This article Reprinted from Western Roofing magazine, January/February 2007, Volume 30, number 1

 

 

Metal Reroof

Metal Roof is Vertically Integrated for HOA Building in Pasadena, Calif.

by Randy Franz, Metro Roof Products

 

South Oak Knoll, a four-story, U-shaped condominium building in Pasadena, Calif., had a lengthy list of challenges for reroofing: severe wind zone, active seismic area, 4-story residential building, and difficult access to mansard with 24:12 pitch.

                  The previous system was an asphalt shingle that was cracked and leaking. Shingle material was pulling away from the mansard, threatening to fall four stories onto walkways where people entered and exited their homes. No one had been hurt. Yet.

                  HOA board members hired AWS Consultants, Santa Ana, Calif., which evaluated the needs of South Oak Knoll. The roofing consultant did his job thoroughly, presenting four roofing options to the HOA board and awaited its response: stone-coated steel shake, concrete tile made to look like shake, high-grade composition shingle, or stone-coated steel shingle. HOA members weighed many performance and cost considerations. They returned with their verdict: the MetroShake II stone-coated steel system by Metro Roof Products.

                  “They made the absolute right choice,” said Carl Brown, general manager of AWS Consultants. “MetroShake II met all of the requirements.”

                  Ultimately, the HOA board wanted a system that was long-lasting with a similar aesthetic and a good value. The tile, even though it was the lightest-weight tile available, was deemed too heavy and dangerous, hanging vertically from exposed nails in an earthquake-prone region. The composition shingle brought the same limitations as the system being replaced. And the steel shingle was not the look they liked.

                  MetroShake II stone-coated steel had none of those drawbacks and numerous benefits. At less than 2 lbs. per square foot, it is safe on a vertical surface. The durability of steel is well-known. And MetroShake II provides a beautiful finished appearance. In addition, stone-coated steel has 120-mph wind ratings, is fire-resistant (steel doesn’t burn), and is safe in earthquakes because of its extremely light weight and solid fastening. “Comparing them head-to-head in terms of weight, warranty, cost, value, and environmental considerations, the stone-coated steel shake pretty well stood out,” Brown said.

                  One advantage of the MetroShake II is its fastening system. Nails or screws insert through the front nose and back lip, “so there is no chance of them falling from a mansard,” said Jon Wilson of RAM Metal Roof Mart, a supplier in Placentia, Calif. Installing a mansard four stories off the ground required scaffolding, an extra expense and challenge, which deterred most contractors. Bienek Roofing of Lake Forest, Calif., willingly took the job.

                  “Because the project was so labor-intensive, it made a lot of sense for them to go with a permanent roof system,” said Mike Morris, co-owner of Bienek Roofing, which installs all major types of roofing. “MetroShake II is a beautiful product, a ‘forever’ product.”

                  Bienek installed the system with five nails in each panel over battens and 30-pound felt. Custom baked-enamel coping metal finished the top edge, replacing the previous galvazined metal. In addition, Bienek tuned up the flat roof.

                  “It was a logistically difficult job to do,” Wilson said. “They completed it beautifully and well within the time constraints.” •••