METAL ROOFING
Metal roofs, flashed in our own shop
Standing seam steel and copper, installed and repaired by a crew with its own fabrication shop for custom flashing and Glacier Guard against sliding snow.
Chapter 01
Warning signs on a metal roof
Metal lasts a long time, but it tells you when it is tiring. Rust spots usually start at seams or where the paint has worn thin. Screws that back out or sit raised point to thermal movement or a poor install, and they lead to leaks and panels pulling apart. Hail, fallen branches and hard weather leave dents and loose panels that let moisture in.
Faded or chalky color means the protective coating is breaking down. Water stains on a ceiling, damp insulation or a drip that keeps coming back mean the waterproofing has failed and the roof needs attention now.
Small problems like dents and surface rust often get a targeted repair and fresh paint. A damaged panel can be replaced on its own without pulling off the whole roof. Widespread damage, repeated repair bills or a roof past its 40 to 70 year life usually point to replacement, and a free inspection tells you which side of that line you are on.
Standing-seam metal roof over a timber and stone lodge
How we install metal, and what we make ourselves
Our metal installers are factory trained, and the crew works with a self-propelled roofing trailer that keeps the job clean. We install standing seam in steel and copper, and we also offer stone-coated metal, corrugated panels, metal shingles and metal tile when the house calls for it.
Columbia Plateau runs its own small fabrication shop for custom flashing. Copper on a turret, a bay window or a chimney cap needs flashing cut for that exact shape, and that is what the shop is for. A replacement usually takes 2 to 5 days, depending on the size and how complicated the roof is.
Metal roofs also get Glacier Guard, our system for protecting them against damage from sliding snow and ice. Between the shop and Glacier Guard, the parts of a metal roof that fail first in a Central Washington winter get the most attention.
Chapter 03
Caring for metal so it reaches 40 to 70 years
Metal roofs typically last 40 to 70 years, and the upkeep is simple. Clear leaves and debris every season so they do not hold moisture, cause corrosion or block drainage. Wash dirty spots with mild detergent and a soft-bristled brush, and skip abrasives and harsh chemicals that scratch the finish.
Trim branches that hang over the roof, and have it inspected once a year. After a heavy storm or an extreme weather event, an inspection is a good way to make sure nothing was hurt. Fix problems when you find them, because a small repair costs far less than the damage it grows into.
“Dan and his team did a phenomenal job installing a new metal roof at whistlin Jack Lodge. Their attention to detail is unparalleled and looks amazing!” Russ Roberts, Google review.
Metal and copper from our files
2006
Glacier Guard and the shop behind the flashing
Glacier Guard protects a metal roof against damage from sliding snow and ice. Custom flashing for the odd corners and the copper details comes out of our own small fabrication shop.