I'm looking into getting a Decra roof installed, and I'm seeing some contractors advertise specifically as "Decra-certified," while others just say they're experienced with metal roofing in general. Um, does it really matter if they're officially certified by Decra, or is general metal roofing experience enough? Kinda torn here, you know, between paying extra for the certification or saving a bit with someone who's just generally experienced. Curious what others have done and how it turned out.
"Um, does it really matter if they're officially certified by Decra, or is general metal roofing experience enough?"
Honestly, I get why you're torn. I've seen this come up a lot with Decra roofs specifically. Here's the thing—Decra isn't exactly your typical metal roof. It's stone-coated steel, and the installation process has some quirks that regular metal roofers might not be familiar with. I've heard stories from folks who went with general metal roofing contractors and ended up with issues like improper fastening or leaks down the line because the installer wasn't familiar with Decra's specific guidelines.
On the flip side, I know a couple of people who went with experienced metal roofers (not officially certified) and had zero problems. But these were guys who had done multiple Decra installs before and could show references or photos of past jobs. So, if you're leaning toward someone without official certification, I'd definitely ask for references specifically related to Decra roofs—not just metal roofs in general.
From my perspective, the certification isn't just marketing fluff. Decra-certified installers have gone through training directly from the manufacturer, meaning they're up-to-date on best practices and warranty requirements. Speaking of warranties... that's another thing to consider. Some manufacturers can get picky about honoring warranties if the installation wasn't done by someone they officially recognize. Might wanna double-check Decra's warranty fine print on that one.
I get wanting to save a few bucks—roofing ain't cheap—but personally, I'd lean toward someone who's certified or at least has solid proof they've successfully installed Decra roofs before. A roof is one of those things you really don't wanna gamble on... trust me, been there, done that, learned my lesson the hard way.
Totally get why you're unsure—went through this myself recently. A few quick thoughts:
- Certification isn't everything, but Decra roofs do have some unique quirks.
- If your roofer has solid references specifically for Decra installs, that's probably enough peace of mind.
- Definitely double-check warranty terms though... manufacturers can be picky.
You're asking the right questions, so trust your gut. Good luck with the roof—I know it's stressful!
Good points overall, but I'd be cautious about relying too heavily on references alone. Decra roofs have some pretty specific installation guidelines—like the fastening patterns and underlayment requirements—that even experienced roofers sometimes overlook. I've seen a couple of installs where minor oversights voided warranty coverage later on. Certification might not be everything, true, but it does at least confirm the roofer's familiarity with manufacturer specs. Might be worth reconsidering its importance...
That's a fair point about the warranty stuff. When we had our Decra roof put in a couple years back, we went with a roofer who wasn't officially certified but had done several Decra installs before. He seemed confident enough, and honestly, the roof turned out fine—no issues yet. But looking back, I realize we probably got lucky because he didn't mention anything about specific fastening patterns or underlayment requirements. If I were doing it again, I'd probably lean toward someone certified just for peace of mind.
