When the project team set out to plan the AmeriSuites Fort Worth Stockyards Hotel in Fort Worth, TX, one of the primary design challenges was to find a roofing profile and color that would match up with the surrounding tile-roofed buildings. The new hotel is situated in the heart of the Fort Worth Stockyards’ National Historic District, which dates back to the 19th century. After researching various types of roofing materials, project developer TEKMAK Development (Dallas) selected McElroy Metal's Met-Tile metal “tile panel” roof system.

This tile facsimile system weighs only 125 lb. per square – a fraction the weight of traditional tile – so it allows considerable cost savings during the construction process. By eliminating a plywood deck and applying Met-Tile panels directly over open purlins, the design team was able to achieve considerable material and labor savings.

"The challenge we faced in the Stockyards project was to develop a hotel that blended in with the surrounding buildings and seamlessly fit within the existing architecture,” says Tom Kirkland of TEKMAK. “Cost as always was a major factor. Development within the Stockyards area is subject to architectural approval from a historical preservation committee whose blessing we had to receive before construction could begin.

“This particular region in Texas is also susceptible to some pretty intense hail and other weather related issues that gave us concern in the selection of our roofing material,” Kirkland continues. “The Met-Tile roofing product we chose was a welcome answer to all of our concerns. The roofing material replicates the tile mission design we sought, and being a metal roof, satisfied our concerns in regards to potential weather related maintenance issues. Once we showed the Met-Tile product to the various City and historical oversight groups, we had no problems getting the required approvals. We have been very satisfied with the product and the finished look of our hotel project."

The AmeriSuites roof consists of more than 17,360 sq. ft. of 3-ft-wide, 26 GA steel panels in varying lengths up to 25 ft. Hillcrest Development, Inc. (Dixon, Illinois) was the construction manager and general contractor for the project. TEKMAK Development Company (Dallas) was the developer. Schwerdt Design Group, Inc. (Topeka, Kansas) was the architect of record, and Jones Roofing & Drywall, Inc. (Arlington, Texas) was the roofing contractor. The property owner is Stockyards Station Hotel, L.P., Dallas.