Commercial Shingle Roofing in Los Alamos: The Bluffs Apartments
The Bluffs Apartments was a new-construction apartment project on the south end of Los Alamos, near the airport. The four-story building had approximately 23,446 square feet of pitched roofing, with shingles covering the entire roof.
The main priority was to get the building covered and watertight so the builder could continue working inside with less exposure to rain, snow, and other weather.
This was our second Los Alamos apartment project with the same builder, so we already understood what the team expected. The project gave us another opportunity to complete commercial shingle roofing in Los Alamos on a large multifamily property.
Project Overview: Commercial Shingle Roofing in Los Alamos
The Bluffs Apartments project included:
- A four-story, new-construction apartment building
- Approximately 23,446 square feet of roofing
- Pitched shingle roofs with no flat sections
- Owens Corning asphalt shingles
- A five-person roofing crew
- Approximately 15 to 20 working days
The project started in July 2022 and spanned about two months. However, the roofing installation itself took only a few weeks of actual working time.
Before: A New Apartment Building Ready to Be Dried In
The Bluffs Apartments was a new-construction commercial shingle roofing project in Los Alamos. Our team began installing the roofing system shortly after the building structure was ready.
The immediate goal was to cover the structure and make it watertight. Getting the new roof installed would help protect the drywall, other building materials, and interior work from rain, snow, and severe weather as construction continued toward winter in Northern New Mexico.
The Goal: Get the Building Watertight So Interior Construction Could Continue
Timeliness was one of the builder’s main concerns. The roof needed to be installed soon after the structure was ready so interior construction could continue without unnecessary exposure to the elements.
Preparing for severe weather was also important. There was no approaching storm during the installation, but an unexpected snowstorm could have interrupted construction or exposed materials inside the building to water.
Our role was to complete the roofing work without becoming a bottleneck. Once the building was watertight, the contractor could continue working on the drywall and other interior materials with greater confidence.
Why High-Wind Asphalt Shingles Were Used for This Commercial Roofing System
The Bluffs Apartments had pitched roofing throughout, with no flat sections. The building’s design called for asphalt shingles rather than a flat commercial roofing system.
Our team installed Owens Corning asphalt shingles with a 130 mph wind rating. The shingles provided the wind warranty required for this four-story commercial building in Los Alamos.
The roofing materials came with a manufacturer warranty, and East Mountain Roofing also provided a labor warranty for the installation. Together, these protections gave the builder added confidence in the completed roofing system.
How We Installed More Than 23,000 Square Feet of Commercial Shingle Roofing
Preparing and Protecting the Roof Deck
Our crew arrived after the building structure was ready for roofing. We installed ice-and-water protection over the decking as part of the protective assembly beneath the shingles.
Once the roof was prepared, our team moved directly into shingle installation. We did not have to wait for siding, coping, or other exterior work before continuing. With fewer construction stages holding us back, the project moved forward at a steady pace.
Getting Shingle Bundles Onto a Four-Story Roof
ABC Supply delivered the roofing materials from Albuquerque on pallets. We worked with the on-site project manager to determine where those materials should be staged.
The builder had lifting equipment available for our use. One trained member of our team operated the equipment and raised each pallet to roof level.
A full pallet could not simply be placed on the roof because of its weight. Instead, the crew hand-unloaded the individual shingle bundles and distributed them across the roof.
This part of the project was labor-intensive, but the available equipment meant we did not need to bring in a separate crane.
Installing the Shingles With a Five-Person Crew
A five-person East Mountain Roofing crew installed the shingles across approximately 23,446 square feet of pitched roofing.
Daniel estimated that the roofing work required about 15 to 20 working days. The installation progressed smoothly because our team could complete the major stages without making several unnecessary return trips.
Four-Story Commercial Roofing: Why Staging and Safety Mattered
The roofing installation was fairly straightforward, but the four-story height required careful planning. This was our first time working on a building of this height, and the crew needed a short period to adjust. It did not cause any project delays.
Every crew member used the appropriate safety equipment and remained properly tied off while working on the roof. Material placement also required care. Rather than setting full pallets on the roof, the crew unloaded and distributed the bundles by hand.
These steps helped our team manage the height and material weight while maintaining the quality of the installation.
Keeping the Apartment Project Moving With the Builder
The Bluffs Apartments was our second apartment project with the same Los Alamos builder. We had previously completed the roofing for Canyon Walk Apartments.
That experience meant we already understood the roofing materials the builder wanted and how the team expected the installation to progress. Clear communication with the on-site project manager helped keep the work on track, and there were no roofing-related time delays.
Our crew also noticed a few small framing defects that could have affected the finished appearance. We brought those areas to the project manager’s attention so the framing crew could return and make the necessary adjustments before we continued.
The Final Result: A Watertight Roof That Kept Construction Moving
The builder appreciated that our team could come in, complete the roofing work, and allow the rest of the project to keep moving. We did not need to make several unnecessary trips back to finish the roof.
Once the building was watertight, interior construction could continue with the drywall and other materials better protected from rain, snow, and other weather. That was especially important as the project moved closer to winter in Los Alamos.
What Roofing Contractors Can Learn From Commercial Buildings Like The Bluffs Apartments
Commercial roofing systems on multi-story buildings require planning beyond the shingle installation itself. The roofing schedule should align with the interior work so the building becomes watertight when the contractor needs it.
Material staging also matters on large commercial properties. Heavy pallets must be lifted and distributed without placing unnecessary weight in one area. Appropriate safety equipment is essential when crews work several stories above ground.
Clear communication is just as important. Small framing concerns should be addressed before they affect the finished roof. When roofing contractors and builders understand one another’s expectations, the entire process can move more smoothly.
Before & After Gallery: The Bluffs Apartments Shingle Roofing in Los Alamos
Before
The Bluffs Apartments in Los Alamos before the main shingle roof installation.
During
Commercial shingle roofing installation underway on the four-story apartment building.
After
Completed shingle roof at The Bluffs Apartments in Los Alamos.
Plan a Commercial Shingle Roofing Project in Los Alamos
Every new-construction project has its own schedule, access requirements, and roofing needs. East Mountain Roofing provides commercial roofing solutions for general contractors, developers, property managers, and commercial property owners throughout Los Alamos and Northern New Mexico.
Learn more about our commercial roofing services in New Mexico and how we coordinate roofing with the broader construction schedule. To discuss your project, call (505) 264-7081 or request a free estimate.