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Tag Archive: skylights

  1. Natural Sunlight Enhances Interior Spaces

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    The art of roofing combines skill, experience, and insight into each building’s form and Natural Sunlight Enhances Interior Spacesfunction. The skills required to install a high-quality and long lasting roof also include expert sheet metal fabrication and installation. At Knickerbocker, we are experts in all types of roofing installations including taking on the challenges of designers wishing to create productive and visually stimulating interior environments.

    A recent addition to building design is the concept of “daylighting.” By controlling the admission of direct and diffuse sunlight, there is less dependence on electric lighting during daytime hours which reduces energy use. With the sun as the primary source of daylight, it seems like an obvious choice to consider adding skylights. Skylights have been used for years to let natural light penetrate the interior of a building. Natural light enhances human health and performance by affecting the body’s circadian system. This has been shown to improve mood and perception while also encouraging the body to produce Vitamin D. Today’s modern skylights offer many positive benefits.

    Combining the use of skylights with daylight-responsive lighting controls offers the highest energy saving options. Many building owners and corporations are installing daylighting systems and realizing large savings on their electric bills. Walmart, for example, incorporates daylighting systems in every facility they are building or converting. Skylights allow them to use light sensors to dim automatically or turn off the lights during the day reducing electricity demand during peak hours. They estimate annual savings of approximately 250 million kwh.

    The addition of skylights requires reliable contractors who understand the processes involved in this type of installation. Once the roof is penetrated the skylight must be sealed properly to prevent water or air leaks. The roofing around the skylights must be secure, and proper maintenance must be performed to ensure long-lasting results of the whole system.

    Knowing the ins and outs of the industry, our team understands how to get the job done safely and effectively. As architectural and ornamental design experts, Knickerbocker’s extensive roofing capabilities enable us to enhance the atmosphere of the inside of the building while also reinforcing the outside. If you are considering adding a daylighting system and skylights, contact Knickerbocker to let the sun shine in!

  2. Honored By the Recognition We Have Received as a Leading Contractor in the Roofing, Sheet Metal and Waterproofing Industries

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    Here at Knickerbocker our progress reflects our birth in 1886. The awards that we have received over the years ultimately recognize us as a leading contractor in the roofing, sheet metal and waterproofing industries.

    Many industries, including our own, have changed throughout the years, but our company’s mission remains strong: to provide outstanding solutions to our customers by offering quality products installed by skilled professionals. At Knickerbocker Roofing and Paving, employers and employees alike consistently strive to maintain our leadership role in the industry.

    With that said, we are proud of our record throughout the years and honored to be recognized for our accomplishments. The awards received include:

    • Project Awards
    • Industry Awards and Certificates
    • Manufacturer Awards and Certificates
    • Safety Awards and Recognition
    • Charity Awards and Certificates

    Here is a brief overview of each category:

    Landmark Preservation Awards
    The ability to restore historic structures is a skill held by only a few companies. Because we are one of those companies who understand the importance of preserving history and we have the capabilities to do so, we are often called in to work on projects with historic and cultural significance. Three projects we have been involved with have been recognized with Chicago Landmark Awards for restoring, reusing, and promoting the city of Chicago’s historic architecture. Landmark Awards have been won with:

    Lorado Taft Midway Studios: This challenging project consisted of small, low sloping roofs with skylights. All existing roofing material was removed and replaced with new Vermont slate, architectural shingles, and copper metal valleys to restore it to the original design. A deteriorated cupola was rebuilt and replaced. The building also houses a working art studio where we installed 12 custom fabricated skylights to enhance the studio with natural sunlight.

    Indian Boundary Field House: Restoration of the fire-damaged building consisted of removing and replacing the multi-colored, multi-width, rescinding slate roof along with new copper sheet metal flashings, valleys, gutters, and downspouts. The challenge of working with multi-color rescinding slate requires skill and expertise to properly install the large slate at the eaves with progressively smaller slate tiles installed toward the top ridge.

    Monroe Building: The steep slope on this occupied office building required exceptional skill and planning to avoid major disruptions to traffic and pedestrians. After carefully removing the existing roof we installed a custom-manufactured, two-tone, green-glazed Ludowici tile with 20 oz copper gutters and flashings. The complex nature of this project included installing a vertical and horizontal batten system and a 5,000 square foot copper gutter system. The final effect is stunning.

    Industry Awards and Certificates
    Knickerbocker Roofing and Paving has won the prestigious National Roofing Contractors Association Gold Circle Award – one which recognizes workmanship excellence. Additionally (and closer to our Chicago region home) we’ve been repeatedly acknowledged by the Chicago Roofing Contractors Association, whose members include: contractors, manufacturers, distributors, manufacturer representatives, consultants and others industry professionals, who provide leadership for the industry in this region.

    Manufacturer Awards and Certificates
    For 2014, Knickerbocker received the Partner in Quality Award from Firestone Building Products. This award recognizes those contractors who meet requirements for installation excellence and performance of qualified materials within the roofing industry. We are extremely proud to be listed as a premier roofing contractor.

    Knickerbocker Roofing and Paving recently received the 2015 Firestone Building Products Master Contractor Award. Although this isn’t the first time we’ve received the recognition as a best roofing contractor, it is the most recent of the various awards we’ve received over the years. According to Tim Dunn, president of Firestone Building Products, “The annual Master Contractor Program recognizes our best contractor firms dedicated to installing roofing systems that help commercial buildings achieve long-term performance. We’re proud to have offered this award for the last 28 years to recognize our trusted contractor partners who are some of the best in the industry.” Other manufacturer awards and certificates that we’ve received include the “Ludowici Crown Installer” (Knickerbocker was one of only three companies to achieve this designation in the industry) as well as “Approved Carlisle Applicator of Sure-Seal Elastomeric Systems.” These are just two examples of the additional esteemed awards Knickerbocker has proudly accepted.

    Safety Awards and Recognition
    Our team takes safety extremely seriously and, as a direct result, we have been frequently recognized for our commitment to safety in what we do. A part of our safety program is the annual safety training program for all of our supervisors and field employees. We commonly share the company philosophy of “safety first.” In fact, many times over the years, our safety program has been recognized by organizations like the American Subcontractors Association (ASA –Chicago).
    Charity Awards and Recognition
    Last, but certainly not least, our company and employees have received awards and recognition by charity organizations for service to our local community. We’ve been honored for our contributions and service to the DuPage Habitat for Humanity, the Leukemia Research Foundation, and the cities of Harvey and Chicago, as well as other communities and organizations in the area.

    Check out the photo gallery on our website which includes a display of several of the many awards and certificates Knickerbocker Roofing and Paving has received over the years. We’re honored and proud to share our accomplishments with you and our community!