Nestled in the Columbia River Gorge, Tum-A-Lum Lumber Company has been a part of the small Hood River, Oregon community for more than 100 years. But when the owners realized the rapidly aging building needed a remodel, a new roof was not part of the initial plan.
Designers for the project initially thought patching and repairs would be sufficient for the 35-year-old, 17,000 square foot roof, however upon further inspection it was determined that the building needed a new roof. Early on, an entire tear off and replacement of the old metal roof was considered even though it would have opened up the entire building to the elements.
Business as Usual
Eventually designers discovered a product seemingly designed for projects like this: the EXCEPTIONAL® Metals EM Retro-R® metal roofing panel. This panel is made for retrofit applications and can be applied directly over an existing metal roof.
Travis Nelson, owner of Brown Roofing, an authorized Duro-Last Master roofing contractor selected for this project, said this was a roofing solution that worked for both the building owner and the general contractor.
“The designers realized using the EM Retro-R panel would help with the overall cost of the project while also allowing Tum-A-Lum to stay open during construction,” Nelson said.
Staying open during construction was one of the top priorities of the remodel, said Renee Coffman, Consumer Business Development Manager for Tum-A-Lum.
“We have been able to serve our customers and not lose business this entire time,” Coffman said. “If we had to put a new roof on it, it would have drawn out this process a lot longer.”
No Stall in the Install
Since this project had many different phases, the General Contractor on the project, Griffin Construction, L.L.C., appreciated how fast the EM Retro-R panels went down.
“Using this product enabled us to get the roof done in a timely manner and make sure all of the new interior finishes weren’t damaged,” said Matt Hammel, Project Manager for Griffin Construction.
“EM Retro-R panels are a great option for building owners and contractors. It doesn’t hold up construction and we are able to go on with work on the interior of the building while the roofer is up installing.”
Watertight and Attractive
On top of being a quick and effective roofing solution, the EM Retro-R panels gave the building the fresh look Tum-A-Lum was looking for.
“It looks like a brand new roof. You can’t even tell the old roof is underneath it,” Coffman said. “This remodel is night-and-day different. It doesn’t look like your typical lumber yard anymore.”
Talk of the Town
Tum-A-Lum recently celebrated its 110th anniversary – making this transformation even more important to the community.
“Our customers have been in awe,” Coffman said. “It’s been fun watching all of the reactions from different people.”
“This renovation doubled the size of our retail space so we can offer twice as much product. This means locals don’t have to drive 20 miles or more to get what they need. It’s great for us and great for the local economy.”
Related Stories
Sponsored | Roofing | Feb 11, 2015
New school blends with local architecture using Petersen metal roof
Perkins Eastman in Stamford, Conn., designed the school to emphasize and integrate the International Baccalaureate curriculum throughout.
Sponsored | Roofing | Jan 26, 2015
A revitalized solar roof for San Francisco's Davies Symphony Hall
White thermoplastic PVC roof system fits the bill for rooftop solar installation project at famed concert hall.
| Nov 17, 2014
Resolving practical problems in roofing retrofits and renovations [AIA course]
This course, worth 1.0 AIA HSW learning unit, provides expert advice on how to make a roof last as long as possible, and how to properly retrofit or reroof when the roof has run its course.
Sponsored | | Sep 2, 2014
Metal roofs offer energy-efficiency, durability, and recyclability
Metal roofing material is known for its durability, but it also offers two other sustainable attributes that are sometimes overlooked: enhanced energy-efficiency and high recyclability.
| Mar 20, 2014
Fluor defines the future 7D deliverable without losing sight of real results today
A fascinating client story by Fluor SVP Robert Prieto reminds us that sometimes it’s the simplest details that can bring about real results today—and we shouldn’t overlook them, even as we push to change the future state of project facilitation.
| Dec 10, 2013
16 great solutions for architects, engineers, and contractors
From a crowd-funded smart shovel to a why-didn’t-someone-do-this-sooner scheme for managing traffic in public restrooms, these ideas are noteworthy for creative problem-solving. Here are some of the most intriguing innovations the BD+C community has brought to our attention this year.
| Nov 25, 2013
Manufacturers race to offer EPDs, HPDs in response to LEED v4
Under LEED v4, projects are awarded points for using at least 20 building products that have issued Environmental Product Declarations or Health Product Declarations. In response, manufacturers are racing to offer EPDs and HPDs for their product lines.
| Oct 30, 2013
Metal roof design tips: The devil is in the details
This AIA/CES-approved presentation provides information regarding proper design to prevent possible infiltration from the roof system into the building. It also works as a guide when designing a roof to allow for proper water runoff.
| Oct 28, 2013
NRCA's EnergyWise Roof Calculator has been updated with new IECC and IgCC codes
NRCA's EnergyWise Roof Calculator Online has been updated to include information from the 2012 version of the International Code Council's International Energy Conservation Code and the 2012 version of the International Green Construction Code .
| Oct 28, 2013
Metal roofs are topping more urban dwellings
Given their durability and ease of use, metal roofs have been a common feature on rural houses for decades. Now they’re becoming an increasingly popular choice on urban dwellings as well.
