While roofs take a beating in many parts of the country, it’s especially true in Minnesota, where winters can be harsh. Family-owned-and-operated Kaufman Roofing in Burnsville understands this well and takes steps to offer the highest quality roofing materials that will stand the test of time.
While asphalt shingle roofs are the most common and typically last 15 to 20 years, metal roofs are gaining in popularity. A standing seam metal roof is not only the ultimate deterrent to snow and ice, but also lasts 40 to 70 years. This makes it a great investment for any homeowner.
To offer this type of roof to customers, Kaufman Roofing invested in a state-of-the-art, standing-seam, panel rolling machine last year that enables them to create various standing-seam panels, including curved options.
“Investing in our own machine really sets us apart because we have more quality control and it eliminates the middleman, allowing for faster turnaround times” says Elijah Deutsch, a fifth-generation family member and director of metal operations. “All of the flashing and components that go with a metal roof are all made in-house with the same metal and same color as your roof, so everything matches and fits perfectly.” The ability to custom fabricate the metal roof panels, as well as the components, removes many unnecessary costs.
So, what is a standing seam roof? “A standing seam roof comes in a coil, and then we have the ability to fabricate up to four different profiles of panels with our standing seam machine,” says Tom Kaufman, a fourth-generation family member and COO. “It consists of long panels where it's one piece from the bottom edge all the way up to the ridge, so there are no seams. And, with our panel machine, the fasteners are concealed too, so you don't have exposed screws like you would with a big box store panel.”
The company, which was started by Kaufman’s great-grandfather in 1930, has always provided metal roofs, but not like this. “Roof systems have been constantly improving, so the panels of today are a lot more water and leak resistant versus the panels of the past,” says Elijah. “We use a solid 24-gauge sheet of metal made from better quality steel with a better finish on top that will provide up to 35 years of no chalking or fading.”
Kaufman’s standing seam metal roofs are custom-made to fit each home perfectly. Every panel is fabricated in-house to match the exact dimensions of the roof. The panels are secured with a concealed clip system, meaning there are no exposed screws. The vertical seams are then either mechanically locked or snapped tightly into place, creating a clean, modern look while forming a strong, watertight seal that helps protect the home from Minnesota’s toughest weather.
This is especially important for preventing ice dams, which can cause serious water leaks in a home. “Metal roofs help minimize ice dams from forming on your roof, which happens a lot in Minnesota,” says Tom. “Since metal is slippery, the snow sheds off metal roofs a lot easier, but even when an ice dam does form, it's backing up on a solid sheet of metal and not underneath a shingle where there are nail heads.” These roofs are also more hail resistant.
More and more homeowners are requesting standing-seam panel roofs. “In addition to all the other benefits, it gives homes a more modern look. “You're seeing it with a lot of these new construction homes,” says Elijah. “It's a really nice complement while also giving that long-term investment where it's very low maintenance.”
While upfront costs are higher for metal than for asphalt, the roof will pay for itself over the long term. “You can go through three asphalt roofs to one metal roof,” says Tom.
In addition to standing seam metal roofs, its facility can produce a wide range of products, including flashing components, gutters, and items requiring intricate architectural metal work. They can even produce replicas of materials for historically preserved homes. “If you can draw it, we can almost always make it,” says Tom.
“Many higher-end neighborhood homes feature copper gutters and accent roofs, so we can do copper inlaid gutters, custom copper gutters, and a lot of things that other companies can't do.”
While Kaufman Roofing primarily installs asphalt shingle roofs, other more premium options besides metal include slate and tile, as well as composite, shake, and slate and tile, which are increasing in demand.
“Our company has been around for almost 100 years, and we’re very well-known and trusted,” says Tom. “Clients appreciate that we design and custom fabricate our metal panels and components in our own shop. That level of in-house craftsmanship allows us to precisely fit each system to the specific demands of the roof; not the other way around.”
To find out more about metal and other types of roofing, go to KaufmanRoofing.com.