FS Construction Services new roof

Five Signs That You Need a New Roof

Here at FS Construction Services we know that no one really wants a new roof. It may be necessary, it may be long overdue, it may dramatically increase your quality of life, but we get that no one wants to do it. For that reason, it can certainly be tempting to ignore the warning signs that it’s time for an update. However, someone has to be the messenger, so we wanted to provide five different signs that it’s finally time to update that roof.

 

Reasons For Getting a New Roof

 

Leaks

This one is obvious, but needs to be said nonetheless. Some leaks are fixable and not a sign of something worse. But if the roof has taken storm damage, was improperly installed, or the roofing components have simply reached the end of the line, then it’s going to be time for an upgrade. To know for sure, we always recommend a good inspection.

Granules

Most traditional roofs are made of asphalt shingles. Those shingles have embedded asphalt granules to help with fire resistance and UV protection. When a shingle roof is reaching its end, those granules will start to fall off into your gutters or onto the ground below. If you are noticing small granules in your downspouts or on the ground, and you’ve not just had a significant weather event, it is probably time to say goodbye to your old roof.

Damaged Shingles

Speaking of significant weather, intense storms and heavy winds can damage your roof shingles, but if you’re noticing cracked, curled, or missing shingles on your roof, it’s their way of telling you their time is up. Depending on your situation, it may be hard to know for sure if this is the case, but if you suspect your roof is reaching its limit, make sure to have a professional come and inspect it.

Moss and Vegetation

If your roof is starting to look like its own garden, then it’s time. While black algae streaks can appear on roofs midway through their cycle, actual moss and vegetation growth is a sign of an old, ready-to-be-replaced roof.

Discoloration in Attic

If you notice discolored roof decking boards in your attic, it could be a sign that it is no longer performing its job at full capacity. Again, this could be the sign of a fixable problem, but in many cases, it means it’s new-roof time.

 

We are sorry to be the bearer of unwelcome news, but we’ve also got good news. If you have noticed one, or all, of these signs and decided to upgrade, our partnership with Fabral means we can provide you with a beautiful, customizable, new metal roof that can last you up to 50 years. If you might be interested in a roof upgrade, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services commercial roofing

Choosing Commercial Roofing with FS Construction Services

Here at FS Construction Services we have spoken at length about the benefits of metal roofing. To quickly recap, metal roof panels are significantly stronger than traditional roofing shingles, with impact ratings to weather the harshest environments, they provide incredible durability, with the ability to last for 50+ years, and their many varieties provide a high level of style and color options. While the initial cost is more than traditional shingle roofs, the long-term benefits and minimum maintenance required more than pays out over the years.
 

Why You Need FSCS for Your Commercial Roofing

 
We have often highlighted residential and agricultural metal roof projects, but our partners at Fabral also provide great metal roofing options for commercial use. The sheer number of styles is bound to fit any project and any pitch needed and their installation is designed to be easy and efficient. In addition to a variety of strengths and styles, these metal roofs have options including soffit panels to provide necessary ventilation, snow-retention systems to prevent fast-moving snow or ice across the slick metal surfaces, sealants for weather-tight seals, CondenStop to prevent condensation buildup, as well as a number of environmental benefits. For example, because metal is naturally more reflective than asphalt, metal roofs reflect more light during the summer and absorb less heat, allowing for reduced energy bills.

The variety of design options and simplicity of installation makes these metal roofs ideal for businesses, schools, stadiums, and many other commercial building types. If you are looking to have a new commercial or other roof installed and would like one that saves you time and money down the road, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services metal roof

Project Profile: A Worry-Free Metal Roof

When it comes to around-the-house or around-the-office projects, clients often end up weighing the decision of spending less money now with the possibility of having to spend more later or spending more money now with the possibility of having to spend less later. Do you pay for the quick fix? Or do you pay for the lasting solution? And while we would love to say it’s an easy choice, we understand that it’s not. Sometimes spending more now just isn’t an option. However, when your fix or update can also involve a little future proofing, a metal roof really is a great win.

Metal Roof Sound Investment for Future

This was on full display recently when we installed a new roof for a client. The existing roof was a standard shingle roof and it was time for an update. When we removed the old shingles, we found the OSB underneath had rotted out in some areas where water had been slipping through.

Thankfully, our client had committed to replace the old roof with a new metal roof. So after we replaced the rotted wood, we installed a Fabral 1.5” SSR standing seam metal roof. This 24-gauge roof is installed over a felt backing and the whole thing is designed to last for over 50 years and features Class 4 hail resistance, Class A fire resistance, and a Class 90 uplift test rating. Additionally, we installed new 6” seamless gutters.

Thanks to this new roof, our client will have a rot-resistant, durable roof that will last for decades on end. Overall it is very likely to require less maintenance, less upkeep, and less worry than other roofing options.

If you are interested in a metal roof, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services metal siding cleaning tips

Tips for Cleaning Your Metal Siding

It’s the time of year where you’re likely to find yourself outside watering plants and noticing the growing spiderwebs around your windows and doors. And while you may be tempted to knock them down quickly and carry on, it’s worth asking yourself when the last time you cleaned your siding was.

 

Low Maintenance Metal Siding Cleaning Tips

 

If you have metal siding, a little care here and there can go a long way towards extending the lifetime of that siding. The frequency at which you want to perform an inspection depends on where you live and the kind of beating your siding and roof takes on a regular basis. But generally you will want to first check for any obvious issues like chipped paint, rust, or other damages.

Check for any branches touching your siding or your roof and if you can, cut them back so they don’t scrape against the house. You will also want to clear off any leaves or other debris that might either damage the panels or clog your gutters.

Speaking of gutters, make sure to do an occasional check for clogs. Not only do you want to make sure your gutters are taking water away from your house, but standing water can cause corrosion after a long enough time.

Metal siding isn’t prone to mold or fungus, but you may want to give them a good washing every now and again. Rather than power washing, spray them down with a garden hose. If there are any spots that need extra cleaning, use a little dish soap or car washing soap to scrub at the problem area.

Metal siding and metal roofs such as products by our partner Fabral are a strong, unfussy solution for most houses. If you are in need of updating your current roofing or siding and have any questions, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services metal roof

Project Profile: The Elegance of a Metal Roof

We have been in business for close to 50 years now at FS Construction Services, but there is still something that feels fresh and exciting about a particularly well-implemented design. And one kind of project seems to inspire feelings most often: a brand-new metal roof. There’s something so satisfying about the clean lines, the sturdy construction, and the strong colors. Knowing that they’re designed to last longer than the amount of time we have been in business is just the cherry on top.

Consider Easy Maintenance Metal Roof

 

Recently we had the opportunity to install a 6500 sq. ft. roof for a client, and the result reminds us why we enjoy these projects so much. The 24-gauge 1.5” SSR standing seam roof replaced the old shingles we removed and disposed of. We laid down felt-backed insulation under the new roof as well as new 6” seamless gutters, downspouts, and leaf guards. We also put a modified roof onto the existing pergola to help water drain.

One of the other features of this project that we had to consider was the house’s skylight and chimney. We want our installs to be seamless, but also practical, so we took particular care to make sure that our roof plan incorporated these elements while still providing our client with a sealed and safe roof. Similarly, standing seam metal roofs will expand and contract with the changing temperatures. However, when they are engineered and installed properly, these movements are accounted for.

If you have been approaching the time for a new roof and have considered if a metal roof might be for you, be sure to check out just how they easy they are to maintain. If you have any questions at all, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services Fabral agricultural metal roof

Peace of Mind with a Fabral Agricultural Metal Roof

Depictions of agriculture often focus on dusty, rugged-looking trucks, machines, and boots. And it’s not like it’s without good reason, agriculture can be a dusty, rugged industry. And yet for all the images of weathered structures and equipment, something that may not be thought about as often is just how strong the actual roof of your barn, shed, or stable is. So often, agricultural buildings are isolated structures, with little to slow the impact of wind, rain, hail, and more. So whether you are housing machinery or animals, you want to make sure that whatever is inside can be kept safe and unbothered with an agricultural metal roof.
 

Consider the Many Benefits of an Agricultural Metal Roof

 
Thankfully, there is a solution. Our partners at Fabral specialize in just this type of thing. Their variety of metal roofs work for residential, commercial, and agricultural applications. Not only do their 50+-year lifespans warrant consideration, their unmatched strength, resistance to rot, various weather impact ratings, and the fact that they don’t constantly need to be inspected make them ideally suited to your building that’s going to take the biggest beating each year.

Additionally, these highly-reflective roofs stay cooler during the summer, meaning you will have to spend less keeping the building cool and get to be environmentally friendly at the same time. These metal roofs come in wide variety of styles and colors, meaning they can match perfectly to your structure. And finally, they can be installed over felt paper and plywood, preventing excess noise, which is particularly good for buildings that house animals.

So if it’s time to add or update the roof on your agricultural structure, why not consider the many benefits of a metal roof. If you have any questions at all, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

Gateway FS Construction Services metal roofing

Project Profile: Roofing Steel

At FS Construction Services, we understand that a building is only as strong as its weakest part. Thick, steel walls may stand strong for decades, but the building won’t be very comfortable if it has a thatched roof covered in holes. That’s why we have enjoyed our partnership with Fabral so much. Their metal roofs are designed to look good and hold up far longer than traditional roof shingles.

Discover the Durability and Stability of Metal Roofs

In mid-August, Tom Marcheski and his crew traveled over to Sparta, IL to take on a 6,000 sq. ft. roofing project. Using Fabral’s 1 ½” SSR metal roofing system, they covered the building in the 24-gauge steel floating standing seam roof. This roof features a Class A fire resistance rating, a Class 4 hail impact rating, and a Class 90 Uplift test rating. In addition to its ability to stand up to impact, it also has a fastening system that allows for thermal movement and a factory-applied sealant to provide a tight, secure roof that doesn’t draft or leak. In addition to the built-in features of these particular roof panels, our team also installed a snow retention system. These snow and ice guards not only protect the roof itself, but more importantly, anyone who may be entering the building below. While our client chose black-colored panels, Fabral’s roofs come in a variety of colors, so you can always match your specific building.

In our opinion, the durability and security you get with a metal roof makes the investment worthwhile. Their strength and longevity are unmatched, and with a number of styles and colors available, you can always find the most attractive option for you.

If you are in need of a new roof and would like to consider going metal, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services metal roofing

A Metal Roof is the Best Kind of Weather Preparation

While it may only be September, and this year may have felt like one of the longest years many of us have ever lived through, winter will be here again, and probably well before we feel like it should be. Colder months approaching means all of the usual precautions and preparations will be needed, and the sooner those are taken care of, the fewer problems you have to think or worry about.

In particular, if you’re approaching the time for a new roof, it is most likely in your best interest to act sooner rather than later. And here at FS Construction Services, we’re big fans of metal roofs. Our partners at Fabral make some of the strongest, longest lasting roofs around. First and foremost, metal roofing doesn’t crack, shrink, or erode like traditional roof shingles do. Additionally, it’s designed to stand up to extreme weather conditions including high wind, snow, ice, and hail. On top of all of that, metal roofs can last decades longer than traditional roofs, meaning once you get one installed, you really don’t have to think about it again for a long, long time.

However, one thing many people might not think about when it comes to the benefits of metal roofs is their thermal efficiency. On top of the tight seals that can be achieved with a metal roof, there are a number of insulation options that further increase the roof’s ability to keep cold out and hold heat in.

If you are interested in a metal roof for your residential, commercial, or agricultural building, you can let Gateway FS Construction Services know. You can give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

Metal Building renovation

Breathing New Life Into an Old FS Building: Part 1

While there is always something fun about building a brand-new structure from the ground up, there is something equally satisfying about taking an old structure and making it feel new again. Sometimes this is in the preservation of something historic, and other times, it’s simply a matter of efficiency and cost. This is the first of two articles covering the extensive updates done to an old FS structure this past February as it transformed from something that looked the part of having weathered the test of time and seasons to something that looks like it could have been built yesterday.

New Garage Doors and Metal Roof Make a Big Impact

The biggest and perhaps most obvious fix came in the form of the large, 24 x 16’ polymer doors that took up most of the front of the building. To be expected, these had yellowed and worn over the years, so our team replaced them with a new, double-sliding, metal door system. These new doors, matched to the original color of the structure, now provide a sharp, new focal point to the building. In addition to these doors, we also replaced another old, double sliding door with a 12 x 10’ Raynor Showcase steel-backed, insulated door and a Raynor Pilot ½ hp chain drive operator.

The second major fix came in the form of a new 22 x 22’ roof over the office area of the structure. This GR3 Fabral white, metal roof will last up to 60 years and provides a clean, new look for the top of the building.

Even with these additions, the building still wasn’t finished. However, with brand-new garage doors and a metal roof, it’s well on its way. If your building could use new doors or an updated roof, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction services metal roof

Project Profile: Metal Roof Does What Traditional Roof Couldn’t

At FS Construction Services, we’re no strangers to the benefits of metal roofs. And while we fully understand that the upfront cost of a metal roof may seem like a big pill to swallow, the long-term benefits are many and, we emphasize, looooong term.

This has perhaps been no more apparent than with a recent client project we worked with earlier in the year, who had a barn with a roof in need of replacing. The price of traditional shingles makes them a hard temptation to pass on, we get that, and they have worked well for many people for a long time now. Unfortunately for our client, the traditional shingles they had a contractor install just weren’t up to the task, and they began leaking shortly thereafter. Rather than double down on traditional roofing shingles, they contacted FS Construction Services to put a stop to her leaky roof.

Using lifts because of the steep-pitched roof, Tom Marcheski and his team installed a 26-gauge steel Fabral Horizon S Series roof on the structure. This 40’ x 48’ x 18’ standing seam roof features a Class A fire resistance rating, a Class 4 hail impact resistance, a Class 90 uplift test rating, and, maybe most importantly, thanks to a factory-applied sealant and proper installation, a Leak Free rating. Additionally, this roof, with its standing shadow lines and attractive color options, looks really good on its new home. And, thanks to the durability and rot resistance of metal roofs, it will continue to look good for upwards of 60-70 years.

If you’re in need of an attractive, long-lasting, and weatherproof roof, whether for a residential, commercial, or agricultural building, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.