Church Metal Roofing: A Classic Update to a Mid-Century Modern Beauty

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A Classic Update to a Mid-century Modern Beauty

Video Overview

A church metal roofing solution improves aesthetics, durability, and environmental impact while saving money and resources on maintenance in Long Beach CA.

Overview

An aging wood shake roof on Faith Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Long Beach, CA, needed to go. The congregation needed a flexible solution that was tastefully colored and resistant to all kinds of weather. The old roof was still partly original and had suffered damage over the years; a permanent solution would keep the sanctuary protected for decades.

Outcome

Faith Orthodox Presbyterian Church got a uniquely beautiful roof created with Shake Gray Oxford Shingle that will last for years to come. This permanent roofing solution looks great, keeps energy costs low, and protects from fire, wind, and weather. California is prone to fire with its dry climate, so keeping the sanctuary safe from blowing embers was a priority addressed with this replacement.

Impact

The members of Faith have continued their ministry, confident in the strength and safety of their new roof. This new Classic Metal Roof eliminated maintenance costs and reduced energy costs, allowing for church funds to be used helping the community at home and reaching out to the world abroad. Faith can continue to serve the community for another 75 years, fulfilling their motto: “faith working through love” Galatians 5:6.

Benefits

Weather protection
Permanent roofing solution
Reduced energy costs

Investing in a new roof for their sanctuary was a big leap for the members of Faith Orthodox Presbyterian Church.

The congregation realized a replacement roof was needed when sunlight started coming through their old roof. It had been years since their last roof replacement, and time had not been kind to it. The old cedar shake was cracking, breaking, and even falling off in some places, leaving room for potential leaks all over the roof. The dated roof design had served the church well through the years, but something newer and safer was quickly becoming necessary.

Faith Presbyterian Church during teardown

History of the Building

The sanctuary where Faith currently holds service was designed and built from 1960 to 1961 by Modernist architect Carl Maston, who focused on mid-century modern design. He designed many residential and commercial buildings in the L.A. metro area, and much of his work still stands today [1]. Faith dedicated this sanctuary on September 17, 1961, with an increased seating capacity of 400 needed for their growing congregation [2]. Designed as one big open space, with a curved roof and sloped sides supported inside by beautifully arched, wooden support beams, this is a striking building.

Taken by Julius Shulman in 1962
© J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10)

The replacement roof needed to be the perfect solution for the project:

Low-weight – 1/4 the weight of asphalt
Attractive – PVDF coated and fade-resistant
Low-cost- – zero maintenance cost
Energy-efficient – saves up to 20% on energy costs
Durable – long-term warranty

The contractor for this project, Dustyn Howard, Howard and Sons, Inc. of Corona, CA, faced several challenges while working on this roof. The sanctuary roof isn’t a standard roof shape, but a flat roof on top with two 60-degree angled sides. This made walking on the roof to install the metal shingles impossible. The two sides of the roof were in different conditions too. The north side of the roof was likely original, according to Church Elder Skip MacLean, but the south side of the roof had been replaced. A two-step solution was devised: extension ladders for the bottom half and man-lifts for the top half of the roof.

Howard and Sons, Inc. started the installation process by removing the old cedar shakes. After the old roof had been removed, they installed plywood over the stacked 2” by 4” decking to provide a strong foundation for the new roof. They laid polyiso insulation on the new decking and then installed the new metal roof. The installation went without a hitch and the congregation was very satisfied with the result.

“

Working with Isaiah Industries and Howard and Sons, Inc. was very smooth and professional.
-Skip MacLean, Church Elder, Faith Orthodox Presbyterian Church

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A Behind the Scenes Look at the Installation

Removing shake from Church Roof

Howard and Sons, Inc. removing old shake with a man-lift

The members at Faith saw an investment in a quality metal roof as a way to reduce their operating costs and expand their ministry. They went from being worried about a weather-beaten, wood shake roof worn down by years of harsh California sun to enjoying the beauty, comfort, and energy savings of a Classic Metal Roof. The congregation is confident in the permanent roofing solution that they, along with their families, and generations to come, can appreciate. Their investment is further protected by an industry-leading long-term warranty:

PVDF coating will not chip or leak due to hail
120-mph wind warranty
completely non-pro-rated
30-year fade and chalk resistance warranty
covers both materials and labor for repair or replacement

Not only that, but Faith has also added to the beauty of their 1960s mid-century modern church. Replacing their old wooden shake with new metal shingles retains the style of the building while providing a look that won’t fade over time. Even better, this faith community can truly say they are using an environmentally friendly roofing solution. Classic Metal Roofing is designed to reduce all three 3 forms of heat transfer–radiant, conductive, and convective–to achieve a roof system of maximum energy efficiency.

Church Metal Roofing Solutions

For Congregational Leaders of faith communities and their Contractors who help provide roofing solutions, download our FREE Church Leaders Guide to Roofing; a great place to start your research when it’s time to re-roof.

Faith Orthodox Presbyterian Church found the perfect solution for their needs with a Classic Metal Roof – get started finding yours. Call today to speak to our team of metal roofing professionals.

Church with metal roof