Building Enclosure logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube instagram Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Building Enclosure logo
  • NEWS
    • Breaking News
  • SECTIONS
    • Columns
    • Project Profiles
    • Trade Shows
    • Sponsor Insights
  • SYSTEM DESIGNS
    • Low-Slope Roofs
    • Pitched Roofs
    • Metal Roofing Materials
    • Waterproofing
    • Sustainability
    • Insulation
    • Exterior Claddings
    • Wall Systems
    • Building Envelope
  • BLOG
    • The BE Blog
  • MEDIA
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars
    • Quiz
    • Videos
    • Polls
    • Interactive Spotlights
    • Newsletter
    • Photo Galleries
  • DIRECTORIES
    • Directory: Blue Book
    • Directory: Roofing Resource
  • PRODUCTS
  • TECHNICAL
    • Codes
      • Waterproofing
      • Roofing
    • Details
      • Waterproofing
      • Roofing
  • CONTINUING ED
  • ABOUT
    • Advertise
      • Editorial Calendar
    • Contact
    • eMag Archive Issues
  • SIGN UP!

The Editor's Desk: Metal Retrofit Roofing

By Chris King
October 23, 2008
Chuck Howard, P.E., president of Metal Roof Consultants, was in the metal roof contracting business for almost 30 years, and he now serves as a consultant to contractors, architects, engineers, and building owners. He gave a presentation about metal retrofit roofing at METALCON titled “Do it Right the First Time.”

Chuck Howard, P.E., president of Metal Roof Consultants, was in the metal roof contracting business for almost 30 years, and he now serves as a consultant to contractors, architects, engineers, and building owners. He gave a presentation about metal retrofit roofing at METALCON titled “Do it Right the First Time.”

In 1979, he added pitch and installed a metal roof over an existing flat roof in Wilmington, Ohio. That roof is still functioning perfectly today - and may well be the oldest one of its type in the country. Howard used that project and a 2008 application in Ocean City, Md. as examples of the proper way to install a metal retrofit roof.

The example showed just how productive a seminar at a trade show can be. As for the 2008 case study, Howard related that the job came about as the result of another seminar Howard gave at METALCON 2003, in which he detailed the 1979 project. One of the attendees, John Martindale, president of Brothers Services Company in Baltimore, approached Howard after the seminar and they talked about the market potential for metal retrofit roofing. “There are great, great opportunities out there, and they’re easy to sell,” said Howard. He recommended school boards as just one avenue for metal retrofit roofs.

Howard detailed a Virginia School board meeting in which a board member claimed he did not understand why schools were designed with flat roofs and urged the board to add pitch and a metal roof. If you’re in the business of providing metal roofs, this might be a good idea to convey to members of school boards across the country.

Share This Story

Chris King is editor of Roofing Contractor. He can be reached at 248-244-6497.

Recent Comments

These are actually very helpful tips. It is...

This is the most beneficial blog for all...

This blog is a great resource for anyone...

Thank you for sharing this important information. I...

This is a very interesting subject of the...

Manage My Account
  • Sign up for the Newsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Registration Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Building Enclosure audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Building Enclosure or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • HITT Construction headquarters
    Sponsored byBuilding Composites® LLC

    Pushing the Envelope

  • 2 construction workers and a DEXcell panel
    Sponsored byDEXcell Roof Boards

    Designing Low-Slope Roofs for Resilience

  • Bell Bank headquarters in Fargo, North Dakota
    Sponsored bySto Corp.

    Drained and Back-Ventilated Rainscreens vs Pressurized-Equalized Rainscreens

Popular Stories

graphic shows white arrows pointing to the right on a light green background

A Breakdown of Air Leakage Testing in LEED v5 BD+C

Open vs. closed cell foam in an attic

Open-Cell vs. Closed-Cell Spray Foam

skyscraper

NYC Tower Failure Offers Warning for Contractors

Building Enclosure Newsletter

BE Poll

Events

April 9, 2026

Strategies for High-Performance Below-Grade Waterproofing

Credits: 1 AIA LU/HSW ; 1 IIBEC CEH; 0.1 IACET CEU

On-Demand Designing a high-performance building enclosure requires more than just surface-level protection; it demands a rigorous, performance-based mastery of below-grade water and gas mitigation. This discussion will provide an expert-level analysis of below-grade waterproofing within the comprehensive framework of the high-performance building enclosure.

April 28, 2026

Roof Design Considerations That Prevent Installation Failures and Change Orders

Credit: 1 AIA LU/HSW; 1 IIBEC CEH; 0.1 ICC CEU

On-Demand This course provides visual examples of actual field conditions. Some good, some not so good; along with design suggestions that can cut installation costs and reduce construction change orders. Upon completion of this course, you will have a better understanding of the requirements the roofing contractor must meet to provide the specified roofing system warranty, and long-term value to the owner.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Plaster and Drywall Assemblies Manual

Plaster and Drywall Assemblies Manual

This is a comprehensive manual that goes beyond codes and standards, providing expert guidance in design, detailing, material selection and troubleshooting for plaster and drywall.

See More Products
×

Enhance your expertise with unparalleled insights.

Join thousands of building professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • Newsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing