Roofing Systems: What are They and How to Choose

In the construction or renovation of a commercial building, one question that always comes up among builders and contractors is “what type of roofing system should we use?” This, of course, is a valuable question, as the roof is an important part of any facility. In regards to commercial buildings, there are a variety of […]

Rebuilding Chicago’s Architectural and Cultural Heritage

We are proud to announce that two recent projects we worked on have won Chicago Landmark Awards. According to the City of Chicago, these prestigious awards recognize companies whose work on landmark building has contributed to historic preservation, revitalization, and to investing in Chicago’s architectural and cultural heritage. Lorado Taft Midway Studios For the first […]

Environmentally-Conscious Construction

In the building and construction industry, the past decade has seen an increase in environmental consciousness and the impact buildings have on our environment. As roofing experts with over 125 years of experience, we often get questions about the different programs and codes that apply to earth-conscious building. One of the most familiar and largest […]

Our Work with La Rabida Children’s Hospital

As roofing professionals, we are consistently working on new and complex projects in the Chicago area. Recently, we completed work on the new outpatient clinic at La Rabida Children’s Hospital, located adjacent to Lake Michigan. The hospital was not only looking to build an addition to the current facility, but also to renovate some existing […]

Scaffolding: Keeping Workers and Pedestrians Safe

Scaffolding is something you have come across whenever you have passed a construction site or building under remodeling—it’s used by construction companies and roofing companies, like ourselves, to protect pedestrians who are passing or entering the buildings, as well as the employees working on the construction. When it comes to the safety of workers and […]

Innovative Roof Coatings from Knickerbocker

Spring cleaning is a common practice and one that also applies to industry. As the weather becomes milder and warmer, it’s a good time to begin taking a look at your industrial and commercial asphalt roofs. At Knickerbocker, we encourage all of our clients to invest in a complete maintenance program to increase the lifespan […]

High Winds and Roofs: How to Stay Safe

Throughout the year, home and business owners should remain vigilant about the integrity of their roofs in the presence of strong winds. This is especially true for those of us in the Chicago area, as well as those living in hurricane zones. Certain factors in relation to your roof’s construction can lead to higher risks, […]

Fall Protection Standards for When Safety Comes First

What’s a number one rule for all roofing contractors? Safety comes first. As contractors face many hazards while working on a roof, whether due to the steep slope of the roof, extensive rooftop equipment crowding the roof, or hazardous fall exposures, it is necessary that workers take certain precautions on the roof. Here at Knickerbocker, […]

Solar Power Systems: A Hot Energy Source

As the world becomes more concerned with energy efficiency and greener practices, solar power is thriving. In fact, the third quarter of 2013 saw a 35% increase in solar power in the U.S. over the same period in 2012, and it was the second largest quarter in the history of the U.S. solar market, as […]

4 Tips to Winterize Your Roof

Summer has quickly slipped into fall and now here are the winter months. Preparing for winter should start now, so that you avoid any serious issues when the depths of winter set in and it’s either too cold or too snowy to deal with building issues. The roof is the one of the first components […]

The Truth Behind Roofing Insulation

When it comes to your building or structure, there is usually a checklist of requirements needed for the roofing. One in particular that comes to mind? The roof’s insulation, which is an important feature year-round. When it comes to the roofing assembly, it is important to have a high thermal value, which is a calculation […]

Moving on Up…to the Rooftop

What goes better with summer than outdoor rooftops? Whether you lie out on the roof of your apartment building on the weekends catching sunrays, head to the nearest rooftop bar after work, or dine in a restaurant that has opened its outdoor seating and check out the skyline, you will be heading up to the […]

Tips for Evaluating a Roofing Contractor’s Safety Performance

One of the most important steps when choosing a roofing contractor is to assess their safety performance. Every professional roofing organization should have a program in place for training workers and maintaining conformance to OSHA safety guidelines. In addition, they must carry both liability and workers’ compensation insurance to protect you, their business, and their […]

Embracing New Standards of Energy Efficiency

According to one study, about 48% of all energy produced in the U.S. goes toward heating, cooling, and providing power to buildings. The use of more efficient building materials, adopting sustainable construction practices, and installing more efficient building systems has the potential to significantly reduce energy consumption, as well as greenhouse gas emissions. Here in […]

Celebrating Earth Day with a Green Roof and Knickerbocker

With Earth Day 2013 here, we thought it is the perfect time to dive deeper into climate change and the real value of green roofs. In case you are not aware, each April 22nd more than a billion people across the globe take part in Earth Day. It is an opportunity for everyone to acknowledge […]

Tile & Slate – Natural and Sustainable Roofing Options

Are you looking for a steep-slope roofing solution that offers a stately aesthetic appeal, requires minimal maintenance, and lasts practically forever? Then two traditional building materials, tile and slate, both used by craftsmen over many centuries for constructing long-lasting roofs, might be the right choice for you. Roofing tiles, made of kiln-fired clay ore, exhibit […]

Weathering the Roofing Storms

Rain, snow, high wind. There are many types of storms that can hit at any point, and your building’s structure needs to be able to withstand these strong conditions and any potential debris. More than necessary, then, is to ensure your roof is sturdy enough in these storms, or can easily be repaired to ward […]

We are at the Center of your Sheet Metal Roofing Project

Take a stroll down State Street in downtown Chicago and pause in front of Chicago landmark, the Sullivan Center. What do you see? Surely, a variety of restaurants and shops that constitute the ground level of the enormous building. Look a bit deeper, and you’ll notice the ornate architecture that has helped solidify the Sullivan […]

Sustainability and Roofing

What does sustainability mean to the roofing industry? Seems like a simple question, but it’s not so simple to answer. Different roof types impact the environment in different ways. When sustainability in roofing first became relevant, the thought immediately jumped to green roofs, which provide rainwater management while protecting the underlying materials, insulating the building, […]

The Importance of a Proper Roof Maintenance Program

Have you checked out your roof recently? Now that the fall season is upon us, and winter is right around the corner, now is a good time to have your roof properly inspected and ensure that any potential issues are identified prior to them becoming actual problems. As professional roofing contractors, Knickerbocker understands the utmost […]

Go Green…with a Garden Roof

Gardens and roofs. Have you ever thought of putting the two together? In current years, garden roofs have become extremely popular, especially in larger cities such as Chicago, and buildings have seen much value in them. Recently, there has been a lot of political support for garden roofs here in Chicago—due to the positive environmental […]

Tips on Hiring a Roofing Contractor

Are you getting a new roof? If the answer is yes, then you have landed on the right page. With over 125 years working in the roofing industry, we consider ourselves masters in roofing. We can help point you in the right direction as you determine your roofing needs. Here are five things to consider […]

Setting High Standards for Over 125 Years

1886 was certainly a busy year. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated in New York. The Hall-Heroult process for refining aluminum was created. Germany’s Karl Benz received a patent for the first gasoline-powered automobile. Most importantly, in our eyes at least, Knickerbocker Roofing and Paving was established. As our name implies, we were built from […]