Jay Carter Roofing has continued to cement its reputation as a premium installer of commercial roofing products with two recent jobs:

In Scarborough, the company has just completed an 18,000-square-foot recover project using Thermoplastic Olefin (TPO). The existing roof – a standard BUR – with hot tar and aggregate was leaking badly. Jay Carter successfully convinced the building owner to go with the TPO for its ‘green’ qualities and its durability.

The job, acquired by referral, has earned the praise of the owner and guarantees a durable, long-lasting roof.

In Richmond Hill, the Jay Carter Team was called in by Gaydon Contractors Ltd. to install a standing-seam metal roof on a new Keg restaurant.  This will be the fourth Keg job that Jay Carter has done for Gaydon.

The metal roof complements the architecture of the new Keg and, once again, the Carter Team received high praise for its quality installation and attention to detail.

The following item was recently issued as a ‘press release’ by Jay Carter Roofing.  We think you’ll find it interesting.

Condo goes ‘Green’

Mariners Haven, an exclusive condominium community on the western shores of Georgian Bay has become a trend setter in the move to sustainable living.

Mariners is undergoing one of the most ambitious re-roofing projects in southern Ontario – moving from traditional cedar to a synthetic material made from re-cycled products.

The prime contractor, Jay Carter Roofing, is replacing the aging cedar, on the entire complex, with the increasingly popular product Enviroshake®. Enviroshake is made from 95 percent recycled materials including plastics, fibers, and tire-derived rubber. It has a superior resistance to UV rays and looks like real cedar.

Mariners Haven, originally built by the famous Kaufman family, is a collection of 32 semi-detached homes, built around a private marina basin. The community was conceived and started in the mid 1980s with cedar shake roofs that have begun to deteriorate and must be replaced.

Richard Wilson, president of the Mariners condominium board and an expert in large renovation projects said the original plan was to go back to cedar. “We hired an engineering firm to assess the roofs and to help write the specifications for the replacement. Originally, we were looking at replacement with a better cedar, but Jay Carter came back to us with an alternate proposal – to go with Enviroshake®.

“If it hadn’t been for Jay Carter, says Richard Wilson, it’s unlikely we would have considered Enviroshake. His proposal was professional, organized and demonstrated a broad understanding of roofing and roofing products. Now, we’ve got a great solution that is also good for the environment. It’s a win-win.”

Lead engineer for R.J. Burnside and Associates, Mina Tesseris – the firm hired to help with the assessment and proposals – is convinced that Mariners “was diligent in making this sound decision”.

“In terms of

product, cost and the manufacturer’s warranty,” he said, “this is a very good proposition.”

Dennis Hewko, president of Enviroshake, has full confidence that the Mariners project is in good hands.

Explains Hewko: “Jay Carter Roofing has proven itself on large Enviroshake installations, and its reputation for quality and reliability are well known.

“They have developed extensive experience completing complex residential and commercial projects. Their people are given instruction on all types of roofing and the appropriate safety practices. The company’s reputation for superior safety standards, materials and workmanship is hard earned.

“As far as I can see,” says Hewko, “they’re out to set the standard by which other companies are judged.”

Re-Roofing at The Keg

A major construction management company, located in the GTA, needed a top-notch roofing company to help them with a significant challenge. Three locations of The Keg Restaurants – Oshawa, Scarborough and Etobicoke – required re-roofing, and fast. The buildings were clad in cedar shake that was rapidly deteriorating and the job had to be done without disrupting restaurant business.

Gaydon Contractors wasted no time getting in touch with Jay Carter Roofing.

Jay Carter crews moved quickly to strip the existing roofing and install a new line of Owens Corning Oakridge Premium shingles – but not without a few surprises. Two of the buildings had asbestos under the roof deck and this had to be removed before re-roofing could proceed.

Carter crews removed the cedar shake, the existing roof deck and the asbestos. With that work completed, they re-sheathed the entire roof deck with half inch plywood, applied synthetic felt underlayment, ice and water shield, all flashing, and finally, the Owens Corning shingles.

The safety of restaurant patrons was a major concern and restricted normal roofing removal procedures while poor weather during the projects hindered production.

But Gaydon management couldn’t have been happier. In a letter to the company, Gaydon praised Jay Carter Roofing for “successfully completing the three challenging projects according to budget and timing with exceptional levels of safety and management”.

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Fall Protection – a Roofer’s best friend

A roofing company’s major asset comes in the form of a skilled installer. Keeping installers safe is not just essential, it’s the law. A key part of the Jay Carter Roofing uniform is a heavy-duty safety harness. Special gear on the harness allows the installer to clip onto thick lines that have been secured to the roof at its highest point. These lines, suitable for mountain climbing, allow the installer to move quickly and safely over the roof, no matter how steep the pitch. “There’s no such thing as being too safe,” says Jay Carter crew chief, Doug Wood. “Everyone on a crew, whether they’re on the roof or on the ground, watches for things that could compromise safety. And when they see something, they fix it.”

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Snow, Wind and Ice

Yes, it’s that time again. No need to break out the winter jackets just yet, but it is time to start getting prepared. Winter is on its way. While it can be one of the most beautiful times of the year, it doesn’t come without challenges. And, if your roof isn’t in tip-top shape, snow, ice and high winds can turn winter into a nightmare.

It’s difficult to get a good look at your roof from the ground and doing your own inspection is a dangerous undertaking – especially on a steep slope. Even new roofs are not always a guarantee against winter’s ravages.

Broken or missing shingles and deteriorating flashings are just a few of the problems you might not be able to see. Inadequate insulation can also lead to a host of problems, including ice buildup at the eaves during periods of rapid freeze and thaw. When signs of a leak do occur, the damage is often extensive.

Why not put your mind at ease. Call us for a free, no obligation inspection of your roof and insulation. If your roof is in good shape, we’ll tell you. But if we see problems, we’ll photograph and document the problems and provide you with a detailed estimate for all necessary repairs. You can reach us by phone – 1.877.490.3400 – or through the ‘Request a Quote’ form on our website.

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What’s on Facebook?

If you haven’t seen it, Jay Carter Roofing has a facebook page. Why? Because it’s another way for us to communicate with you. And it gives you the opportunity to communicate with us, openly and honestly.

As a fan, you can post comments about jobs we’ve done, ask questions or simply browse for the latest company news. Why not have a look. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

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Guelph’s Civic Museum Restored

A historic museum in the City of Guelph, Ontario is getting a complete makeover – and one of the key contractors is Jay Carter Roofing.

This magnificent structure is being enlarged and fully restored thanks to contributions from the City of Guelph, the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada.

“It’s a beautiful building,” says Jay Carter, “built before Confederation, and we’re pleased and proud to be part of the restoration of this important heritage site.”

The Carter Roofing team is well past the half-way point on their part of the project. As many as four layers of old shingles and a large section of the roof deck had to be removed. Hazardous asbestos also had to be removed before the re-roofing could begin. The team replaced all sloped and flat sections of roof as well as ornamental fencing and frames on roof-level windows and doors.

Jay Carter worked with the city and convinced them to go with a ‘green’ roofing product from CertainTeed, called Solaris – so named for its reflective qualities, reflecting, rather than absorbing sunlight. Recycled materials and a 50-year warranty are key selling points with Solaris.

Working on sloped roofs, some five storeys off ground level, the crew is constantly thinking safety.

“When this project is done,” says Crew Chief Mike Briggs, “it’ll be great to say we had a hand in it.”

Warm temperatures in southern Ontario this spring are good news for Home shows. Attendance is up and attendees are eager to look for ideas to expand, brighten or spruce up their homes.

Jay Carter Roofing is taking advantage of this trend. We have space at five shows, including the Barrie, Toronto International, Newmarket, Orillia and Aurora events. We have added a new, modern display and product offerings featuring a ‘green’ theme, reflecting a heightened interest in energy conservation.

In our range of offerings, we have Owens Corning roofing and insulation products; Enviroshake synthetic shake products; InSpire synthetic slate; and high performance solar panel systems from Andalay. Of course, we also feature the latest products from such traditional brand names as IKO, Grace and Duradek.

Clients and friends may have checked us out at the Orillia show, April 9 – 11 at the Barnfield Point Centre and can find us at the Aurora show, April 16 – 18 at the Aurora Community Centre.

One of the newest – and inspired product offerings – is a synthetic slate, manufactured and sold by InSpire Roofing Products. It’s a perfect combination of the natural beauty found in slate, along with the most technologically advanced methods and materials.

For instance, multiple molds are used to create a variety of edges and surfaces, creating the look of real slate. InSpire has strength, durability and a wide range of colour options.

Jay Carter Roofing is a preferred installer of InSpire with a number of projects in our portfolio, the latest of which is a major renovation in the Rosedale area of Toronto. The renovation is being managed by Marcon General Contractors, Inc.

With energy costs climbing and the spotlight on conservation, more home and building owners these days are looking at solar panels. And like all new technologies, prices are coming down.

Jay Carter Roofing sells and installs one of the best solar capture systems on the market today. Manufactured by Akeena Solar, Inc. of Los Gatos California – the panels – called Andalay incorporate high efficiency in a product that offers great aesthetics and superior reliability.

Unlike some solar panels, Andalay panels are attractive, install quickly and resemble a skylight when in place. This product offers superior performance and brings solar to its rightful place at the forefront of alternative energy technologies. And the economics make sense. For more information or an in-home consultation on this product, contact us at 877-490-3400.

The decision to repair or replace your roof is not taken easily. Without question, the cost of a new roof – especially if the existing one must be stripped – is an expensive proposition. But there are some simple guidelines:

Leaks can occur in places where the roof meets another surface, such as a chimney, skylight or vent. If this is the case, a competent roofer can often fix the problem on the spot.

If damage from wind or wind-blown debris has dislodged a shingle, tile or shake, this can also be fixed.

As with all things, on or in the home, it’s cheaper to make a small repair than opt for a major replacement.

However, if the roof has suffered severe damage over a wide area from, for example, a major wind or hail storm, or if the roof has exceeded its service life and is deteriorating – no amount of repair will do.

In short, there is only one way to find out. You need the services of a professional roofer. At Jay Carter Roofing, we provide free inspections that include a written report, photographs, and an estimate to repair or replace your roof. Call us at 877-490-3400.

Either way, you’ll know you’re making the right decision on one of the most important elements of your home.

Enviroshake manufactures a composite, cedar-like shake roof shingle from 95 percent recycled materials. Jay Carter Roofing has just completed two large Enviroshake projects – one in Shanty Bay with Matt Pryce of Prycon Custom Building and Renovations (left) and another in Queensville (right).