Tag: roofing fabrication

5 Benefits of In-House Metal Fabrication for Industrial Buildings

Posted on by John Maxwell

Industrial buildings need roofs that can hold up to the pressures of what goes on inside them. Manufacturing and the use of heavy equipment can put strains on a roof that might not be up to the job. For industrial building owners, the best way to ensure a high-quality commercial roof is to choose a roofing company that has an in-house sheet metal fabrication shop.

Here are five key benefits of using a full-service roofing company for an industrial roof:

1. Cut out the middleman. 

Anyone who has worked in general contracting knows that operating through multiple suppliers and contractors can slow down a project and increase costs. Hiring a commercial roofing company with in-house sheet metal fabrication streamlines the construction process and avoids the unnecessary costs of going through a supplier. Full-service roofing saves time and money over the course of the project.

2. Customize your roof.

In-house sheet metal fabrication creates material designed for the specific building it’s made for. A full-service commercial roofing company can tailor their fabrication processes and materials to make sure that the roof and roofing materials are the best fit for whatever activity is happening inside the building. Mass-produced sheet metal might not give a building the durability it needs for industrial work.

3. Get a better quality product.

Using custom sheet metal ensures quality in every step of the commercial roofing process. Full-service roofing companies can design, build, and maintain the roof. Installation technicians are the most familiar with their own company’s work, ensuring that everything from the early phases to the execution of the roof design will run smoothly.

4. Improve performance.

When it comes to industrial commercial roofing, building owners want to ensure optimal performance. Durability, energy efficiency, and other features that are important to the work happening in an industrial building are easier to achieve with custom-made sheet metal.

5. Fit any budget.

Apart from saving money by removing a third-party sheet metal fabricator, using a full-service roofing company allows building owners to fit projects to their budgets. Customizing sheet metal lets building owners choose the features that are most important to them, while still keeping their projects within their target goals. 

If you’re ready to get started, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today! Our team is experienced 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!

A Guide to In-House Roofing Fabrication

Posted on by John Maxwell

Commercial roofing fabrication is an involved process—one that Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. does in-house. We fabricate the sheet metal needed for customers’ roofing systems, streamlining our process without sacrificing quality. To give you insight into the benefits of and common questions about in-house roofing fabrication, we’ve outlined a quick guide.  

4 Benefits of In-House Roofing Fabrication 

1. Eliminating the Middleman

In-house fabrication of custom, specialty, and industrial products removes the middlemen that would normally be involved in a project. By eliminating the need for a fabrication vendor, we can oversee your project from start to finish. We know the status of your fabrication products at all times, decreasing the potential for complications along the way. 

2. Streamlining a Project

As we can oversee the entire job, having an in-house fabricator means that our customers’ projects are streamlined. When fabrication is outsourced, third-party vendors have their own timelines in mind, which may not be aligned with the contractor’s or the customer’s expectations. Our fabrication service allows for the efficiency, accuracy, and quality that our customers expect. 

3. Having Access to Efficient Customization

When your contractor outsources fabrication services, another person is added to the mix. However, when working with a roofer equipped with in-house fabrication, customers can communicate with them directly. This direct communication makes customization an easier process for the customer, as nothing is lost in translation.

4. Fitting Projects into A Smaller Budget

Outsourcing fabrication in a roofing project takes time and money. When a roofing contractor can take out the middleman, the company doesn’t spend as much, and therefore can pass that savings along to their customers. 

Commonly Asked Questions

Commercial roofing fabrication is not a topic that people outside of the roofing industry usually know much about—until they need it. Here are a few of the most common questions we hear from our customers. 

What is metal fabrication?


Fabrication is the process used to cut, assemble, or otherwise form sheet metal into a finished product.

What is customized metal fabrication?

Customized sheet metal fabrication is the process of creating individual sheet metal components for a specific project, which is more effective and of a higher quality than mass-produced sheet metal.

What types of metals are used in fabrication?

Most commonly, the following metals are used in fabrication: aluminum, stainless steel, copper, prefinished steel, and galvanized steel.

Do fabricators help with design?

Yes, however, many fabricators charge for design services. Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc., on the other hand, never charges for design services, providing our customers with all custom sheet metal fabrication.

Type of Products Created by Commercial Roofing Fabricators

Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. provides the following fabrication products:

  • The custom fabrication of architectural metal roof systems, as well as the fabrication of aluminum, stainless steel, copper, prefinished steel, and galvanized steel
  • The specialty fabrication of spires, finials, weathervanes, cornices, gutters, and column covers
  • The industrial fabrication of safety guards, containers, volume pieces, and HVAC curbs and adapters

Contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today to learn how our in-house roofing fabrication service can streamline your next commercial roofing project.

Common Questions About Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Sheet metal is the hidden champion behind many construction projects. The material supports buildings, makes machines work, and comprises important mechanical structures. If you’re in need of sheet metal for a project, then customized fabrication might be the best option. Here are the answers to some frequent questions about sheet metal fabrication.

What Is Sheet Metal Fabrication?

Fabrication is the process used to cut, assemble, or otherwise form sheet metal into a finished product. This can be done in bulk in a factory that produces identical parts or in a custom shop that creates unique pieces designed for a specific need.

How Is Sheet Metal Manufactured?

Sheet metal can be made from a variety of different metals depending on its intended purpose. Copper, aluminum, and steel are all popular materials in sheet metal and can be combined with other types of metal in the same sheet. After selecting the material for the sheet metal, it’s melted down in a crucible and then poured out into rectangles. From there the sheet metal is cleaned and rolled out into sheets.

How Can I Get Sheet Metal?

Sheet metal can be bought from a hardware store, or even online, but this uncut sheet metal can’t be used for much. In most cases, going through a fabrication shop is the best way to get sheet metal. A fabrication shop can make sheet metal customized to any use and then cut and shape it into a final product.

What Kind of Machines Are Used for Sheet Metal Fabrication?

Industrial sheet metal cutters aren’t something you just pick up at the hardware store. These large and expensive machines can only be found in machine shops. Industrial machines like water jet cutters can make precision cuts through almost any type of sheet metal.

What Is Customized Sheet Metal Fabrication?

Unlike mass produced sheet metal components, customized sheet metal fabrication creates individual sheet metal components for a specific project. For almost any project, customized sheet metal is going to be more effective and of a higher quality than mass-produced sheet metal. 

Do Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication Shops Help with Design?

Not all custom sheet metal shops help with design, and most charge for design services. This can be difficult for customers with little design or construction knowledge. That’s why Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. never charges for design services, providing them free with all custom sheet metal fabrication.

To learn more about how Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. can help with your sheet metal job, contact us today.

Why Choose Maxwell Roofing for Fabrication?

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

While every commercial roof contains sheet metal, not every commercial roofing company has the experience and tools to customize the material themselves. Most roofers outsource their metal fabrication, but Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. cuts out the middleman with a sheet metal division of its own.

 Our in-house fabrication department allows us to deliver cost savings to our customers, while also providing the highest levels of customization available. Even beyond your roof, the Maxwell team can provide fabrication services for your building. 

Cutting-Edge Technology

Maxwell Roofing uses a state-of-the-art water jet machine for all metal fabrication. The machine combines a powerful spray with an abrasive material, cutting as strong as a blade while making the most precise cuts possible. Using water jet technology allows our fabrication department to make everything from heavy-duty building pieces to delicate specialty items.

Custom Roof Systems

Maxwell doesn’t simply install metal roofs, we fabricate architectural metal roof systems from scratch. Our powerful cutting machine can work with a variety of different materials, including aluminum, stainless steel, copper, prefinished steel, and galvanized steel.

Specialty Fabrication

Because our fabrication department is fully-outfitted, we can create everything from specialty roof parts to non-roof pieces. Our fine-precision machines can create specialty roof parts, such as spires, weathervanes, cornices, and finials. We work with customers from the very beginning by providing free design services to help turn their vision into reality.

Industrial Fabrication

Maxwell’s fabrication department is also outfitted to produce industrial-grade parts like safety guards, containers, volume pieces, and HVAC curbs. Just like our other fabrication services, Maxwell provides free design services for industrial parts. We produce prototypes before rolling out the final product, so you don’t have to worry that your parts won’t be done correctly.

To learn more about Maxwell Roofing’s fabrication services, contact us today.   

4 Benefits of In-House Roofing Fabrication

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Commercial roofing projects are complex, with multiple points where things can go wrong. Pain-free projects happen by minimizing the amount of potential complications and completing the project as cost-effectively as possible.

There are many ways commercial roofing companies work to achieve this—whether it’s how fast they complete the project, how cost-effective they can do it, or how easy they are to work with. While we believe all those things are important, at Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc., there’s one thing we do a little differently. But, before we get to that, there’s something you should know about all commercial roofs: They contain sheet metal.

It’s a structurally sound (and cost-effective) material used for gutters, drain boxes, cornices, trim, and even secondary components like wall panels. Basically, any commercial roofing project is going to use sheet metal. Here’s why that’s important:

Maxwell Roofing can fabricate our own sheet metal, and there are a few benefits to this:

1. Lower likelihood of complication or failure in the project. By eliminating contractors, middlemen, and vendors, commercial roofing companies who fabricate their own sheet metal can decrease potential points of complication, miscommunication, or mistakes in a project. In short, in-house fabrication keeps things simple. Direct from the roofing company to your roof, with no riff-raff in-between.

2. Projects move more quickly. Outsourcing sheet metal fabrication adds time to the project’s schedule. This often puts the project at the mercy of a third-party’s schedule instead of your specific needs. Companies who provide in-house roofing fabrication can complete projects more efficiently and work with you on an individualized basis to maintain appropriate timeline considerations. In-house roofing fabrication gives both the roofing company and the client more control over the project’s timeline.

3. More efficient customization. In-house fabrication allows you to work directly with the roofing company to customize your roofing design. By working directly with the fabricating/roofing company, you simplify the communication process and maintain the ability to more efficiently communicate your needs for the project.

4. Projects fit on a smaller budget. Companies who perform in-house roofing fabrication don’t have to pay third-parties for the roofing fabrication process. By completing the fabrication in-house, they can cut out the costs associated with outsourcing such a large part of a roofing project.

Commercial roofing projects can be complex, time-consuming, and, in general, not always inexpensive. Working with a company that offers in-house roofing fabrication lets you simplify your roofing project, reduce potential complications, and receive great service at a cost-effective price.

Interested in working with a company that has its own in-house fabrication department? Just click here to contact us and learn how we can help.