If you are a contractor, you need to be able to offer your clients and customers quality roofing materials. Roofing equipment and roofing materials determine how expensive roofing systems ultimately are and how long they last. The right roof is affordable and adds value to a customer’s property.
When selecting the right roofing equipment for your customers, you need to consider the role of the property you are roofing. Warehouses and other industrial and commercial properties need to be primarily functional. Weatherproofing and waterproofing is paramount, making rubber roofing materials a great choice. Many commercial properties have flat roofs. For these, rubber roofing supplies or waterproof sealants prevent leaks. For properties that your customers’ clients do see, evaluate the need for curb appeal. A retail or office space with a sloped roof may require shingles for presentation.
When deciding on a roofing system, be sure to:
1. Choose the right roofing materials for the job.
2. Get high quality shingles to stretch your client's dollar.
3. Purchase the accessories you need to properly install your client's roofing system.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Select the appropriate roofing materials for a commercial job
Liquid asphalt is an attractive and affordable solution for sloped roofs. Metal roofs are appropriate for both commercial and residential customers. Rubber roofing is ideal for commercial clients who need a durable, water tight, weather-resistant roof.
I recommend: Brothers Roofing Supplies, Inc. sells packaged asphalt roofing in bulk. They also carry high quality metal roofing supplies, both residential and commercial, at competitive prices.
Metal Roofing Wholesalers specializes in metal roofing and can customize their roofing products to meet your specifications. Their metal roofing products come standard with up to a 50 year warranty.
Flat Roof Solutions features rubber roofing in various widths and lengths at affordable prices.
Pick high grade roofing shingles for maximum durability roofing systems
Shingles are the most common type of roofing for residential homes and for many customer-facing businesses. Although not as durable, in the long-run, as other roofing materials, high quality shingles are attractive and can last 20 or more years. Suppliers of roofing materials offer shingles in a variety of materials, from asphalt to synthetic slate.
I recommend: Get a quote from
JB Wholesale. With an emphasis on contractor customers, they sell top-of-the-line asphalt and laminate shingles in several colors, most of which come with warranties.
Build Direct offers high quality cedar and tile shingles at a fraction of retail.
DaVinci Roofscapes features synthetic slate shingles in a number of colors and sizes, with easy delivery for contractors.
Select the proper roofing accessories
In addition to shingles and other top surface roofing materials , you also need additional roofing materials, such as nails, flashing and underlayment. Flashing and underlayment make roofs more waterproof, with flashing generally applied to the ends and intersections of roofing systems. Nails and other fasteners allow you to attach tiles to the subroofing.
I recommend: ToolBarn.com sells galvanized roofing nails, in bulk, at discounted prices.
Metal Roofing Source.com features synthetic roofing underlayment, appropriate for all types of roofing. Get a price quote from
Nuclead, a distributor of durable lead roof flashing.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Customers are increasingly savvy about dealing with contractors, especially since some unscrupulous practices among a few contractors have come to light. Your best option is to be able to speak frankly about a number of roofing options and to have roofing material samples on hand when speaking with customers.
The official source of Roofing Materials is the Roofing Materials page at Business.com
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