Even the best-planned construction or renovation project can come with surprises when it comes to rooftop components. A mechanical contractor may discover that an additional roof curb or curb adapter is needed. A plumber or electrician might need another pipe cap package. An HVAC installer may realize that a necessary equipment support wasn’t included in the original order.
Whatever the situation, discovering that a rooftop product is missing in the middle of a job can create a serious problem. Crews are already on-site, cranes may have been scheduled, and other trades may be waiting for work to be completed. Waiting days or weeks for a relatively small but necessary component just isn’t an option.
At The Pate Company, we know how important it is to have rooftop products readily available when they’re needed. That’s why we maintain an inventory of frequently needed products in common sizes – including roof curbs, pipe penetration products and equipment supports – to allow contractors to get what they need quickly and keep their projects moving.
When One Missing Product Can Hold Up a Job
Construction schedules depend on many different people, products and trades coming together at the right time. When one component isn’t available, the effects can extend well beyond the contractor who needs it.
For example, an HVAC contractor installing a rooftop unit may discover that the required curb isn’t on site, bringing the project to a screeching halt – no matter how many workers are on site and ready to go, and whether or not an expensive crane is standing by waiting to raise the unit to the roof.
That delay can leave workers waiting, require additional trips to the jobsite and potentially interfere with roofing or other scheduled work. The problem becomes especially significant when the project is working against a firm completion date.
These situations aren’t always the result of poor planning. Equipment can change during a project, field conditions can be different from what was expected, components can be damaged or misplaced, and a contractor may simply discover an additional need once installation begins.
Having commonly needed products already manufactured and ready to ship (or pick up) provides contractors with another option when these unexpected situations arise.
Pate Stock Roof Curbs for Common Applications
Roof curbs are critical to rooftop equipment installation, as they provide a leak-free transition from the equipment to the interior of the building. Because they are required for so many rooftop applications, they are also a component that can hold up a job.
Fortunately, Pate maintains a selection of stock roof curbs in popular sizes, which can be shipped out in just 1 to 3 days – or picked up at our Lombard, Illinois (near Chicago) facility once your order is confirmed. So instead of waiting for a curb to be manufactured, you can just check our stock selection to see whether the size you need is already available.
Of course, not every project need is for a standard product. Equipment dimensions and other project specifications can all create unique requirements. And for those needs, Pate has you covered, too. As a custom manufacturer, we also specialize in engineered-to-order products for applications that require specialized sizes, materials or configurations. Our stock products provide a faster option when standard sizes are already available, but our custom solutions can meet any need you might encounter.
More Than Just Stock Roof Curbs
In addition to roof curbs, our stock products also include equipment supports and pipe penetration products, which are ideal for times when these critical rooftop components are needed on short notice.
Equipment supports play an important role in properly mounting and supporting rooftop equipment and utilities. Pate’s stock equipment supports are available for a wide range of applications, including condensing units, duct and pipe supports, fan supports and other rooftop equipment. Different configurations and lengths are stocked to accommodate a range of common project requirements.
Pipe penetrations present another common rooftop challenge for a number of different trades. Plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems all often require piping or conduit to pass through the roof. These openings need products designed to accommodate the penetrations while maintaining a reliable, watertight, weather-resistant roof deck.
Pate’s stock pipe penetration products give contractors options for addressing these situations without needing to wait for a custom product. In addition, products like our pipe cap packages have the flexibility to accommodate multiple pipe penetrations, and come with graduated boots to fit multiple pipe diameters.
How Contractors can Take Control of Product Availability
There are many causes of project delays – things like weather and labor shortages – that are beyond anyone’s control. But one thing contractors can control is working with a partner like Pate to get them the products they need when they need them.
As mentioned above, a single missing product can stop multiple trades in their tracks and create unnecessary and expensive project delays. Then the administrative work begins to identify the needed component, find a supplier, determine availability, place the order and coordinate delivery.
A readily available stock program can’t eliminate every project delay, but it can simplify one important part of that process. When the required product is already manufactured, contractors simply need to focus on getting it to the jobsite rather than waiting for the manufacturing process to begin.
Fast Shipping Helps Keep Projects Moving
At Pate, we guarantee that orders of 10 pieces or fewer from our stock selection will ship within just 1 to 3 days – and expedited shipping is available upon request. For customers in the Chicago area, orders can also be placed for pickup at our Lombard facility the following day. In an industry where every hour matters, that can save days or even weeks!
Beyond emergencies, contractors who know they are working with common product sizes can incorporate stock items into project planning from the beginning. Doing so reduces lead-time concerns and provides greater flexibility when coordinating rooftop work. And when an unexpected need does come up, you’ll already have the solution.
Stock Products Backed by Pate Quality and Experience
With Pate, fast delivery doesn’t require contractors to sacrifice on the quality or reliability of the products they install. Our stock products are manufactured with the same focus on durable construction, long-term reliability and dependable rooftop performance as our custom products.
Contractors who work with us also have access to the product knowledge and industry experience we’ve developed from working with mechanical, electrical, plumbing and roofing professionals for decades. That experience is useful when the solution is as simple as selecting one of our standard products, but it really comes into play when you need an engineered-to-order rooftop product that involves specialized equipment, unusual dimensions or other unique requirements.
Keep Your Rooftop Project Moving with Pate
Unexpected needs are part of construction, but they don’t have to become lengthy delays. With stock roof curbs, equipment supports and pipe penetration products available for fast shipment, Pate gives contractors another resource when a critical rooftop component is needed quickly. Whether you’re planning ahead or responding to an unexpected need in the field, readily available products can help keep crews working and projects moving forward.
Browse our complete selection of in-stock rooftop products to see what we have available. If you aren’t sure which product is appropriate for your application or need a custom solution, contact The Pate Company to discuss your project with our team.
