What are some of the biggest differences when it comes to residential vs. commercial metal roofing?
Sheffield Metals International is a leading provider of metal coils, sheets, and accessories for standing seam applications. Our CAT (Commercial, Architectural, and Technical) team also offers comprehensive services throughout metal roofing projects, from initial designs through installation. We offer weathertight warranties and support contractors throughout the entire installation process to ensure projects are completed effectively.
As more residential contractors make the move into the commercial space, we’ve encountered many widely misconceptions that prove to be false when it comes to commercial jobs.
In this article, we’ve compiled some of the most significant differences between residential and commercial jobs. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll have a better idea of how commercial projects actually operate and how to avoid common missteps.
1. Exposed Fastener vs. Standing Seam Installation
One of the most common misconceptions we see when it comes to commercial projects is the belief that skillsets will transfer easily from one type of metal roofing to the other. Many contractors in the residential space will be working on exposed fastener metal roofs. On commercial projects, standing seam metal roofs are often used due to their premium durability, available engineering and testing, and weathertight warranty options.
And while both systems are in the metal roofing category, exposed fastener and standing seam roofs require very different installation techniques.
Exposed fastener roofs have a more straightforward process — simply lay the material on the roof deck and screw down the panels. Standing seam can be much more complicated.
Whether it’s a snap lock profile or a mechanically seamed profile, both require an increased level of sophistication to install. You’ll need to purchase clips, and the clips will need to be correctly spaced per the engineering and panel legs fastened down. Since 2-3 screws are needed per clip, installation will be more time-consuming than exposed fastener.
Mechanically seamed systems require an additional level of skill, as they will need to be seamed by hand or by a powered seamer. At flashing zones, metal closures are used instead of foam closures. Foam closures are typically used on exposed fastener roofs and are already pre-formed to fit the shape of the profile, whereas metal closures will take more time and are more intricate to install.
For standing seam projects requiring a weathertight warranty, specific processes, installation details, and accessories will be dictated by the manufacturer providing the warranty. All these conditions must be met to receive the weathertight warranty.
It can be challenging to make the jump from exposed fastener to standing seam metal roofing in any scenario, but since commercial jobs have more stringent installation requirements than residentials projects, it can be an even harder transition.
If you want to become a major player in the commercial metal roofing space in your area, gaining standing seam installation skills and building your local reputation is key.
2. Scheduling
On residential projects, customers cater to the contractor’s schedule. In the commercial world, the general contractor will likely have a tight schedule and require the roofing contractor to be there on a certain day to keep things streamlined. When it comes to scheduling, residential projects are more flexible, while commercial jobs are not.
Commercial projects could run over the course of weeks or even months depending on their scope. Major buildings such as government facilities, for instance, will have much longer timelines than your typical residential home. Plus, commercial projects often have multiple phases and various trades working on the building at one time. Contractors may have to coordinate with the general contractor or with other tradesmen to ensure that various parts of the project are done in the right order.
Scheduling is especially important in the commercial space once you start working on multiple projects. Because of the long timelines projects may overlap or get delayed, so it’s essential to stay organized and understand what work needs to be done on which project. It also may take longer to get paid on commercial jobs versus residential. Payments may be made based on how much gets of the project gets completed. If you are doing multiple projects at once, be sure you have the money to complete your projects so you don’t hold up the work.
Communication is key in the commercial space. If you do encounter a delay on something, be sure to communicate this to the general contractor so they stay updated.
3. Labor
Finding labor in the commercial space can be even more challenging than in the residential world. This narrows the labor pool from an already fairly narrow labor pool in metal roofing. Some type of work, such as government buildings or military bases, will require all workers involved to pass a background check or security screening to even have access to the project.
It’s important to find experienced and reliable installers who know what they’re doing when it comes to standing seam, because it is different than other types such as exposed fastener systems.
If you already have a team and are looking to make the jump into commercial, be sure to look at metal roofing resources to help brush up on the basics and get familiar with standing seam projects.
YouTube channels, organizations such as the Metal Construction Association (MCA), and local and state roofing associations such as Florida’s Association of Roofing Professionals (FRSA) and the Colorado Roofing Association (CRA) are great places to start to learn how to grow your skills and find great labor for commercial jobs.
4. Startup Costs
Many contractors looking to get into the commercial space from residential often expect there to be a big up-front investment for startup costs.
If you’re aiming to do major jobs such as schools or government facilities, this may be accurate. You’ll likely need a rollformer capable of forming substantial panels and the additional labor needed to complete the job.
But for contractors just starting out on commercial jobs, there are ways you can cut down on costs and complete projects without blowing the budget. Many lighter commercial projects — smaller pavilions, outdoor bathroom facilities — can utilize a 1.5” Mechanical Seam panel profile, which has similar tooling to the 1.5” SnapLock profile. The 1.5” SnapLock is commonly used on residential applications.
If a contractor already has a New Tech Machinery machine to run the 1.5” SnapLock profile, for example, then they may already have the partial tooling needed for the 1.5” Mechanical Seam profile. Smaller projects also likely won’t require too much extra labor.
Finding easier transitions into the commercial world and starting off small can help you save on costs and ease your way into newer and bigger projects.
5. Insurance
With larger crews and more equipment, those working in the commercial world will also need to get additional liability insurance for vehicles and labor. This might be something you may not think about when switching from residential to commercial projects, but it’s an important aspect of commercial projects that should not be overlooked.
If you’re unsure about what insurance you need, be sure to consult your insurance provider, the general contractor, and a metal roofing professional who can make sure you get the coverage you need.
6. Payments
Payment for residential projects is typically straightforward. With commercial projects, payments may be split up over the course of the project. You’ll likely have to wait longer to get paid for commercial jobs, and in some cases a percentage of payment — usually 10% — will be held by the general contractor until the work is done.
This 10%, also known as payment retention, will sometimes be held until after the entire project has been completed.
Looking for More Information on the Commercial Metal Roofing Industry?
There’s a lot of upside to getting into the commercial metal roofing industry, especially now as metal roofing continues to grow in popularity. It’s important to sift through the information and find out what’s true about the commercial world and what’s not. We hope this article helped you uncover some of the truths about commercial metal roofing projects.
If you’re looking for more guidance in the commercial industry, feel free to check out our additional resources on the topic:
How to Break into and Succeed in the Commercial Metal Roofing Industry – Sheffield Metals
How to Get Commercial Roofing Jobs as a Residential Contractor – Sheffield Metals
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