Machine Shed and Pole Building Roofing in Nebraska
When a Machine Shed Roof Goes Wrong, the Work Stops
30+ Years in Business
Employee Owned
4 Nebraska Locations
7,843 Projects Complete
Grain Bin Roofs Don't Last Forever - and They Fail in Predictable Ways
Machine sheds and pole buildings take a beating. Hail, freeze-thaw cycles, UV exposure - they face the same Nebraska weather as any structure. But they get inspected less often because they're not the house. By the time a leak shows up inside, there's almost always damage you can't see from the ground: rusted fasteners, wet insulation, compromised panels that have been failing quietly for a season or two.
Hiring the wrong crew makes it worse. Pole buildings aren't stick-frame or residential - they have specific structural details. Purlin spacing, panel attachment patterns, ridge and eave flashing all matter. A residential roofing crew may not account for any of that. The job looks done on the surface, but two seasons later you've got pull-outs, lap failures, or ridge leaks that trace right back to shortcuts taken on day one.
Tillotson Has Been Doing This Work in Nebraska Since 1987
Gene and Tammy Tillotson started this company in August 1987. Both were teachers before they went into roofing, which is reflected in how we work: we explain what we find, tell you what it means, and let you make the call. Our estimators are field experts - not salespeople. We've worked on ag buildings across central Nebraska for over 30 years. We know how these structures are built and what fails on them.
Pole Building and Machine Shed
Roofing Services
Machine Shed Roof Inspection:
We start on the ground and work up. Our estimators walk the roof, check fastener points, inspect ridge caps and flashings, assess panel condition at the laps and edges, and document what they find. You get a clear picture of what's actually going on - not a sales pitch.
Metal Panel Repair and Partial Replacement:
Not every problem requires a full tear-off. If damage is localized - a section with fastener pull-out, a panel run with edge corrosion, a section of damaged laps - we can repair or replace that section. Targeted work saves money when full replacement isn't warranted.
Roof Coatings and Sealants:
A quality elastomeric coating extends panel life, seals minor leaks, and protects fastener points from moisture intrusion. It's a legitimate alternative to replacement on panels that are structurally intact but showing wear. We use products suited for metal ag buildings - not generic hardware-store compounds.
Ridge Cap and Flashing Repair:
Ridge caps and flashings are where most machine shed leaks start. They take the highest wind load, they're exposed at every transition point, and they're the first detail a rushed crew skips. We repair or replace them with proper materials and attachment - the work that holds.
Full Re-Roofing:
When it's time for a complete re-roof, we do it with panels gauged and profiled for pole building construction. That means proper attachment to purlin spacing, correct overlap and fastener pattern, and ridge and eave details done right the first time. We don't repurpose residential panel systems on ag buildings.
Why Machine Shed Roofs Fail - and What to Look For
Fastener Pull-Out and Backing:
This is the most common failure point on metal ag roofs. Over time, thermal cycling causes panels to expand and contract, which works screws loose from the purlins below. When backing - the rubber washer under the screw head - deteriorates, the fastener hole becomes an entry point for water. From the inside, it often shows as a pinhole drip pattern along purlin lines. From outside, backed-out screws or missing fasteners are a clear indicator.
Panel Corrosion:
Corrosion starts at the edges first - cut ends, pre-punched holes, lapped joints where the Galvalume or paint coating was compromised during fabrication or installation. Once rust gets a foothold at an edge, it migrates inward. Age, animal waste inside the building (ammonia accelerates corrosion), and standing moisture from inadequate ventilation all speed the process. Surface corrosion treated early can be stopped. Panel corrosion that reaches the base metal usually means replacement.
Ridge Cap Failure:
The ridge is the highest-stress point on a metal building roof. Wind gets under caps, snow loads flex them, and UV breaks down sealant. When the ridge cap fails - either lifting at the fastener points or cracking at the center crease - wind-driven rain has a direct path into the building. On inspection, we check cap condition, fastener integrity, and the underlying closure strip, which degrades and compresses over time and stops doing its job well before the cap itself shows visible damage.
Panel Lap Separation:
Panels are installed in overlapping runs, and those laps are sealed and fastened. Over years of thermal movement, laps can pull apart - especially on long panel runs exposed to full sun. Once the lap opens, water runs behind the outer panel face and down into the building, often dripping several feet from where it entered. On inspection, lap separation shows as a visible gap along panel seams or as a shadow line from previous water tracking.
Here's How It Works
1. Schedule a Free Roof Inspection
We come to your property. An estimator walks your building, gets on the roof, and assesses what's actually going on. No charge for the visit.
2. Get a Clear, Honest Recommendation
You'll get a written assessment - repair or re-roof, whichever one actually makes sense for the condition of your building. If a repair handles it, we'll tell you. If the roof is past that point, we'll tell you that too.
3. Work Completed - Backed by Warranty
Once you're ready, we schedule the job around your operation. Work is done by our crews, not subcontractors, and backed by a written warranty.
Tillotson schedules around your operation. Planting and harvest come first. We book work in windows that make sense for what you're doing - not just what's convenient for our crew schedule. If your timing is tight, that conversation happens at the estimate stage. You'll know exactly when crew will be on your property before you sign anything.
See machine shed and pole building re-roofing projects from across central Nebraska.
Here's what Nebraska farmers and ranchers say about working with Tillotson.
"Tillotson is the real deal! From start to finish, the whole experience was outstanding! Highly recommend!"
"We have hired Tillotson for two different pole barn / post frame insulation jobs. Recently, they completed this 36’x40’ project and painted the foam black. I love how it turned out and especially enjoyed working with their team. Great projects and great people. "
Frequently Asked Questions - Machine Shed Roofing
Can my machine shed roof be repaired without full replacement?
In many cases, yes. The condition of the panels determines the right answer. If you have isolated fastener failure, edge corrosion limited to a few runs, or a failed ridge cap, repair or partial replacement is often the right call - and significantly less expensive than a full tear-off. On the other hand, if panels are corroded through to the base metal across a large area, or if multiple failure modes are compounding, full replacement is the more cost-effective long-term answer. Our inspection will tell you which situation you have. We don't recommend replacement when repair is legitimate.
How long does a machine shed re-roof take?
For a typical machine shed - say, a 60x120 or 80x160 building - a full re-roof generally takes two to four days of active crew time, depending on panel configuration, ridge and eave detail complexity, and weather. We'll give you a specific timeline at the estimate stage so you can plan around it. We don't start jobs we can't finish in the window we committed to. If weather delays the job, we communicate that directly with you rather than leaving your building open.
What type of metal roofing panels do you use?
We use steel roofing panels appropriate for the building type and application. For pole buildings and machine sheds, that typically means exposed-fastener ribbed panels in the correct gauge and profile for purlin-attached construction - not the lightweight panels commonly used in residential applications. Panel selection depends on the existing purlin spacing, roof pitch, and load requirements for your structure. We'll specify the right product for your building, not a one-size-fits-all material.
Do you work on shops and storage buildings too?
Yes. Tillotson works on machine sheds, equipment storage buildings, ag shops, commodity storage structures, and other outbuildings on farm and ranch properties. The same principles apply: we assess the structure, identify what's actually failing, and recommend repair or re-roof based on what the building needs. We also work on commercial and industrial metal buildings beyond ag - if you have a structure that needs attention, we're worth a call.
Can you work around our operation schedule?
Yes, and we take that seriously. We serve agricultural customers in central Nebraska, and we understand that there are windows of the year when having a crew on your property - or having your shop out of commission even partially - is not workable. Planting and harvest are obvious constraints. If you have a tight window, tell us at the estimate stage. We'll plan the job around it or tell you honestly if the timing can't be made to work on our end.
Serving Nebraska's Agricultural Communities
Tillotson's Aurora and Kearney locations are our primary ag-serving offices, covering central Nebraska and surrounding areas. Call (800) 643-5731 to reach our team.
Ready to Find Out What Your Roof Actually Needs?
Schedule a free inspection - we'll come out, assess the building, and give you a straight answer.