Why Metal Roofing Contractors Choose Great Northern Metal Company for Supplies

GNMC working on metal panels for contractor

Contractors need more from a metal roofing supplier than a product list and a pickup window. You need dependable material access, clear answers, and support that helps the job keep moving when timelines get tight.

That’s why the relationship matters, and we take the time to build that relationship.

That means doing more than just selling you some panels. At Great Northern Metal Company (GNMC), we help you source the right materials, think through project details, and avoid problems that slow work down or create headaches later. We aim to fill this role for contractors across Montana so no metal roofing contractor feels stuck, unsupported, or without answers.

From panel selection and trim packages to practical recommendations and local knowledge, our team of seasoned metal roofing panel experts helps you get what you need to keep your projects on track.

Here’s why metal roofing contractors choose GNMC for supplies every time:

Why Contractors Keep Coming Back to GNMC

Contractors do not return to a supplier by accident.

You typically come back to the companies that are dependable, knowledgeable, and easy to work with. You prioritize the suppliers who communicate clearly, help solve problems, and support the job instead of complicating it.

That is the kind of value GNMC works to provide.

We’ve found Montana contractors choose Great Northern Metal Company because they, yes, they need materials. But more than that, they need a supplier that understands their priorities, helps them make informed decisions, and supports the project’s success from start to finish.

That combination of product access, practical expertise, and local understanding is what keeps the relationship strong over time, and we aim to nurture that relationship at every turn.

Let’s take a closer look at factors that set us apart from other metal roofing suppliers in Montana.

Reliable Supply That Helps Keep Projects Moving

When materials are delayed, the rest of the project feels it.
Contractors often balance multiple schedules at once, including crews, subcontractors, inspections, and client expectations. A supplier who cannot communicate clearly or keep material flow moving can create problems that reach far beyond the roofing portion of the job.

At GNMC, we understand that dependable supply matters because the project cannot wait for unnecessary confusion. We’re upfront with our lead times and transparent about our sourcing schedule, so you know exactly what timeline you’re looking at for your supplies. We also provide recommendations on how early you need to source your supplies before busy seasons, so you get your materials exactly when you need them.
The goal is simple: help you spend less time chasing answers and more time moving the job forward.

Variety of GNMC Panels - Corrugated, VSoffit, and Purlin Bearing Rib Metal Panels.

A Quality Selection of Panels, Trim, and Accessories

Most metal projects need more than just panels. You need the pieces that make the full system work.

Great Northern Metal Company supports projects with a strong selection of metal panels, colors, finishes, trim, and accessories. That way, you don’t have to piece together critical components from different places, leading to multiple suppliers and more chance for slowed timelines, lost supplies, and more headaches.

This kind of flexibility is valuable on jobs that need more than a standard order. It gives you room to meet project goals without making sourcing more complicated than it needs to be.

Product Knowledge Contractors Can Actually Use

Vague sales language does nothing for your tangible, on-project problems. You need useful information, like panel options for a specific application, the difference between finishes, trim requirements, etc. You need a working relationship where, when you ask a straightforward question, you get a straightforward answer.

GNMC brings decades of metal roofing and siding experience to those conversations so you can make better calls at every turn on the project. Our goal with every recommendation, question, and piece of advice is to help you save time, avoid mistakes, and give you more confidence in the materials you’re using.

GNMC helping customer with metal panel questions

Support That Goes Beyond the Order

The order itself is only part of the relationship.

Contractors often need support before the order is placed, while the project is taking shape, or when a detail needs to be clarified. That’s where a knowledgeable metal panel supplier becomes more useful than a basic source for materials.

GNMC helps contractors think through project needs, answer product questions, and talk through options when another perspective is helpful. Sometimes that support is simple, like answering a quick question on the phone. Sometimes it helps prevent a costly misstep, like completely switching up a panel’s material to save the project’s long-term performance. Or, it can look like sharing an article with you from our resource hub so you can learn at your own pace. Either way, it adds value. With our team, helpful support isn’t a bonus feature you pay extra for. It’s part of what we do to ensure your projects are easier to run.

GNMC Service Area map

Accessible for Projects Across Montana

Great Northern Metal Company serves contractors across Southwest Montana and supports projects in communities throughout the region. That accessibility makes it easier for you to work with a supplier who understands the market, knows the area, and can support local jobs without the distance and disconnect that can come with out-of-region sourcing. Being based in Montana also means better alignment with the realities of building in this part of the state, which can come with its own challenges, depending on the time of year or season (more on that below). At the end of the day, Montana is our heart and home, and we’re proud to support metal roofing projects from Bozeman to Helena, West Yellowstone to Dillon, and so many more.

Local Experience Matters on Montana Projects

Montana projects come with their own conditions, expectations, and challenges. A supplier who knows the region brings something useful to the table.

GNMC understands the local environment, the weather patterns, and the kinds of projects common across the area. That knowledge helps contractors make more informed choices about the materials they use and the demands those materials need to meet.

There is also value in working with people who understand the communities they serve. It helps create better conversations, stronger recommendations, and a more grounded understanding of what contractors deal with on Montana jobs. Our team can speak to real-world project conditions rather than general assumptions.

Need a Dependable Metal Roofing Supplier for Your Next Project?

The right supplier makes a noticeable difference in how smoothly a project runs.

Talk with Great Northern Metal Company about the panels, trim, and support you need to keep your next job moving. Request a quote or get in touch with the team to discuss your project.

What Is Sealant for Metal Roofing?

Metal roof sealant helps seal seams, joints, gaps, and other areas where water or air could enter a roofing system. Most gun-grade sealants are applied from a tube and form a bead over or within a joint. Depending on the formulation, the material may remain permanently pliable or cure into a flexible seal.

For metal roofing, flexibility matters. Panels naturally move as temperatures rise and fall, so a sealant used at a moving joint needs to accommodate that movement without losing adhesion. 

The location of the seal matters too. A product used at an exposed seam may need different properties than one placed inside a concealed joint.

Sealant also should not be treated as a substitute for proper flashing, fastening, or panel installation. It works as part of the roofing system, not as a fix for a detail that was built incorrectly.

What Is Butyl Tape for Metal Roofing?

Butyl tape is a preformed sealing material typically installed between two roofing components. Instead of applying a bead from a tube, the installer lays a continuous strip of tape along the joint before the materials are fastened together. That makes it especially useful at concealed laps and other locations where two metal surfaces come together.

Butyl stays flexible, which helps it maintain a seal as a metal building experiences normal movement. There are also expanding sealant tapes that serve a similar purpose while filling irregular gaps and accommodating movement within the joint.

Sealant vs. Butyl Tape

The simplest way to think about the difference is application.

Gun-grade sealant works well when you need to apply a bead into a seam, joint, or gap. Butyl tape works well when you need a continuous seal between overlapping or adjoining components.

One is not automatically better than the other. The roof detail determines which type makes sense.

Metal Roof Sealant vs. Butyl Tape: Which Should You Use?

Different roof details put different demands on the sealing product.

Application

Product Type to Consider

Filling a seam or joint

Gun-grade sealant

Sealing a concealed metal lap

Butyl tape

Joint that moves with expansion and contraction

Flexible sealant or expanding sealant tape

Continuous seal between two components

Butyl tape

Irregular gap that needs to be filled

Gun-grade sealant or expanding tape

Detail exposed to wide temperature changes

Product rated for the expected temperature range

These are general guidelines. Always check the roofing-system requirements and the manufacturer’s installation instructions before choosing a product.

4 of the Top Metal Roof Sealants and Butyl Tapes

The right product depends on the joint, expected movement, temperature conditions, and whether the seal will be exposed or concealed.

Here are four options GNMC has tried, tested, and trusts so much that we chose to carry them at our shop.

1. EMSEAL AST Hi-Acrylic Sealant Tape

Best for: Expansion joints, lap seams, and joints that need to accommodate movement.

EMSEAL AST Hi-Acrylic Sealant Tape is a self-adhering, open-cell polyurethane foam tape impregnated with acrylic-modified asphalt.

Unlike a standard flat tape, EMSEAL AST gradually expands after it is removed from its packaging. That allows it to conform to the joint and fill gaps along irregular surfaces. For metal roofing and metal buildings, that can be particularly useful around details affected by thermal expansion and contraction.

Emseal AST

Why It Works Well With Metal Roofing

One of EMSEAL AST’s biggest advantages is its ability to move with the building. The tape conforms to contours and maintains a seal as metal panels expand and contract. It is designed to help keep out dust, air, wind-driven snow, and moisture through joint details.

It also does not dry out and become hard or brittle over time. Because the material remains compressed within the joint, it is designed to stay in place rather than squeeze out the way some caulks or butyl products can.

Its resistance to UV exposure, aging, and mildew also makes it well suited to demanding exterior applications.

Common Applications

EMSEAL AST can be useful for:

  • Expansion and compression joints
  • Lap seams
  • Mechanically fastened joints
  • Irregular gaps
  • Metal building details where movement needs to be accommodated

It can also be used alongside several common building materials, including metal, plastic, wood, and concrete.

Interested in EMSEAL AST? Contact GNMC

2. TFC BUTYL™ Sealant

Best for: Metal panel joints that need a permanently pliable, gun-grade sealant.

TFC BUTYL™ is a single-component butyl-based sealant designed specifically for strong adhesion to metal panels.

Its biggest distinction is that it remains permanently pliable. It does not skin over into a hard surface, which allows the material to continue moving with the joint after installation.

Why It Works Well With Metal Roofing

Metal panels do not stay perfectly still over the life of a building. Temperature changes create movement, and joints need a sealing product that can handle it.

TFC BUTYL remains flexible and moisture-resistant, which makes it useful for metal panel details where a rigid sealant would not be appropriate.

It also meets or exceeds AAMA 809.2 and is available in gray or white.

Installation Matters

Good adhesion starts with a clean surface. Before applying TFC BUTYL, the substrate should be dry and free from frost, oil, grease, incompatible coatings, or other contaminants that could interfere with adhesion.

The product is applied using a standard caulking gun and can be tooled after application if needed.

It is also worth paying attention to storage. TFC BUTYL should be kept in a controlled, dry environment below 75°F and used within 12 months of manufacture.

One other detail to know before choosing it: TFC BUTYL is not paintable.

Ask GNMC about TFC BUTYL™.

3. NovaFlex Metal Roof & Panel Adhesive Sealant

Best for: Seams, panel joints, and gaps that need a flexible cured sealant.

NovaFlex Metal Roof & Panel Adhesive Sealant is a single-component silicone sealant and adhesive commonly used as a seam sealant or joint filler in metal roofing and panel systems.

It is non-corrosive and non-sag, making it useful where contractors need a gun-grade product that will stay where it is placed.

Why It Works Well With Metal Roofing

Temperature range is one of NovaFlex’s standout characteristics. The product can be applied at temperatures from -20°F to 160°F and has a service temperature range of -40°F to 400°F.

That broad range is useful for metal roofing, where surfaces can experience substantial temperature swings.

NovaFlex also offers good adhesion to common building materials and can bridge gaps up to 3/8 inch. Its exterior weathering and aging performance make it suited to exposed building applications.

Where NovaFlex Makes Sense

Contractors may consider NovaFlex for:

  • Metal roof seams
  • Panel joints
  • Joint filling
  • Small gaps
  • Details exposed to wide temperature swings

It remains flexible at temperatures down to -10°F and is freeze-thaw stable. There are a couple of limitations worth knowing before installation. NovaFlex is not recommended for joints that will be submerged underwater, and it should not be used on surfaces that will later be painted.

Cure time also depends on temperature and humidity, so installers should account for site conditions and follow the product instructions.

Contact GNMC about product availability.

4. MB-10A Butyl Tape

Best for: Concealed metal building joints that need a continuous, flexible seal.

MB-10A Butyl Tape is an elastomeric butyl rubber sealant specifically designed around the requirements of metal buildings.

It comes extruded on silicone-coated release paper, which makes it straightforward to position during installation. It is also produced in different sizes and lengths to suit a range of applications.

Why It Works Well With Metal Roofing

MB-10A is designed to maintain its seal through normal building movement. Its combination of adhesive strength and cohesive strength helps the tape stay together and stay bonded as the assembly moves.

Temperature performance is another important benefit. MB-10A is designed to withstand extreme roof temperatures while maintaining compressibility in colder conditions. It also offers resistance to UV light and cold flow.

Those characteristics matter on metal buildings, where the material may experience a wide range of temperatures throughout the year.

Common Applications

MB-10A may be a good fit for:

  • Concealed panel laps
  • Metal building joints
  • Overlapping components
  • Details requiring a continuous butyl seal
  • Joints affected by normal building movement

Choosing the right tape size is important. The joint needs enough material to create the intended seal without using so much that the tape squeezes excessively out of the detail.

Inquire about MB-10A Butyl Tape

What to Consider Before Choosing a Metal Roof Sealant

Before grabbing a tube or roll, look at what the joint actually needs and ask yourself the following questions:

    1. How Much Will the Joint Move? Metal panels expand and contract as temperatures change. A sealing product at a moving joint needs enough flexibility to accommodate that movement.
    2. What Temperatures Will the Product See? Metal roof surfaces can get hot, and Montana projects can also see very cold conditions. Check the product’s application temperature separately from its service temperature. A sealant may perform across a wide temperature range once cured while still having specific limits for installation.
    3. Is the Joint Exposed or Concealed? A concealed panel lap has different needs than an exposed seam. Butyl tape is often a practical choice where two materials are compressed together. A gun-grade sealant may make more sense when a seam or gap needs to be filled from the outside.
    4. What Materials Is the Product Touching? Always check compatibility with the metal substrate and any adjoining materials. A product that adheres well to bare metal may have different requirements around painted finishes, other coatings, plastics, or masonry.
    5. Will the Surface Be Painted? Some sealants are not paintable. Both TFC BUTYL and NovaFlex have limitations that should be understood before choosing them for a detail that will receive a finish later.
    6. What Does Installation Require? Good products still need good installation. Surface preparation, storage, bead size, compression, and cure time can all affect the finished seal. Read the product instructions before installation instead of assuming every sealant or tape works the same way.

Frequently Asked Questions About Metal Roof Sealants and Butyl Tape

What is the best sealant for a metal roof?

The best metal roof sealant depends on where it will be used. Gun-grade sealants can work well for seams and joints, while butyl tape is commonly used between overlapping components or in concealed joints. Movement, temperature, substrate compatibility, and exposure should all factor into the decision.

Is butyl tape good for metal roofing?

Yes. Butyl tape is well suited to many metal roofing details because it creates a continuous seal between components while remaining flexible enough to accommodate normal building movement.

Is sealant or butyl tape better for a metal roof?

Neither option is better for every application. Butyl tape is often used inside laps and concealed joints, while gun-grade sealants are useful for filling seams, joints, and gaps. Some details may use both as part of the roofing system.

Does metal roof sealant need to stay flexible?

For joints that experience movement, flexibility is important. Metal panels expand and contract as temperatures change, so the sealing product needs to accommodate the expected movement without losing adhesion.

Can you use any silicone sealant on a metal roof?

No. Use a sealant that is compatible with the roofing material, coating, joint design, and expected temperatures. The product instructions and roofing-system requirements should guide the choice.

Need Metal Roof Sealant or Butyl Tape for Your Next Project?

Great Northern Metal Company carries EMSEAL AST, TFC BUTYL™, NovaFlex, and MB-10A Butyl Tape for a range of metal roofing and metal building applications.

Tell our team what detail you are working on and what you need the product to do. We can help you review the options GNMC carries and get the right product information before you place an order.

Inquire About Metal Roof Sealants

Additional Resources

Guides and How-tos
4 Tried and Tested Metal Roof Sealants and Butyl Tapes

4 Tried and Tested Metal Roof Sealants and Butyl Tapes

A metal roof is only as watertight as its details. Seams, laps, joints, penetrations, and other connection points all create places where moisture can work its way into the roofing system if they are not sealed correctly. Metal also expands and contracts as...

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