Metal Building Article: Wilks Robinson Case Study.

Ms. Montique McMillan would be proud of her 1896 farmhouse. Wilks Robinson of Wilks Robinson Construction Company of Marion, South Carolina purchased the historic yet dilapidated farmhouse with the intent of restoring it to its former beauty. Today, the home is the center of attention from both land and air. Much of the attention is due to the brilliant teal Metalogic roof.

The home had been in the McMillan family for over a hundred years. In 1998, Robinson purchased the home and 40 acres after Montique McMillan, the last surviving member of the family, passed away at 105 years of age. The old farmhouse had deteriorated and needed massive renovation in order to save the structure. The Robinson family began a three-year journey of countless hours and extraordinary expertise to restore the treasured home.

When it came time to replace the roofing system, Wilks Robinson knew what he wanted. "I had used Metalogic on the local library and really liked how it looked. I especially like how well the product correlates with the installation drawings and the ease of assembly. It has a wonderful look," noted Robinson.

Robinson began the roofing portion of the home's restoration with a complete tear-off. "The old roof had three layers of different shingles with a base layer of the original cedar shakes. By the time we took off all four layers we were happy to find the original battens still in good shape," stated Robinson. "We covered the battens with plywood and #30 felt to build a solid deck for the new roof."

"The roof is very steep with a 10-12 pitch," explained Robinson. "We had all of our crew tied off and had to use a man lift once we started the re-roof portion of the project. The steepness of the roof was by far our largest challenge."

Robinson's crew prepped the roof for soffit venting and a new skylight. Ridge venting and a power ventilation fan in the attic accompanied the soffit venting. The home was then re-roofed using Metalogic 3000, a complete metal roof system that is used extensively for residential, commercial and architectural applications. This versatile system is available as a "complete package" with trim, and panels cut exactly to order. The back of each panel and trim component also has a piece mark label indicating length and identification to indicate exact location of every component on the roof system. Accessories such as fasteners, clips and sealants are also included with each package.

"There are certain aspects of the system that are very nice," said Robinson. "The ease of ordering and installation along with the concealed fasteners, narrow-pitch and low profile standing seam design make the system very user friendly."

Metalogic, Inc., which is a division of McElroy Metal, is known in the industry for providing "The Complete Metal Roof". "Metalogic is a unique division of McElroy Metal. They focus on furnishing architectural metal roofing systems for commercial and residential projects to roofers and contractors as a complete package," stated Ken Gieseke, VP of marketing for McElroy Metal. "The unique part of the division is the user-friendly package concept. We believe in taking the fear out of metal roofing, by providing special care and features that no other manufacturer offers."

"For example, we provide factory formed hems on panels and a free bonus panel with every package order. In addition, our panel and trim piece marking system correlates exactly with our installation manual, which means our systems go together like a large erector set. Our piece marking system also eliminates the need to have installation crews measure and sort though each component on the job site," Gieseke elaborated. "We will even prepare a free estimate within 48 hours of receiving the plans."

"Wilks Robinson is a perfect example of the type of customer that likes the step by step procedure we provide. We constantly strive to make our contractor's projects simple, from quoting to receiving the material. Most projects are produced, packaged and shipped to the job site within two or three weeks. These services enabled Robinson to get what he needed for their re-roofing project of the farmhouse," concluded Gieseke.

"Metalogic 3000 is also value priced while offering a quality roofing system," noted Greg McAuliffe, Metalogic Manager "The secret to saving and making more money is the fact that our systems are affordable architectural roof panels that help contractors sell more, install more and make more."

That is an important point for Robinson, who in addition to renovating the historic farmhouse is planning a new housing development on the surrounding 40 acres. The housing development will be called Knapedale, which is the original Scottish name of the property when owned by the McMillan Family. According to Robinson, Knapedale will be an exclusive new development with a cul-de-sac design. The lots will be half an acre to one-acre lots with all underground services and lighted tree-lined medians. It will have a homeowners association, a private 2.5-acre lake and protected nature area.

The recommended roofing system? Metalogic 3000. "The lots are laid out and the underground utilities laid. We are ready to sell," stated Robinson. "We are encouraging our new homeowners to stay with the southern white home with metal roofing. We are absolutely recommending they use Metalogic!"

"I want to be able to sell the new homeowners on the unique and important qualities of the roofs," continued Robinson "I like the look of the narrow 12" integral rib and the fact that the fasteners are concealed. I believe that it will be a good selling point along with their Kynar 500 colors."

Metalogic offers a wide array of Kynar 500� colors with the coatings carrying a 20/20 Paint Warranty -- a 20 year non-prorated warranty. "We use Kynar 500 finish or Galvalume Plus� over 24 gauge steel. The teal is one of our standard colors that we offer," noted Gieseke.

"I am also recommending it because I like the working relationship I have with Metalogic," stated Robinson. "The plans and assemblies make the roofing components easy to install. The system goes together very well."

"We strive daily to offer the highest quality materials with best price and delivery while consistently reinforcing our designs to facilitate easy installation," Gieseke agrees. "We provide our contractors with easy-to-use assembly details in conjunction with fast quotes and excellent technical service."

The safety elements of the system are key for both for the Robinson family and future Knapedale residents with the concealed fastening system that requires no clips and offers snap-lock seams. It all fits together to offer a system that is UL-90 Classified. "Hurricanes and tropical storms are definitely a consideration. I know the Metalogic system is safe and built to last," stated Robinson.

As the President of Wilks Robinson Construction, Wilks understands the importance of purchasing quality building materials and systems. When asked why he chose metal for his own home, Wilks replied, "I wanted this to be the last roof I put on this house. In fact, this roof will last my lifetime."

"I am very proud of what we have done and I love the roof. People from the highway pull over or come right up to the house everyday to look at the improvements," smiled Robinson. "The roof draws them in. They just can't believe how good it looks."