Level Up Your Metal Roofing Game

Performing metal roofing at a higher level has benefits. 

💰 – Higher Paying Jobs

🫶 – Customer Satisfaction

🍻 – Fewer Callbacks

❤️‍🔥 – Busy by Word of Mouth

A path of a roofer may begin as a laborer fetching materials. Then nailing shingles as experienced is gained. Next installing a 24 gauge snap lock following a cookie cutter system becomes the norm. Once comfortable, you tackle mechanical lock seaming in specialty metals with folding details instead of caulk. You’ve graduated to the craftsmen of the trade who are tackling projects that the world admires. 

How do you scale that ladder to the top tier? Being in the United States, we don’t offer a formal education for a metal roofer like you may see in Europe. Many out there are learning by YouTube and roofing manuals from foreign countries. We’re here to help you by offering the resources you need to become the best.

Tips for a Higher Standard

Access – Safely accessing the roof is critical to being able to work comfortably and efficiently. Knowing what access solution to apply where will also have the benefit of speeding up the pace of and quality of your install.

Clip Selection – Did you know that every metal reacts to temperature differently? This is a measurable value known as the expansion coefficient. Good news for you this is a normal and calculable phenomenon! Now that you know that, we can talk about how every metal will have limitations that we need to address. For example, Aluminum will expand ⅝” on a 21’ panel. If this pan gets set with only fixed clips, two things will happen. The dreaded “Oil Canning” for sure, but also, as the pan cycles through expansion and contraction, a likely clip and fastener failure.

Materials – Getting tired of high temper steel that is challenging to work with? The cheapest available choice doesn’t make the job go smoothly, in fact it can work against you. Know the options out there and where to get a 24 gauge steel where you can perform folding details, with a paint system that can take the abuse. And not only folding details but a steel that lets you complete the roof faster. One you don’t need to fight to seam, or to cut.

Know the Details – Level up your game and define your market by starting with some basic techniques. You will quickly see that these techniques help solve problems we all run into and usually address with a tube of sealant! With a little practice you will perform these details in minimal time and with far more piece of mind. Then you can keep “detail” samples on you to rapidly and easily show the client how your method is superior!

Here are 4 basic details that can be deployed on any mechanical lock standing seam applications.

Sweep Seam, Pinch Seam, Pitch Change, Eaves Details

Oil Canning – The Dreaded “oil canning” is sadly a physical reality with all sheet metal products. It results from the slight variance in thickness that occurs during the milling process. No way to get away from it, but you can mitigate it! First and foremost, you MUST understand expansion. Failure to give room for the panel to move WILL promote oil canning and possible material failure. Then there are methods like adding striations to stiffen the panel (potentially not appealing aesthetically) or installing backer rod under the panel so it “tents” (don’t do this in snow country!!) But did you know that material finish can play a major role as well? Glossy materials show significantly more surface defects than matte or even structured finishes.

The Right Tools – “if all you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail” The client notices when the 6 figure project is being performed by a busted up pick up truck and a Walmart tool belt. That’s only the visual. The proper tools are suited to high end work and our aim at Stortz is to make them available to you at all times. Not only will good tools assist you in doing a more quality job, but they will also help you do the work quicker, increasing profits!

Training – Looking to be taught the fundamentals or advanced techniques? Reach out to us and we can put you in contact with the right people.

Next Steps

Since you received this email, you already know that Stortz.com stocks and supplies the industry with finest metal roofing tools available. The next level is material and training. 

Hey kid, do you install roofs without offering the glorious up sell of gutters?!? Interested in a 24 gauge steel that hides oil canning and is malleable enough for folding details? Learn about Greencoat / SSAB Roofing Material from Ray Haas at Mallet Supply. He can supply you with info on colors, pricing, availability and the benefits of why you should chose Greencoat for your next job. We’ll have more info on training in the future. Stay tuned.