Roofer profile: Ian Wilson, Northwest Roof Tile and Metal, LLC

By Rocky Mountain Snow Guards.

It was a head-scratcher. A graduate student 14-building apartment complex at Princeton University in New Jersey was experiencing multiple roofing issues.

There were some design flaws on the buildings, including a steep pitch to less than a 3/12 pitch transition that was then attempted to install an off-ridge vent for intake… which then continuously leaked. The 3/12 pitch section with interlocking flat tile profile was not well suited for the low pitch. To solve the problem, two companies worked together. Northwest Roof Tile and Metal, LLC out of Houston, Texas was brought in to consult on the challenging problem, and Mattco Roofing out of College Station, Texas did the installation work on the replacement roofing system.

Ian Wilson, president of the Roofing Solutions Group, Inc. and Northwest Roof Tile and Metal, answers questions about the project that was recognized as “Most Impressive Bar Style Snow Retention System” in the 2024 Show Us Our Snow Guards Contest sponsored by Rocky Mountain Snow Guards.

Q: Let’s start with defining Northwest Roof Tile and Metal.

A: Our company has been in business for 25 years. We manufacture multiple profiles of metal roofing and custom sheet metal. We also distribute clay tile and slate throughout the United States. We work closely with numerous roofing companies to provide onsite or factory-produced standing seam systems.

Q: So how did your team get involved in the Princeton University project?

A: We were brought in as consultants to help diagnose the problem with the flat clay tile roof. After investigating the situation, I advised them to look at replacing it with a standing seam roof and a snow retention system to solve their problems.

Q: And, did they follow your advice?

A: Yes. The Mattco Roofing team removed all the clay tile and salvaged it for future projects. Then they installed a new 2” mechanically attached standing seam system. They added the S-5!® ColorGard bar system with U clamps from Rocky Mountain Snow Guards as the snow retention system. That was critical for the apartment areas where they have so many students walking around the structures.

Q: Why did you specify the snow retention products through Rocky Mountain Snow Guards?

A: We’ve been in business for a long time and our company works on projects all across the nation. Anytime snow retention systems are needed we rely on Rocky Mountain Snow Guards. They have been consistently exceptional in technical support and service.