By Michael Rhodes, Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA). 

Updated testing approaches are helping contractors and designers make more informed insulation decisions. 

Accurately evaluating insulation performance in below-grade environments has long been a challenge for the construction industry. According to the Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA), traditional testing methods often rely on short-term moisture exposure followed by drying periods, which do not reflect the persistent damp conditions insulation faces below grade. Factors such as soil saturation, hydrostatic pressure and freeze-thaw cycles introduce sustained moisture exposure that far exceeds the scope of conventional lab testing. 

As a result, many long-standing assumptions about insulation performance are rooted in outdated data and legacy testing protocols. PIMA highlights that earlier studies, often focused on limited polystyrene materials, fail to represent today’s broader range of insulation products or modern material formulations. This gap has led to a growing need for more realistic performance metrics that better align with real-world conditions and provide design professionals with clearer guidance when specifying below-grade insulation systems. 

Why is RBG a more realistic metric for below grade applications? 

R-value is a standardized metric used to report a material’s resistance to heat flow — a higher R-value means greater insulating effectiveness. Several factors influence an insulation’s R-value, including where it is installed. While above grade applications can face variable conditions, below-grade applications will almost certainly be exposed to consistent and high levels of relative humidity with minimal drying potential. For this reason, below-grade thermal resistance (RBG), which refers to the R-value of an insulation product after a 28-day simulated moisture exposure, more accurately characterizes how an insulation material may perform when placed in these conditions. 

Recently, PIMA completed a research study with a third-party laboratory to examine the impacts of prolonged moisture exposure on the R-value of polyiso continuous insulation (polyiso CI), EPS insulation and extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation. The research protocol used a modified ASTM D2842 water absorption test (submersion period extended to 28 days) and a modified ASTM C518 thermal resistance test (materials tested in a wet condition inside heat flow meter).   

Following the 28-day water submersion period and without drying time (as described in PIMA Technical Bulletin #603), polyiso CI retained 95 percent of its labeled R-value demonstrating reliable thermal performance in simulated below-grade conditions. Most notably, polyiso CI performed significantly better than EPS under identical independent third-party laboratory test conditions and produced comparable RBG values to XPS. These results reinforce the need to assess insulation materials intended for prolonged below-grade exposures under extended moisture conditioning scenarios.   

Which testing standards reflect moisture-exposed conditions? 

Currently, commonly used test methods that examine the thermal performance of insulation material do not quantify the impacts of moisture exposure on R-value. Even standards like ASCE 32 (Design and Construction of Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations) do not describe how users should quantify the thermal performance of insulation materials after moisture exposure. Instead, ASCE 32 only includes assumed R-values for polystyrene insulation products that are derived from the historical testing mentioned above and based on prior generation product types.    

Given this gap in test methods, PIMA undertook its research project to examine how today’s foam plastic insulation materials perform after prolonged moisture exposures. We expect the research results to help design professionals better understand insulation options for their below-grade applications. Eventually, the PIMA research could also help inform changes to standard for below-grade insulation applications like ASCE 32. 

When below grade, polyisoCI comes out on top 

Because dry state R-values do not fully represent real-world conditions, RBG provides a more accurate assessment of insulation materials under prolonged moisture exposure. Legacy standards do not reflect current material options or methodologies, so combining multiple ASTM test standards can quantify R-values in below-grade conditions more fairly, accurately and transparently. Under these modern methods, polyiso CI maintains its industry leading R‑value per inch in below-grade applications where moisture exposure is a critical concern. 

To dive deeper into this topic, check out PIMA Technical Bulletin #603.

Original article and photo source: PIMA

The survey is an industrywide effort to collect information about the reroofing market spearheaded by a coalition of trade associations.

The National Roofing Contractors Association encourages roofing professionals to join industry trade associations representing contractors, consultants and manufacturers in the U.S. and Canada in taking part in the latest Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing to evaluate business conditions during the second quarter of 2026.

For more than two years, the survey has taken the pulse of the reroofing industry and continues to serve as a regular barometer of the industry’s business conditions. By asking a handful of business questions and measuring responses across several demographics, the survey helps give an indication of the reroofing market’s strength and trajectory. Your response provides valuable insight.

The results of the Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing are made available to all survey participants via an online dashboard that enables users to filter results by region and other metrics.

For the previous survey that measured business activity during the first quarter of 2026, 70% of responses came from roofing contractors and 30% came from roof consultants. 

The survey is an industrywide effort to collect information about the reroofing market spearheaded by a coalition of trade associations, including the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, Canadian Roofing Contractors Association, Chemical Fabrics & Film Association Inc., EPDM Roofing Association, International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants, Metal Construction Association, Metal Roofing Alliance, National Roofing Contractors Association, National Women in Roofing, Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association, Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association and Single Ply Roofing Industry.

The Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing is available at https://bit.ly/RoofingSurvey. 

Survey responses may be submitted through July 20.

About NRCA

Since 1886, the National Roofing Contractors Association has been the home for generations of entrepreneurial craftsmen and enterprises who shelter and protect America’s families and businesses and each other. Our vision is the recognition of our members as professionals and to unite the industry to that purpose. NRCA is one of the construction industry’s most respected trade associations and the voice of roofing professionals and leading authority in the roofing industry for information, education, technology and advocacy. It represents all segments of the roofing industry, including contractors; manufacturers; distributors; architects; consultants; engineers; building owners; and city, state and government agencies. For information about NRCA and its services and offerings, visit nrca.net.

Connors will support PIMA’s mission to advance the use of polyiso insulation in high-performance building applications through industry collaboration, education and advocacy.

Polyglass U.S.A., Inc., a leading manufacturer of roofing, waterproofing and building envelope solutions, is pleased to announce that Lynn Connors, director of strategic marketing, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA).

Connors will support PIMA’s mission to advance the use of polyiso insulation in high-performance building applications through industry collaboration, education and advocacy.

“I’m honored to join the PIMA Board of Directors and contribute to advancing the role of polyiso insulation in high-performing building envelope systems,” said Connors. “I look forward to collaborating with industry peers to support innovation, education and broader adoption across the market.”

Connors brings more than 17 years of experience in the building materials industry to her role on the PIMA Board. In her current position at Polyglass, she leads strategic marketing initiatives and has a deep understanding of market trends, customer needs and product development across roofing, waterproofing and building envelope systems.

Polyglass’ recent approval as a Regular Member of PIMA further strengthens the company’s commitment to advancing polyiso insulation solutions. In support of growing demand, Polyglass has also expanded its polyiso insulation production capacity, adding a sixth manufacturing facility to its North American footprint, reinforcing the company’s ability to deliver high-performance systems for commercial and residential applications as part of its broader Seal the Envelope™ approach.

Contact Polyglass to learn more about their innovative roofing, waterproofing and building envelope solutions.

About Polyglass U.S.A., Inc.

Polyglass U.S.A., Inc. is a leading manufacturer of roofing, waterproofig and building envelope solutions serving the North American market since 1992. Known for its innovative self-adhered modified bitumen roofing systems featuring patented ADESO® Technology, Polyglass offers a comprehensive portfolio of systems for roofing and building envelope applications across the structure, from below-grade through the building exterior to the roof. Headquartered in Deerfield Beach, Florida, the ISO 9001:2015-certified company operates six state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and continues to expand its production capabilities. As part of the MAPEI Group, Polyglass leverages more than 130 years of combined industry expertise. For more information, call 800.222.9782 or visit polyglass.us.

Leading manufacturer of roofing and waterproofing systems becomes a member of North American polyiso insulation trade association.

The Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA), the trade association representing North American manufacturers of polyiso insulation, is pleased to announce the approval of Polyglass U.S.A., Inc., as a regular manufacturer member. Polyglass is a premier manufacturer of high-performance roofing and waterproofing solutions, including polyiso roof insulation panels. As the association’s newest regular manufacturing member, Polyglass’ partnership will enhance PIMA’s already strong reputation as the leading voice and advocate for the use of polyiso in the construction of more energy-efficient buildings.

"Joining PIMA reflects Polyglass’ commitment to advancing high-performance building envelope solutions through collaboration and shared expertise,” Natalino Zanchetta, president & CEO of Polyglass U.S.A., Inc., said. “We look forward to working alongside industry leaders to support innovation, education and the broader adoption of polyiso as a critical component of durable, energy-efficient systems."

Polyglass is an industry-leading manufacturer of roofing, waterproofing and building envelope solutions with more than 30 years of experience serving the U.S. market. The company produces high-quality modified bitumen roofing solutions for low-slope and steep-slope applications and offers a comprehensive portfolio of insulation, roof coatings, as well as maintenance, training and warranty programs.

Headquartered in Deerfield Beach, Florida, Polyglass leverages advanced manufacturing processes, operating six state-of-the-art facilities across North America with a recent expansion in production capacity of polyiso insulation.

As part of the MAPEI Group since 2008, the company is backed by more than 130 years of combined industry expertise. Through its Seal the Envelope™ approach, Polyglass continues to advance innovation across building envelope solutions, including air and vapor barriers and above- and below-grade waterproofing.

“Bringing together polyiso manufacturers and industry partners with a shared commitment to improving building performance is critical to accelerating PIMA’s mission, especially as the Association continues to expand its circle of influence,” said PIMA president, Justin Koscher. “The Association recognizes the value of collaboration, and Polyglass’ involvement strengthens PIMA’s collective ability to continue driving the adoption of polyiso across the building construction industry to help shape code-compliant, energy-efficient, resilient buildings for the future.”

To learn more about PIMA’s ongoing commitment to advancing the polyiso industry, which involves a comprehensive approach through advocacy, education, research and leadership, visit polyiso.org. 

About PIMA 

Since 1987, the Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA) has served as the voice of the rigid polyiso industry, proactively advocating for safe, cost-effective, sustainable and energy-efficient construction. PIMA is an association of polyiso manufacturers and industry suppliers. Polyiso is one of North America’s most widely used and cost-effective insulation products. To learn more, visit www.polyiso.org.

About Polyglass U.S.A., Inc.

Polyglass U.S.A., Inc. is a leading manufacturer of roofing, waterproofing, and building envelope solutions serving the North American market since 1992. Known for its innovative self-adhered modified bitumen roofing systems featuring patented ADESO® Technology, Polyglass offers a comprehensive portfolio of systems for roofing and building envelope applications across the structure, from below-grade through the building exterior to the roof. Headquartered in Deerfield Beach, Florida, the ISO 9001:2015-certified company operates six state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and continues to expand its production capabilities. As part of the MAPEI Group, Polyglass leverages more than 130 years of combined industry expertise. For more information, call 800.222.9782 or visit polyglass.us.

By Emma Peterson. 

Justin Koscher of PIMA walks through the Market Index Survey for Reroofing Q1 2026 results.  

2026 has already been a rollercoaster of a year with new regulation changes and geopolitical factors impacting every part of our lives – including how we conduct business in the roofing industry. For those that want a look at the larger picture of how Q1 of this year has affected contractors and other roofing professionals, the Market Index Survey for Reroofing is an invaluable resource.  

This survey, which is sponsored by a coalition of national roofing associations, tracks the successes and challenges facing the industry across fiscal quarters and years. And the results of the first quarter of 2026 were just released! Justin Koscher, president of the Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA), shared the following overview of the Q1 2026 results.  

Survey demographics 

• 70% roofing contractors 
• 30% roofing consultants 
• 87% working primarily in low slope or a blend of low and steep slope 
• 13% operating only in steep-slope roofing 

Material usage 

• 32% of roofing contractor participants reported that the volume of materials installed increased in Q1 2026 compared to Q1 2025. 
• 32% reported no change 
• 36% reported a decrease in materials installed 

Customer inquiries 

• 36% of all respondents report that customer inquiries increased for Q1 2026 compared to Q1 2025.  
• 43% report no change 
• 21% report a decrease 
• As for the Customer Inquiries Index, the total industry jumped into positive territory (57.1) 

Please note: The Customer Inquiries Index is based on a 0 to 100 scale. A score of 50 or higher suggests expansion or optimism, while a value below 50 indicates contraction or pessimism.  

Project contracts 

• 33% of all respondents report that project contracts increased for Q1 2026 as compared to the same quarter previous year 
• 40% reported no change 
• 27% reported a decrease 
• The Project Contracts Index for the total industry also climbed in to the positives, increasing to 52.9 for Q1 2026 up from 45.2 for Q4 2025.  

Please note: The Project Contracts Index operates on the same scale as the Customer Inquiries Index. 

Project backlog 

• 34% of respondents reported a project backlog of three months or longer 
• 26% of respondents reported no project backlog  
• 40% of respondents reported a backlog of one to two months 

The takeaways 

The majority of the growth related to the customer inquiries index came from businesses focused on low slope roofing and businesses focused on a blend of steep and low roofing (each reporting 59.1 and 57.1 respectively). Alternatively, steep slope only businesses reported a neutral outlook (50.0). As for project contracts, the growth came from businesses primarily engaged in low slope roofing (who had an outlook of 56.1) while the other segments reported neutrally (50.0). 

And looking at the project backlog data, the Q1 2026 results show a six-point increase in firms reporting a project backlog of three months or longer compared to the percentage of respondents that reported similar project backlogs in January 2026. 

The Q2 2026 survey will be open from Monday, July 6, 2026 to Monday, July 20, 2026. Interested professionals can sign up for updates, which can be expected in June 2026.

A coalition of industry trade associations representing contractors, consultants and manufacturers in the U.S. and Canada has completed its Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing for the third quarter of 2025.

The survey is an industrywide effort spearheaded by a coalition of trade assocations, including the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, Canadian Roofing Contractors Association, Chemical Fabrics & Film Association Inc., EPDM Roofing Association, International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants, Metal Construction Association, Metal Roofing Alliance, National Roofing Contractors Association, National Women in Roofing, Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association, Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association and Single Ply Roofing Industry.

Seventy percent of survey responses came from roofing contractors, and 30% of responses came from roof consultants. Forty-eight percent of respondents indicated they primarily work on low-slope roof systems; 39% indicated they primarily work on a blend of low-slope and steep-slope roof systems; and 13% indicated they primarily work on steep-slope roof systems.

Participants who identify as roofing contractors were asked to report the number of squares of reroofing material installed by their companies during the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same quarter in 2025. Thirty-two percent of respondents reported the volume of reroofing materials installed increased, 32% reported no change and 36% reported a decrease in materials installed year-over-year.

Thirty-six percent of all survey respondents indicated their customer inquiries increased. Forty-three percent of respondents reported no change in activity, and 21% indicated a decrease. Project contracts increased for 33% of respondents, 40% reported no change in activity and 27% indicated a decrease in project contracts.

Additionally, two indices offer insight regarding customer inquiries and project contracts across market segments. The indices are based on a 0 to 100 scale. A score of 50 or higher suggests expansion or optimism; a score below 50 indicates contraction or pessimism.

• The customer inquiries index score for the total industry increased to 57.1 compared with 39.0 for the fourth quarter of 2025. The score for the steep-slope reroofing market is 50, the score for the low-slope reroofing market is 59.1, and the score for the blended low- and steep-slope reroofing market is 57.1.
• The project contracts index score for the total industry increased to 52.9 compared with 45.2 for the fourth quarter of 2025. The score for the steep-slope reroofing market is 50.0, the score for the low-slope reroofing market is 56.1, and the score for the blended low- and steep-slope reroofing market is 50.0.

As of April 2026, 26% of respondents reported no project backlogs, 40% indicated project backlogs of one to two months and 21% indicated backlogs of three to four months. Thirteen percent of respondents reported project backlogs of five or more months.

The complete results of the Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing are available to those who participate in the survey via an online dashboard that enables users to filter results by region and other metrics. Any contractor or consultant who wants to participate in the next quarter’s survey can sign up for a notification at http://bit.ly/37ank7D.

About NRCA

Since 1886, the National Roofing Contractors Association has been the home for generations of entrepreneurial craftsmen and enterprises who shelter and protect America’s families and businesses and each other. Our vision is the recognition of our members as professionals and to unite the industry to that purpose. NRCA is one of the construction industry’s most respected trade associations and the voice of roofing professionals and leading authority in the roofing industry for information, education, technology and advocacy. It represents all segments of the roofing industry, including contractors; manufacturers; distributors; architects; consultants; engineers; building owners; and city, state and government agencies. For information about NRCA and its services and offerings, visit nrca.net.

Updated, third-party verified EPDs provide transparent, cradle-to-grave environmental impact data for polyiso roof insulation, polyiso wall insulation and HD polyiso roof cover boards.

The Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA), the trade association representing North American manufacturers of polyiso insulation, announced the publication of updated Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for polyiso insulation products. The third-party verified and ISO-compliant EPDs provide industry-averaged environmental impact data for polyiso roof insulation, polyiso wall insulation and high-density (HD) polyiso roof cover board products manufactured by PIMA members in the United States and Canada.

What is an EPD?

An EPD is an internationally recognized document and reporting tool that discloses the environmental impacts of building materials like insulation to help inform building product selection. EPDs are developed using product category rules (PCRs) and are based on standardized life cycle assessments (LCAs) to ensure that architects, specifiers and sustainability professionals have access to accurate and credible product data.

A major milestone in sustainability and transparency reporting 

The publication of PIMA's updated EPDs marks another important milestone in the Association's long and demonstrated history of leadership on sustainability and transparency reporting.

"The publication of industry-averaged EPDs for polyiso products is no small feat and the participating manufacturers should be applauded for their participation and commitment to the project," said PIMA's senior director of technical affairs, Marcin Pazera, Ph.D. "Over the past two years, PIMA worked with participating manufacturers and outside LCA experts to collect, analyze and validate data submitted from facilities across North America. The end result is EPD reports that provide an accurate and comprehensive look at the impacts and advantages of polyiso products used throughout the construction sector."

What architects, specifiers and sustainability professionals need to know about PIMA's EPDs

PIMA's newly published EPDs for polyiso roof insulation, polyiso wall insulation and HD polyiso roof cover boards include several key features:

• Cradle-to-Grave LCA for polyiso: Reports environmental impacts across the full product life cycle, based on a 75-year building service life
• Product category rule compliance: Published in accordance with applicable PCRs for insulation and roof cover board products, including the recently updated and enhanced PCR for building thermal envelope insulation
• Scaling factors for accurate results: For polyiso roof and wall insulation products, the EPDs include scaling factors that allow professionals to calculate impacts based on specific insulation board thicknesses
• Roof replacement factor: For polyiso roof insulation and HD polyiso roof cover board, the EPDs consider the impacts of a full roof replacement during the 75-year building service life
• Industry-wide data coverage: Includes primary manufacturing data from 2023 for all participating PIMA member facilities
• Third-party verification: Independently verified and published in NSF's official EPD database to ensure confidence

Polyiso EPDs support sustainable building and certification

The updated polyiso EPDs provide industry-averaged data to enable informed material selection and contribute to the development of high-performance, sustainable buildings. These EPDs can also support compliance with green building programs such as LEED and other LCA-based certification frameworks.

"As the focus on the environmental impacts of buildings and building materials continues to increase, PIMA is well-positioned to engage and educate regulators and industry stakeholders on the life cycle benefits and environmental impacts of polyiso products, including polyiso roof insulation, polyiso wall insulation and high-density (HD) polyiso roof cover board," said PIMA president, Justin Koscher.

Download reports 

PIMA's most current EPDs for polyiso insulation products are now available for download at: https://www.polyiso.org/page/EPDs

About PIMA

The Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA) serves as the voice of the rigid polyiso industry, proactively advocating for safe, cost-effective, sustainable and energy-efficient construction. Organized in 1987, PIMA is an association of polyiso manufacturers and industry suppliers. Polyiso is one of North America's most widely used and cost-effective insulation products. To learn more, visit www.polyiso.org.

insulation products. To learn more, visit www.polyiso.org.

The survey is an industrywide effort to collect information about the reroofing market spearheaded by a coalition of trade associations.

The National Roofing Contractors Association encourages roofing professionals to join industry trade associations representing contractors, consultants and manufacturers in the U.S. and Canada in taking part in the latest Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing to evaluate business conditions during the first quarter of 2026.

For more than two years, the survey has taken the pulse of the reroofing industry and continues to serve as a regular barometer of the industry’s business conditions. By asking a handful of business questions and measuring responses across several demographics, the survey helps indicate the reroofing market’s strength and trajectory. Your response provides valuable insight.

The results of the Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing are made available to all survey participants via an online dashboard that enables users to filter results by region and other metrics.

For the previous survey that measured business activity during the fourth quarter of 2025, 75% of responses came from roofing contractors and 25% came from roof consultants.

The survey is an industrywide effort to collect information about the reroofing market spearheaded by a coalition of trade associations, including the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, Canadian Roofing Contractors Association, Chemical Fabrics & Film Association Inc., EPDM Roofing Association, International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants, Metal Construction Association, Metal Roofing Alliance, National Roofing Contractors Association, National Women in Roofing, Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association, Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association and Single Ply Roofing Industry.

The Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing is available at bit.ly/RoofingSurvey. Survey responses may be submitted through April 20.

About National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)

Since 1886, the National Roofing Contractors Association has been the home for generations of entrepreneurial craftsmen and enterprises who shelter and protect America’s families and businesses and each other. Our vision is the recognition of our members as professionals and to unite the industry to that purpose. NRCA is one of the construction industry’s most respected trade associations and the voice of roofing professionals and leading authority in the roofing industry for information, education, technology and advocacy. It represents all segments of the roofing industry, including contractors; manufacturers; distributors; architects; consultants; engineers; building owners; and city, state and government agencies. For information about NRCA and its services and offerings, visit www.nrca.net.

By Emma Peterson. 

What the 2025 Q4 Market Index Survey can tell us about uncertainty and opportunity in the roofing industry.  

Hindsight is 20/20, so now that we're three months into the new year, we wanted to take a moment to look back at 2025. To do this, Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with McKay Daniels, CEO at the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), and Brian Pallasch, executive vice president and CEO of the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC), for a Roofing Road Trips® all about the 2025 Q4 Market Index Survey for Reroofing.  

Hosted by a coalition of industry trade associations and companies, including RoofersCoffeeShop® and the Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA), this survey offers a quarterly look at the roofing industry’s business conditions. In the last survey of 2025, about 75% of respondents were roofing contractors and the remaining 25% were building enclosure consultants. Overall, their responses showed some hesitation and uncertainty that, for some, became a defining characteristic of 2025. Brian explained, “I don't want to put too much on it. But it appeared that there was a little bit of a slowdown in customer inquiries...Additionally, they reported that project backlog had fallen a little bit over the course of the last year. All of this indicates that the market was uncertain.” 

It is important to note that this uncertainty does not mean there weren’t areas of the industry that experienced a positive end to 2025. McKay explained, “You have to remember that roofing is not monolithic. For example, public work has slowed down, but data centers or very technical manufacturing facilities are in huge demand. And the folks working in that lane are as busy as they've ever been.”  

With all this in mind, the 2025 Q4 Market Index Survey for Reroofing tells a specific story about uncertainty, hesitancy and endurance. McKay explained, “We’ve been dealing with uncertain economies and world events for six years or more. And I think some of the slowdown we saw in the survey comes from contractors taking a pause to evaluate where they’re and look at reinvesting in training that allows them to get into some of those busy lanes and build a sustainable cadence that can survive that uncertainty.” 

Listen to the episode or Watch the recording to hear more of Daniel and McKay’s insights on the 2025 Q4 Market Index Survey for Reroofing. Do you want to help build a better understanding of the state of the industry? Make sure to participate in the first survey of 2026, which will open in April!

Coalition unites to protect roofing diversity and to defend sound building science.

A broad coalition of roofing industry organizations has successfully defeated Mississippi House Bill 1730, legislation that would have imposed a mandatory minimum 3:12 roof slope on all new public buildings constructed in the state.  

The measure, which passed the Mississippi House of Representatives before stalling in the state Senate, would have effectively prohibited low-slope roofing systems on public construction projects and eliminated proven, cost-effective roofing solutions used on schools, hospitals, government buildings and other public facilities nationwide. 

"This outcome proves the power of a united industry speaking with one voice," said Ellen Thorp, CAE, president and managing director of Coalition for Sustainable Roofing (COSUR). "Low-slope roofing systems have a decades-long track record of performance on public buildings. This legislation was well-intentioned but based on a fundamental misunderstanding of building science, and we're grateful the Mississippi Senate recognized that." 

"Low-slope roofing systems are a staple of commercial and public construction in Mississippi," said Christee Roberson, owner and president of Graham Roofing, Inc. in West Point, Mississippi. "This bill would have tied the hands of architects, building owners and contractors, and driven up costs for taxpayers in the process. We're glad the industry mobilized quickly and effectively to make sure that didn't happen." 

The Coalition for Sustainable Roofing (COSUR) led the advocacy effort, working in close coordination with the EPDM Roofing Association (ERA), the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC), the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA), the Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA), the Single Ply Roofing Industry (SPRI), the Mississippi Roofing Contractors Association and approximately a dozen additional roofing-related organizations and industry partners. 

About Coalition for Sustainable Roofing

COSUR (Coalition for Sustainable Roofing) is an advocacy coalition representing leading U.S. roofing manufacturers committed to holistic roof system design and sustainable roofing assemblies. The coalition advocates for informed, system-level decisions and opposes overly restrictive policies not supported by local, real-world performance and field-verified outcomes.