One Slate Ripper to Rule Them All

One Slate Ripper to Rule Them All

American Manufacturing and the Slate Industry Our Heavy Duty Slate Ripper was processed through our shop for the final time. This is multi-faceted as 1) Stortz Tools will be relocating shortly and 2) The factors to produce an American-made heavy duty slate ripper are...
2023 New Products Review

2023 New Products Review

2023 marked another great year in metal roofing. According to the MRA’s annual market research study, the demand for metal roof residential re-roofing grew to 18%, continuing to make up ground on the asphalt roofing market. With this industry growth inevitably...
Seam Mounted Snow Guard – Best Practices

Seam Mounted Snow Guard – Best Practices

Snow retention systems should be installed on roof systems that will incur snowy winter weather. However, many people are unaware that snow guards are necessary until they incur damage to their gutter systems or injured below a fall. The information below outlines...
Frequently Asked (and Answered) Questions

Frequently Asked (and Answered) Questions

Answering product questions for many years has enabled us to know issues contractors run into repeatedly.  These can range from what hand seamer do I need, how do I solder so and so material, and will these snips cuts 22 gauge metal? This post will do the best we can...
Slate – The Fire Resistant Material

Slate – The Fire Resistant Material

A new report from experts in Europe who delve into the science behind roofing slate has been published. Testing Natural Slate as a Fire Resistant Material Another quality post by Victor Cardenes Fake Roofing Slates Highlights Roofing slates are metamorphic rocks used...
Residential Slate and Copper Job

Residential Slate and Copper Job

A major thanks to Gillespie Contracting for the invitation to this copper and slate installation. Marcelino is an incredibly skilled slate worker blending a variety of sizes for look. The panels are 1″ mechanical lock roll formed in 16oz copper.   Scroll...
Mechanical Lock Seamers – Recommendations

Mechanical Lock Seamers – Recommendations

Mechanical lock panels are a tried and true part of the metal roofing industry. Long before snap lock profiles existed, metal workers were hand seaming panels together to achieve watertight roof surfaces. Rather than physically hammering seams into panels, now the...
Tin Snip Recommendations : Buying Guide

Tin Snip Recommendations : Buying Guide

The Problem: You shouldn’t need to replace your tin snips after every metal job THERE IS A BETTER WAY  Below are the reasons why Bessey and Stubai Snips are going to outperform and outlast the “Box Store” snips, but it is up to the roofer to choose the path he...
Seaming Pro – New Generation Available

Seaming Pro – New Generation Available

The Seaming Pro v2.0 is back in stock. This new model still provides the roofer ultimate versatility. 3 functions in 1 tool – Single seaming, double seaming, and seam cutting/removal. This lightweight, portable power seamer attaches to a cordless drill and...
Why Choose Mechanical Lock Standing Seam?

Why Choose Mechanical Lock Standing Seam?

What is a mechanical lock roof system? Mechanical lock roofs are standing seam roof systems that utilize concealed fasteners. The main identifier of a mechanical seam system is that the panel profiles are folded into one another as opposed to just overlapping. The...