Illinois State University Student Housing Features New Tilcor Roofs

By David Mills, Vice President of Tilcor.

Multiple companies join together to install stone coated steel roofing that will withstand midwest winters.

In the summer of 2019, two prominent student housing buildings at Illinois State University (ISU) in Normal, Illinois were reroofed.  The Young America Realty Group and Richards Building Supply worked with Tilcor Roofing on the project.  Tilcor is a manufacturer of an innovative and versatile stone coated steel roofing system that provides long-lasting durable roofs that can withstand the elements.  The roofs were capped with Tilcor CF Shingle Charcoal Blend.  

Tilcor has a knack for integrating their roofing system into a variety of different environments, including a buzzing college campus.  In order to withstand the harsh midwest winters, it is important that durability, sustainability, and energy efficiency are optimal.  Tilcor is known for providing products that not only meet those needs, but can also protect buildings, and help keep energy, service, and maintenance costs low.

Although the campus buildings are five stories high, the roofs stand out compared to most other buildings’ roofs on campus.  Having roofs that fit into the current architecture yet show the beauty of a strong roof was critical.  The hues of grey, black, and sand color streaks made from Tilcor’s high-quality stone coated steel panels clearly contribute to the timeless vibe of the student housing buildings.

Mike Fillliman, Outside Sales Manager at Richards Building Supply, is responsible for recommending roof systems to contractors, building owners, and architects.  He helps them find solutions for whatever type of construction project they’re undertaking.  He was approached by Chris Danielson, the Tilcor Rocky Mountain/Midwest Sales Manager, with Tilcor high-quality stone coated steel panels in hand.  Mike believed Tilcor had, “made a lot of changes that [he] felt were going to be a little bit more appealing to consumers and to contractors, because of the way the product would be installed.”  

Richards Supply started bringing Tilcor to more of their customers and found that the product was going to be a good match for the work they were doing.  They began looking for opportunities to use Tilcor and came across the project with Young America, a property management firm that largely serves the student housing on the ISU campus.  The roof system Young America previously used was installed 10 years ago and was already failing.

Mike had worked with Andy Netzer, General Manager of Young America Realty on several projects over the years.  When Andy told Mike he wanted a roof that would last the next 25-35 years without leaking, Mike knew Tilcor was the solution.  

Andy was skeptical at first.  Even though the asphalt shingles on their several hundred properties that they manage were failing, he asked Mike, “Why would we try something we don’t know anything about…?”  However, when he learned about Tilcor from Mike, he realized their products were exactly what they needed, both short and long term.  They would save on the tear-off in the short term and they would also save on patching and reroofing, decreasing the number of time roofers would need to repair the roof long term.  After the install, Andy proudly said, “Now that they’re [Tilcor panels] on, they look great.  We have a ton of confidence that this roof will go the distance for us.”

As for the hands-on roofer experience, Jim Scott, owner and operator of Lilly Construction, in Le Roy, Illinois has nothing but good things to say about the Tilcor roofing system.  He claims the Tilcor panels are very durable and he doesn’t have to worry about damaging the panels while walking on them.  Once Jim started installing Tilcor, he said, “There’s no reason to go back to the other types of manufacturers…”  

Jim has received many compliments about the roof on ISU’s campus.  Although the roofs on are five stories up, he says the roofs still look striking and people can see the definition from the road.  After leaving Tilcor projects, Jim said, “I know I’m giving the client a good product...”

Chris and Mike approached this project as a jumping-off point with Young America and the town of Normal and ISU for future projects.  Sustainability, energy efficiency, and the recyclability of the product are all important issues that people are concerned with, especially when it comes to construction in their community.  Tilcor is excited about its continued success and partnership with Richards Building Supply and Young America.  

Are you interested in offering your customers a superior product with unbeatable performance? Contact Tilcor today to learn more and request a product sample.