Marcin

Decks Toronto. Backyard patio deck of wood with glass and metal railings.

2011-04-30T19:31:24Z

We recently built and installed a patio deck in a typical downtown Toronto, Cabbagetown backyard. The deck was made of pressure treated wood with glass side panels and metal posts and railings.

Article to follow.

Skylights Toronto. Velux skylights flat roof installation.

2011-04-09T16:49:37Z

Last fall, we installed 7 Velux skylights along with our two ply modified bitumen SBS flat roofing system for our client in Cabbagetown, Toronto. We performed 2 new manual venting curb mounted skylight installations and installed 5 other fixed and electric venting curb mounted skylights into an existing A–frame box to which we made modifications. Here you see the installation including all necessary skylight carpentry by our Velux Certified Installers employees.

Our Cabbagetown,Toronto client had an existing skylights box with some skylights that were clearly showing their age and were made of plastic. See the image gallery below. We made modifications to this A-frame box which allowed us to install 5 new Velux skylights. The skylights installed were,

2 Velux VCE Electric Venting Curb Mounted Skylights

3 Velux FCM Fixed Curb Mounted Skylights.

Since, we were installing our two ply modified flat roofing system with 1.5 inch poly-iso insulation, it was a good time to add two more skylights to the roof. The client decided to have us install

2 Velux VCM Manual Venting Curb Mounted Skylights.

We performed all necessary carpentry including framing and curb work. Please scroll down to the image gallery below.

Flat Roof Rooftop Floating Wood Deck. Toronto Flat Roofing.

2011-04-04T02:04:54Z

Here we install a floating walkout wood deck on a flat roof in Riverdale, Toronto. Last fall we installed the flat roof for our client, this spring we built this roof top deck. This deck is floating with no puncture or penetration of any sort to the roofing membrane as it should be.

Last spring we installed the two-ply modifed bitumen flat roofing system for our client and this spring we installed this floating flat roof deck. The deck was built of pressure treated wood as it will be exposed to the elements. The height and design of the deck were based on the client's request and our suggestions. As you see this deck is floating on styrofoam, so there is no punture or penetration of any sort to the roofing membrane. The deck is entirely stabilized by being attahced to the third storey of the home. Such a deck must be stabilized by being attached to the structure in some form. There are many options available depending on the structure. All specifications are consistent with city code. Scroll down to view the image gallery.

We offer various flat roof decking options, including wood decking as above, wood decking with glass and metal railings and more. When installing a deck be sure that the deck is floating. If there is any puncture to the roofing membrane. The enrtire deck will have to be removed and the leaking roof repaired. This is a costly mistake to endure. For proper flat roof deck installation contact us.

Copper dormer roof - Copper roofing Toronto

2011-03-24T13:19:24Z

Last week we installed natural slate tiles on a mansard roof in Cabbagetown, Toronto. However, the slope of the adjoining dormer roof was too low to install slate, so we suggested our client have the dormer roof covered with copper. Here you see our coppersmiths fabricating the panels on site and installing the copper.

Here you see our coppersmith installing the copper panels partially fabricated on site. Some panels were fabricated at our metal shop and others had to be fabricated on site as the dormer roof is not square, so the panels required many adjustments. The dormer roof was very uneven, so it was quite an effort to ensure that the final product turned out as well as it did. Once the panels were fabricated on the bender they were installed over the copper drip edge, which you see being installed before the panels. The panels were then fastened together with a standing seam mechanism. Scroll down to bottom for the entire image gallery.

Flat roofing Toronto. Leaking modified bitumen flat roof in Toronto.

2010-11-29T17:00:09Z

We recently installed our two ply modified bitumen SBS flat roofing system on a pair of leaking flat roofs in Cabbagetown, Toronto. The flat roofs were leaking due to improper application of the roofing membranes resulting in both condensation and leakage through the seams. Watch our roofers cut the membrane and expose a roof that appears to be in good condition yet, contains a significant amount of water underneath and between the membranes.

Our Cabbagetown, Toronto client was experiencing serious leakage in the bathroom of his townhouse. Contributing to this leakage were improperly sealed seams along the edge of the roofing membranes. The roofing membranes are to be heat sealed using a propane torch such that the edge of one membrane roll is overlapped and bleeds onto the previously applied membrane roll. This bleed will ensure the roof will not leak. The bleeds on this roof were very small or non-existent which eventually results in the rubber membrane lifting and allowing water to travel under the membranes. Also, improper heating and application of the rubber itself will lead to air pockets between the roof deck and the rubber membranes causing condensation. Both of these issues were the cause of the leakage on this particular roof as is generally the case.

We proceeded to strip the entire roof and install our two-ply modified SBS bitumen flat roofing system, using Soprema 180 base membrane, 250 cap membrane and 1.5 inch poly iso insulation. We also installed a new copper drain with a u flow seal. Uflow seals are designed to be tightened using internal screws which compresses the thermoplastic seal, forcing it to expand and make contact with the wall of the old pipe. This prevents vertical movement and stops water backup damage.

Slate roofing Toronto. Leaking valley and slate roof tiles.

2010-11-13T19:37:03Z

Our downtown Toronto client's mansard roof was leaking near the valley where the two slopes meet. Contributing to the leakage was a narrow valley that did not run far enough under the natural slate tiles. Given the slate tiles on the smaller mansard section were in poor condition we replaced them with new slate tiles cut to match the decorative design and removed and replaced slates on the other section to install a proper width valley.

The slate tiles on the smaller and lower sloped section of the mansard roof were in poor condition, so given we were replacing the valley it made sense to install new natural slate tiles on this section. We installed high quality Quebec slate in the unfading black and light green colour to match the existing slate. For a section of that slope, the slate tiles were cut in a decorative diamond shape to match the existing scalloped edge slate design. In the video, you can see our slate mason cutting the green slate tiles with a slate cutter. As always we installed ice and water shield underlayment underneath the slate tiles and installed them using 2 inch copper nails. The valley installed was black to match neighbours roofs and is of heavy guage pre-painted steel. To finish we installed a new black ridge cap along the peak of the roof.

Along with the slate repair, M&R Roofing also installed our two ply modified flat roofing system.

Below is an image gallery of the slate project. Please visit our slate tiles blog category and slate roof portfolio for other information regarding our slate services.

Cedar shakes on mansard roof in Toronto

2010-10-21T21:42:47Z

We recently installed new handsplit medium resawn cedar shakes on a mansard roof in Deer Park, Toronto. The project also included the installation of our two ply modified flat roofing system and a new skylight.

The existing cedar shakes around the mansard roof below the flat roof were in poor condition, resulting in leaks on the rear mansard. Our client decided to have new cedar shakes installed on the mansard in addition to the installation of our two ply modified flat roofing system.

The cedar shakes installed were Western Cedar handsplit medium resawn shakes of premium grade. The Premium grade is 100% clear and 100% heartwood with a 100% edge grain. These shakes have split faces and sawn backs. Cedar shakes are manufactured by cutting back cedar logs into desired lengths. Blanks or boards of proper thickness are split and then run diagonally through a bandsaw to produce two tapered shakes from each blank. This shake is produced with both faces sawn. It gives the neat, tailored look of a shingle but with the rugged shadow line of a shake, caused by the thicker butt.

The cedar shakes were installed with ice and water shield underlayment along with all new metal flashing on the ledge and the small parapet around the flat roof. The cedar shakes were tied in with the existing cedar on the neighbour’s adjacent roof. For more examples of our cedar shakes and shingles projects please visit our cedar shakes and shingles blog category and our portfolio.

Please scroll down for image gallery of the project.

Velux skylights installation on flat roof in Toronto

2010-09-21T02:56:48Z

Our Cabbagetown, Toronto clients were experiencing continuous condensation problems with the large 4 x 8' acrylic dome skylight on their flat roof. To solve this problem M&R Roofing fabricated a custom curb mount "A-shape" frame for their flat roof and mounted two 4 x 4' Velux glass skylights.

Many downtown Toronto homes feature large scale acrylic dome skylights on their flat roofs. In some cases, these skylights can produce an enormous amount of condensation when the warm air that rises from within a home reaches the cold surface of a large skylight. The condensation problems are more likely to occur the larger the skylight. The problems are also more likely with acrylic then glass skylights because of the greater heat loss through the acrylic material. However, glass skylights installed on a flat roof must be installed on an appropriate slope to prevent heavy amounts of snow from mounting on the skylights. Therefore, acrylic skylights which are more likely to produce condensation problems but can be fabricated in a dome shape that fullfills this sloping function are a cheaper and more practical option for large scale flat roof skylight installations. Therefore a trade off exists.

After experiencing condensation problems for some time and attempting several unsuccesful solutions, our clients decided to install two 4 x 4' Velux glass skylights in place of the existing 4 x 8' acrylic dome skylight. In addition to eliminating the condensation problems our clients also wanted to find a solution for reducing the blazing heat that would result in their upper level rooms, especially during the summer months. To attend to this second issue our clients decided to install a (VCE) Velux electric venting curb mount skylight with Comfortplus glass and blackout blinds.

In order to install the Velux skylights according to the manufacturers sloping specifications, we had to fabricate a custom curb mount frame that met these specifications and also met other requirements. The frame was built such that it allows the two 4 x 4' skylights to sit next to each other in place of the existing 4 x 8 ' skylight. To prevent snow from mounting on top of the two skylights and to allow for proper curb mount installation we had fabricated an insulated tunnel in between the skylights. To eliminate potential condensation problems from the frame itself because of the height of the frame required for manufacturers sloping specifications, we insulated the entire frame appropriately. We then installed our two ply modified flat roofing system as shown in the above video.

Below is a photo and photo gallery of the finished product. This particular "A-shape" frame is a custom fabrication by M&R Roofing and another example of the extensive skill set and knowledge of our employees. If you are experiencing similar skylight condensation problems please contact us.

Toronto slate roof. Slate tiles and copper on Heritage Toronto home

2010-09-05T02:32:18Z

This past week, M&R Roofing's experienced slate masons installed fine Quebec natural slate tiles, which were finished with copper flashings, on the roof of a Heritage Toronto home in Cabbagetown.

Our Cabbagetown, Toronto client had initially called us to repair some of the slate tiles on the mansard roof of his Spruce Street home. When we arrived to inspect the condition of the roof, we saw slate tiles that were in extremely poor condition. Many were very soft and breaking easily into dust. The slate appeared to be of inferior quality. There were approximately 20 to 30 tiles that needed to be replaced. In addition, others would be broken in the process of the repair and would also need replacing. Given that 40 to 60 tiles would need to be replaced and that others may break in the near future due to their poor condition, we advised our client that it was most cost efficient to install new slate tiles on the roof. Given the home was designated as a heritage property by the Heritage Toronto board in 2005, the details of our proposed work had to be approved by Heritage Toronto. The proposal was approved and we proceeded with our installation last week.

Before we began stripping the existing slate tiles, we protected the landscaping on the property accordingly. Once the mansard roof and dormer were stripped, we replaced all rotten boards and installed ice and water shield underlayment. Our experienced slaters then began installing the slate tiles. The slate tiles selected by our client were identical in size to those previously installed, in order to tie in the roof with his neighbour's slate roof. The slate tiles installed were of a high quality Quebec slate in the unfading black colour. The tiles were 10 x 16 inches in size with a 1/4 inch thickness. The slate was installed with all copper flashing including copper wall flashing, copper ice stoppers and copper step flashings and valley for the dormer.

M&R Roofing offers a wide range of high quality Quebec and Vermont roofing slate tiles. Many various sizes and intriguing colours options are available as shown in the video below.

Below is a image gallery of photos of the slate roof before, during and after installation. Please also visit our portfolio gallery for photos of other slate roof projects completed by M&R Roofing.

Toronto flat roof balcony, deck, rafters repair Part 1

2010-08-30T02:28:08Z

Last week M&R Roofing began another flat roof balconies repair project. It included carpentry work such as the installation of new roof rafters and deck, followed by the installation of our two ply modified flat roofing system with polyiso insulation in the Beaches, Toronto.

When our sales consultant Maciej arrived to view the job, our distraught client has already removed the drywall from the ceiling so that Maciej could see the extent of the damage caused by the leaking balconies. The damage was extensive and would require the removal of the entire existing roof materials, roof decking and much of the roof framing. After viewing our video of a similar balcony repair we had done and discussing all matters with Maciej, with confidence our client decided to employ the services of M&R Roofing.

When our employees arrived on the job site to repair the roof they were surprised to see a sandwich of roofing materials lying on the roof deck. The roof deck was covered with four layers of plywood, one layer of green turf carpeting, one layer of asphalt and two layers of rubber membrane! Even with all these layers the roof deck leaked to such a point that all the plywoods and many of the rafters were rotten. Also, contributing to the water and moisture was a serious case of condensation. We began by stripping the entire roof deck which was a heavily labour intensive and then installing all new wooden rafters with hangers. When the framing carpentry was finished on one of the balconies we installed new decking and rafters in such a manner as to create the appropriate slope for drainage of the balcony roof, as discussed in a previous blog entry. We then installed our usual two ply modified flat roofing system with 1.5 inch polyiso insulation using a 180 base SBS membrane and 250 SBS cap membrane.

The above video contains part of the work that went into the project. A second video will follow showcasing further progress of the project. Below is a photo gallery of the project.