DRAFT Tax Form 5695 For Roof Tax Credit

This is a draft of IRS Tax Form 5695 for the Energy Tax Credit for Metal Roofing and other energy components. This is only a draft by the IRS, but it does give you an indication of how the credit will work.

Halloween Rebuilding Together Project 2009

It's time again for us to make a positive impact in our community. This Saturday we will be installing a beautiful new red metal roof for a great family. We have solicited the help of ASC Building Products for the roofing and Allied for the underlayments. We are planning to complete the project in under 4 hours, using all our roofers and support personnel to get the job done. We look forward to these projects and I will post an update when we finish!

We Have A Newly Updated Website!

Check out our newly updated website at www.ILoveMetalRoofs.com or www.MetalRoofSpecialties.com (link in upper right of this blog). We have added new features and will be able to update our galleries and information on a regular basis. If you have any comments or suggestions about the website, please let us know. Input from customers is what led us to make the changes you see.

How Are You Choosing Your Roofer?

We hear this frequently lately, PRICE MATTERS! Our experience with the "competition": The lower number of metal roof installations they have completed, the lower their price will be. The lower their price, the shorter time they will stay in the metal business. The shorter time they stay in business, the quicker you will need them in the future. It's a vicious cycle and we agree - PRICE MATTERS!

Tax Credit Revisited

Another call today about the tax credit. The inquiry was "I have a quote for metal but I don't know if it qualifies for the tax credit". I wish this were as easy as the government should make it for us to understand, but honestly it is up to the manufacturer to qualify their products. For you, this means what they say goes. BUT, and this is a big but! The manufacturer of the product you are using must provide you with a certificate which contains the following specific information about the product you are using:
1. Calls out and lists the specific product (in metal roofing this is the paint used).
2. States how the product qualifies (in metal roofing this is through reducing heat gain - usually).
3. States that it meets or exceeds the requirements.
4. That it qualifies in accordance with IRS Notice 2006-26.
5. Has a perjury declaration statement, and
6. Is signed by a person authorized to bind the manufacturer in these matters.
In other words...don't take their word for it - get it "Certified"!

Here Comes The Rain....How's Your Umbrella?

It's official - I am looking outside right now, and the rain is here (11:00 on October 13th). We have really been lucky with a beautiful spring, summer and beginning of fall, but now is when the weather tightness of your roof will really show. If you are thinking about replacing your roof, we are ready to help you out. We work year-round, and take special care during the "rainy" times to keep you dry until your new, beautiful roof is installed. And to top it off, once you have a metal roof installed by our company, you never have to roof again!

Confused About The Tax Credit?

We are hearing more and more about metal roofing suppliers in the industry who are stating their products qualify for the energy tax credit when the reality is "some" of their products qualify. "Tax Credit" are major buzz words right now. We hear them on the radio and TV for windows, doors, roofs, etc. So roofing companies are throwing them around, without narrowing down exactly which products qualify. There is a specific list of paint systems which qualify for the credit, and we can help you understand if the product you are thinking about is part of the credit. Pin down your roofer or contractor and get it in writing, through a paint certificate or qualifying documents. As the purchaser, you are responsible for obtaining and keeping the proper documents for your tax records with regards to the tax credit...so be diligent - it's your money!

Energy Tax Credit for ASC Products

This brochure explaining the details, benefits and how to apply for the Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit for 2009 and 2010 is from one of our manufacturers, ASC Building Products. Their painted products all qualify for this program, as described by the Energy Star web site. If we provided you with the materials for your project, you can contact our office for the Manufacturer's Certification or you can print a copy as described in this brochure.

DRAG SCREWS 101

This is a 24 gauge panel system, installed up at Alpental, so the snow during winter is DEEP. The weight of the snow actually ripped the panels right off the roof, the screws cutting through the 24 gauge material. Before installing the panels, the Drag load needed to be determined to establish the number of "Drag Screws" to use. Drag Load is the force imposed upon a sloped panel caused by gravity and sliding snow. Standing seam panels, those attached to the roof structure with concealed clips, are free to “float” with expansion and contraction. If left completely free, they would slide off the roof. Drag load has to be combated by “fixing” one end of a standing seam panel. This is typically accomplished under the ridge/peak flashing to conceal the screw. At the “fixed” point, the panel is through fastened to the substrate. The type and number of screws needed, per panel, to resist drag load forces are determined by investigating the substrate material, slope, length of panel, panel width, and geographical snow load. It all comes down to the importance of following the manufacturers recommendations, reading and calculating the load tables, and understanding all of the conditions that might effect the metal roof installation.

Roofing Repair Work Put On Hold

Wow....within weeks, it became very clear that there is far too much metal roof repair work for us to take on right now and keep up with our new projects. We really wanted to help customers in a timely manner, but because repair work takes very skilled crew members, we found we cannot afford for them to be gone from our current new projects. We continue to back up our work with a lifetime installation warranty and will be there for our family of customers if there should ever be a problem, but we will not be looking at metal roofs that we did not originally install at this time. We can still take your calls and possibly help you out with suggestions in specific areas, but for now we are not taking on any more repair work nor do we have any other company to refer you to.

Metal Roof Repair

Metal roofing has become so popular it has lead to a quickly growing "repair" market. We are starting to get calls weekly from homeowners who need some work done on their existing metal roofs. We always recommend they contact their original roofer, but a majority of the time, they are not to be found. Repairs can be anything from leaking, flashings that have come off, destruction to the roofing by fallen trees, etc. We start by asking you a few questions about the problem and if you know the product you have, or can describe it based on the panel width, number of ribs or striations (bumps in the panels) and/or how high the major ribs are (pictures of the roofing and visible damage can be emailed to us to help us understand your repair). Then our operations manager will set up a time to take a look at your issue. There is a service call fee involved, to cover our time, and sometimes we can fix the problem while we are at your location. Other times, we will have to order parts, or panels and schedule a crew to come out and make the repair. We will provide you with a written proposal if we need to return for more work. We have access to almost every metal roofing panel available, and over 30 years experience in the metal market. Some panels are no longer produced, but many times a very similar product and color can be substituted. Metal roofing maintained properly and repaired quickly if their is damage, will last your lifetime, so choosing a dependable company to install and/or repair your roof is a wise investment of your time and money.

Parts of a Roof

Not sure what to call a part of your roof? This drawing gives some common terms to help you discuss your roofing project.

Common Metal Roof Flashing Terms

These are some of the common metal roofing flashings and where they will go on your project. Most manufacturers offer standard parts and pieces to complete common roofing and siding jobs, but when a standard part just won't work, we can get a custom piece made. Pricing for custom pieces is based on amount of material used and the number of bends/cuts, so they are very similar in cost to standard parts. Each type of metal roofing has slightly different flashings to fit the profile of the roof (meaning how high and far apart the ribs might be).

IronOx - Cold-Rolled Steel

Let your creative juices flow! This panel naturally rusts and will provide an artistic oxide finish. It's meant to look like the old-fashioned steel roofing that has graced the countrysides for years - without the wait! IronOx is made by ASC Building Products in 22 gauge with a 36" out-to-out width. It is unpainted and untreated steel and has no warranty from the manufacturer. The above picture is: Left - Nu-Wave in Bare Zincalume Finish; Middle - IronOx right off the cutting machine; Right - IronOx after sitting outside for 30 days (very little rain). We have another panel outside and will post it after 6 months. You can see it doesn't take much to get this to a "rusty" stage.

Skyline Metal Roofing Projects Slideshow

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We got this great note from the Barrientos-Zepeda and Munoz families. We worked on their houses back in April during our Rebuilding Together Project for 2009. Most amazing was spending the day actually helping them accomplish projects that they would otherwise have to hire professionals. More and more families are finding it necessary to rely on outside help, especially now during our current economic downturn. Now is the time to check with your neighbors who might need you.

Eligible Metal Roofing Products for $1500 Tax Credit

The link below is the Roofs Product List of eligible "Energy Star" rated roofs that qualify for the $1,500 American Reinvestment and Recover Act tax credit for 2009 and 2010. This list shows the manufacturer's and their panel profiles that qualify, however, the Warranty column is not 100% correct and the Model column does not include all colors which qualify. Let us know if you have any questions about products you are interested and and whether they qualify or not.

http://downloads.energystar.gov/bi/qplist/roofs_prod_list.pdf

Do-It-Yourself Project #6 - Party Pavillion

We made this pavillion to keep the pine needles off the BBQ. To keep the cost down, we used 29 gauge Norclad in Bare Zincalume (unpainted) and then used Classic Brown trim pieces. It is easy to keep the debris from building up, just a quick few brushes with a push broom.

Through Fastener Panels

Getting ready to roof or side your shop, maybe a pole building or even a pavilion to keep your BBQ guests dry. One of the most economical solutions we have is called "Norclad" by ASC Building Products. Typically sold in 29 gauge, this panel will span 2' and still be walkable. Norclad has a 36" coverage, a 5/8" high rib every 9 inches, with 2 minor ribs in between. A screw with a neoprene washer goes in the top of the panel at a flat spot and through to the substrate below. Norclad has a variety of standard flashings, but custom flashings are no problem either. The turn around time for ordering is about 4 days, and the panels are cut to the exact length you need within 1/4" increments (angle cuts are up to you). See Do-It-Yourself Projects #1 and #6 for pictures of projects clad in Norclad.

Firehot Fireworks!

Burning fireworks flying about the neighborhood on Saturday will be fun...and if you have a metal roof - you will have one less thing to worry about! Have a safe Fourth of July!

Rock Bottom Prices - Act NOW!

The word on the street....metal prices are on the rise. We have been told by most of our manufacturers that steel pricing is starting to go back up and that we are at the lowest price for metal roofing right now. There is a strong demand for steel by the Chinese market, which is leading to increased demand, which we all know leads to increased prices. We are currently about 25% lower than we were this time last year...and metal roofing prices are only going up from here. Current pricing, combined with the $1500 Tax Credit means now is the time to get that metal roof on your home.

Standing Seam Roofing

Standing Seam is a common term used to describe many manufacturers panels. In most cases, standing seam refers to panels that are full length from the ridge to the eave, usually between 12" and 18" wide, with a high rib (about 1" to 2") on each side and either a flat surface or some minor ribs in the middle. The panels will either have a flange on one side for screwing directly to a substrate, or they will have clips which are installed onto the substrate then the panels snap into the clips. Standing seam panels are very popular in the Pacific Northwest. One major benefit is the screws are hidden, which is aesthetically pleasing and helps eliminate debris buildup such as pine needles. Manufacturers in this area produce a variety of standing seam panels and we are here to help you pick the best panel for your project.

AEP Span in Tacoma

When you place a materials order with us, if you are picking it up and it is bigger than we can lift by hand, we will have you pick it up at AEP Span in Tacoma. Their address is 2141 Milwaukee Way, Tacoma, 98422. They are open from 7am to about 5:45pm. You can call us ahead of time (253-926-1633) and we can verify the order is ready for you. We will also provide you with a pick-up number which will make it easier to locate. The map above shows their location off Highway 509. Please note you will turn in just before Milwaukee - you cannot get into the AEP Span yard from Milwaukee.

Some tips:

1. Call us first to verify your order is ready (253-926-1633).
2. Bring your pick-up number we have provided.
3. Prior to leaving the lot - check your packing slip to verify the number of boxes and skids.
4. Note any visible damage to packaging or parts not packaged prior to leaving.
5. Tie down your loads.

Once you unpack your materials, if there is any damage, please let us know asap. If we need to replace the materials, we will need the damaged panels/flashings returned. Pictures of the damage are very helpful too.

Who's Byline?

It's me - Keni Taylor. I am posting these blogs and keeping you informed on the daily hulla-ballo at Metal Roof Specialties. I have been working for MRSI for almost 4 years now. I sell materials packages, answer the phones, type the contracts, keep the place organized and help out where ever I can. We started this blog to keep up with the times, but it is proving to be a great way to share what we know about metal. If you have any questions, feel free to post or send me an email at keni@metalroofspecialties.com. Let me know what you think about our blog...I'm pretty tough for a girl - I think I can take it!

Raise the Roof! Go Haley, Go Haley!

Sometimes it's worth sharing with everyone what it takes to be a successful company. It's not just how we help our customers, but how we help our community. Lucky for us, we have one incredibly giving person amongst us, and we are proud! I am talking about Haley. She is a board member of Rebuilding Together South Sound which takes a lot of her personal and business time. She has many meetings, and as Rebuilding's annual event approaches, it gets very hectic for her. She just finished meeting with the homeowners from our project in April of 2009 and soon will start planning for the next event.

But it's not just Rebuilding Together. Haley manages to take on several charities each year; participating in bicycle and motorcycle rides, 1/2 marathons, walks and auctions. She seems to love them all and puts her heart and soul into each event. But that's the kind of person Haley is ... she jumps in with the same two feet every day at work too. Part of what makes this such a great company to work for is to work along side someone like Haley. We all have our gifts, and hers is sharing with others. Lucky us!

MBA Annual Golf Tournament

Metal Roof Specialties was a sponsor at the MBA annual golf tournament at Lipoma Firs Golf Course in Puyallup on Friday, June 12th. Wayne and Haley were set up at Hole 5 on the Gold course, where they had an opportunity to shmooz with vendors and contractors in the building trades. They held a drawing for a great DeWalt Radio/Tool Charger and the lucky winner was....drum roll please....John Rush from Waste Connections. Way to go John and see you all next year!

Cleaning A Metal Roof

This is probably the most frequent phone call we get..."How do I clean my metal roof?" It's a great question, and one of the most important steps you can take to ensure the longevity of your investment. Roofs must be regularly washed, either by fresh rainwater or by cleaning with a light cleaning solution. The roof must not be cleaned with abrasive or chemical cleansers. One third (1/3) cup of a common laundry detergent (such as Tide) containing less than 0.5% phosphate dissolved in (1) gallon of water will work. You can use a soft bristled brush, like a long handled RV brush, to get the "sticky" stuff loosened. Light pressure washing may be enough to do the trick - but keep in mind the word LIGHT! Keep valleys and areas around screw heads clear of pine needles and debris build-up. While you're up there, cut back any vegetation from overgrown trees and bushes so nothing is resting on the metal roofing. Remember to use proper safety gear when on your roof, keeping in mind wet metal can be very slippery. Proper maintenance is a requirement to keep most warranties in effect. If you have a metal roof with a granular surface, check with the manufacturer for specific cleaning instructions.

Do-It-Yourself Project #5 - Kevin's Cozy Cabin

Welcome to Kevin's cabin, built in 1958 by his grandparents and parents. The shake roofing in the before picture served well for about 50 years, but it was time to update. Kevin picked metal for a couple of reasons...minimize the fire hazard, minimize the cleaning and maintenance, and never have to reroof again. He went with 16" Skyline in Forest Green. It blends with the environment, looks great with the logs on the cabin, and the hidden fasteners of the Skyline roofing eliminate visible screw heads that catch pine needles and debris and get tugged and pulled at by heavy snows.

Kevin and I started emailing each other on a Friday, the following Friday he was on his way to the cabin with the panels, and by Monday he was done and back to work. "Wear gloves" and "measure carefully before you order....I would hate to have to cut all the ends", says Kevin. He did a great job, the cabin looks amazing with a fresh green roof, and I really appreciated working with him. Sweet cabin Kevin...THANKS!

Using Neoprene Closures in Vented Ridge - Skyline Panel

This is a variation of the Vented Ridge (R17) installation if the panels are NOT being turned up at the ridge, and a Neoprene Closure is being installed. The closure and the turn up of the panels have essentially the same effect, keeping water and debris from blowing up into the ridge. If you have extreme conditions, such as low slope and high winds, then turning up the panel AND installing the closure might be necessary. For most, it is easier to install the closures then to turn up every panel but there is a slight added cost (unless you need to purchase the turn up tool - then it will come out pretty even). When we sell a materials package for Skyline, we always include the closures unless a customer is confident about turning up each panel.

Do-It-Youself Project #4 - Going To The Dogs!

This is Russ and Lynda's Doggy Den. These guys are a testament to the importance of buying your materials from someone who will be there when you have an installation question. We talked them through the installation process step by step, and the success of this project led to an even bigger endeavor - their cabin in Cushman. Russ and Lynda used 16" Rustic Red Skyline and some great looking timbers to create this pooch oasis! Nice Work!