Month: May 2024

Commercial Roofing FAQS: Is a Metal Roof the Best Option for My Building?

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Metal roofs have become increasingly popular for commercial buildings, and for good reason. They offer a sleek aesthetic, exceptional durability, and low maintenance costs. However, before you jump on the metal roof bandwagon, it’s essential to understand if this option is the perfect fit for your specific needs. Here at Maxwell Roofing, a trusted commercial roofing contractor, we’re committed to providing our customers with the best possible experience, and that includes helping them make informed decisions.

In this blog post, we’ll address some of the most frequently asked questions about metal roofs for commercial buildings, empowering you to make the best choice for your property.

FAQs: Metal Roofing for Your Commercial Building

1. What are the most significant advantages of choosing a metal roof over other roofing materials?

Metal roofs offer significant advantages over traditional options. Here are a few key benefits:

  • Durability and Longevity: With proper installation, metal roofs can last over 50 years. While the upfront investment might be higher, you’ll benefit from significantly lower maintenance costs compared to a typical single-ply system.
  • Superior Leak Protection: Double-lock standing seam metal roofs offer exceptional leak resistance. Water infiltration is virtually non-existent, except at potential penetration points like skylights or HVAC units.
  • Enhanced Aesthetics: Metal roofs come in a variety of styles and colors, offering a clean, modern look that can elevate the curb appeal of your commercial property.

2. What are my options for metal roofs, and how can I choose the correct one?

There are various types of metal roofs, each with its own advantages and considerations. Here’s a quick breakdown of two standard options:

  • Standing Seam Metal Roof System: This system features interlocking panels that create a secure and watertight barrier. It’s a popular choice due to its exceptional durability and clean look.
  • Screw-Down (Exposed Fastener) Metal Roof System: This method utilizes screws and washers to secure the panels directly onto the roof deck. While it’s a cost-effective option often used for pre-engineered metal buildings, it can be more susceptible to leaks as the butyl sealant breaks down from the metal expanding and contracting due to temperature changes.

Choosing the right metal roof depends on several factors, including your budget, desired aesthetics, and building structure. Consulting with an experienced commercial roofing contractor like Maxwell Roofing can help you make the best selection.

3. Are there any specific types of commercial buildings for which metal roofs wouldn’t be the best choice? If so, why?

While metal roofs are a fantastic choice for many buildings, there are situations where they might not be ideal. Here are some factors to consider:

  • Extreme Temperatures: If your building experiences drastic temperature swings, which is common in our Tennessee and Alabama service areas, the constant expansion and contraction can cause the metal to wear down quickly, especially with certain systems.
  • Insulation Needs: Metal roofs offer little insulation. Therefore, proper interior insulation may require additional work and services. The good news is that there are many options available for insulation for metal roofs.
  • Flat Roofs: Metal roofs are designed for positive slopes to ensure proper drainage. Flat roofs require different roofing materials specifically designed to be waterproof such as PVC, TPO, or EPDM membranes.

4. What are some key things to consider when choosing a metal roof contractor?

Selecting a qualified roofing contractor is crucial for a successful metal roof installation. Here are some important points to consider:

  • Attention to Detail: Metal roof systems have many components that work together to ensure optimal performance. A qualified contractor will meticulously review the design and ensure all necessary components are included to prevent future issues.
  • Clear Scope of Work: A reputable contractor will provide a detailed scope of work outlining the entire project, including materials, labor, and warranties. Be wary of contractors who lack transparency in their proposals.

5. If we want to switch to a metal roof, how could we do that?

Transitioning to a metal roof involves several steps:

  • Current Roof Assessment: A thorough inspection of your existing roof will identify any potential issues that need to be addressed before installing the metal roof.
  • Contractor Selection: Next, research and select a qualified commercial roofing contractor experienced in metal roof installations.
  • Metal Selection: It is crucial to choose the right type of metal roofing material for your building’s needs. Our team can evaluate your priorities to help you make an informed decision.
  • Permits and Scheduling: Obtain any building permits necessary for the project and schedule the installation with your chosen contractor.

Partnering for Your Commercial Roof’s Success

At Maxwell Roofing, we understand the importance of choosing the right roof for your commercial property. Our team of experts is here to answer your questions and guide you through the metal roofing process. We take pride in partnering with property managers and building owners throughout Tennessee and Alabama to ensure their roofs are dependable and long-lasting.

Looking for additional resources?

Here are some helpful articles:

If you have questions about metal roofs or are considering a metal roof installation for your commercial building, contact Maxwell Roofing today. We’d be happy to discuss your project, provide a free consultation, and offer you a quote. Let’s work together to ensure your building has a roof that protects your investment for decades to come.

Employee Spotlight: Tim Cox

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

40 years in professional roofing is just about enough time to have seen it all. For Tim Cox, a proud military veteran and service foreman at Maxwell Roofing, the only part of the job that still catches him by surprise are the views that few others get to experience.

“This job is cool, it really is,” said Cox. “The stuff we can see from rooftops is amazing. We were at a job in Huntsville next door to a place that repaired helicopters, so they were taking off and landing next to us all day long. It almost felt like you had to brace yourself sometimes.”

For the past ten years, Tim’s passion for his trade has made him an invaluable member of the Maxwell Roofing team—a dependable leader who prioritizes safety and has the experience to solve any roofing challenge that he may encounter.

The Road to Maxwell

Originally from Pennsylvania, Tim officially began his roofing career when he was 20 years old. But rather than fighting off the heat of Nashville summers, he earned his stripes while contending with five-foot-tall snow drifts and record-breaking blizzards.

“It wasn’t unusual for us to spend hours shoveling snow off a roof only for another whiteout to come through and cover it all back up as soon as we were finished,” he reflected. “As I’ve gotten older, I tend to prefer the heat over the cold.”

In 2012, Tim moved to Nashville to live closer to his brother and began working for a competing roofing company. It didn’t take too long for word of his work ethic and professionalism to spread. After a phone call from David Maxwell, Tim officially joined the Maxwell Roofing family.

Current Role

As a foreman working on the service side of Maxwell Roofing, Tim spends most of his time responding to leak calls to find and fix commercial roofing problems for customers across Tennessee, Northern Alabama, and Southern Kentucky.

On smaller jobs, Tim may work with just one other team member while larger projects require collaboration with multiple crews for weeks or even months. On every job, experience has taught him to approach every scenario with professional curiosity rather than any preconceived notions of what to expect.

“Whether it’s a big roof or small roof, there could be one leak or there could be twenty,” Tim explained. “It’s always something different, and that’s why it takes years and years to become an expert in this industry. I’ve been at this all my life, and I’m always learning something new.”

Why Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. Stands Out

As it turns out, the brother who talked Tim into moving to Nashville, Michael, works as a service manager at Maxwell Roofing, as does his nephew, Lee, who is an estimator. So, it would be reasonable to assign Tim’s decade-long tenure at Maxwell Roofing to family ties.

But when asked what makes Maxwell stand out as an employer, Tim will point to a workplace culture that rewards hard work, values teachability, and smartly leverages the experiences of individual team members.

“What initially brought me here was a pay raise,” said Tim. “But I’m also here because I work with very good people who also trust their employees to do their jobs and follow their best judgment out in the field.”

Personal

When he’s not in the office, you might find Tim fishing on Bedford Lake, covering Stevie Ray Vaughan on his guitar, or schooling novice players in an online video game. He enjoys spending time with his seven children who live in Middle Tennessee and recently celebrated the birth of his eighth grandchild.

Client Spotlight: Ensworth School

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

For generations, Ensworth School has stood as a beacon of academic excellence in Nashville’s historic West End neighborhood. The private co-ed institution was founded more than 70 years ago inside a 1902 Tudor-style home named “Red Gables” for its distinctive red oak shingles. Despite many decades of expansion and renovation, the original Ensworth School campus has maintained its traditional aesthetic and is known colloquially as the “Red Gables Campus.” In 2004, Ensworth constructed a separate high school campus on Highway 100 adjacent to Edwin Warner Park.

The Opportunity

Andrew Smith leads the school’s facilities management team to keep both properties in top order by way of a zero-tolerance approach to property damage or aesthetic defects, regardless of scale or size. Andrew’s team works hard not only to make timely repairs and renovations but also to prevent the need for such repairs through routine inspections and maintenance.

The team’s work requires a balancing act between preserving the original campus’ iconic architecture and the efficiency demanded by a second campus that includes 224,000 square feet of structure across a 127-acre property. 

“As a school, our facilities are being used year-round. Even during the summer, we’re serving kids whose families are also really involved on campus. If we have a problem like a leaky roof, it’s not something that can be fixed in a week. At Ensworth, even a stained ceiling tile is not something that can wait. We maintain very high standards in terms of upkeep, maintenance, and aesthetics.”

The Solution

After several years of trial and error with other roofing contractors, Andrew met with a member of the sales team at Maxwell Roofing and chose to give the locally-owned family business a chance. In short order, Maxwell Roofing built a strong relationship with Andrew and his team, executing extensive repair and replacement work on Ensworth’s rubber, copper, and shingle roofing systems on both school campuses, Devon Farm (high school) and Red Gables (grade school), as well as gutter installation and metalwork.

As a MAXCare® customer, Andrew and his team receive regular assessments to suggest timely repairs, preventative maintenance items, and the scheduling of roof replacement projects with budgetary figures to maximize the school’s investments in their roofing structures. This also helps them avoid unexpected repairs caused by unnoticed deterioration or damage.

“I’ve worked with a lot of roofing companies in Nashville—a lot of them. I’ve even stepped away from Maxwell after using them and have gone with a different roofing company in the past, and that was a mistake. I’ve always come back to Maxwell. What I really like is that I don’t have to call the office and wait to explain our problem to someone. I can text someone at Maxwell a picture of the issue, and I know it’s going to get taken care of.” 

In addition to Maxwell’s dependable, responsive service, Andrew values the trust he’s built with individual team members at the company.

“I just feel like it’s a lot safer building a relationship with these guys. Instead of sending a different roofing tech to respond to every service call, I know it’ll be the same guys that normally come out and we have a relationship with them.”