Using Roof Hugger helps business stay open during re-roofing

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White Cap Supply stores operate 10 hours a day, serving contractors who depend on uninterrupted access to materials. When the Tampa, Fla., location needed a new roof, shutting down for weeks wasn’t an option.

The building’s aging and previously coated, trapezoidal standing seam metal roof had reached the end of its service life. The owner turned to Steven Pinto, owner of SteelCor in Sarasota, Fla., who specializes in commercial metal structures. Pinto proposed a solution tailored to Florida’s challenging weather: a Roof Hugger metal-over-metal retrofit system.

To execute the project, Pinto partnered with Bryan Stephens, veteran roofer and owner of AWR All Weather Roofing (www.awrfflorida.com), with offices in Orlando, Sarasota and Phoenix. Together, they recommended installing Roof Hugger sub-purlins over the existing roof panels, an approach that preserved building operations, saved cost and added structural resilience.

The 52,300-square-foot project was secured in a competitive bid.

“One of the key reasons we won this project was our ability to complete the re-roof without disrupting White Cap’s daily operations,” Pinto says. “By using Roof Huggers, we kept the store fully operational and provided an extra layer of protection for the building and its clients.”

Stephens listed the key benefits of this system as presented to the owner:

50-year-plus long life, new code compliant, 24-gauge Galvalume roof
No tear-off costs or landfill fees
Continuous protection of the building and contents during construction
Lower labor costs and minimal debris
Added hurricane resistance through the double-layer roof system.
Thermal break and insulation benefits reducing heat transfer

In partnership with SteepCor Buildings, AWR installed 52,300 square feet of McElroy Metal, 24-inch, 24-gauge Galvalume MasterLok standing seam trapezoidal panels. The project was completed in just three weeks.

“The original roof was well over 20 years old, coated and rusting through in places,” Stephens says. “Roof Hugger allowed us to avoid unnecessary tear-off, cut time and give the owner a more durable energy-efficient system custom-fitted to the existing profile.

About Roof Hugger

Roof Hugger notched sub-purlins enable replacement of new metal roof panels over an old metal roof. They can be used over screw-down or standing seam and corrugated roof systems and can accommodate new standing seam or screw-down panels. Roof Huggers also maintain or improve the integrity of original design loadings and in many cases, increase the existing purlin capacity; achieve "thermal break" air space between old and new roof sheets; allow for optional insulation; and are laboratory and load tested — with certified load charts. For more information on metal-over-metal retrofit re-roofing, contact Roof Hugger at 800-771-1711 or visit www.roofhugger.com.

About AWR All Weather Roofing

AWR All Weather Roofing services the entire state of Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arizona. Bryan Stephens is licensed as both a roofing and general contractor in Florida, Louisiana and Arizona. He has been in roofing and general contracting since 1995. He specializes in metal roofing of all types and is a HAAG Engineered certified Commercial Roof inspector. His credentials include Modern Metal Certified Installer, GAF Master Elite Installer, Tile Roof Institute Certified, IBHS Fortified Certified – Hurricane designation, Infrared Level One, Part 107 Drone Certified. He spent years as an adjuster and umpire for several large insurance companies and specializes in assisting his clients with insurance claims negotiations when needed.

About SteelCor Buildings

SteelCor designs, fabricates and erects steel structures throughout the United States. Its work spans a range of applications including - aviation, equestrian, commercial, worship and athletic - in addition to many other building solutions. For more information, call 844-699-0700.

General Contractor: SteelCor Buildings, Sarasota, Fla. ([SteelCorBuildings.com]SteelCorBuildings.com)

Installer: AWR All Weather Roofing, Longwood, Fla. ([awrflorida.com]awrflorida.com)

Sub-Purlins: Roof Hugger, Lutz, Fla. (www.roofhugger.com)

Roof Panels Supplier: McElroy Metal (www.mcelroy.com)

LOCATION

Tamps, FL, United States

MANUFACTURER

Roof Hugger LLC

SIZE

52,300 sf

DATE COMPLETED

October 2025