By Jesse Sanchez. 

CertainTeed’s education programs help contractors expand their services while maintaining installation quality. 

During a live Roofing Road Trips® podcast from CertainTeed’s Business Builders Workshop in San Diego, Joe Thompson, senior manager of exterior products training, shared how contractor education supports business growth. With experience in commercial roofing, technical services and inspections, Joe now focuses on training professionals in residential roofing, siding, commercial roofing and solar solutions. 

What makes CertainTeed’s contractor training program different? 

Joe said education serves as the foundation of CertainTeed’s contractor credentialing and engagement programs. Rather than limiting instruction to centralized facilities, the company uses multiple training formats to reach contractors across the country. 

“Everything is education based. I have a team spread throughout the country. They have what we call CTM TVs. They are training trailers that are spread throughout the country. We really want to focus on meeting the contractor where they are.” 

Training is available at dedicated centers, through mobile training trailers and in customized sessions at contractors’ locations. Joe said the goal is to ask contractors what support they need and tailor the education accordingly. 

How can training help roofing contractors diversify? 

As contractors look for ways to build longer relationships with homeowners, Joe encouraged them to consider the needs of the entire property rather than focusing only on the service that prompted the initial call. He shared: 

“If you're called out by a homeowner, don't just focus on the original request. If they say, ‘I need a new roof,’ ‘I need a flat roof,’ ‘I’m interested in solar’ or ‘I’m interested in siding,’ look at the entire structure.” 

By learning additional systems, contractors can serve homeowners beyond an initial roofing project. Joe encouraged companies to consider siding, solar and other exterior opportunities while building long-term customer relationships. 

Why does system integration matter? 

Diversification also creates a greater need for contractors to understand how different exterior systems connect. Thompson said transition points can become especially challenging when separate companies handle the roof and walls. He shared, “Transitions are a big pain point. If you're working on the wall and someone else takes over the roofing portion of the construction, that's two different people.” 

Education helps contractors understand how roofing, siding and waterproofing components connect. Joe said CertainTeed tests its components for compatibility, giving installers guidance for managing critical transition points. 

For contractors, diversification requires more than adding products to a sales presentation. It requires the knowledge to install complete systems correctly and confidently. 

Listen to the entire podcast or Watch the conversation to learn more about contractor training and business diversification! 

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Mark Vargas explains why severe weather, seismic events and warranty concerns are changing how rooftop pipe and equipment supports are designed. 

Rooftop pipe and equipment supports were once treated as low-risk details. In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Megan Ellsworth spoke with Mark Vargas, director of business development for AP Roof Services, the service side of Anchor Products, about why that mindset has changed and how the industry is rethinking securement. Mark works closely with contractors, buyers and manufacturers on the installation side of the U-Anchor and AP Solutions, helping ensure products are installed properly and in ways that support roof-system warranty requirements. 

Q: What are rooftop pipe and equipment supports, and why do they matter? 

“I was working for the non-penetrating companies that in the past that was acceptable, right?” Mark said. “When I went to work for them, there was woodblock that was supporting everything on the roof that was non-penetrating. There was plastic bases, was rubber blocks, counterweighted systems that if it was lightweight, they weren't too concerned about it damaging the roof system.” 

Rooftop supports are used to hold piping, utilities and equipment in place on the roof. As Mark explained, older systems often relied on woodblocks, plastic bases, rubber blocks or counterweighted systems rather than attachments. Those methods were widely accepted because many rooftop items were considered lightweight or low risk, but that assumption began to change as the industry saw how unsecured supports could affect the roof system. 

Q: Why were rooftop supports historically viewed as less critical? 

“When I went to work for [Anchor Products], there were woodblocks that would be used in supporting everything on the roof that was non-penetrating. There were plastic bases, rubber blocks and counterweighted systems that if it was lightweight, they weren't too concerned about it damaging the roof system,” Mark shared.  

Essentially, older support methods were often treated as routine roof accessories rather than engineered components. As Mark described, the focus was often on avoiding penetrations and relying on weight or simple materials, especially when rooftop utilities were considered light enough to stay in place without added securement. 

Q: What exposed the weakness of older support methods? 

Mark shared, “I think change happened mostly due to severe weather and seismic events. That's what exposed the weaknesses of the non-penetrating pipe supports. Pipes started sliding across the roof, where pipe supports or equipment supports would tip over.” 

Severe weather and seismic activity changed how the industry viewed risk on the roof. When pipe and equipment supports shifted, tipped or became airborne, they created the potential for membrane damage, system failures and safety concerns, making securement a performance issue rather than a minor detail. 

For contractors, the takeaway is clear that rooftop supports can affect roof performance, warranty protection and safety. As weather events and code expectations continue to shape specifications, securement is no longer an afterthought. 

Listen to the entire podcast or Watch the conversation to learn more about the evolution of rooftop pipe and equipment supports! 

By Emma Peterson. 

How Roof Hugger introduced retrofit roofing as an alternative to metal tear offs and coatings. 

Founded 35 years ago, Roof Hugger has made a name for themselves fabricating metal retrofit solutions. To learn more about the story of how this innovative company came to be, Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with Roof Hugger president Dale Nelson for an episode of Roofing Road Trips®. 

The story of Roof Hugger begins in 1991 with Dale and his partner Red McConnohie. Dale recalled:  

Red had this idea that we could make some kind of bracket that, when installed, would allow you to put a new metal roof over the old one. So, we came up with the concept of this Z shape with little notches in it that matched the configuration of the old roof. And it allowed us to put new metal panels right on top of the old one.  

Once the concept was proven (which Dale and Red did by testing it on one of Red’s own properties), they brought in Terry Wolfe to help them make sure they were engineering everything in the best way possible. Dale shared, “We were fortunate early on to have very good engineering guidance from Terry. He was incredibly helpful in getting us to understand metal panel design, which we had to understand fully so that we could design our retrofit assembly accordingly.” 

This may appear to be a lot of work and fuss for one product, but the Z clamp that the Roof Hugger team created was more than just another product, it was a revolutionary innovation. Dale explained, “Traditionally, there were two ways to repair or replace an old metal roof – tearing it off or coating it. And both methods have their downsides. Tear offs are often very wasteful and time consuming while coatings struggled to address deep structural problems. What we did with Roof Hugger was create a third option – retrofitting. There wasn’t really a retrofit industry before us.” 

Listen to the podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about how Roof Hugger’s metal retrofit solutions work. 

By Cotney Consulting Group.

When execution is controlled, roofing jobs don’t fall apart after the sale, they perform the way they were intended to from the start.

Most roofing jobs don’t fall apart because of bad work. They fall apart because of what happens or doesn’t happen after the sale is made. 

From the outside, everything looks good. The job is sold. The contract is signed. Materials are ordered. Crews are scheduled, but somewhere between the handshake and the first day on the roof, control starts to slip. By the time leadership realizes it, the job is already behind, costs are climbing and everyone is reacting instead of managing. 

The problem usually isn’t effort. It’s a transition. 

The sale of a roofing job is a handoff point, and it’s one of the most fragile moments in the entire operation. Estimating finishes its work. Sales celebrates the win. Operations inherits the project. If that transition isn’t deliberate and structured, the job begins with gaps that are difficult to close later. Essential details get lost. Assumptions go unstated. Risks aren’t fully communicated. The job moves forward, but without alignment. 

One of the most common breakdowns happens when the estimate never truly becomes an execution plan. Numbers are provided, but context is missing. Production expectations are assumed rather than explained. Access challenges are mentioned casually, if at all. Known risks are buried in notes or live only in the estimator’s memory. When the foreman and project manager don’t fully understand how the job was envisioned, they’re forced to improvise. Improvisation is rarely profitable. 

Another issue is the separation between sales and operations. Sales teams often focus on closing the deal rather than on how the job will be built. Sometimes promises are made unintentionally that don’t align with field realities. Tight schedules, flexible phasing or expanded scope may sound reasonable in conversation, but they carry real operational consequences. When those expectations aren’t reconciled before work begins, operations is left managing a mismatch between what was sold and what can realistically be delivered. 

Jobs also fall apart when roles and responsibilities aren’t clearly defined after the sale. Project managers assume supervisors will handle specific issues. Foremen assume the office is managing coordination. Vendors assume someone else is tracking deliveries. When responsibility is vague, accountability disappears. Problems don’t get addressed early because no one is sure who owns them. By the time leadership steps in, the job has already absorbed unnecessary cost. 

Scheduling pressure makes this worse. Roofing companies are often eager to get started, especially during busy seasons. Jobs get pushed onto the calendar before materials arrive, before permits are secured or before crews are properly briefed. The urgency to “get going” overrides the need to get organized. The job technically starts, but execution stumbles right out of the gate. 

Communication gaps compound the problem. Early warning signs are missed because no one is consistently checking in. Small delays aren’t discussed. Minor issues aren’t documented. Crews adapt quietly until the adaptation becomes a deviation from the plan. By the time the problem is visible on a cost report or schedule update, it’s no longer small. 

High-performing contractors approach the post-sale phase differently. They treat it as a critical stage of the project, not a formality. The job doesn’t truly begin until the estimate, scope, assumptions, schedule and risks have been reviewed with the project team. Supervisors are brought into the conversation early. Expectations are clarified. Questions are encouraged. The goal is alignment, not speed. 

These contractors also establish control early. They confirm access, verify material deliveries, review sequencing and document conditions before crews mobilize. They don’t assume everything will go according to plan, but they prepare for what won’t. That preparation prevents minor issues from turning into major disruptions. 

Another key difference is follow-through. Strong companies check in on jobs early and often. They don’t wait for problems to escalate. They look for signs of drift and correct them quickly. That discipline keeps jobs from unraveling slowly while everyone is too busy to notice. 

Roofing jobs rarely fail all at once. They fail through a series of small misses that add up over time, missed communication, unclear expectations, rushed starts, undefined responsibility. Each one on its own seems manageable. Together, they create jobs that feel harder than they should. 

The sale isn’t the finish line. It’s the starting point. Contractors who understand that put as much discipline into the transition as they do into winning the work. When alignment happens early, execution follows naturally. 

And when execution is controlled, roofing jobs don’t fall apart after the sale—they perform the way they were intended to from the start. 

Por Anna Lockhart, traducido por Jessica Bravo.  

Contar con un socio estratégico de reclutamiento puede ayudar a tu empresa a enfrentar de manera directa los desafíos de contratación que enfrenta la industria. 

En un episodio de Roofing Road Trips®, Megan Ellsworth conversó con Kristin Case, de Hi-Peak Staffing Solutions, sobre el papel fundamental que pueden desempeñar los socios estratégicos de reclutamiento para ayudar a las empresas de roofing a encontrar al personal adecuado. Hoy más que nunca, contar con una fuente confiable de talento es esencial, ya que los profesionales de la industria enfrentan una creciente presión para cubrir vacantes en un mercado laboral cada vez más competitivo. Como explicó Kristin, existe una gran diferencia entre trabajar con un reclutador tradicional y hacerlo con un socio estratégico de reclutamiento. 

Hi-Peak se especializa en ofrecer soluciones de contratación para los sectores de roofing comercial, residencial, restauración e impermeabilización. Si tu empresa necesita cubrir vacantes, ya sea en ventas internas, puestos administrativos, personal para la obra o incluso cargos de nivel ejecutivo, su equipo está preparado para ayudar. Kristin comentó: “Contamos con 12 reclutadores especializados en todo Estados Unidos, enfocados en encontrar a las mejores personas para ocupar puestos dentro de la industria del roofing.” 

Cuando se trata de contratar nuevo personal, algunos contratistas esperan hasta que la situación se vuelve urgente para buscar a alguien que ocupe la vacante lo más rápido posible. Esto puede dar como resultado contrataciones poco acertadas y aumentar el riesgo de una alta rotación de personal. Al trabajar con profesionales, como los socios estratégicos de reclutamiento, que están capacitados para identificar al mejor candidato para cada puesto, ese riesgo se reduce considerablemente. Kristin explicó: “Un socio estratégico trabaja con una visión a futuro, identificando las necesidades críticas y preguntando: ‘¿Cómo se ve tu 2026 o tu segundo y tercer trimestre? ¿Qué es lo más importante? ¿Qué viene en el horizonte?’ Un socio estratégico especializado en esta industria entiende realmente el valor de contratar a la persona adecuada en el momento indicado y ejecutar ese plan de manera efectiva.” 

Eliminar la urgencia de último momento que caracteriza a los métodos tradicionales de reclutamiento, anticipando las necesidades de contratación y planificando con tiempo, es una de las principales funciones de un socio estratégico. Esa diferencia puede ser clave para pasar de apenas mantener el negocio a lograr un crecimiento significativo en el mercado. 

Escucha el podcast o mira la grabación para conocer más sobre cómo Hi-Peak Staffing Solutions ayuda a las empresas de roofing a adoptar un enfoque de contratación con visión a futuro. 

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Contractors can use slower months to strengthen their teams, improve installation quality and build repeatable processes for 2026. 

As roofing contractors prepare for 2026, the off-season offers an opportunity to address weaknesses that can become expensive during peak production. In this Read Listen Watch® (RLW) webinar, TAMKO® Director of Contractor Engagement Jon Abernathy and consultant Jon Broce explained how structured training can help companies improve sales performance, installation quality and operational consistency. 

Why should contractors prioritize training during the off-season? 

Abernathy said companies that invest more time in deliberate practice are more likely to see stronger performance when business accelerates. Abernathy noted, “The more time you spend training your team, the better results you're gonna get in 2026.” 

That preparation should include more than having a new sales representative shadow an experienced employee. Abernathy encouraged contractors to create formal onboarding programs, role-playing exercises and documented processes that help employees understand what to say to homeowners and how to represent the company professionally. 

Broce said his former companies approached training as an ongoing discipline rather than an occasional event. He stated, “Broce said the company held one- or two-week boot camps during the off-season and continued training every Thursday morning from 9 to 11.” 

The boot camps provided concentrated preparation for new representatives, while weekly practice reinforced those skills throughout the season. 

How can production training reduce financial risk? 

Abernathy said reducing installation-related problems begins with following the product manufacturer’s requirements. He shared, “Number one thing is read installation instructions on products.” 

Contractors must understand approved substrates, ventilation requirements, underlayment procedures and other installation specifications. Even experienced installers can repeat incorrect practices for years, leaving contractors responsible when an installation-related failure is not covered. 

Broce recommended using the slower season to review project checklists, jobsite safeguards and previous mistakes. That includes confirming plant and lot numbers, examining costly problems and strengthening procedures before crews return to full production. 

What should contractors examine before the next season begins? 

Broce described the off-season as a reset period when contractors can assess each part of the business and determine where changes are needed. “What do we need, what we need to fix, what do we need to correct?”  

Answering those questions allows contractors to review sales, production and internal operations before demand accelerates. Companies can identify what worked, address recurring problems and prepare employees to follow more consistent processes. 

Intentional training gives contractors more than refreshed skills. It creates clear expectations, reduces preventable risk and establishes the repeatable systems needed to grow without sacrificing quality. 

Listen to the podcast or Watch the conversation to learn more about transforming the off-season through TAMKO training, technology and partnerships for competitive growth! 

By Emma Peterson. 

Want to show off your crew’s hard work? Enter your metal projects into ATAS International’s 2026 Project of the Year competition. 

ATAS International, a leading manufacturer of metal roofing, wall cladding, ceilings, interiors and accessories, has opened submissions to their annual project of the year contest! This competition is now in its 37th year, having started in 1989. The contest celebrates a variety of projects across seven categories, including commercial roofs, commercial walls, residential roofs, residential walls, accents, sustainable and interiors.  

ATAS’ Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Jim Bush, described the contest, sharing, “The diversity and creative application of metal panels [shown in the contest] highlights the durability, aesthetics and adaptability that metal contributes to today’s architectural design and construction. Overall, these outstanding projects [we see submitted] reflect the innovation and craftsmanship that continue to advance our industry.”  

The rules 

Projects must utilize product profiles manufactured by ATAS. Further, they must be completed “within the preceding calendar year.” Meaning, for the 2026 contest, projects from January 2025-December 2025 will be eligible.  

There is no entry fee to the contest, and you may enter as many projects as you like. Your entries must include one or more digital files showcasing your project. You are encouraged to submit multiple photos, both comprehensive and close-up. File should be in .jpg format and at least 500 kb.  

Please note: Material submitted becomes the property of ATAS and may be used for future promotional activities. 

The timeline 

Your submission must be in by November 30, 2026, to be judged in the 2026 contest. Once submissions close, a panel of judges, independent of ATAS International, Inc., will determine the winners. 

The reward 

Winning projects will get national coverage in trade publications, press releases and during ATAS’ annual awards dinner in May. This is a great way to show your crew your pride in their craftsmanship and show your potential customers the quality of your work!  

Enter your project today!

By Jesse Sanchez. 

CertainTeed Business Builders Workshop brought contractors together for education, networking and business-building conversations. 

At Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, contractors gathered for the CertainTeed Business Builders Workshop, an intimate, education-focused event designed to help roofing professionals strengthen their skills, expand their networks and identify new ways to grow their businesses. 

The event brought together contractors, manufacturers, vendor partners and territory managers for hands-on learning and direct connection. Throughout the day, attendees moved between classrooms, vendor areas and conversations centered on practical business development, technical knowledge and long-term growth. The setting created space for contractors to step away from daily operations and focus on the strategies, relationships and credentials that can help move their companies forward. 

According to Jessica Bravo, En Español program coordinator, the workshop highlighted how CertainTeed credentials can help contractors level up and grow their businesses. It also gave contractors valuable opportunities to connect directly with territory managers, strengthening relationships that support both immediate needs and future business goals. 

The event’s smaller, more personal format encouraged meaningful networking. Contractors attended classes on topics including marketing and business growth, showing that even experienced professionals are looking for ways to improve. Many attendees came ready to learn, recognizing that no matter how well versed they are in the industry, there is always someone smarter in the room and always more to gain from continued education. 

That focus on learning was echoed by Brian Drominer from APC Roofing, who said, “The classes are very informative, with lots of information and a lot of takeaways. It’s very beneficial for the roofing industry for sure.” 

Beyond the classroom, vendor partners and territory managers helped extend the educational experience through one-on-one conversations. Contractors were able to ask questions, explore solutions and build connections that could support their teams in the field and in the office. 

As a whole, the CertainTeed Business Builders Workshop reflected a growing commitment across the roofing industry to continuous education, stronger partnerships and practical business growth. 

Watch the conversation to learn more about how industry events like the CertainTeed Business Builders Workshop are helping contractors strengthen skills, build connections and grow their businesses!

By Emma Peterson. 

In this upcoming RLW, Jeff Medeiros shares practical insights on design coordination, performance requirements and installation best practices. 

Metal roofing is known in the industry for its stellar durability and long lifespan. However, just like any roofing material, you can only unlock the full benefits of a metal roof when it is engineered and installed correctly. To dive into the factors that contractors need to account for when building with architectural metal roofing systems, we invited Jeff Medeiros of AEP Span to join host Karen Edwards for a Read Listen Watch® (RLW) on July 29, 2026. 

Meet Jeff  

Jeff is not only the architectural representative for AEP Span, but also a licensed contractor. He has been supporting architects in California for the last two decades with everything from spec-writing, detail drawing, production selection and bid preparation for a variety of roof systems, from built-up and torch-applied coatings to metal roofing and flashing trim.  

At the end of the day, Jeff has a wealth of information and support for everything from conception to bidding, making him the ideal guest for our conversation about the details roofing contractors need to understand when working with architectural metal roofing systems 

Key points of the webinar 

The goal of this webinar is to help contractors set architectural metal roofing systems up for success. The conversation will start with what makes these systems unique, from substrate requirements, structural needs and performance expectations.  

From there, Jeff and Karen will dive into the different factors that contractors need to account for when building these systems. These factors include things like thermal movement management, condensation control, roof assembly compatibility, paint performance, wind uplift, air infiltration, water resistance and more!  

By the end of the webinar, attendees should leave with a better understanding of how architectural metal roof systems work and actionable strategies for planning projects that have fewer installation issues, foster stronger design coordination and lead to longer-lasting roofs.  

Register for the webinar, which will be hosted live on July 29, 2026 at 11 a.m. PT (2 p.m. ET).

BITEC, Inc. recently introduced a number of new or improved restoration and maintenance products.

In response to contractor requests for low- and zero-VOC formulations of its most popular adhesives, primers, sealants and coatings BITEC, Inc. recently introduced a number of new or improved restoration and maintenance products. 

The StrongHold™ line of TPO, PVC and KEE formulations now includes reduced-VOC primers, bonding adhesives; an EPDM single-sided bonding adhesive; an ultra-low-VOC pump-grade insulation adhesive; and a VOC-free foamable adhesive.

The Storm Breaker™ coating line has been upgraded with a low-VOC, two-component epoxy primer that is compatible with a wide range of coating types.

In the RepairBOSS®  line of roof repair solutions, BITEC now offers low-VOC liquid and EPDM repair materials, as well as low-VOC sealants.

The entire line of ElastoPav® sealants is now low-VOC and includes stand-alone repair products as well as sealants designed to work with StrongHold coatings.

According to Jessica Lacerda, product manager for BITEC, “Our west coast business is growing, and adapting our most popular products for compliance with California environmental standards has been a priority in recent months. We’re proud to be rolling out a number of environmentally responsible materials across a variety of our product lines.”

About BITEC

BITEC, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and distributor of some of the industry’s highest quality solutions for low-slope roofs in North America, including APP, SBS, PVC, KEE, and a wide selection of coatings and ancillary products. For more information, visit https://BITEC.com/ or call 800.535.8597.