Midland Engineering Company
Midland Engineering Company is located in South Bend, Indiana. Midland Engineering Company is a Professional Roofing Company and provides Roofing solutions for a range of industrial, institutional, educational, and commercial buildings all over the Midwest. Midland’s roofing contractors specialize in Low Slope roofing, Steep-Slope roofing, Sheet Metal roofing (Metal Roofs), Slate and Tile roofing, and are also known for the restoration and installation of specialty materials such as Copper. Masonry restoration, Roof management programs, and 24-hour service are offered by Midland Engineering Company.
History
Midland Engineering Company was founded in 1922 by William J. Steinmetz to provide roofing contractor services for Businesses and Institutions in the South Bend, Indiana area. Steinmetz believed in using the latest Materials and Application Technology. Today, Midland Engineering Company has over 250 employees and serves educational, institutional, industrial, and commercial customers in Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Iowa, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. Midland's roofing contractors specialize in complex Architectural roofing projects and in decorative and restorative sheet metal work. The company uses many types of architectural metals in projects throughout the Midwest. Over the years, Midland Engineering Company has installed roofing systems and designed and fabricated ornamental sheet metal for many high-profile projects. Some of these projects include The Ascent at Roebling's Bridge (residential condominium building) designed by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, in Covington, Kentucky, the United Center (home of the Chicago Bulls), the New Comiskey Park (now called the U.S. Cellular Field and home of the Chicago White Sox, the NCAA Headquarters, Chase Tower (formerly the Bank One Tower) and Indiana State Office Building in Indianapolis, Indiana, Miller Park (home of the Milwaukee Brewers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the Main Administration Building, Basilica of the Sacred Heart, and the Debartolo Permforming Arts Center (contributed by Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr. on the campus of the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana.
Roofing Systems
Midland Engineering Company specializes in installing several different types of roofing systems. Low slope, sheet metal, and slate and tile roofing systems have been installed on thousands of buildings across the Midwest by Midland roofing contractors.
Low Slope Roofing Systems
Low slope roofing systems have slope of 2:12 inches or less; as defined in the ASTM Standard E 1918-97.
Built-up Roofs
Built-up roofs are composed of alternating layers of Bitumen (Asphalt or Coal Tar) and reinforcement sheets (Fiberglass or Polyester). Built-up roofs can also be constructed with Modified Bitumen (MB), which is generally tough, resistant to abuse, and composed of fabricated polymer-modified asphalt sheets. Polymers are added to bitumen to enhance aging characteristics and add flexibility.
Single-ply Roofs
Single-ply roofs are flexible roof membranes composed of thermoplastic and thermoset products. They are factory-fabricated, easy to install on steep or complex roof slopes, and are very lightweight. Single-ply roofs can be attached using primarily three methods. In fully adhered single-ply roofs, the membrane is adhered with continuous layer of Adhesive. In the 2000s, several manufacturers started applying a tackifier on the underside of the sheet to create self-adhering single-ply roofs. Ballasted single-ply roofs are loose-laid over a substrate and covered with ballast to resist wind uplift. They are limited by slope (for low slope or flat roofs). Mechanically-attached single-ply roofs are loose-laid except for rows of fasteners and are recommended only for reinforced membranes. Thermoplastic Single-Plies do not cross-link during manufacturing or during service life and seams are extremely reliable. PVC membranes (polyvinyl chloride) are among oldest type of thermoplastic single-ply membrane available. PVC membranes are available in many colors and are often used for steep-slope roofs. The “plastic sheets are welded together with hot air creating a continuous sheet membrane.” Some thermoplastic single-ply membrane manufacturers include Sika Sarnafil, Carlisle SynTec, and Tremco. Thermoset Single-plies cross-link during manufacturing. Once cured, they can be bonded with adhesive or tape. EPDM, Ethylene propylene diene monomer or terpolymer, is a thermoset single-ply membrane and is a synthetic rubber sheet that is highly weather-resistant and economical for any size roof given availability of different lengths. Some thermosetting polymer manufacturers include Johns Manville, Firestone Building Products, GAF.
Sheet Metal Roofing Systems
Sheet Metal roofing (Metal Roofs) are becoming more and more the preferred choice for roofs because of their long life span, durability, light weight, speed of installation, low-maintenance, and fire-resistant qualities. Sheet metal roofing systems are relatively expensive, but usually have long-life warranties that make their purchase worthwhile. “Most metal roofing comes with a true 30-50 year manufacturer warranty, plus a workmanship warranty from the installer." Aluminum and steel are mostly used in sheet metal roofs, but stainless steel, copper and zinc alloys are also used. If the metal is susceptible to rust or corrosion, it is necessary to use coatings/finishes to protect the metal. Because sheet metal systems are designed for commercial applications, they generally have highly durable paint finishes. Today, most metal roofs are made of stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or alloys. However, there are some areas that still use corrugated galvanized iron and galvanized steel. Stainless steel does not corrode or rust. It is inexpensive and is often given a Terne Coating to give a natural matte-gray finish. Aluminum is lightweight and corrosion-resistant, but it is expensive. Aluminum can be painted or coated for appearance. Copper will not rust and it weathers naturally to verdigris patina. Copper roofs are generally very expensive. It is often used for only small sections of roofs or for flashing because of the cost. Alloys, usually including zinc, are strong and durable. But depending on the composition of the alloy, it can be expensive.
Types of Sheet Metal Systems
Standing Seam Roofing and Batten Roofing can both be used on steep or low slope roofs, but precautions must be taken on roofs with slope less than 4"/12." Flat Seam Roofing is typically used on flat or low slope roofs and on curved structures such as domes, but can also be used on steep-slope roofs.
Slate Roofing Systems
Slate has been known to be one of the premier roofing materials. Slate is a natural, metamorphic stone that comes from different geographic regions in Europe, South America, North America (notably Vermont, New York, and Pennsylvania), China, and the Arctic.. It has two lines of breakability that make it possible to be broken into thin tiles that are durable, very long-lasting, and have extraordinary natural beauty. Slate is also an expensive roofing material. Usually, when slate is used as roofing shingles, the slate shingles overlap each other, resulting in half of each slate tile never being seen. There are roofing systems, such as the TruSlate system by GAF Materials Corporation, which use less slate by using smaller slate tiles and substitute the area typically overlapped with waterproofing material. Slate is long-lasting and often when slate roofs are inspected and condemned, all they really need is restoration. This is where Midland provides slate roof restoration services. Although it is possible to have broken or missing slates on older roofs, often it is the flashing that has failed, requiring the restorative services of Midland. Both the installation of new slate roofs and the restoration of existing slate roofs require the skills of experienced master roofing contractors. Midland performs all phases of both slate roofing and restoration, including the installation of gutters, snow guards, valleys, and saddle flashings. Midland's master craftsmen perform all necessary carpentry, painting, masonry restoration, re-pointing, and sheet metal work. Midland also has the in-house capabilities to repair and install sheet metal ornamental molding, as well as all copper and lead applications.
Tile Roofing Systems
Clay and ceramic tiles, in addition to slate tiles, are used for roofs. Pit Fired clay tiles have been used for millennia for roofs, and more recently, kiln-fired clay tiles are used. “Fired roof tiles are found as early as the 4th millennium BC in the Early Helladic House of the tiles in Lerna, Greece.” Clay roof tiles are fireproof, waterproof, durable, and can last for centuries. However, because of their weight, they are only suitable for buildings with appropriate structural elements that can withstand the weight of the tiles. Additionally, clay tile roofs can be expensive and difficult to repair. In tile restoration, less than 10 percent of tile is used for restoration. “Even in restoration, the existing tiles are often still in good shape. “They’re pulled off the roof, the membrane below the tiles is replaced and then the old tiles are re-installed. During that process, they do break some tiles or come across previously broken tiles, so some new pieces do go into those projects. But more and more people want to reuse what’s up there. Very few old tiles are thrown away.” Midland Engineering Company has performed complete tile roof restorations to several buildings around the Midwest. One complete tile roof restoration project was on the Wisconsin Field House in Madison, Wisconsin. Midland installed new French tile, new insulation, sheet metal, and structural carpentry to complete the project.
Roof Management Program
Midland Engineering’s Roof Management Program (Roof Maintenance) is designed to help building owners extend the life of their roofs, often doubling years of dependable service and reducing roofing costs by tens of thousands of dollars.
Roof Restoration
Midland Engineering Company offers Roof Restoration services for slate and tile roofing systems. Midland roofing contractors have performed slate and tile restoration work on churches, historical structures, and government and education buildings. Midland Engineering Company performs all phases of slate and tile restoration.
Roofing Projects
Midland Engineering Company has installed thousands of low slope, steep slope, sheet metal, and slate and tile roofing systems throughout the Midwest since 1922.
Steep Slope Roofing Projects
The Ascent at Roebling’s Bridge, in Covington, Kentucky, a residential condiminium building, and Preston Pointe in Louisville, Kentucky, a mixed retail and residential building in Downtown Louisville.
Low Slope Roofing Projects
Some of Midland Engineering Company’s Low Slope Roofing Projects include: United Center (home of the Chicago Bulls); New Comiskey Park (Now called the U.S. Cellular Field) and home of the Chicago White Sox); Aon Center (Formerly called the Amoco Building) in Chicago, Illinois; Aldi Distribution Facility in Allentown, Pennsylvania; Miller Park, Home of the Milwaukee Brewers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Joyce Athletic & Convocation Center. University of Notre Dame; Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio; and the Whirlpool Distribution Center in LaPorte, Indiana.
Sheet Metal Roofing Projects
Some of Midland Engineering Company’s Sheet Metal Roofing Projects include: Newton Park Dome, Lakeville, Indiana; Siebel Center for Computer Science, University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana; Indiana Historical Society, NCAA Headquarters, and Market Tower in Indianapolis, Indiana; and Toledo Center for the Visual Arts, Toledo, Ohio at the University of Toledo designed by famous architect Frank Gehry
Slate & Tile Roofing Projects
Some of Midland Engineering Company’s Slate & Tile Roofing Projects include: Cathedral of St. Andrew, Little Rock, Arkansas; Main Administration Building and Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame; Wisconsin Field House, Madison, Wisconsin; Hamilton County Courthouse, Aurora, Nebraska; Vandenburgh County Courthouse, Evansville, Indiana
Professional Memberships & Industry Awards
Midland Engineering Company is a member of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA). Midland won the NRCA Gold Circle Award for Safety in 2009 and was a finalist for Outstanding Workmanship in the Steep Slope category for the roof installation at The Ascent at Roebling’s Bridge in Covington, Kentucky. It also won First Place in the Sika Sarnafil 2007 Project of the Year, steep slope category. William R. Steinmetz Sr. of Midland Engineering Company was President of NRCA in 1973. Midland Engineering is a member of the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association and is one of 60+ members of RoofConnect, a “national commercial roofing organization specializing in emergency roof repairs, maintenance, and re-roofing” but also performs “specialty projects that require nationwide labor availability in the construction field” and is available 24/7/365." Midland is a member of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA). Midland is also a Charter Member of the Slate Roofing Contractors Association of North America, with notable accomplishment for the reslating of the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock, Arkansas. “The project won the Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas’s Outstanding Craftsmanship Award, an annual award presented in Arkansas for ‘outstanding achievement in historic preservation’.” Midland Engineering is a member of the Indiana Roofing Contractors Association as well. Firestone Building Products Company named Midland Engineering Company a 2007 Firestone Master Contractor. This industry honor was given as recognition for Midland’s expertise and outstanding workmanship in the installation of high-quality commercial roofing systems over a one year period. RSI, (Roof/Siding/Insulation) magazine, provides an annual list of the best roofing contractors. In 2007, Midland Engineering was named the 38th best roofing contractor in the nation. Midland Engineering was also named the national "Roofing Contractor of the Year" in 1988 by Roofing/Siding/Insulation magazine.