Fine Metal Roofing

"Our goal is to produce roofs that last a lifetime or more, and are as good looking as they are dependable. "

Let's look at the elements that enable us to realize this aspiration:

Engineered Systems

All of the products we install originate in Germany, and have been designed and tested such that if properly installed, they cannot and do not fail. The design of our roof and wall cladding, gutter, and snow retention systems is based on exact knowledge of the forces that act on a building’s exterior under the most adverse conditions. Consequently, they do the job that is demanded of them. Design is aimed at maximizing performance, rather than at meeting minimum building codes, optimizing high rates of production, or accommodating unskilled or semi-skilled installers. We know of several large and quite new copper roofs that are being replaced, at great expense, due to the absence of this quality in the original installation. The dependability of the German designed roof and wall systems is attested by the experience of a European friend of ours: Erno Ovari, owner of Spengler Industries, and our main material supplier, who has not had a single call back to attend to a problem in 35 years in the profession.

Copper, Zinc, and Terne-coated stainless: Durable metals for long-life roofing

We work exclusively with copper, zinc, and terne coated stainless steel; primarily because of their exceptional longevity, which they achieve through their property of inherent corrosion resistance.

Copper and zinc are natural elements which, upon exposure to water and oxygen, form a protective oxide film with which the are coated, and by which they are protected from any further contact with the environment. Stainless steel is an alloy which includes chromium, allowing it to act in the same way in this respect as copper and zinc. Thus the product of oxidation is in this case extremely beneficial: it allows them to sit, inert and unchanging, beneath their self generated protective coating, providing a perfectly serviceable roof or wall covering for a very long time: a lifetime at least, and potentially centuries.

Secondly, and equally important from our point of view, these metals’ physical properties allow them to be worked by the traditional European techniques of hand formed double lock seaming (more on that in a moment) which requires both a high level of strength and malleability in the metal and the ability to actually be stretched. Copper, zinc, and stainless steel lend themselves exceptionally well to this type of work: they are a pleasure to work with, which along with their amazing longevity is the second reason why we love them.

The third, and not least reason for our love of copper, zinc, and stainless steel is their beauty.

Brilliant and vividly bright when new: gold, silver, grey; the change of color and tone they undergo is fascinating to follow-and this can take years. In their final settled state of full patina they have a warm and rich character which I believe is only shared by other natural materials. Paint definitely cannot match it.

Along with being particularly and especially attractive at every stage of their transformation, there is great freedom of design opportunity in terms of pattern and profile. If there isn’t an established shingle or panel that gives the surface geometry that you’re looking for, one can probably be developed. And, whatever the shape or form of the structure that you wish to cover with metal, that likely presents no problem either.

So, copper, zinc, and terne coated stainless steel are the longest lasting, most workable, extremely beautiful, and you can do nearly anything with them. Is there anything to add to the case that one of these is the best choice for whatever sort of project you have in mind?

Yes- it is the fact that when it is time for the metal to no longer serve as roof or wall covering to the building YOU put it on, it can then be recycled in total to 100% of its original quality, and go back into use for someone else who will be equally well served by it for equally long, and will find it equally as beautiful as you did. It is a material of potentially infinite use, and I don’t think we can say this of any other building product.

Artisanal work- European style double lock seaming

The word artisanal is so far abused by marketers these days that we would avoid it for shame were it not that no other word so legitimately fits the case. The type of installation we do is traditional in central Europe. It has been passed on through guild and trade school education for hundreds of years; and involves mastery of a large body of precise techniques, as well as the ability to call on intuition for finding creative solutions to new problems.

In a word, the art of seaming is that of sealing and securing all details on a roof- no matter how unusual, atypical, or complex, and no matter what geometry is presented by the building and its features- by means of cutting, shaping, and folding the metal together with itself. Penetrating fasteners, rivets, sealants, butyl tapes that merely overlap and shed water, and solder are no part of this system. Seaming done in this way, if done correctly, produces details that cannot fail. The weak point of the roof then becomes the metal itself; and as we know, in the case of copper, zinc, and stainless steel, we won’t have to worry about that for a very long time.

Hand formed seaming is the heart of what we do; it is the most important quality that we bring to an installation; and it is what sets us apart more than anything else from most others in this business. I would say that our defining idea is to represent this European style of work in America, because it produces work of such an extraordinary quality. Without having access to this skill and knowledge, we wouldn’t be in this business at all. If we know that we’ve done the work correctly, and with a long life metal, then we know that’s the end of it; it will be there long after we are gone, and being able to provide that kind of value is probably the greatest satisfaction of being in this trade.

One word about training. Crewmembers are seen as students, and spend a good deal of time learning and practicing new skills. They have to show excellent performance on test projects before being given more independence on the job.

Problem Solving

Whether in the case of an existing roof that has failed, or a new construction that presents novel or challenging design features, we are often called on to develop solutions to unusual problems. If your project has details that fit this description, we can probably help. Available for site visits, inspections, assistance with design and detailing of roof and wall systems, nationwide service.

Available for consultation, assistance with design and detailing of roof and wall systems, site visits, inspections, and service nationwide.

Historic Work

May 20, 2023 No Comments

What sets AFMR apart from the rest is our unwavering commitment to exceptional craftsmanship, attention to detail, and personalized service.

Meet our mentor and number one metal supplier

August 27, 2023 No Comments

Erno Ovari: Leading Expert in Fine Sheet Metal Architectural Applications Erno Ovari is a distinguished authority in fine sheet metal architectural applications, globally