Articles
Roofing Articles & Resources
Understanding Roof Flashing: Your Roof’s First Line of Defence
What roof flashing is, why it prevents the majority of roof leaks, the main types, the signs of failure, and why McKay fabricates custom flashing in its own sheet metal shop.
Does Home Insurance Cover Roof Replacement in Ontario?
What home insurance typically covers, what is usually excluded, how roof age and depreciation affect claims, and how McKay can help with inspections and documentation.
Does a New Roof Increase Your Home’s Value in Ontario?
How a new roof affects home value and resale in Ontario, why it appeals to buyers, how it compares to other renovations, and when replacing before selling makes sense.
Are Steel Shingles Right for Your Home? A Guide to Steel Shingle Roofing
A guide to steel shingle roofing in Ontario. How steel shingles combine the traditional shingle look with the durability of metal, how they compare to asphalt, and what McKay installs.
Can You Roof a Barn? Agricultural and Outbuilding Roofing in the Ottawa Valley
A guide to roofing barns, sheds, and agricultural buildings in the Ottawa Valley. Why metal is the preferred material, what makes outbuilding roofs different, and how McKay approaches these projects.
Roofing for Cottages and Seasonal Properties in the Ottawa Valley
What makes cottage and seasonal property roofing different — low-maintenance material choices, handling unoccupied-winter snow load, wildlife and moisture, and access challenges.
Commercial Roof Maintenance Programs: Protecting Your Building Investment
Why a commercial roof maintenance program protects your building investment in Ontario — what preventative maintenance includes, the cost of neglect, warranty protection, and how it extends roof life.
Roof Snow and Ice Removal: When It’s Necessary and How It’s Done Safely
When roof snow and ice removal is necessary in the Ottawa Valley, the warning signs of dangerous snow load, how professionals remove it safely, and the risks of DIY removal.
TPO vs. EPDM vs. Modified Bitumen: Choosing a Flat Roof System
A balanced comparison of TPO, EPDM, and modified bitumen flat roofing systems for Ontario buildings — cost, lifespan, energy performance, durability, and which system suits which project.
What GAF Master Elite Certification Means for Your Roof
What GAF Master Elite certification means for Ontario homeowners — why only the top 3% of contractors qualify, and the enhanced warranties it unlocks.
Chimney Rebuilding and Masonry Repair for Roof Longevity
How chimney masonry affects your roof in Ontario — freeze-thaw damage, spalling brick, repointing, crown and cap repair, and when a chimney needs partial or full rebuilding.
New Construction Roofing: Choosing the Right System for Your Build
A guide to roofing decisions for new construction in Ontario — choosing materials at the design stage, designing the roof for performance, coordinating with your builder, and building in ventilation.