Why does Sheffield Metals offer engineering on their panel profiles, and how can it benefit metal roofing contractors?
To succeed as a metal roofing contractor, you need to make sure you’re installing quality systems for your customers. Metal roofing is a premium product and one of the best options on the market for home and building owners, but it’s only as good as the complete system it’s a part of.
Having the right engineering for your roofing system can give you a competitive advantage and help you build trust with customers.
Sheffield Metals is a leading distributor of metal coils, sheets, and accessories like clips and fasteners. We provide engineering on various panel profiles for metal roofing systems. Plus, our Commercial, Architectural, and Technical (CAT) team can support customers throughout every phase of their project, from initial designs to technical installation details.
In this article, we’ll look at why Sheffield Metals decided to start offering engineering and examine the ways it can benefit metal roofing contractors.
Why Does Sheffield Metals Provide Engineering?
One of the core missions of Sheffield Metals is to promote long-term roofing solutions for home and building owners. To do this, we provide contractors with quality products and support them throughout their project to ensure they have the information and tools needed to install a lasting metal roofing system. Providing engineering for metal roofing systems was another way we could help contractors complete projects effectively.
Our engineering was originally geared specifically towards commercial jobs and included testing and requirements that were typical of commercial project specs, including:
- Air infiltration testing
- Water penetration testing
- Water submersion testing
- Approvals based on the unique location of the project
Engineering takes the entire metal roofing system into account – not just the panel. The type of metal used for the project, the specific accessories used, and the unique substrate are all included. All the components of that system are tested to ensure the whole system will last.
Our commercial engineering is comprehensive, and panels are tested over various substrates and materials. This means that one panel typically has different sets of testing it must go through to achieve ratings for each combination of substrates and metal materials.
To continue to support our residential contractors, Sheffield Metals now also offers engineering on panels typically used on residential projects.
You can find all of this information via the Sheffield Metals website, where you can click on individual panels to access their unique engineering.
Sheffield Metals also just released their new tech stick, which allows customers to access all our technical information – including engineering – in one place so that they have access at all times. The tech stick simplifies the process of finding correct documents for your projects, placing everything – engineering reports, submittal information, and manufacturer specs, in one convenient location.
Note: Just because a roof is tested doesn’t meet it can meet requirements of your unique area. Not all testing is the same and each region has its own standards and codes for approvals.
How Can Sheffield’s Engineering Benefit Contractors?
Complete Weathertight Warranties Efficiently
For commercial metal roofing projects, engineering is a requirement. Weathertight warranties ensure that the roof won’t leak and that it will stay functional for its full service life.
Completing a commercial job and meeting the requirements of a weathertight warranty can be complex, as you’ll need to get approved products that meet the testing requirements required of that area and ensure you’re installing everything the right way.
Having access to engineered systems that are tested to meet commercially specified projects can make your business more competitive with the types of projects you can chase. Having available engineering is also more economical than trying to do the individual tests needed by yourself, which can get expensive very quickly.
Sheffield Metals also has an in-house weathertight warranty team – you can apply for a weathertight warranty that’s specifically issued by Sheffield Metals. If accepted, we’ll support you throughout your project with the full help of our team and inspect your installation at various points. We’ll also complete a final inspection to make sure everything is sound and then issue you your warranty.
Note: Weathertight warranties issued by Sheffield Metals must be installed per our engineering details and requirements set forth by the SMI Technical Department.
Build Trust with Your Customers
Being able to back up your project plans and products with engineering is one of the best ways to build trust with your customer. If a customer asks you a question, whether it’s about clip spacings or why you’re using a specific product, you’ll be able support it with evidence of the entire tested system, which gives specific instructions for building a functional metal roof.
The more information you provide your customer and the more transparent you can be, the more likely they are to trust your work, choose you as their contractor, and refer you to those in their network in the future.
Gain a Competitive Edge
Bidding on projects can be very competitive, as there can be many other contractors vying for the job. To stand out, you need to make sure you’re offering something unique.
Providing a tested system and communicating to your customer why having an engineered system protects their investment is an effective way to separate yourself.
Homeowners, especially, are often wary and want to make sure they’re working with someone who has a clear plan. A metal roof is a significant investment, after all, and they want to make sure it’s worth it.
Showing your customer documentation of testing how the system needs to be installed for best performance can bridge that gap of doubt. You may even be trying to sell the same panel as your competitors – offering the tested system can give you the edge you need to win the job.
Streamline Your Business
Getting the engineering you need from one convenient, trusted source will allow you to keep your business running smoothly. You won’t have to seek out testing yourself or search for documents from various sources. Instead, you can pull up the information you need and partner with a reliable supplier in the industry.
Looking for Engineering Help on Your Next Metal Roofing Project?
Getting the right engineering for your project is critical for installing a quality metal roofing system that will last. Still, even with the provided engineering, your project may also require unique approvals or other regional considerations. Consulting with a trusted, reliable source in the metal roofing industry can help you find the information you need.
At Sheffield Metals, we’re happy to support our customers with quality metal roofing products, plus a CAT (Commercial, Architectural, and Technical) team designed to help architects and contractors throughout their project. Whether you’re looking for engineering for a specific panel, a weathertight warranty application, or question about installation, we’re happy to help. Click the link below to get in contact with us.