Commercial Metal Roofing in Burlington, ON
Commercial metal roofing in Burlington covers everything from pre-engineered steel warehouses to retail buildings and institutional roofs with long standing seam runs. As a Burlington commercial roofing contractor, Fixall Roofing installs new metal roofs, retrofits metal over failing flat roofs and repairs aging metal buildings across Halton and Hamilton.
This is a different trade from the steel shingles and standing seam you see on houses. Panel runs can exceed 30 metres, clips have to let that steel move through a full Ontario year, and a single loose fastener on a warehouse roof can drip onto inventory for months before anyone finds it.
Our clients are property managers, plant owners and facility staff who need a clear answer on a roof that is starting to cost them. Repair, recoat or retrofit is the usual decision, and the right call depends on the condition of the steel, how the roof drains and how long you plan to hold the building.
- 15+ years experience
- 700+ jobs completed
- Fully insured + WSIB
- Working at Heights certified
- 1-year labour warranty
- Open 24/7
Commercial Metal Roofing Installation and Retrofits
Our commercial metal work includes new roofs on new buildings, metal retrofits over aging low-slope roofs, replacement of damaged or rusted panels, fastener and seam repair, and coatings that extend the life of an older metal roof. We source panels from Canadian manufacturers such as Ideal Roofing and Vicwest, matched to the profile and gauge the building needs.
Metal is a long-term choice. It costs more upfront than a single-ply membrane, but a well-detailed standing seam roof can outlast two membrane roofs, which changes the math for owners who plan to hold a building for decades.
For houses, cottages and small residential buildings, see our residential metal roofing page, which covers steel shingles, residential standing seam and the details that suit homes.
Commercial Metal Panel Systems
Commercial metal roofs fall into four main families. Minimum slopes below are typical values and vary by manufacturer and profile, so we confirm them against the product data for each project.
| System | Typical minimum slope | Lifespan and cost | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structural standing seam | About 1/4 to 1/2 inch per foot | 40 to 60 years; higher cost | Warehouses and large low-slope roofs spanning purlins |
| Architectural standing seam | About 3 inches per foot | 40 to 60 years; higher cost | Visible sloped roofs, mansards, retail and institutional |
| Through-fastened panels | About 1 inch per foot | 25 to 40 years with fastener upkeep; lowest cost | Agricultural, storage and light industrial buildings |
| Insulated metal panels | About 1/2 inch per foot | 30 to 40 years or more; highest cost | Cold storage, food plants, new pre-engineered buildings |
Structural standing seam panels carry loads between purlins on their own and use mechanically seamed laps with sliding clips. Architectural panels need a solid deck and rely on slope to shed water, so they are the wrong choice for a nearly flat roof even if they look similar.
Retrofitting Metal Over an Aging Flat Roof
A retrofit builds a light-gauge steel sub-frame on top of an existing low-slope roof to create real slope, then finishes it with a structural standing seam roof. Water runs off instead of ponding, and the old roof stays in place underneath, which avoids a full tear-off over an occupied building.
The framing ties into the building structure, not the deck, so an engineer designs it and a building permit is required. The added weight and the larger snow and wind loads on a new sloped surface have to be checked against the existing structure before anything goes up.
The cavity between the old roof and the new panels is vented at the eave and ridge so condensation does not collect under the steel. Existing drains are capped or rerouted, and rooftop units are raised on new curbs that pass through the panels with factory-made curb flashings.
Retrofit beats a membrane replacement when a roof ponds chronically, has failed more than once, and the owner plans to keep the building long term. If the goal is the lowest cost over the next 15 years, a commercial roof replacement with tapered insulation is usually cheaper.
Repairing Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings
Exposed-fastener roofs on pre-engineered buildings leak mostly at the screws. Rubber washers harden and crack after years of sun, and fasteners back out as the panels expand and contract, so we replace them with oversized screws and new sealing washers that bite into fresh steel.
End laps and side laps are the next weak point. We open failed laps where possible, clean them, add butyl tape and refasten, and on roofs with many failed laps we reinforce them with fabric and coating instead.
Rust starts at cut panel ends, eaves and around fasteners. We wire-brush, treat with a rust-inhibiting primer and replace panels where steel has thinned through, which regular commercial inspections catch while it is still a small job.
- Fastener replacement with oversized screws and new washers
- Side lap and end lap sealing with butyl tape or reinforced coating
- Rust treatment and panel replacement where steel is perforated
- Translucent skylight panel replacement, which also removes a serious fall-through hazard
Finishes and Coatings
New commercial panels usually come in one of two paint systems. PVDF finishes, often sold under the Kynar 500 name, hold colour and resist chalking longest, while silicone-modified polyester (SMP) costs less and is common on warehouses and agricultural buildings.
Fading and chalking on SMP finishes are cosmetic at first, but once the paint and galvanized coating wear through, rust follows. That is the point to look at recoating rather than waiting for panel replacement.
A recoat with silicone or acrylic over properly prepared steel seals fasteners and laps and adds a reflective surface. Our coating restoration page covers the testing and process in detail.
Snow, Ice and Drainage Planning
Snow slides off a metal roof all at once, and on a commercial building that can mean tonnes landing on an entrance, a parked car or a lower roof. Snow guards over doors, walkways and lower roofs hold it in place to melt off gradually.
Where a taller building section meets a lower one, wind drifts snow onto the lower roof and the load there can be several times the normal design load. We note those zones before adding a metal roof or retrofit so the engineer can check them.
Heated buildings melt snow from below, and that water refreezes at a cold overhang. A proper eave drip, sealed closures and heat loss control at the eave reduce ice build-up, and we flag spots where heat cable is worth adding.
Long panel runs dump a lot of water at the eave in a short time. We size commercial gutters and downspouts for the roof area they serve, often using larger box gutters, and check where the water goes once it reaches the ground.
Commercial Metal Roofing FAQs
How long does a commercial metal roof last?
Standing seam roofs with a PVDF finish commonly last 40 to 60 years, while through-fastened roofs with SMP paint are more often in the 25 to 40 year range. Fastener replacement, clear gutters and timely recoating make the biggest difference.
Can metal roofing be installed in winter?
Yes, metal is far less temperature-sensitive than membranes and adhesives, so installation can continue through much of the winter. Snow, ice and high winds on the roof are the limit, and we stop work when conditions make the roof unsafe under our fall protection plan.
Is metal a good choice for a warehouse?
For a warehouse with enough slope or one that can be retrofitted, metal offers a very long life and little maintenance beyond fasteners and gutters. Single-ply membranes cost less upfront and suit nearly flat roofs with lots of rooftop equipment, so the right answer depends on the slope and how long you plan to own the building.
Get a Commercial Metal Roofing Quote
Tell us the building address, its use and whether you need a new roof, a retrofit or repairs to an existing metal roof. We will inspect the roof and structure, recommend a panel system and send you a written quote.
Phones answered 24/7, including emergencies.
- 1We call you back to confirm the details.
- 2We inspect the roof and attic and take photos.
- 3You get a written scope and price. No pressure.