49 Years Installing Commercial Roofs Across Chicagoland, Built to Your Warranty Not Just Your Budget

Metalmaster Roofmaster installs commercial roofing systems for new construction, tear-off and replacement, and system upgrades across Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Facility managers, building owners, and general contractors come to us when they need one credentialed contractor to run the full scope, from deck preparation through final inspection, with the manufacturer’s best available warranty at the end. We have been doing this since 1977. Our three elite manufacturer credentials are why every installation we complete qualifies for a no-dollar-limit warranty.

Why GCs and building owners specify Metalmaster Roofmaster

In 49 years of Chicagoland commercial roofing, we have installed more flat and low-slope square footage than most contractors will ever see. What separates us from the field: self-performing union crews, in-house sheet metal fabrication, and a safety culture the industry tracks by a single number.

• Self-performing union crews. We do not dispatch subcontractors to your job. The crew that shows up is ours, trained on our systems and working under our foremen. Every installer carries union trade qualifications.
• In-house sheet metal fabrication. Our 40,000 sq ft fabrication shop produces every flashing, edge metal, coping cap, and custom detail. Nothing waits on an outside supplier. Metal arrives on site cut to the dimension the job needs.
• EMR 0.66: 66 cents on the dollar. Our Experience Modification Rate is 0.66 against an industry average of 1.0. Our workers-comp claims history runs at 66 cents for every dollar the average roofing contractor pays. For GCs, that number touches your insurance cost and your bid submissions. For building owners, it means we are statistically among the safest crews you will put on your roof.
• Full-time safety director. He makes regular site visits across every active project. OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 training is standard for all field crews.

Installation method decision matrix

Every commercial roofing project involves a method decision before the membrane goes on the roof. Attachment method affects wind-uplift performance, warranty eligibility, deck penetrations, and total installed cost. Here is how we approach it.

Mechanically fastened

Screws and plates drive through the membrane and insulation into the deck. This is the most common attachment method for commercial flat roofing and the fastest to execute. It works on metal decks, concrete decks, and existing assemblies where the deck is structurally sound. Mechanically fastened systems are a sensible starting point for new construction on a defined budget, and they qualify for solid manufacturer warranties when a credentialed applicator installs them. The trade-off: each fastener penetrates the insulation, which affects thermal performance at the fastener rows.

Fully adhered

The membrane is bonded to the insulation across its entire surface with a manufacturer-approved adhesive. No fasteners go through the deck. That eliminates thermal bridging at fastener rows and distributes wind-uplift load across the full membrane area instead of concentrating it at fastener points. Fully adhered systems suit irregular rooftops with multiple penetrations, high wind-uplift zones, and specifications that call for a premium warranty tier. Manufacturers often require full adhesion to unlock their highest coverage levels, including the no-dollar-limit tiers we carry. One scheduling note: adhesive application needs dry conditions and adequate temperature, which matters on Chicagoland projects in early spring and late fall.

Ballasted

The membrane is loose-laid and held down by stone ballast or concrete pavers. No fasteners penetrate the deck. The structural requirement is firm: the deck and building frame must carry the ballast weight, typically 10 to 12 pounds per square foot minimum. This method fits reinforced concrete decks on buildings designed for that load. We confirm structural capacity before recommending it. Where it does fit, ballasted installation is fast and cost-effective, and the ballast shields the membrane from UV and foot traffic as a bonus.

Systems we install

We install the full range of commercial flat and low-slope roofing systems: TPO, EPDM, PVC, and modified bitumen, plus metal for sloped scopes. Deck type, slope, energy targets, and the warranty specification drive the choice. Here is where each system fits.

• TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin). The most widely specified single-ply membrane for commercial flat roofs. The reflective white surface reduces cooling loads; heat-welded seams produce bonds stronger than the membrane itself. Best for new construction and reroof projects where energy efficiency and seam longevity lead the spec.
• EPDM (rubber membrane). Thirty-plus years of documented performance on correctly installed roofs. EPDM handles Chicago’s freeze-thaw cycles well and is cost-effective on large, open roof fields where seam count stays low.
• PVC (heat-welded single-ply). The specified system for buildings with grease, chemical, or fire exposure, such as restaurants, food processing, and manufacturing facilities. When the spec calls for PVC, we install it across Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.
• Modified bitumen. Multi-ply asphalt-based protection for commercial buildings. We install hot-applied, torch-applied, and cold-applied SBS and APP systems, matched to the deck and occupancy conditions on your project.
• Commercial metal roofing. Standing seam and structural metal panel for sloped applications. When longevity over 40-plus years, slope, or architectural appearance drives the spec, metal is the answer.
• Custom sheet metal systems. Every MMRM installation includes flashings, edge metal, copings, and custom details fabricated in our own 40,000 sq ft shop. We also take on custom sheet metal scope as a standalone service for contractors and building owners who need it.

Manufacturer warranties we can offer, and why that matters

A manufacturer warranty on a commercial roof is only as good as the contractor’s credentials. The warranty does not transfer to the owner unless the installing contractor is authorized to register it. An uncertified contractor cannot offer these warranties, full stop. We hold three elite credentials. Each one opens a warranty tier that is simply not available when a GC goes with an uncredentialed roofer.

• JM Peak Advantage Contractor. This credential unlocks the JM no-dollar-limit warranty. Peak Advantage requires demonstrated installation experience, field training verification, and ongoing quality standards. JM does not hand it out. No dollar limit means no cap on what JM covers under the warranty term.
• Elevate Master Contractor. The highest Elevate applicator tier. It unlocks the Red Shield Platinum warranty: no-dollar-limit, fully transferable to a subsequent building owner. A standard Elevate authorized applicator cannot offer Red Shield Platinum. Master Contractor status requires verified installation volume, trained crews, and quality inspections.
• Versico Gold Medal / King’s Court. Gold Medal and King’s Court sit at the top of Versico’s contractor tier structure. These credentials unlock the Versico Total System warranty and the Plus V extension: full-system coverage, not membrane-only.

When you hire an uncertified contractor, you are not choosing between a shorter warranty and a longer one. You are choosing between a registered no-dollar-limit warranty and no manufacturer warranty at all. We design every installation to the warranty specification before work begins so the owner knows exactly what they have.

A manufacturer warranty also carries maintenance conditions. Our commercial roof maintenance program keeps the documentation and inspection record your warranty requires after we hand the roof over.

Recent commercial roofing installations in Chicagoland

Our installation work covers transit infrastructure, industrial facilities, institutional campuses, and large-format retail. A few examples:

• Metrolink transit facility, Chicagoland region. Large-scale TPO on transit infrastructure. The Bush Construction Project Superintendent said it was the best TPO install he had seen in his career.
• Sam’s Club, Romeoville, IL. Mechanically fastened EPDM on a high-traffic big-box retail roof. After installation, a Terracon field engineer called it the best mechanically fastened roof they had seen. No wrinkles across the entire field.
• U.S. Navy project, Pacific Construction Services. Commercial metal roofing scope. Project Manager: “Greatest job ever. You guys performed very well for us and the Navy is pleased.”

See more of this work on our project pages: the Pace Evanston transit facility, the TW Metals industrial roof, and the Aurora University residence hall.

Company credentials at a glance

• 49 years in Chicagoland commercial roofing (since 1977)
• 40,000 sq ft in-house fabrication shop in McHenry, IL for sheet metal, flashings, and custom details
• JM Peak Advantage Contractor, Elevate Master Contractor, Versico Gold Medal / King’s Court: all three no-dollar-limit manufacturer warranty tiers
• EMR 0.66: 66 cents on the dollar compared to the industry average of $1.00
• OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 trained crews
• Top 100 U.S. Roofing Contractor
• Union labor, self-performing: no subcontractor dispatch

Frequently asked questions

How long does a commercial roof installation take?

Timeline depends on roof size, system type, and site access. A 20,000 sq ft TPO or EPDM replacement typically runs 5 to 10 working days under normal conditions. Larger industrial or institutional roofs of 100,000 sq ft or more are phased across several weeks. New construction schedules are coordinated with the GC’s sequence. We provide a specific timeline in writing with every proposal.

What is the difference between mechanically fastened, fully adhered, and ballasted installation?

Mechanically fastened systems use screws and plates driven through the membrane and insulation into the deck, the most common approach for metal decks and budget-sensitive projects. Fully adhered systems bond the membrane across its entire surface with adhesive, eliminating deck penetrations and improving wind-uplift performance. Ballasted systems hold the membrane down with stone or pavers instead of fasteners, which works on reinforced concrete decks rated for the added weight. Deck type, wind-uplift zone, budget, and the warranty specification all drive the choice.

Does the installation method affect the warranty?

Yes. Manufacturers specify which attachment methods qualify for each warranty tier. A fully adhered system often unlocks the highest warranty tier while a mechanically fastened system may qualify for a shorter or lower-level term depending on the manufacturer. We design every installation to the warranty specification first, so the method and the warranty align before work begins.

How do I choose the right roofing system for my building?

Deck type, slope, building use, energy goals, and budget all factor in. TPO is a strong choice for flat and low-slope roofs where energy efficiency leads the spec. EPDM is a proven long-life system that performs well on large, open roof fields. Metal is the answer when slope, appearance, or a 40-plus-year service life drives the decision. We assess your building and recommend what fits, not what is easiest to install.

Do you handle roof tear-off and disposal?

Yes. We handle the full tear-off, haul-off, and disposal as part of a replacement project. Dumpster placement, debris removal, and site cleanup are included in our scope. We do not leave disposal as an open-ended cost for the owner to manage.

What is included in a commercial roofing quote from Metalmaster Roofmaster?

Every quote starts with a site assessment. We measure the roof, evaluate the deck condition, document existing flashings and penetrations, and confirm the warranty specification before we price anything. The proposal includes a fixed scope, a fixed price, a timeline, and the specific warranty tier the installation qualifies for. There is no open-ended billing or allowance-based pricing.

Metalmaster Roofmaster
Commercial Roofing Contractor serving Chicago, IL and the surrounding Chicagoland area since 1977.
Phone: 815-459-6415

Commercial roofing across Chicagoland

Metalmaster Roofmaster installs and services commercial roofs throughout the Chicago metro. See our local pages for McHenry, Oak Brook, Aurora, and Chicago.