Need opinions Home Steel Roofing

Up here we have high winds, lots of snow and a decent amount of rain. Steel roofs have become popular over the last few decades up here in the prairies, and we're gonna walk a few blocks and chat with one homeowner who has installed one in late 2007.

Regular shingle roofing doesn't cut the mustard up here. The even reduce the 25 year product to 15 year durability. When we bought the house, the owner that the roof had been done in 1995, and its toast now, asphalt chips falling on the car. Leaks can't be too far behind.

I used to work for the company that makes the galvanized steel rolls, and the local company is the largest distributor in Canada. Both reputable.

We want to reshape the peak roof to give more headroom in the 3 upstairs bedrooms, and a new bathroom, so I'd get pre-fabbed trusses. They can deliver and install the trusses and steel with 2 days, once the materials are here, and I can get both locally.

With all the rain we'll get in July, I'd like to get on the case now, but I wondered if anyone had ever lived under one, or heard any downsides.

Here's some pics:
http://www.vicwest.ca/english/gallery_results.asp?cat=residential

 

You'll notice nothing. I have some friends that have steel. With good insulation you won't hear the rain. Steel will last until you are 110-130 years old. Best value for the long term.

GO FOR IT! Especially if the government chips in on cost.

 

Here, this company gives a 40 year warranty. I've looked at it for 6 years, and it does make good sense. 2 of my neighbours had theirs reshingled about 4 years ago and they're starting to lift, already. The guys used a good brand and did a professional job, but they just don't last in this climate.

I'm sold on them, but I just wanted to know if anyone had a negative experience or comments about installers. If I was 40, I think I could do it myself, but I know good installers are critical to a job well done.

Thanks T-bird.

 

It's the wind here that lifts the shingles. They're frozen most of the time so they just break eventually. Rolled roofing ay be better, just harder to deal with.
Metal roof is the way to go, just make sure it gets installed absolutely correctly.

 

You know of any with steel experience? I'm just gonna call the company's two partners and see if they do it or who they recommend. Also have to get a price for new roof trusses.

 

Go with the steel, Norm, you won't be disappointed. The only down sides I can think of are: Not easy to walk around up there if there is a need to in the future; if you want to change the color scheme of your home in the future it may be difficult with the color roof you choose now; you can hear it in the rain in an UNinsulated home...you won't have that problem.
Be sure to choose quality steel (heavy gauge) and the color application method is important. There are also different installation processes across different brands. Some better than others. I know you will research it and choose a good brand. Installation isn't rocket science but if it is done wrong it can become problematic. Check several neighbors that had different installers for their advice.

 

Thanks. I found out that the Steel distributor and the truss company that have the best reputations also use one of the best contractors to install them. We're trying to get an appointment today to chat with the estimator this afternoon.

I'm guessing, but the quote I got 6 years ago was about $5,400 without installation, so with everything, it'll be about $12,000 or so. BUT, it sure will bump up the value of the house too.

You could walk down the street with $100 K$ and buy 5 fixer-upper homes, or 1 decent one. Mine's undervalued at $50,000, so my prop. and school taxes are cheeeeeap! Under $500.

 

There are times when I like being wrong. This is one of them. Found out that two neighbours have steel roofs. Saw both! Outstanding! Anyway, another distributor gives FREE courses and provides all the hardware and trim shapes, seals, etc. with the same material from my choice of factory distributors for the handyman. Got a lot of tips from the neighbours and his roof is about my size. Materials = $2,600, not $12,000. I'll cry tears of joy, all the way to the bank, GLADLY!!!:2_thumbs_up_-_anima

With that kind of savings, I can rent the best scaffolding and take the old stuff off and haul it to the landfill. Amen!

 

Norm,you have no idea how many standing seam metal roofs I have put on/been involved with in the last 20+ years. My company has an office in Winnipeg, give then a call for a free estimate. Whome ever you chose though spend the bit extra and go "Standing Seam", 99% hidden fasteners. If you choose bolt on corigated for a roof, your waisting your $$ IMO. Bolt on is for walls or the roof of a barn, Not A Home!

Flynn Canada.....

http://www.flynn.ca/

 

I know Flynn too! You bet! Thanks.

Actually this guy had that done! No visible fasteners on either home!

Know anybody from here? They hold your hand from start to finish.
http://www.metaldepotltd.com/default.htm

McDiarmid Lumber told me they couldn't get any subcontractors until August! I called a few roofers, same thing. Seems our economy is in a bit of a boom. Even unemployment is down.

 

No I don't know that metal roofing company.

I'm woried when you say " Joes (or who ever) Lumber yard" could'nt get subcontractors. If you want Lumber you don't deal with a roofing company and visa versa, rite?. It's your home Norm, Lumber yards sub out to the grosest CHEAPEST bidder they can find plain and simple! And then of course your house shows it. Believe it or not alot of work has been given to us from home owners who went that rout and now pay lots to get it fixed while the legals hash things out.

I'm not saying buy from Flynn but buy from a company that has a reputation and does'nt paint the truck once a month with a new name, Lumber yard subs get a can of paint with every sub. I'm not saying ALL subs who work and ake a livinng are cash and run but there are 4 for every 5 out there wwhen it comes to water proofing.. In BC we have RCABC witch is "Roofers Contracting Association of BC" Reputal companys big and small that are members play by the same rules and quallity standards, and most important Warranty Standards. You must have some thing similar in Manatoba. If you do, then IMO get prices from them and only them. If you get 6 companys to bid, don't just jump at the low ball. Did they miss some thing in the bid that mite come back at you? If 4 out of 6 bids are close, then those 4 would be the ones to deal with. Take an average and go with the clossest to it. Ask LOTS of questions, demand stainless steel pop rivets/screws where exposed fasters have to be used. Will the foreman putting your roof on be a ticketed Journeyman or just some guy who grew up on farms and cladded pig barns?? Oh, and you want snow stop...nothing like walking out one winter morning, slamming the door taking one step and haveing an avalanch bury you

 

Very good advice, Fat.

 

Starting at the top, Mcdiarmid Lumber isn't a Joe's Lumber:
http://www.mcdiarmid.com/

Who own Superior Truss:
http://www.mcdiarmid.com/professional/superiortruss.asp

Secondly Westeel is a subsidiary of VicWest:
http://www.westeel.com/index.php?page=home-north-america&lang_id=en

Vicwest is all across Canada:
http://www.vicwest.com/

http://www.vicwest.com/english/?local=west

And both companies don't sell direct to end users.

So I called Vicwest and confirmed that Metal Depot is a direct retailer for their lines. I don't want some imported stuff that I can't trust. Dofasco makes the galvanized sheet for Westeel for Vicwest, and I used to be part of their Cold Rolled and Galv mills.

All I can find is the Manitoba Shinglers Association, BUT, when I had the architectural drawings done and certified. Westeel and McDiarmid were recommended under the Architect's seal in the Specs and on the Drawings. And I have to use those for the permits.

McDiarmid gave me a name of a contractor/journeyman to snoopervise my work and I just have to pay him a counsulting fee to make sure I don't screw up.

Not to worry Ted, I'm not a rookie when it comes to construction, but I am to this stuff. I was the project manager on the Calgary Saddledome, and Overwaitees in Burnaby, and a few big projects in downtown Calgary, including Olympia York, parts of the Gulf Tower, and a good chunk of the West Edmonton mall.

I'm not reluctant to do it myself, but like you said, I'll be asking LOTS of questions along the way. Hauling shingles up onto my roof was the big deterrent. The McDiarmid guy said they'd hit me up for another $1,000 to draft the mods to my architectural drawings, and my wife and I went away with other ideas to use and modify it without blowing our brains on new specs and drawings. That was just to get an estimate! My architect raised his fees and he'd cost me even more. So I'd be spending $1,000 to $3,000 before I can even get an estimate! I need it done, not milked by a bunch of seat-warmers with heavy pencils and big calculators.

Anyway, I'm not dealing with fly-by-niters.

 

Anyway, I'm not dealing with fly-by-niters.[/QUOTE]

Good to hear Norm It seems clear you've been around the block a couple times......and not because you got lost




Edit> Years ago some friends went bolt on for there roof against my opinion and although I did'nt want and tryed to change there mind about bolt they went with it. They refused my price and were insulted buy it because some bodys relitive knew a guy...and his price...you know the rest. Not only did it look like a chain saw instalation (done in summer) but when the winter rains came they were screwed. So badly done it had to be replaced ( they had valleys and dormers), it was replaced wish shingles because they had to eat the cost and were never able to find the installer again although he had writen up a beautiful waranty for them. They still have bitter feeling towards me for not doing it...for nothing basikly and it cost the friendship

 

Good to hear Norm It seems clear you've been around the block a couple times......and not because you got lost

[/QUOTE]

Don't be so hasty!!! I did get lost the first time I drove into Calgary! End up down by the railyards on a foggy nite, facing an oncoming shunter engine!

Always said that the "Tie goes to the bigger vehicle", but stairing down a train engine does get your heart racing.