"Small
enough to appreciate...
Large enough to accommodate you"
A
family-owned and operated business since
1934 with a reputation for quality workmanship. Matthews
Roofing has grown to become one of the Premier Roofing
Contractors in the Chicago Metropolitan area. Matthews
Roofing specializes in existing commercial, industrial
and residential roofing. |
 |
Almost
70 Years of “Overhead Protection”
“ Where Quality & Dependability Has Been A
Tradition Since 1934” |
Our
philosophy is simple: Provide our customers with the
highest quality roofing and the best service at an
affordable price.
|
| We
want to offer you only the best material, the best workmanship
and the best people. By giving you only the best we
can firmly stand behind every job we do. We accomplish
this by: |
 |
Using only the highest top-rated materials
available. We use the best to give you the best. |
| Our
workmen are trained to offer you superior
craftsmanship and integrity in each roof system we install. |
 |
 |
Our
account reps are trained and skilled
to bring you only honest and accurate proposals. Our
staff of experienced consultants is capable of designing
the best roof system to meet your specific commercial,
industrial or residential needs.
Our
proposals are easy to read and accurate in every detail.
There are no hidden costs or surprises. |
We
create long-term relationships with
our clients through our commitment to excellence and
our expertise. We stand by our work, and as a result
our clients count on us when they need us.
Lowest
price doesn’t mean highest quality. Matthews
Roofing has never been known to be the least
expensive roofing contractor. Unlike many start-up
companies who work out of the back of their pick-up
trucks or out of their garages at home, our office
and warehouse is located within a commercial property
district. |
 |
 |
At
Matthews Roofing you are our first
priority, and we will do all we can to offer you only
the best roofing services. We consider it a privilege
to serve each customer and remedy your roofing needs.
We truly are…
“Small
enough to appreciate you…Large enough to accommodate
you”
While
our methods and materials have changed since our company’s
founding in 1934, our commitment to quality and service
has not.
|
With
a capacity to run 10 full-time production crews, we
can more than accommodate any of your current roofing
needs. Our production crews are each headed by an
experienced and skilled foreman. Each crew is fully
trained and is equipped to handle a complete re-roofing
project from beginning to end.
Our
service department crews are specialists in the repair
and patching of older roofs. The problems are solved
quickly and efficiently.
Our
company is supported by a full time, experienced office
staff. Our facility is centrally located in Chicago,
Illinois with approx 55,000 square feet of headquarters,
shop, and warehouse buildings. |
 |
Our
prices are fair for the high quality of the work delivered.
Matthews
Roofing Company is bonded and insured by:
- CNA
insurance.
- State
of Illinois roofing Contractors License No. 104-000191
-
City of Chicago Home repair License No. 5785
-
City of Chicago Limited Business License No. 5786
These
are some of the services we provide: |
 |
Roofing
removal of most types, for all various roof sizes.
Roof
deck replacement, including all types of wood, metal,
gypsum and tectum.
|
| Installation
of many types of roof insulation, including lightweight
poured in place gypsum and tapered. |
 |
 |
Installation
of, built-up, modified bitumen, EPDM, TPO, PVC, and
all styles of shingles. |
| Roof
accessories, such as skylights, roof hatches, rail curbs,
and tuckpointing. |
 |
 |
Surface
Coatings. |
Matthews
Then and Now.
In
the early 1930’s an ambitious young man was
hard at work driving his bread truck on his daily
route. He was doing his best to keep food on the table
for his young family. But in his heart he knew he
wanted more. Coming from a family of roof laborers
he knew roofing and he knew it well. He had the experience
to install a good roof, one of high quality and expert
workmanship.
|
 |
 |
Matthews
Roofing was founded by Elmer W. Matthews in the fall
of 1934. Elmer W. Matthews was a hard working, dedicated
man, who put his best efforts into giving Chicago the
best roofing services available. Confidence in the quality
of his work and the integrity of his business methods
soon earned Matthews Roofing one of the highest reputations
in Chicago. |
| In
the early 1930’s material for roofs were put on
top of low-sloped and steep-sloped wood roof decks.
The materials used for flat roofs were made out of organic
rag felts, and the glue to laminate the sheets together
was made out of coal tar pitch. This in turn was covered
with either slag or gravel surfacing. The equipment
used to hoist the materials up were made up of a hand-powered
pulley wheel and beam system. This system is still in
use today on certain small jobs. The fuel that was used
to heat the coal tar was kerosene. |
 |
In
the 1940’s jobs were scarce and so was any new
technology for roofing systems. Coal tar pitch was
the roof system of the era and little was known about
anything else. Each roof system was created with the
materials available at the time. Even though modern
roof technology was limited or next to none, these
roofs in the past sometimes lasted for up to 40 years.
In
the 1950’s new construction methods came in
the way of new types of roof decking, and dead level
roof systems. Metal roof decking and Gypsum roof decks
were more prevalent and required a roof insulation
overlay. This was a cost effective way of construction
back then and today. The type of insulation used in
this era was of a low performance type and was made
of many different organic materials such as vermiculite,
wood fiber. The roofing material also changed from
rag felt content to a paper pulp material. This again
was a cost saving method that lowered the life cycle
of these roofs. The bitumen used for inter-ply adhesion
and waterproofing was also substantially reduced in
quality.
|
 |
In
the 1960’s the normal roof system consisted of
three or four ply of asphalt with paper felts with either
asphalt or gravel surfacing. Perlite and wood fiber
insulation was the norm. Roof mounted HVAC units started
to aggravate the low slope market. Interior roof drains
and expansion joints were on the rise. Roofs would typically
last for about 20 years or less. With the invention,
and purchasing of material handling, hoisting, and installation
equipment Matthews Roofing was able to increase productivity. |
| In
the 1970’s roof systems prior to this lacked the
longevity of the past, and other systems began to emerge.
In about 1974 the oil embargo added to the push for
something new other than oil based bitumen roofing.
This included Modified Bitumen, EPDM and Thermoplastics.
In efforts to conserve our natural resources, new higher
R-value insulation came on the market. Tapered insulation
is also used now more than ever to help alleviate the
problems found with dead level roof systems. The United
States government banned all asbestos roof systems and
fiberglass replaced both asbestos and paper felt. About
then we began to outgrow our facilities and built a
larger warehouse and office space of approx 55,000 sq.
ft. Our first customized computer system carried out
many of our clerical duties. Our roofing crews and fleet
tripled in size to 20 units. |
 |
 |
In
the early 1980’s inflation took its toll on contractors,
where only the best could survive. It had become common
to roof over existing systems many times over adding
to the reduction in roof life. Many larger rubber- roofing
manufacturers started to increase their warranties.
Roofing products and their methods of installation continued
to improve. Aesthetics started to become popular with
many new and older methods of roofing. The United States
government became more involved in regulations in the
construction industry. These government agencies including
DOT, EPA, OSHA, help protect customers, construction
workers, and the environment. Major Cities and villages
require contractors to abide by building codes. Permits
and Licensing are also required. Matthews Roofing continued
to keep up with the latest technologies and methods
of installations. Roof tear off and replacements were
specified more than ever before. |
| In
the 1990’s materials and specifications from manufacturers
continued to improve. Roofing suppliers were giving
superior service to keep contractors on schedule. Single
ply systems, either ballasted, mechanically attached
or fully adhered were taking over the marketplace. Insulation
R-value increased with as little as 2.7 creating an
R-value of 20. More penetrations found their way to
the flat roof tops including but not limited to: Exhaust
systems, expansion joints, HVAC units, plumbing pipes
and roof drains, satellite dishes, grease traps, roof
deck pavers, observation decks, and green roofs. The
new roof system membranes can more easily accommodate
expansion and contractions and roof deck deflections.
Matthews Roofing has been certified by many of the top
manufacturers in the world today. |
 |
In
our current decade of 2000 Matthews Roofing is still
the original family owned and operated company. Three
generations of satisfied customers have kept our reputation
strong. We have almost 70 years of experience in the
roofing industry. It is with this experience and combined
knowledge of the industry’s constantly changing
technology, that we can provide to our clients with
long lasting, and cost effective solutions to their
roofing needs. A well established, and secure company,
Matthews Roofing is there for the long term commitment
to all of your roofing needs, from now and in the
years to come!
|
