need to be repaired or re-flashed depending on the scenario.

When any of the above happens, the ability to make a proper long-term repair or new flashing to the roof membrane is critical. Furthermore, the original type of roof membrane that is specified and installed will determine the ability to perform a long-term repair as some roof membranes are much more difficult (and in some cases almost seemingly impossible) to repair than others. The reasons for the various repair limitations of the different roof membranes are numerous. There are however a few fundamental facts, such as surface oxidation or weathering surface degradation, that help explain the limitations.

Surface oxidation is akin to rust forming on steel whereas weathering surface degradation is a breakdown of the polymers on the surface. In either case, the surface to be repaired is no longer the original virgin material that was installed, and thus requires different processes and great care needs to be exercised to bond the repair material to the weathered surface. The bottom line is that you should be considering a roof membrane?s long-term repairability when selecting a roof system.

How to Select a Roof Based on Repairability

It is important to note that the repair process should be as identical to the original installation process as possible. Weathered roof materials require a lot of preparation to repair as repair materials can?t be bonded with just any surface. Using primers and scrubbing are typically necessary to make the surface bondable. If your roofing system is experiencing surface oxidation, buffing will often be required before repairs will be able to be made to remove the hard brittle surfaces.

Do you have any other questions you ask about life-time repairability of a roofing system before selecting/specifying a system? Tell us about it in the comments.

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A home is the largest investment most of us will ever make. And yet the one part of that investment that could potentially cost the most ? your roof ? is often overlooked. So if you just bought a home, here are three things you should do for your roof.

By taking care of your roof now, and planning ahead for any repairs down the road, you can ensure that you roof will last, and avoid being hit by large repair bills later.

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When contractors for roofing homes mess up

Normally when roofs begin to deteriorate, it is an instinct of homeowners to call the nearest company that offers roofing homes service at an affordable price. Based on friends and neighbors? recommendation, he would choose a roofer who is trustworthy enough for the job. The owner may also check the contractor?s work background to see his credentials and technical skills. But there are times when following the standard process in choosing the best roofers does not suffice. Even if you are careful and vigilant, you may still end up with a roofing company with unsatisfactory performance. What do do?

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Customer service

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First of all, there are tell-tale signs that a particular company is not professional. Never award a contract to an individual that you have not seen yet in person. Insist a personal interview prior to contract signing. Call their office for an appointment and inquire about your roofing homes dilemma. If the phone is busy, make sure to ask for a return call. Contractors who don?t even bother to call back are plain unprofessional. No matter how busy they are, a return call is an act of respect for the client.

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The Start Date

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Just like any other kind of job, roofing homes should have a start date and a deadline of completion. Since the job depends on weather condition, you have to make adjustments in the time frame in cases of unexpected rain storm or sudden hurricane. Of course, you cannot expect the workers to deliver the task even on violent weather conditions. They might get injured and you will be held liable for their medical and recovery expenses. However, it is a different situation if they promised to start on a specific day and they didn?t show up even if the sun is shining bright. When this happens, call their office and politely ask for a valid reason. Remember to stay collected in times like this. Request for a money refund if necessary. Don?t hesitate to ask for financial damages if this will mean additional expenditures on your part.

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Unsatisfactory Workmanship

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Usually, poor performance is discovered when it?s already too late. In the beginning, you may even give praises to the contractor for a well done roofing homes service. Then the rain starts to fall again and you are shocked that the leaking water is not yet solved. This will definitely make you frustrated and disappointed. Not only you lost hard-earned money for a useless job, you also lost important time and energy for a failed project. What would you do? Of course, you will have to call the contractor?s office very quickly and request for a roofer to sent to your house instantly. Professional roofing companies will act fast, within 48 hours, to fixed the damaged areas of your roofs. If they don?t act soon, inform the Better Business Bureau about their incompetent job. If they disappear without written or verbal notice, consult the case with an attorney to help refund your money. Make it more difficult by telling all your friends and neighbors about how they scammed you.