Month: January 2021

What Every Industrial Owner Should Look for in New Roof Construction

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Industrial roofs have been known to take a beating, as manufacturing and other industrial activity can put a strain on certain types of roofing materials. Thus, industrial building owners need to put some extra thought into how they design their roofs. 

Before they can break ground on new construction projects, industrial building owners must figure out what kind of roof they desire. Here, we examine the different types of roofing materials and commercial roofing systems available for industrial buildings.

Built-Up Roofing (BUR)

Built-up roofs have been around for more than a hundred years and are one of the most common types of roofing materials seen on commercial buildings today. Built-up roofs use layers of fabric sandwiched between layers of asphalt to create a waterproof and durable surface. To protect them from the sun, built-up roofs are covered in gravel or asphalt. 

Built-up roofs offer excellent protection from punctures and are well-insulated for energy efficiency, but they are also expensive and can be dangerous to install. It is uncommon for new construction projects to feature a built-up roof.

EPDM Roofing

EPDM stands for ethylene propylene diene terpolymer, but it is more commonly known as rubber roofing. EPDM roofing is usually the most cost-effective option for a commercial roofing system. However, because they are prone to punctures and damage from extreme temperatures, EPDM roofs may not be the best solution for some industrial buildings. EPDM roofs are also prone to chemical contamination, which will eat away at the membrane.

PVC Roofing

Another good single-ply roof membrane to use on industrial roofs is PVC roofing. PVC roofing materials are highly durable and offer longevity. With fire retardant properties, a PVC roof’s membrane is flame tested and works to self-extinguish flames, in contrast to TPO and EPDM membranes that can continue to burn, spread, and melt. PVC roofing is also moisture, chemical, puncture, and wind resistant in addition to being highly energy efficient. A downside of PVC roofing is that it often comes with higher up-front materials costs.

Metal Roofing 

When it comes to durability, metal roofing can’t be beat. Metal roofing systems can last up to 70 years and will hold up to almost anything. For building owners who want their business to stand out, metal roofs also provide a unique look compared to most drab commercial roofs. The main disadvantage of metal roofing is its hefty price tag. The materials and labor to install a metal roof can be expensive, and the roof can also require additional insulation.

There are a few other considerations beyond types of roofing that industrial building owners should consider when choosing a commercial roofing system:

Flat or Slope?

The vast majority of industrial buildings have flat or low-slope roofs. Low-slope roofs require less maintenance and can hold rooftop equipment. However, slope roofs do come with some advantages. Slope roofs are more cost-effective, and they are significantly more pleasing to the eye than flat roofs. Slope roofs also naturally drain water, while low-slope roofs require the installation of drainage systems. Though many industrial buildings will require a low-slope roof, some building owners may want to consider the advantages of going with a slope.

Cost-Effectiveness

There is no way around it: a new industrial roof can be expensive no matter what you do. Even using the cheapest materials and finding the lowest cost labor, a new industrial roof is still going to carry a high sticker price. Since they will be spending big money no matter what, building owners should consider the long-term cost of their roof. Skimping on a cheaper roof that won’t hold up over time is less cost-effective in the long run.

Energy Efficiency 

The material and insulation used on a new roof can have a big impact on the eventual energy efficiency of a building. Industrial building owners concerned about energy costs should factor efficiency into the design of their roof.

Considering new roof construction this year for your industrial facility? Contact today to discuss your many options!

Why a Quality Roof is Crucial to a Successful Commercial Investment Property

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Commercial real estate investors are always on the lookout for ways to get the best return on investment. Though any investment property will require a certain amount of improvements or repairs, the most successful investors know where to put their money for the most long-lasting and effective changes.

Maintaining a healthy budget for a quality commercial roof is one of the most important investment strategies that a commercial building owner can make. The best commercial roofs don’t just add value to a building, they also save money over time. 

A High-Quality Roof Makes for a High-Quality Building

A commercial building is only as good as its roof. Commercial roofs house important equipment like vents and HVAC units, they provide critical weather protection, and they also maintain the structural integrity of the entire building. Commercial buildings rely on a good roof to function, and a quality roof is an important investment for the general health of the entire building. 

Save On Costly Repairs

Buildings with poorly-constructed roofs are more likely to have something go wrong over the course of their life. Getting a roof repair may seem expensive in the moment, but when a neglected roof fails, it can be catastrophic for other parts of the building. Putting together a budget for roofing contractors and maintenance early can cut down on costly repairs in the long run. 

Protect Your Investment

Buyers almost always want to inspect a roof when doing their due diligence research on a property. A buyer is going to be much more hesitant to purchase a building with a damaged or poorly-constructed roof. Choosing the right roofing contractor with a good reputation can make or break a real-estate deal on an investment property. See how companies within the real estate industry have benefited from working with us.

Bundle with Maintenance

Commercial real estate investors can save even more money by working with a roofing contractor that offers an ongoing roof management plan. Plans like our very own MAXCare® can help real estate investors keep up with maintenance on multiple properties at once. After investing in the construction of a high-quality roof, maintaining it with MAXCare® is the best way to protect it, especially during a pandemic. 

If you’re ready to plan or implement your new year roofing goals, don’t hesitate to contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today! Our team is equipped and ready to help!

5 Ways In-House Sheet Metal Fabrication Benefits General Contractors

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

General contracting requires managing the hundreds of small tasks and complex projects required for constructing a new building. It’s a tough job, but general contractors can make their lives a bit easier by using a few trusted subcontractors. 

Working alongside a full-service roofing company with access to in-house sheet metal fabrication takes a huge burden off the general contractor by streamlining the commercial roof construction process. Here are five key benefits general contractors can experience by working with a commercial roofing partner that has in-house fabrication services.

1. Eliminate the middleman.

Since most commercial roofs contain some form of sheet metal, roofing contractors without their own fabrication processes must find a sheet metal fabricator to produce the material for them, adding even decision-makers to what is likely an already crowded construction project. Using a roofing company with in-house fabrication can eliminate the middleman so that general contractors have fewer variables to worry about.

2. Maintain more control.

Third-party sheet metal fabricators usually mass produce their product for multiple customers. Roofing companies with a house sheet metal shop create a high-quality product tailored specifically to the needs of the customer. Roofing companies that produce sheet metal in-house often carry specialty materials for projects with elaborate designs or for creating energy-efficient roofs. Sheet metal produced in-house is the best way for a general contractor to maintain more control of the design of their roof, helping to ensure they get exactly what their project demands. 

3. Save time and money.

Getting sheet metal produced in-house is all about streamlining the roofing process. Working directly with a roofer for your sheet metal needs eliminates surprise supply-chain issues, preventing delays. In-house fabrication also saves money by cutting out a third-party sheet metal fabricator.

4. Get the very best quality of sheet metal products.

Roofing companies only fabricate high-quality sheet metal that works best on commercial roofs. Third-party sheet metal fabricators produce sheet metal for all kinds of products, and it may not always suit the needs of a commercial roof.

5. Work with partners you trust.

A desire for any general contractor is to find a commercial roofing company they can trust with the best installation technicians and customer service. There are multiple variables in construction, and choosing a trusted roofing partner that also fabricates its own sheet metal ensures that one more step in the building process is reliable. 

 Starting a new construction project this year? Our team is equipped and ready to assist, so don’t hesitate to contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today!

4 Ways Maxwell Monitors Relieves Stress for Facility Managers

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Facilities managers are the unsung heroes of any business. They are the ones who keep the lights on and the equipment running, reducing stress for everyone who works in the building. However, because facility managers operate behind the scenes, their workload can stack up without anyone else at the company even realizing it. 

Creating a stress-free work environment often starts with the building and facilities managers. Fortunately, we at Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. launched Maxwell Monitors to help reduce stress for facilities managers and keep buildings safe for all employees. Under this new initiative, the Maxwell team will watch over the routine maintenance tasks in a building, so that facilities managers can stay focused on the more important elements of their job. 

Here are a few ways Maxwell Monitors eliminates the source of stress for facilities managers:

1. Maxwell Monitors helps you reduce your workload.

 Routine maintenance is a never ending, time-consuming task. Buildings need constant attention and care, even when there is other work to be done. Maxwell Monitors can eliminate this source of stress for facilities managers by taking over some of the basic, routine aspects of caring for a building.

2. Maxwell Monitors helps you keep your buildings in good shape.

For busy facilities managers, building maintenance and monitoring are often the things that get pushed aside for more urgent tasks. Over time, however, minor forgotten tasks can become big catastrophic problems. Maxwell Monitors can stop the effects of stress on a facilities manager from becoming a problem for an entire building by ensuring that routine maintenance continues even when other issues arise. 

3. Maxwell Monitors helps you create a plan of action.

Maxwell Monitors can be scaled to suit a company’s various needs, ultimately reducing building management stress. The program can accommodate anything from full-service monitoring to simply creating a tailored monthly maintenance checklist for your company’s facility management software. Maxwell Monitors can help any business create a plan of action to keep their building maintained and functioning.

4. Maxwell Monitors helps you get back to basics.

Maxwell Monitors was designed to keep your building and business functioning, no matter what circumstances arise. By handing off basic building monitoring and maintenance to the experts at Maxwell your facilities manager can get back to the core of their job.

 If you’re ready to plan or implement Maxwell Monitors into your roofing goals this year, don’t hesitate to contact us today. We’re equipped and ready to help!