Toronto roofing contractors & metal roofing installations by London Eco Roof

Red Flags to Watch Out for When Interviewing Roofing Contractors

roofing contractors Mississauga Hiring a roofing contractor is a major consideration which is fraught with risk. Your roof is such an important part of your house, that even when the slightest things go wrong they can cause very large headaches. In order to narrow down your search for the right contractor, it’s possible to eliminate a good number of them by looking out for these red flags, which indicate they are unlikely to be the right people for your job.

How to Weed Out the Type of Roofing Contractors Mississauga Doesn’t Need

Once you’ve drawn up a list of the roofing contractors Mississauga has available, talk to them individually to try to get an idea of which ones you would prefer to work with. You’ll obviously need to discuss designs, pricing, timescale and the other main features of the project. Some of the contractors might tempt you with shorter completion times, offers on materials, or simply through good old charm. There’s nothing wrong with any of that, but there are a number of red flags which, should they come up, will help eliminate that contractor from your consideration. These include the following:

No Insurance Certificates – Any contractor you consider absolutely must have liability insurance, plus compensation cover set up for workers. You should ask to see each contractor’s certificates before you even begin to discuss your roofing needs. The big red flag you need to look out for here is if a contractor – for any reason – cannot provide you with these certificates. Your rule should be ‘no certificate, no job’. Unfortunately, things don’t end there. For the contractors which can show you their certificates, make a note of the particulars and be sure to check that they are genuine, by calling the insurer, before you hire the contractor.
No Track Record – When it comes to roofing contractors, Mississauga has ample provision, including the highly reputable London Eco Metal Manufacturing Inc. It is important to choose a company with local connections, as you can check up on their business operations, referrals and previous work much more easily. You can have more confidence in a company with local offices and happy former customers who live down the road, than a stranger at your door with a slick brochure and an address in another province.
Poor Communication – During your selection process, be sure to ask each contractor as many questions as you feel necessary. If you want to talk to their previous customers, ask them to put you in touch. If you want someone to explain their guarantee policy, ask them to send someone over. You’ll soon be able to eliminate those contractors which don’t respond on time or don’t follow through on their promises. Some contractors may try to overstretch themselves by agreeing to take on your project with finite resources. This is a recipe for disaster. Make sure you choose a contractor who can make time for you and who keeps their promises.

Don’t be afraid to be strict when eliminating contractors from your list. Doing so will leave you with a choice of the best roofing contractors Mississauga has to offer.

6 Facts About Metal Roofing You Probably Didn’t Know

metal roofing Kitchener We’ll admit, metal roofing isn’t everyone’s first passion in life. Most people, though, at some point, start to show an interest in roofing, simply because – well, everyone wants a roof over their head! When you’ve spent as long in the roofing business as London Eco Metal – one of the leading providers of metal roofing Kitchener has to offer – you start to appreciate the rarer and less-known aspects of roofing.

When it Comes to Metal Roofing, Kitchener has the Skills and the Knowledge

Apart from impressing your friends over a round of golf with your knowledge about the finer side of metal roofing, you can use these facts to check up on any contractors you might be thinking of hiring – most in Kitchener know their stuff, but you might just catch someone out with one of the six facts:

Metal Roofs Are Far More Common than You Might Think – There is a common misconception that metal roofs are pretty much only used in industrial buildings. While it’s true that most industrial buildings do make use of metal roofs, it’s also true that many of the chicest residential properties do too. In terms of the range of colours and textures, metal roofing has advanced to the point where it is used everywhere from mock-Victorian townhouses to country ranches.
Metal Roofs Are the Smartest Financial Option – You might get a few strange looks when you tell this to your friends, but it is in fact, true. Never mind the fact that you will almost always pay more up front for a metal roof than you would for say, an asphalt shingle roof. The fact of the matter is that, once you’ve paid for your metal roof, that’s it for the next sixty years, whereas other types of roof will need repairing and replacing during that time, costing you more than double what you paid for your metal roof.
Metal Roofs Are Quiet – Their underlay dampens sound so much that rain, hail and other sounds actually become almost imperceptible.
Metal Roofs Are Safer than Other Options – Metal won’t usually break under a falling branch, for example, and there is no danger to objects or people below the roof, as there of is from dislodged tiles.
Metal Roofs Protect You and Your Home the Most from Bad Weather – Whether it’s heavy snowfall or one of those end-of-summer storms, a metal roof protects the integrity of your building much more than any other kind of roof.
For Metal Roofing, Kitchener Is the Place to Be – In the past 15 years, metal roofing has increased from 4 to 12% in our city’s re-roofing projects. As mentioned above, that means residential properties as well as other types.

As the popularity of metal roofing grows, you’ll find yourself meeting people who can share similar interesting facts. Perhaps one day, you’ll be inspired to get your own re-roofing project off the ground, by contacting London Eco Metal, for metal roofing Kitchener can be proud of.

Getting the Aesthetics Right With Metal Roofing

Metal roofing in Toronto has come a long way. Once derided for its “one-look-fits-all” aesthetic metal roofs today have graduated from the tool shed and are available in a wide variety of colours, finishes, styles and textures. As a result, selecting the right metal roof for your home is now a bit more complicated than it was say, 20 years ago; but it’s the kind of luxury problem most homeowners enjoy. In this post we’ll look at some of the different types of metal roofing options available to you.

Metal Roofing in Toronto Has Graduated to the Big Time

Metal roofing in Toronto has become such an affordable and yes, attractive, option that the number of homes with metal roofs has exploded. Here are some of the aesthetic options you’ll be mulling over when the time comes to install your new metal roof.

Raised seam panels – This style of metal roof is wildly popular in wet, snowy areas like Toronto. The raised vertical seams and smooth panels help control and direct runoff into the eavestroughs in an orderly manner and don’t let heavy snow get a foothold on your roof where it can cause problems. Now available in an array of colours to fit any home raised-seam panels are the most adaptable type of metal roof design.

Pre-painted, press-formed modular panels – This type of “panel” is small and intended to mimic the look of everything from ceramic tiles to wooden shingles and more. If the raised seam panels say “metal roof” a bit too loudly for you take some time to investigate your modular press-formed options. You’ll be able to maintain a traditional look while enjoying the benefits of the latest in contemporary roofing technology.

Granular-coated press-formed panels – Take the faux shingle idea to the limit with press-formed shingles that mimic the grainy surface texture of asphalt tiles. A perfect look for older homes or new homes that embrace traditional architectural motifs these mini panels are attached to the roof with hidden fasteners and then coated with a spray-on acrylic finish with tiny stone granules embedded in it for that authentic asphalt shingle look.

Colours – Choosing the right colour, whatever style panels you decide to install, is the other major aesthetic decision you’ll have to make when it comes to your metal roof. Metal roofing in Toronto can be painted in nearly any colour to match any home. Just be sure you choose a paint that will block UV light, and think about adding a coating or sealant too. This will help the paint last longer and look better and will help protect the metal from mold and rust.

London Eco-Metal is a leading manufacturer of high quality metal roofing. Since our inception in 2009 we’ve installed metal roofing in Toronto for scores of residential and commercial clients. If you’re considering the many advantages of a metal roof for your home give us a call and talk to one of our roofing specialists. They’ll help you simplify the process of selecting the right style metal roof.

The Risks You Run When Going Low End with Steel Roofing

The decision to install steel roofing in Toronto is one of the smartest things you can do for your home. Not only will your new metal roof provide you years of trouble free service but it will immediately add both curb appeal and market value to your home as well. That is, if you don’t try and save a few dollars by choosing low-grade materials and a discount installation company. Even the highest quality metal roof is eminently affordable so it doesn’t make sense to top off your home with a cheap hat.

The Undeniable Value of High Quality Steel Roofing in Toronto

Cutting corners on your new metal roof won’t lead anywhere good. In an effort to preserve their profit margin the discount installer is bound to leave a plethora of imperfections sprawled across the width and breadth of your steel roofing in Toronto that won’t be apparent from below but will lead to a variety of costly problems down the road, such as:

Leaks – Many of those little problems you won’t see from your yard take the form of ill-fitting joins in the roof’s panels. “Custom fit” edges sound good in theory but when an installation team is hurrying to make a deadline they’re not going to worry about whether the cut between panel A and panel B is perfect. You may not notice from the yard but you will when your ceiling starts to drip during the next heavy rain.

Blow-offs – Cheap materials installed in a hurried manner have an unfortunate tendency to come flying off during heavy wind events. A quality metal roof installation is dependent on the roofer taking the time to install quality fasteners and then checking and double checking that each panel is well and truly secured to those fasteners. If they’re not you’ll see them flying across the yard next time the wind picks up.

Pooling water – When water pools on your metal roof it inevitably leads to rust, corrosion and leaks. Eventually whole sections of the roof need to be replaced. Not only that but the standing water promotes the growth of mold and can become a breeding ground for mosquitos. Pooling water is a telltale sign of an incompetent installation job where the installer was more focused on the clock than on doing things right.

Rips and punctures – Typically during a rushed installation there is a lot of foot traffic on the roof as the company attempts to wrap things up quickly to protect their margins. The foot traffic combined with cheap materials often leads to punctures and rips in the new metal roof that the discount installer will attempt to hurriedly fix by stuffing it full of caulk and hoping you don’t notice.

When you’re ready to take the plunge and install a metal roof on your home call the company that handles more steel roofing in Toronto than any other: London Eco-Metal. We’ll make sure the roof we install today is still looking good and working perfectly many years from now.

Why It’s Essential Your Metal Roofing Installation is Weather Tight

steel roofing in Ottawa Today’s metal roofs are wonders of economy and functionality that will help you save on your energy bills, enhance the curb appeal of your home as well at its market value and last for decades; negating the need to have the roofers over every few years to tear things up and start again. A metal roof will supply all the benefits of wood, asphalt or tile as well as many other benefits unique to itself, but only if it’s installed properly by a qualified metal roofing contractor.

Steel Roofing Ottawa Calls For Professional Installation

Attempting to save a few bucks by selecting an inexperienced company or one that does steel roofing in Ottawa as a side business is asking for trouble. A poorly installed metal roof inadequately sealed against the elements represents a slow motion disaster for your home.

Mold infestation – Mold in the home is no laughing matter. Mold is responsible for scores of allergy related illnesses, lost work and expensive visits to the doctor. Certain types of mold found in the home can even be fatal. Water leaking through an improperly sealed roof can accumulate in the attic saturating the space and providing mold spores a comfortable home.

Rotten drywall – Drywall and water were not made for each other and prolonged exposure to water leaking through the walls from the poorly sealed roof will in time turn your walls into oatmeal. If your ceilings happen to be made of drywall as well you could be in for quite a surprise one evening while watching TV as large chunks of mushy drywall land in your lap.

Loss of structural integrity – Wooden rafters, wall and floor joists were never intended to be wet all the time either. Moisture leaking in through a poorly installed roof eventually saturates the wood weakening it and, by extension, weakening the structural integrity of the house. There are many negative effects of a leaky roof. This may be the worst.

Electrical chaos – Water seeping down through the walls of your house doesn’t only encounter wall joists and drywall. It also shares the space with a network of electrical cables. Water can create short circuits that have the potential to ignite fires, cause explosions, generate arcs and cause your home to lose power.

Property damage – Your rugs, furniture, wallpaper, artwork, books and more can be permanently damaged by leaking, seeping or dripping water. This may seem like pretty small potatoes when compared with some of the other damage a leaky roof can create but consider this: drywall is relatively inexpensive to replace, that Persian carpet is not.

London Eco-Metal is your best bet for the installation of durable, beautiful steel roofing in Ottawa and vicinity. No one in the area has more experience installing metal roofs than we do and no one takes more time and care to ensure your new metal roof is properly sealed against the elements. Don’t gamble with the long-term viability of your home, call the company more homeowners choose for their steel roofing in Ottawa: London Eco-Metal.

Cool Roofing in Canadian Climates

It is theorized that dark-coloured roofs can contribute to the urban heat island effect (the temperature in cities is higher than the surrounding unpopulated areas). This theory, based on satellite temperature sensing observations and computer models, suggests that if homeowners replaced their dark shingles or other roof coverings with lighter coloured (more reflective) products, the overall ambient temperature will be reduced, enabling lower cooling costs in the warm summer months. Some reflective roofing products have been listed as “Energy Star qualified”, a program that makes it easy for consumers to identify and purchase energy-efficient products.

Read full article on Canadian Asphalt Shingle Manufacturers’ Association website or view PDF file CASMA_Technical_Bulletin_No_31_-_COOL_ROOFING_IN_CANADIAN_CLIMATES.

Why the Lowest Priced Metal Roofing Contractors Aren’t Usually the Best

With an investment as significant as a new roof, cost is typically at the top of property owners’ list of concerns. Everyone knows the expression, “You get what you pay for.” This applies to metal roofing contractors as well. It’s a dangerous strategy to make cost the determining factor in choosing your contractor.

Lower Price Metal Roofing Contractors Don’t Equal a Better Investment

With the growth in popularity of metal roofing, lots of companies are battling it out to get a piece of the pie. To do this, many of them are undercutting each other with pricing because they’re new to the game and have no other leg to stand on. However, at the end of the day, lower prices mean that the metal roofing contractor has to cut corners somewhere to stay in business, and you can be sure that those cuts will have an impact on the short and long term success of your project. There are several reasons why the lowest price contractors aren’t usually the best.

Quality of Materials: There are lots of options for metal roofing materials, both aesthetic and structural. The cheapest prices are for the worst quality products, plain and simple. If you don’t mind a poor quality roof that will likely experience problems down the line, choose the cheapest option. If you’d like to view your roof as an investment that will add value to your home, opt for the contractors recommending better, more expensive materials.
Experience: Contractors should have at least 3 years of experience because the process of installing metal roofing is very specialized. Companies with less than 3 years of experience will likely lack the knowledge to troubleshoot problems that may arise, finish in a timely manner and give good advice to property owners. Because the workers lack this knowledge, they can be paid less which affects the overall contract price. Choosing a company with less experience is a gamble, and probably one that is not advisable to take with an investment as substantial as a roof.
Service: Service is important when choosing a metal roofing contractor because if you’re doing it right, you should be asking lots of questions. If the contractor is doing it right, they should have people who can give you answers. A company who charges the lowest price simply can’t afford to offer the best service because they can’t put those kinds of employees on their payroll. They’re just operating a barebones installation company. The problem with this is that if a property owner is not making an informed decision, the chance of making the wrong decision and paying for it further down the line is much higher.

Companies who put their best foot forward by offering a low price often do this because they can’t compete in terms of quality, experience or service. If the cheapest companies were in it for the long haul, they would be using strategies to ensure they have happy clients for years to come, not trying to get your money and get out before the other shoe drops. You need the cheapest, most inexperienced contractor like you need a leaky, rusty, metal roof.

Why It’s Essential that Your Roofing Contractors Provide You With a Written Contract

Metal roofing Ottawa You might not realize this, but one of the most important steps necessary before getting a roofing contractor to replace your roof is to have a contract prepared. A written contract may seem like a major hassle, especially with something seemingly simple like metal roofing in Ottawa. Believe it or not, there are many details that you are going to want to consider before letting someone do construction on your home or business. Just because the word ‘contract’ is in ‘roofing contractor’ doesn’t mean you have any guarantees.

What Could You Be Liable for Without a Roofing Contract?

Injuries – One of the major considerations is injury to workers. There will be people crawling all over your roof, high off the ground. There are many opportunities for accidents to take place. Not only could someone get hurt, a roofing contractor could also cause damage to your home from an accident or an injury.

Property Damage – Your roof might look great when it’s finished, but what about the rest of your house. What if someone were to break a window or step on some of your yard decorations? Accidents are always possible, but they do not have to cost you money.

Defective Work – If you don’t get the proper elements justified in a roofing contract, you could pay for the work twice. Don’t simply allow a company to do shoddy work, just to ask them back to repair or worse, use a different roofing contractor and go through the same thing again.

How Much Time Should it Take for a Roof to Be Installed?

In a written contract, have a specified time of completion. It’s also good for each step of the job to be listed with its appropriate amount of time per task. Though not common, roofing contractors can stretch the time out, which will simply cost you more money. If this is outlined in a contract, any additional labor or materials needed to meet the specified timeline will be at the roofing contractor’s expense, not yours.

Let’s Not Forget About All of These!

There is a diverse range of other factors that may/should be included somewhere in the contract you sign. Some of the more common ones include inspections, insurance checks, the role of subcontractors and exactly who will be working on the project, safety, equipment, and clearing up after the work is done.

Tailor Your Contract As Needed.

The contract should be carefully tailored to ensure every possible detail pertaining to the contract is incorporated. Taking the time to foresee problems and put solutions in place ahead of time can be the difference between a fruitful working relationship with your contractors and a costly legal case. Be wise to the smart talk of some smaller companies and the reassurances they might offer. Professionals who respect you and insist on a job well done should handle metal roofing in Ottawa.

At London ECO-METAL Manufacturing, we take pride in our ability to do some of the best work you’ll find in Ottawa. Why else would we give you quality information for free.

We Debunk Several Myths Surrounding Metal Roofing

metal roofing Windsor Fact or Fiction? This may be what you think to yourself when you are doing research about metal roofing. With the increase in popularity of metal roofing and the fact that so many roofing companies are vying for business in the Windsor, Toronto, Ottawa and Mississauga areas, it’s no surprise that myths about metal roofing still exist.

5 Metal Roofing Myths Debunked

These are five of the most common metal roofing myths that seem to keep coming up. While some of these may have been true at some point in history, times have changed and now they are as mythical as a unicorn.

Metal Roofing is Loud. We can all picture that rustic barn with the pitter-patter of rain on the
tin roof. While this may have been the case a hundred years ago, modern metal roofs are quiet because they boast insulation and they are typically laid over some other kind of roofing construction. Any metal roofing contractor will show you that great care is taken in the engineering to make them silent.
Metal Roofing Increases the Chance of Lightning Strikes. You don’t have to worry about getting zapped more frequently under a metal roof. Even though metal does conduct electricity, electricity is not drawn to metal. If your home is properly grounded, a metal roof is just the same as any other roof in terms of attracting lightning. In fact, metal roofing is non-combustible, so it’s probably even safer than other materials because if it is struck by lightning, it will not catch fire.
Metal Roofing is Easily Dented By Hail. While it’s true that a baseball sized hail stone will dent your roof, and probably do damage to lots of other parts of your home as well, normal hailstones won’t cause any damage. If you live in an area prone to hailstorms, you may want to select a more textured metal because it makes minor denting invisible.
A Metal Roof Will Make You Colder in the Winter. Actually, this has nothing to do with the metal roof, it’s all about the insulation under the roof. If you have poor insulation under any kind of roof, your home will be cold. So, no matter what you choose, make sure it’s properly insulated to keep you toasty warm inside.
You Can’t Walk on a Metal Roof. First of all, how much do you plan to be walking on your roof? Secondly, a metal roof can be walked on, it just takes a little more care. Your roofing contractor should provide you with specifics about your roof and how to walk on it if you must.

Still not sure? Ask your metal roofing contractor for some local references and they can affirm that all of these points are simply myths that, like a metal roof, just don’t hold water today.

Savings Steel Roofing in Ottawa Brings: A Look at the Big Picture

Steel roofing Ottawa Were you considering a new roof for your home? What kind of roof do you have now? Do have shingles or tiles? You surely don’t have a thatch roof! There are many options to choose from, more than you could probably wrap your head around with one whole day of research. Maybe the question is simpler. How soon do you want to repair or replace it again, you know, again after this time? With steel roofing in Ottawa, you might be surprised how far away that day could be. There are a few different types of metal roofs, but for now we’d like to focus on steel roofing. Actually we would like to help you understand why steel roofing in Ottawa might be best for you.

Let’s look at aesthetic first. Many tiles and shingles seem prettier than metal roofing, but maybe you just haven’t seen enough. Believe it or not, metal roofing in Ottawa, which you may or may not have seen, can come in a variety of forms, some of which look very similar to tiles and shingles. You don’t have to sacrifice much with steel roofing in Ottawa. The best part is how much cheaper it is when compared to those other materials, especially with the fact that a metal roof should last for the lifetime of your home.

Long live steel roofing in Ottawa. Now, it is true that steel can rust. This is a common turn off that many people are afraid of. Luckily there are a couple of very assured ways this is alleviated. The first is galvanization. Galvanization is where the metal is treated with zinc to protect it. Most companies will warranty their metal roofing products up to 50 years or more. That is a loooong time. The second way to protect steel is with paint… and this is some great paint. It, too, stands beyond the long warranty. Both of these treatments have been tested and retested over decades. They work.

What about your bills? What about your neighbor’s bills? It will cost a little more to have steel roofing installed in Ottawa, but you will receive a good amount of benefits in return. First, in 15 to 20 years, when your neighbor’s shingles are being replaced, you can scratch roof off of your budget. Do this again 15 or 20 year later. When the mail comes and your neighbor scoffs at the price on his heating bill, be sure not to laugh when you look at yours; the same can be said for the summer, as steel roofing insulates your home, keeping heat in during the winter and out during summer. If you see your neighbor at the hardware store buying supplies to repair his roof, hide away to not intimidate him, as he surely has buckets sitting around his home collecting water. Metal roofing is great for bad weather, protecting your house in many ways. It is windproof and sheds snow with ease. Eavestroughs are more manageable, too, and ice damming is less of a problem.

As you can see, when you look at the bigger picture, steel roofing is a very attractive proposition to any homeowner in Ottawa.

Metal Roofing Blog