Why We Keep Fabrication Under Our Own Roof
Having our own metal shop means we control the entire process, from raw coil stock to the finished profile that gets installed on your building. There is no waiting on a third-party fabricator, no miscommunication about dimensions, and no compromising on the tolerances we hold ourselves to. If a valley on an older home has an unusual angle, or a chimney needs a cricket built to redirect water, we fabricate the piece to fit the exact conditions we measured on-site.
This capability has been part of how we work for a long time. Henris Roofing has been in business for over 80 years, and that longevity has given us the equipment, the skilled hands, and the accumulated knowledge to bend metal correctly the first time. It also keeps us efficient, which is one of the values we hold alongside being professional, reliable, and established in the community we serve.
The Fabrication Process, Step by Step
Every custom piece begins with accurate field measurements. We record angles, lengths, and the specific transitions where two roof planes or a wall and roof meet. Back at the shop, those measurements translate into a cut list and forming plan. We then move through a sequence that keeps quality consistent from job to job.
- Material selection: choosing the right gauge and finish – galvanized steel, aluminum, or copper – based on the application and exposure.
- Cutting and shearing: squaring stock to precise dimensions before any bending begins.
- Brake forming: using metal brakes to create clean, repeatable bends for drip edges, counterflashing, and cap pieces.
- Seaming and joining: locking, riveting, or soldering sections together where lengths exceed a single piece.
- Finishing and inspection: checking every angle and edge before the piece leaves the shop for installation.
Because these steps happen under our supervision, we catch issues before they reach your roof. A flashing that is a quarter-inch off can undermine an otherwise flawless installation, so we treat the shop work with the same care we bring to the rooftop itself.
Components We Fabricate and Where They Go
Sheet metal shows up in nearly every roofing system, even ones dominated by shingles or membrane. On residential projects, we produce drip edge, step flashing, valley metal, chimney counterflashing, and pipe collars. On commercial and low-slope buildings, we form coping caps, gravel stops, edge metal, gutters, downspouts, and scuppers that manage large volumes of water off flat surfaces.
Custom fabrication also solves problems that stock parts cannot. Historic buildings throughout Petaluma, CA and surrounding areas often have profiles no manufacturer still makes, so we replicate them. Additions with mismatched roof pitches need transition flashings shaped to their exact geometry. As a GAF Master Elite contractor and a ShingleMaster Pro, we integrate our metalwork with premium shingle and membrane systems so that every seam and edge is protected. We are also a Timberline Solar Roofing Contractor and Energy Solar Certified, and clean metal detailing matters just as much on solar-integrated roofs where flashings must accommodate mounting hardware.
Materials and Technical Considerations
The metal we choose depends on the job. Galvanized steel offers strength and value for most flashings. Aluminum resists corrosion and stays light, which suits gutters and coastal-adjacent structures. Copper delivers longevity measured in generations and develops a patina many property owners prize on visible details. We match gauge to the span and load a piece must handle, using heavier stock where wind uplift or foot traffic is a concern.
We take environmental responsibility seriously, using best practices and materials that reduce waste, and we recycle metal offcuts from the shop rather than sending them to a landfill. We also respect your property and clean up thoroughly after every visit.
Whether you need a single replacement flashing or a full package of custom metal for a large project, Henris Roofing can produce it. We serve residential and commercial clients across Petaluma, Penngrove, Novato, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Santa Rosa, & Sonoma, CA, offer free estimates with no conditions, and provide 24/7 emergency service when a failure cannot wait.
