Why is Choosing the Right Metal Shop So Important?

The most important success factor in any metal roofing project is the combination of the roofing contractor and the metal shop they work with. 

 

Having a new metal roof installed on your home is a large project for most homeowners. The expectations and expenses for a new metal roof emphasize the importance of working with a trusted, professional roofing contractor to make sure the metal roof is installed properly. Today, Istueta Roofing in Miami FL is sharing information regarding some very important things you need to consider when choosing a roofing contractor – the metal shop they partner with.

 

Once you decide that you need a new roof and recognize all the benefits metal roofing offers, the next step is to identify the qualified roofing contractors in your area who specialize in metal roofing. Past experiences mean that most homeowners know that choosing the wrong contractor increases the probability of things going wrong.

 

Before calling or emailing roofing contractors to request an estimate, take the time to really research the contractors in your area. While doing so, keep in mind that the most important success factor in any metal roofing project is a combination of the roofing contractor in Miami FL, and the metal shop they work with.

 

Because metal roofing requires slightly different installation techniques, most metal shop distributors or manufacturers require that installers of their products be certified by taking factory-taught classes before they can install their products.

 

The Questions You Must Ask to Protect Yourself and Your Home

 

To help determine if your metal roofing contractor in Miami FL is using an accredited metal roofing shop for your roofing project, dig into these questions. Some of these may be things you haven’t previously considered or even knew about, so we want you to be armed with all the information you need when choosing a roofing contractor for your project.

 

1. What is the complete name and address of the metal shop?

If the metal shop is not permanently established, you can’t be sure that your metal panels will be installed at the highest possible quality. Nor will you know if the metal shop will be in business if your roof needs service in the future. If a metal shop does not have a permanent name and physical address, you can’t trust them with your project.

 

2. How long has the metal shop in Miami FL been in business?

The longer they’ve been in business, the better, but under five years is often a sign that the business is not stable. Check references carefully, and keep in mind that longer-term references are proof of actual performance.

 

3. What is the metal shop’s online rating?

Customer reviews and products both act as social proof. The more reviews you can access, the better. They will help you know if there is interest in the product, and if customers are making real purchases. What is their experience with previous customers? Are the reviews mostly recent and positive?

 

4. What warranties does the metal shop company provide?

A contractor should provide you with:

• Mills Certificate:

  This is a quality assurance certificate that confirms a material’s technical strictures. It specifies its origin and quality and can provide insight into material performance under real-life conditions.

 

• Substrate Warranty:

  This is a guarantee that the base metal will not fail structurally, disintegrate due to rupture, or perforate within the specified terms when open to normal atmospheric conditions.

 

• Kynar 500 (PVDF) Paint Warranty:

  This is a guarantee from a paint supplier or manufacturer that the paint system used on the metal substrate will not disintegrate to a certain degree within a specific time frame.

 

5. What NOA is going to be used on your project?

State law in Florida requires that some building envelope components and systems have either a local or statewide product approval to validate resistance to structural wind loads.

 

A Notice of Acceptance (NOA) is a local Miami-Dade product approval to adhere to the code criteria in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone as outlined by the Florida Building Codes.

 

You can search and verify the NOA’s validity on https://www.miamidade.gov/building/pc-search_app.asp.

Check that the metal shop’s company name, address, contact name, and phone number are the same information as the metal shop your roofing contractor partners with.

6. What should the NOA include?

The NOA should include all product details including dimensions such as width, thickness, and min. yield strength. (The recommended strength for galvalume metal roofing ranges between 50-60 ksi as confirmed on the Mills Certificate.) It should also include information regarding the clips to be used, the deck attachment, metal panels, and accessories, and how they’ll be seamed, as well as any system limitations.

 

7. Which metal roll forming machine is going to be used on your project and will it be inspected?

Metal roll forming is the procedure of feeding metal, whether it’s coiled, flat, finished, or otherwise, through a sequence of rollers where each roller station further molds the piece of metal into the desired shape.

 

Because the inspector doesn’t need to be onsite when this happens, how do you know if the machine the metal shop is using to roll form your panels is approved and verified or if they are using an unregulated roll former machine? The roll former inspection will guarantee the quality of your roofing system, as well as maintain current NOA’s the Miami-Dade County’s Product Control Section.

 

8. What installation/inspection process does the metal shop follow?

 

Throughout the metal roofing installation, only one area of the roof is inspected, so how can you be sure the rest of the installation will be done correctly? Here’s where the importance of trust, professionalism, and the reputation of the roofing contractor comes into play. If the metal roof is not installed properly or if all the specs in the NOA don’t match those of what is being installed on your house, all manufacturer’s warranties will be voided.

 

As a professional roofing contractor in Miami FL, we understand the unique challenges of properly sourcing and installing metal roofing. We only use roofing panels that are extremely durable and specifically designed to withstand the wide deviations in weather conditions experienced in South Florida. You’ll get peace of mind knowing that your roof will protect your home against tropical storms, intense heat, hurricanes, and anything else the Florida climate throws your way.

 

Contact Istueta Roofing today to schedule a professional roof consultation by calling us at (305) 671-9190. You can also schedule online here. We’ll be happy to answer any questions regarding the metal shop we partner with. For some examples of our work, view our online portfolio.