Replies

1. 
   IMERC | Sep 14, 2007 12:54am | #1

   go into town and look at the commercial applications of steel shingles...

   they don't weather well or last for very long it seems....

   Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

   WOW!!! What a Ride!
   Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

2. 
   seeyou | Sep 14, 2007 01:05am | #2

   Any experience with them and what should I look for in an installer. 

   Decra appears to be a good product. Time will tell how the finish lasts.

   As far as an installer, you need someone with good metal bending skills. I don't know how complex your roof is (hips, valleys, dormers), but even though the field pieces come out of a box, the flashings have to be mostly custom made.

   Any company with tile roof experience would probably be qualified (the concept is the same - the material different). My hang up with the product would be the inability to solder flashings where I would normally solder and having to rely on caulk. 

   You're pretty much going to end up as somebody's guinea pig as they learn the product so check the installer out well. If they seem to be proficient at a number of different types of roofs (not just asphalt shingle slingers), they can probably think outside the box and read instructuins at the same time.

   Good luck.

   http://grantlogan.net/

    

   "he ot the placed closed down whyyy thhhattt nnooo gooodddd" - sancho

1. 
   OliviaKay | Sep 14, 2007 05:16pm | #5

   The only company that I have found so far with any experience builds steel buildings with raised seam roofs.  They also do conventional shingle roofs and have now started doing Decra steel shingles.  They haven't done any Decra steel shingles in my immediate area. 

1. 
   seeyou | Sep 14, 2007 05:27pm | #6

   They haven't done any Decra steel shingles in my immediate area. 

   You're probably better off finding a local company that does specialty roofing. Madison is big enough that there should be several specialty companies. They're sometimes hard find - I work by mostly by referal. http://grantlogan.net/

    

   I was born in a crossfire hurricane..........shooby dooby do

3. 
   MJR | Sep 14, 2007 01:13am | #3

   Olivia, I did a Decra roof a couple of years ago seemed like a decent product but very hard on cutting tools . Where in Wisconsin?? Mike

1. 
   OliviaKay | Sep 14, 2007 04:00pm | #4

   I live in the Madison area.

4. 
   Bentstick | Sep 15, 2007 05:13am | #7

   Decra is an awesome product. Do your homework. Try to find an experianced installer. Ask to see his work and talk to the homeowner.

   The Decra rep for the area you live in may be able to refer a couple of installers.

   If it wasn’t for the Bank Payments,

   Interest, Taxes, Wages, and Fuel Costs,

   I wouldn’t have to charge you!!

1. 
   OliviaKay | Sep 17, 2007 04:31pm | #8

   What is your experience with the product?  An installer or have you just seen the product on a home?  What do you like about it?  If I can't find anyone with experience what should I look for in particular? 

   The only local company that has given me a quote so far erects metal buildings primarily and does asphalt shingles too.  They have recently started offering the Decra product but I don't think have a great deal of experience. 

   Thanks for any advice you can give.

    

1. 
   Bentstick | Sep 17, 2007 04:55pm | #9

   In Canada, Decra used to be tightly controlled. Factory  trained installers could only install the product. They have opened up now, I think anyone can purchase and install the product.

   Another company called Metro Tile, is still keeping a tight reighn on who installs their product.

   The company which is just starting out should have a factory approved instructor  come to the site for 2 or 3 days to teach the newances of installing Decra tile.

   I think I would have to be fairly confident in the company who was installing any new product for the first time.

   Will they take the extra time to learn the system, or just slam it down. Will they get all the details right, or just muddle through it.

   Just some stuff to think about. They are an expensive product. But they are awesome if installed right.

   If it wasn’t for the Bank Payments,

   Interest, Taxes, Wages, and Fuel Costs,

   I wouldn’t have to charge you!!