As long-standing members of the roofing community McMains Roofing is very consistent in participating in any Roofing Contractor Association events that are held. From the Winter Gala to the Salmon Derby to the Golf Tournament and the newer addition of the NW Tradeshow and Skeet Shoot competition. By attending and participating we partner with an organization and community that fights for our industry on a legal level and helps bring awareness to key issues we face as roofing contractors in Washington State.
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If any of you follow or know us, the family of owners at McMains Roofing, (Steve & Cathy McMains) you know we are avid sportsmen. We are intentional at rewarding our employees by building a culture of unity through hunting and fishing. That is clearly reflected when you see that we often have family or employees place or win the RCAW sportsmen oriented competitions. A few years back we took first place at the Salmon Derby, this year we took 1st place at the skeet shooting competition!

Our crack-shot team of Phil McMains and Juan Zuniga really cleaned house with incredibly high scores in every round. They made team McMains proud by winning and having bragging rights with our name on the RCAW competition trophy for the next year. 

We at McMains Roofing will continue to show strong support for the RCAW and enjoy the various amazing events they host every year. We would like to give a big shout out to the entire board of directors, so many have put in a lot of hard work to advance the advocacy and value of the association for the local contractor base. Special thanks and recognition goes to Tracy Prociw, who has put so much work into elevating the entire program and organization. She is retiring this year to care for her husband and we want to make sure that she knows her hard work and success has not gone unnoticed. There is a very significant difference in the value of the RCAW from the day you took it over until now.
We look forward to enjoying the RCAW and competing in the spirit of fun for years to come!

It is all of our responsibility to make sure we do everything we can to pass on a beautiful earth to future generations. As members of industry this is a very important topic as many of the products and technologies that make life simpler and more convenient are often dangerous to manufacturer without proper oversite. It's a delicate balancing act to make sure that both economy and environmental protections are advanced with each other in mind. 

That is one of the reasons we appreciate Malarkey Roofing products! They are one of the key roofing brands we install due to the innovative and environmentally friendly process they use. 

Malarkey has a history of pioneering sustainable products in the roofing industry. They were the first to create the rubberized (SBS modified) roofing shingle known as the Alaskan. It was designed to survive in the harsh Alaskan terrain. It worked so well they extended the line to the super thick Legacy shingle and then eventually converted all of their additional shingle lines to rubberized products with their new NextGen modified asphalt. 

NextGen asphalt utilizes recycled content such as tires and milk jugs in the asphalt to help reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfills. 

Malarkey also utilizes a special granule from 3M that sucks pollutions out of the air and transforms them into safe molecules that are clean and helpful for the environment. For the conscious consumer this is a great product that not only protects your home but also protects your family into future generations!

As a certified Malarkey contractor we have access to a new tool we are super excited about! They have created a calculator that shows us how much recycled content and the impact every roof we install will have on the environment. Let's use our office roof as an example. We installed the Malarkey Windsor roofing shingle on our shop. It's the heavyweight designer roof out of Malarkey's product offering. Check out the sustainability calculation below: 

This is an amazing opportunity to see how your upcoming reroof can impact the environment. If your interested in a free roofing estimate and having sustainable roofing calculations provided to you please contact us today!

​Today on this episode of myth busters we will tackle the issue of manufacturer warranty versus protection that comes from the longevity of the contractor. We live in a high-speed bells and whistles society. Warranties and upgraded warranties are available on everything, for a price. From toasters to electronics to construction materials you may purchase extra protection on your new item. While these warranties certainly have value, we would like to explain why working with a contractor that has been in business for decades has more value than most manufacturer shingle warranties. 

Upgraded System Warranty

• An upgraded system warranty extends the non prorated coverage to a full 50 years. That means if the materials fail on year 22 you will get 100% reimbursement to replace the cost of the roof.

​Now here is the crux of the situation, these warranties definitely offer value, especially if you are going to be living in your home for a long time. The warranty game however is banking on very consistent data and statistics. The fact is that the average homeowner only lives in a house for about 7 years. A very very small percentage of them will take the time to fill out the paperwork to transfer the warranty to the next homeowner. Therefore most of the warranties become nearly worthless. That is why they can offer long lifetime warranties, it’s a numbers game. With that being said, you can see why placing your trust in a contractor that has been in business and operating in integrity for along time holds a lot of value. 

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​Contractor Longevity, The Best Protection For Your Home & Family
Now that you have a clear picture of how warranties work and how flimsy they can be lets talk about the type of contractor that can actually protect you. First off, understand that 80% of roofing contractors go out of business within the first two years of opening their doors. That’s right, 8 out of 10 that open their doors and are installing roofs this year will not be here in two years. We are not trying to push fear, these are simply the industry facts and statistics. If you are going to lean on a contractor that has the integrity to not only install a proper roofing system but also backs up their work when it fails, you need to choose a contractor with history in the market. That is why McMains Roofing is one of your very best choices in Tacoma and the Puget Sound region. We have nearly 3 decades of dedicated service under our belts with our original contractor license. Many roofers go out of business and start up over and over again but continue to fail leaving homeowners without protection with something goes wrong or their roof fails. Due to these very real scenarios we can confidently say that your very best and safest choice to protect your home during a reroof is to hire a contractor that has a minimum of 10 years in business. During that time frame they will have established a reputation and a history that will tell you if they are willing to provide customers with the protection and warranty services. 

​Contractor Workmanship Warranty
Many roofing contractors offer a workmanship warranty, that is how long they are willing to fix or replace the roof at no cost to the homeowner if something fails. This warranty has teeth and value so to speak, as long as the roofer has a history in the market of honoring those warranties. At McMains Roofing we offer a standard 5-year workmanship warranty, but more importantly WE WILL STAND BEHIND OUR WORK FOR THE LIFETIME OF THE ROOF! If your McMains Roofing system fails at any time due to improper installation we are simply going to take care of it, no matter what year it is. That is why we are not only still in business, but have earned the amazing reputation we have in the market. 

Because we have been in business for so long our warranty is a bedrock of protection you can count on, and our family name is the seal of our bond.
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As a certified roofing contractor with many brands, we are able to offer extended warranties on most shingle products, and in the right situation they have value, but none of them offer what we offer as a family owned business serving the Puget Sound for nearly 3 decades as McMains Roofing.
If you have questions about our roofing services or warranty protection call is today, we would be happy to discuss the McMains Roofing standard for your home or business!

McMain's Roofing Specializes In Multifamily Roofing
Not all roofing contractors are created equal. Each business has areas of service and capabilities based on their training and experience. For instance some local Tacoma roofing contractors specialize in residential reroof only. They install a great asphalt shingle roof on average size homes. Others focus on large commercial flat roofing that are tens of thousands of square feet. McMains Roofing is unique in that we are extremely diverse in our experience level across the roofing systems and types. Our 3 decades of experience has provided time and opportunity to become experts in all types of roofing. One area that we have been able to really grow into and specialize in is multi family roofing.

What Is A Multi Family Roofing Project
Multifamily structures are buildings that house multiple families such as apartment buildings, condos & retirement centers. They can range from a two unit duplex to a unit that has 40-50 apartment units in one building. Due to the potential size and scope of these projects they often require specialized insurances, crew size, tools and installation methods that the average residential reroof contactor may not possess.
For instance projects over a certain size will require additional insurance coverage and bonding that costs tens of thousands of dollars more than standard residential insurance. Not every contractor can afford the extra insurance so they stay out of the arena all together. McMain's Roofing is properly insured to provide multifamily reroof services which protects our clients. Please be sure to double check and make sure your potential roofers have the correcting bonding and insurance before considering having them provide pricing on your larger projects. Often times they don’t understand the extra costs involved in the proper credentials which can reflect in their price. While initially the price looks incredible, when you dig in you will often find that the proper  credentials were not in place. This can set an unrealistic price expectation and falls in line with the old saying “if it seems to good to be true, it often is.” At McMain's Roofing we provide value, a combination of the protection you deserve, a fair price and the quality of install that Property Managers across the Puget Sound of enjoyed for three decades. 

Other nuances of multi family roofing are the tools and logistics. Due to the difficult access of the buildings including carports, tenant vehicles, distance of the roof from the access points and multistory building height. The tear off and disposal of the existing roofing system can be dangerous. With tenants walking around special safety set up on the ground is often required to make sure everyone is protected from falling debris. We often use  specialized chutes that can take the waste from the roof top right into the back of our dump truck for safe disposal. These logistics and special safety set ups should be a huge consideration when interviewing contractors for the job. Make sure you have that discussion with any potential vendors taking a look at the job for you.

Our History With Property Management & Multifamily Roofing Projects In The Puget Sound
When it comes to multi family roofing in the Puget Sound, few do it at the level that Mcmains Roofing does. In fact we service many of the key Property Management agencies in the region based strictly on our experience and reputation in this area. We help our clients manage dozens of properties a year through maintenance packages, cleanings and key repairs to extend the life of their roofs and value based replacements when the time comes. Hands down we are the name you can trust for large apartment, condo and multi family roofing.

​This week we would like to feature an incredible CertainTeed Presidential TL roofing system we recently installed in Woodinville, WA. Presidential TL roofing shingles are the peak of the premium designer shingle class in the roofing industry. In fact here in the Pacific Northwest CertainTeed Presidential and Presidential TL shingles have become the standard by which most Home Owners Associations measure the quality of shingles they will allow into their neighborhoods. Quite literally in the same way Kleenex is used as the brand name for tissue paper, Presidential shingles have become the brand name for key cut designer shingles. 

Here are some of the key features of the Presidential TL that set it apart from standard architectural laminate roofing shingles:

• Weight: Presidential TL shingles weigh 465 lbs per sq
• Patented triple laminate technology makes it the thickest roofing shingle on the market today
• Recognized by HOA’s as the standard for premium designer shingles
• 50 year limited lifetime warranty against material defects
• Protected by SteakFighter technology combat black algae streaks.
• Available in 7 colors including: Aged Bark, Autumn Blend, Charcoal Black, Country Gray, Shadow Gray, Weathered Wood
• Adds value to your home and is very helpful in resale situations.
• Lasts longer than standard entry level laminate roofing shingles. 

To learn more about the Presidential Shake TL roofing shingle you can check out the links below. You can find warranty information, a product brochure or imagine what Presidential Shake TL would look like on your home with their visualizer tool.

• Virtual Visualizer
• Product Brochure
• Warranty Documentation

Woodinville Presidential Shake TL Install
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As a Woodinville Roofing contractor it was amazing watching the transformation on this new Presidential Shake TL re-roof. We tore off the existing roofing system and had to resheet the entire roof deck with ½” CDX plywood to create a solid substrate for the new roofing system. We installed a CertainTeed full roofing system including ice and water shield to protect the most leak prone areas, color matched and regular starter shingles for wind uplift, Presidential Shake TL field shingles, Mountain Ridge high profile ridge cap shingles and all new venting and sheet metal flashings. Our customer went with the Aged Bark color option which perfectly accented their home design. This brand new luxury roofing system by McMains roofing in Woodinville, WA has made this home standout in all the bests ways in its neighborhood.
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For more information on designer or any type of roofing system please reach out to us today! You can call us or fill out our contact form and we will put you in touch with one of our seasoned estimators for a non-pressured roofing consultation. McMains Roofing has nearly 3 decades of service experience in the Puget Sound and as a leading Woodinville roofing contractor. With McMains, you are in good hands. 

McMains Roofing has been serving the roofing needs of University Place, WA and the Puget Sound for three decades. It is a family dream to provide top quality roofing services at an affordable price, that is why this family-owned business has been around for so long. We have completed many jobs recently but wanted to highlight a beautiful Pabco Premier roof we installed in University Place, WA. Pabco is manufactured right here in Tacoma, WA. We love partnering with Pabco and installing their products because they are quality shingles and we get to support the local economy.

As you can see from the before photos this roof was covered with heavy moss and some tree branches! The algae block in Pabco shingles will help to keep blue/green algae off the roof which is a food source for moss. With the moss on the existing roofing system, it makes for a dramatic before and after photos. This home and family will be protected by a limited lifetime warranty. Our client went with the color weather wood which accents their home beautifully.

Get in touch with us today to schedule a free estimate. We specialize in all types of roofing in both the commercial and residential sector as well as steep and low slope/flat roofing. We are your one stop shop for roofing in University Place, WA. 

As a premier roofing contractor in the Puget Sound we have had the opportunity to install virtually every single type of roofing in the market. With all of our experience we have found Pabco Roofing products to be the best fit for our homeowners as well as our multi-family and commercial clients. Pabco offers a variety of asphalt roofing shingles to meet the need of every individual from your basic architectural to premium designer shingles.

Today we would like to introduce the Pabco’s Paramount Advantage heavyweight signature cut roofing shingle. This product is for home and business owners that want a thick and rugged designer look. The thick shake like look of the Paramount Advantage is the shingle that most accurately mimics wood shake shingles.
Here are some of the key features that the Paramount Advantage Boasts:

• Weighs 495 pounds per square approximately
• Carries a UL790 class a fire resistant standard
• Exclusive Algae Defender 20 year protection
• Limited lifetime warranty
• Unique open tooth shingle design
• Rich color pallet including four colors

​When SD Evergreen Construction has a need they know who to call. They have an amazing multi-family project going in Tumwater, WA and we are privileged to be their roofer of choice. This is the ninth building we have roofed for SD of three complexes.
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The unique thing about these structures is their enormous size! Each building is the length of a football field. There are also many dormers that give the roof structure and elevated and dimensional appearance. 

These buildings are being covered with IKO Cambridge architectural laminate shingles. The IKO Cambridge shingle offers a high-definition color blend as a standard feature which helps the shingle to appear more dimensional and thicker. Cambridge also carries a 50-year limited lifetime warranty. On the Silverleaf apartments we are installing Driftwood color shingles which complement the overall color scheme of the building.

This project will get what we call in the industry a “complete roofing system.” A complete roofing system includes starter shingles, underlayment, field shingles and hip and ridge. In addition to the IKO system products we will be installing perimeter edge metal, pipe flashings and venting to code. At Mcmain's Roofing we never reduce the quality of our system, but instead provide an exceptional product at an affordable price. This has been the Mcmain's way for over 20 years in the Pacific Northwest and has helped us to become one of the leading contractors in the Puget Sound region. 

If you ask most people, pay is not the most important reason they stay with a company. There are other very important factors that help create a culture that builds fulfillment and long term relationships in a business. Don't get us wrong, good pay is important, but we have learned that building a culture where people feel welcomed, appreciated and taken care of on top of competitive pay makes a huge difference. At McMains Roofing we embrace a culture and spirit of family!

Regardless of how our employees respond to our culture, we would function with a heart of taking care of our people, its who we are. However, we have seen a clear and measurable result that building a family culture impacts our day to day operations and ultimately the product and service we offer our clients. The bottom line is people that feel positive about their career are going to put their heart and soul into it, your going to get their best. If they feel they are just a number, they are going to show up and do the bare minimum to collect a paycheck, and that will end up in the product of our end user. 

One of the critical areas that are impacted by having a strong culture of appreciation is employee longevity. If you come to McMains Roofing you will find that most of our employees have been here for many years ranging from 5 to 20 years. This bleeds into the work we do for the community! Due to the fact that we do not have a revolving door our service platform is both excellent and predictable. We can control the quality of our roofing installs in a way that those that use sub contractors or go through several crews are not able to do so. 

Bottom line, we invest into people! 

Christmas: Every year we make a big deal about Christmas! From company parties at Great Wolfe Lodge to huge Christmas parties, we make sure our employees and their families are pampered during this special time of year. 

Other Holidays: During most major holidays of the year if you come to our office you will find it decorated and ready to hosts our family of employees. This gives us the opportunity to keep things light and fun which helps us to build a relationship with our crews and their families beyond the job site! Big results!

Another great thing we do is take our employees out on trips! We rotate through our staff and take them on amazing adventures that are life changing. Fishing trips in Lapaz, Mexico, guided hunting trips in Idaho, Washington and Oregon, Nascar in Vegas to name a few. This ensures time away from the workplace that they and their family might have never done on their own.

All of the events that we do to create a family atmosphere are quite the investment, but having a poor company culture with unhappy employees is more costly! 

We are grateful for the people we have and the relationships we have been able to forge and are committed to continue on our path to creating the best family owned roofing company in the Puget Sound area. 

​HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

There is a wide variety of asphalt roofing shingle products in the market today. In The Seattle-Tacoma market there are 6 primary shingle manufacturers to choose from including Pabco, IKO, Malarkey, GAF, CertainTeed and Owens Corning. 

Owens Corning is unique in that it has a notable history in the construction product industry and is well known for its symbolic Pink Panther logo. 

They have a long history in the market producing attic insulation, roofing and composite products. 

Every shingle manufacturer has unique features that set them apart. For Owens Corning we love some of the features of the Duration shingle line specifically. The Duration line has a fourth color blend drop in the granule pattern that really provides a light and dark variation. This helps the roof stand out and creates a dimensional high-definition look. Another unique feature on the Duration is that it has the Sure nail strip, an engineered fabric strip that provides an additional wind warranty and protection against high winds. They also provide excellent warranties. OC is the product of choice for all Home Depots and Lowes stores Nationally. 

Get in touch with McMains Roofing today if you are interested in Owens Corning products or with any of your residential or commercial roofing needs!