Nelson Roofing & Sheet Metal Ltd, recipient of three International Architectural Metal Awards for its work on the Vancouver Island University Shellfish Research Centre, has provided commercial and residential roofing services in the qathet region for 40 years. It has grown to become the largest roofing and cladding contractor north of Victoria, proudly serving Vancouver Island North and the coast region, as well as the Sunshine Coast.
The company is looking forward to taking on more award-winning projects in the future.
Ward Morcan, business manager for the local office, has been with Nelson Roofing for 22 years. He’s a ticketed journeyman with 30 years of roofing experience.
Currently, his team is working on a seven-storey apartment building in Sechelt.
“We don’t generally see many tall buildings like that around here, but it’s something we can do,” says Ward. “We have cranes and equipment for doing that type of work.”
Locally, they recently completed work at James Thomson Elementary School, adding a modern charcoal metal roof onto the heritage-looking building.
“It still has that heritage look with a modern feel to it,” he adds.
The company is doing all the roofing at the wastewater treatment plant Townsite. The large project involves installing a torch-on roof assembly.
Although Nelson Roofing specializes in commercial and industrial work, a lot of local residential work is done as well.
“From torch-on to shingles and metal roofing, Nelson Roofing has it covered,” says Ward, who has three separate daily roofing crews that go out to job sites and focus on different types of work.
“Some guys will just be doing low-slope work, and others do slope and shingling on steeper roofs, and then we have a crew that just focuses on metal work only. Since we operate like that, the guys are good at what they do—honing their skills.”
Ward says the life expectancy of roofing is different depending on the type. However, that expectancy is entirely dependent on installation procedures, he adds.
“Typically, a torch-on roof, if it’s installed correctly, could last 30 years. A shingle roof could last 30 to 40 years if it’s installed according to the manufacturer’s literature.”
He suggests gathering at least two quotes and looking closely to ensure they compare apples to apples.
“Check things like insurance and warranties; if it’s a torch-on roof, the company should have proper insurance for doing that work because there’s an open flame involved. You want to make sure they have the proper training. Doing a background check and word of mouth is pretty important.”
In addition to its roofing division, which offers high-quality roof replacement and installation for most roofing systems, Nelson Roofing & Sheet Metal also specializes in architectural wall cladding and siding installations.
“One of the jobs we were involved in recently was the exterior work and roofing on the First Credit Union building,” says Ward. “We were also working at the Powell River Curling Club doing wall and sheet metal cladding; it’s given it a really good, fresh new look.
“It’s a good feeling to drive downtown and look at all the roofs we’ve done: Canadian Tire, Mark’s Work Wearhouse, Staples, Town Centre Mall, the hotel, Starbucks and Tim Hortons are just a few.
“Contact us today for a free estimate you can trust, after all we’ve been installing peace of mind for over 40 years.”
For anyone looking to build a career in roofing, Nelson Roofing & Sheet Metal is a unionized organization offering excellent wages and benefits packages. Entry-level employees are supported while working toward a red seal certification or becoming a ticketed journeyman. Applicants can apply at nelsonroofing.com/employment-opportunities1.
For more information, call 604.485.0100.
