By Jenny Yu.  

Industry expert Melanie Butler outlines shifting trade actions and what contractors should watch for next. 

Roofing industry professionals continue to navigate unpredictable tariffs as federal trade policy shifts continue to affect material costs and supply chains. In this Roofing Road Trips® episode, Heidi J. Ellsworth spoke with Melanie Butler, director of trade and transportation compliance at Sherwin-Williams, about how contractors should respond to evolving tariff actions.  

Melanie spoke of the Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum that were at the forefront of concerns. “There was a new executive order raising the tariff on steel and aluminum to 50%,” Melanie said, referring to changes implemented June 4, 2025. She noted that these tariffs apply not only to raw materials but also to derivative steel and aluminum articles that roofing contractors commonly import. “These are tariff-specific, so they're mainly raw steel and aluminum or minimally processed,” she explained, highlighting how broad the impact can be for imported components. 

Melanie also discussed evolving reciprocal tariffs, which have fluctuated widely over the past year. “Initially, they were 20% on every country except China. The China rate at one point was 125% and now we're back down to 10%,” she said, underscoring the challenge of keeping up with changing rates that affect overall material pricing and planning. 

As the tariff environment grows more complex, Melanie urged contractors to understand the details of their supply chains and import documentation. “If you know the tariff code of your product, you’re then going to go into any negotiations with your eyes more open,” she said.  

Ultimately, uncertainty remains the central theme. “Uncertainty is the worst thing for business, as I've heard said,” Melanie noted. As foreign production and global logistics continue to shift in response to trade policy, industry professionals should stay informed and flexible. 

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to learn more about how tariffs are affecting the roofing supply chain. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Check out what The Coffee Shops™ readers are clicking on. 

It’s hard to even believe that it’s already April. If your March has been anything like ours has been at The Coffee Shops™, it has been very busy! So, to help our readers keep track of everything that happened in the last month, we put together a list of the top-read articles on RoofersCoffeeShop®, MetalCoffeeShop® and CoatingsCoffeeShop® in March 2026.  

One thing we noticed when looking at the data for our trending article topics was the sheer number of articles focused on workforce development and business advice. For example, Emma Peterson highlighted how SkillsUSA helped two young roofers find a mentor for life and how National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) has made workforce development one of their key initiatives.   

Additionally, Jenny Yu shared key information for metal roofers about how Sherwin-Williams' MetalVue program acts as “a comprehensive support system for contractors that connects them to all the tools they might need” to succeed. Additionally, John Kenney of Cotney Consulting Group dove into general construction safety practices and how the fundamentals are key to building a long-lasting, successful business.  

Our top article list from March 2026 

10 - Finding the path to roofing by Emma Peterson 

9 - Navigating a new world of technology by Emma Peterson 

8 - Business-in-a-box for metal roofing by Jenny Yu 

7 - Finding your path through mentorship by Emma Peterson 

6 - Brakes and beyond: Products for efficiency and customization by Jenny Yu 

5 - The state of roofing recruitment and retention by Emma Peterson 

4 - General construction safety principles: The core practices every outdoor trade should follow by John Kenney 

3 - Inspiring the next generation of roofers by Emma Peterson 

2 - A new safety frontier by Emma Peterson 

1 - Level up your team with training by Emma Peterson 

By Alberto Torres. 

Training in Miami brings contractors together to improve metal roof installation. 

Sherwin-Williams MetalVue organized an event in Miami, Florida, this February 2026 where Top Metal led a specialized training focused on the correct installation of metal roofing systems. The event brought together more than forty contractors and professionals from different parts of the United States. According to Heidi J. Ellsworth of RoofersCoffeeShop®, the event offered different types of training, and all information was provided in both English and Spanish. 

According to Aldin Mejia, owner and founder of Top Metal, this event has been a very positive experience for attendees, who had the opportunity to learn key techniques to ensure proper and professional installation. “The main objective of this system is to promote proper metal installation and make sure people learn to do it correctly, because that is the most important thing,” Aldin shared during the event. He also presented one of the products they use for metal roofs: “Titebond Metal Roof Sealant is specifically made for metal; it doesn’t contain acids that damage the material,” Aldin explained. 

One of the most noticeable aspects of the training was the diversity of attendees. Aldin reported the presence of participants from various states, including Texas, New Jersey, Florida, Oklahoma, Tennessee and California, among others. Their participation reflects the growing interest in the industry, especially in the metal roofing segment, where installation precision can make a significant difference in the durability and performance of the system. 

Amparo Sancen from Latinos en Roofing shared the importance of attending training like this one, highlighting that the knowledge provided can help contractors expand their services and strengthen their businesses. She also pointed out that this type of training is useful even for those who are already installing metal roofs, as it allows them to reinforce techniques and prevent issues in future projects. 

With the growth of the metal roofing market, training like this is essential to elevate work quality and reduce field failures. 

By Jenny Yu.  

Explore some of the key features that differentiate two of the most popular roofing materials today. 

Every property owner has different goals, budgets and needs when it comes to choosing the roof system that works for them. To help contractors and homeowners make this decision, Sherwin-Williams provides a helpful chart evaluating how metal roofs and asphalt shingles perform across 18 different features. Here is a summary of three of the key features to consider. 

Cost  

Asphalt shingles are definitely the cheaper option upfront. Installation is generally easier and quicker for asphalt shingle roofs, which contributes to its lower cost. Metal roofing comes at a steeper price tag as it requires specialized labor and tools, but it does last longer — 40-70 years compared to 15-20 years for asphalt shingles.  

Weather performance & durability 

Metal outperforms asphalt shingles here, as it can take strong winds, driving rain, hail, ice, high heat and snow. Metal roofs can also be Class A fire-rated while also withstanding winds up to 140 miles per hour. With UL 2218 Class 4 impact resistance, metal roofs can handle heavy hail. Some asphalt shingles are also built to withstand hail, but many are likely to crack or lose granules during severe storms.  

Energy efficiency & environmental impact 

Again, metal has a significant leg up. Metal is recyclable and often made from recycled materials, reflects solar heat and can reduce cooling costs by up to 30% with reflective coatings. Metal roofs are also an ideal platform for solar panels, requiring no roof penetrations.  

Asphalt shingles, on the other hand, contribute 11 million tons of waste to landfills annually. While some asphalt shingles have reflective granules, most absorb heat, thus increasing energy use and cooling costs. Finally, asphalt roofs may require repair or replacement prior to the end of solar panels’ lifespan, making solar panel compatibility less than ideal.  

Learn more about the differences between metal roofing and asphalt shingles!

This expansion leads the way for future industry growth.

Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings, the leading manufacturer of coil and extrusion metal coatings in the world, today announced it completed a major expansion at its coil coatings manufacturing plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky, to align production of its popular products with an expected trajectory of positive growth in the metal roofing and construction markets.

“Our Performance Coatings Group continues to invest in advanced technologies that support innovation and long-term partnerships,” said Karl Jorgenrud, president, Sherwin-Williams Performance Coatings Group. “The Bowling Green expansion will strengthen our supply chain resilience and ensure our customers receive high-performance solutions without interruption.”

The company significantly upgraded the 32-year-old facility with state-of-the-art technology, advanced automation, larger batch capabilities and expanded production capacity to meet accelerating demand in roofing, metal building and OEM manufacturer markets.

The expansion adds a 60% overall increase from 2025 — and enables larger batch production. Sherwin-Williams says enhanced automation will also improve formulation accuracy, reduce any defects, increase consistency and strengthen the plant’s ability to meet lead-time commitments.

“Industry experts predict demand increasing across roofing and siding markets and this expansion bolsters our ability to deliver our products in less than five days, which is advantageous to our many customers,” said Drew Waldroup, vice president of sales for the Sherwin-Williams. “Increased capacity and automation also enhance our reliability, provide greater operational flexibility and allow us to collaborate seamlessly with other Sherwin-Williams manufacturing sites nationwide.”

The Bowling Green facility manufactures polyester coil coatings (PolyPREMIER™) designed for interior and moderate exterior applications such as lighting fixtures, appliances, garage and entry doors and building products. These polyester systems deliver the toughness and flexibility required for reliable interior performance.

For exterior environments, the plant produces siliconized modified polyester (SMP) coatings (WeatherXL™), which offer enhanced UV resistance, gloss retention and long-term weatherability for metal roofing, siding, agricultural buildings and industrial panels. The expansion strengthens Sherwin‑Williams ability to scale production and support growing customer demand.

Sherwin-Williams is a global leader in coil and extrusion metal coatings, serving coaters, roll formers, OEMs and construction professionals worldwide with innovative, high-performance finishing technologies.

For more information about the expansion check out the fact sheet.

By Jenny Yu. 

Sherwin-Williams' Roofing Passport brings speed, accuracy and confidence to custom metal roofing bids. 

As metal roofing continues to gain ground in the residential market, Sherwin-Williams is equipping contractors with tools to compete more effectively. In this RLW®, Karen Edwards spoke with Junny Lee and Heather McGinnis of Sherwin-Williams about how the company’s Roofing Passport program is helping contractors streamline metal estimates and grow their businesses. 

Junny pointed to durability and longevity as key drivers behind metal’s rise. “We know that a metal roof is two, three, maybe four times longer than the lifespan of an asphalt roof,” Junny stated. Still, contractors face barriers when adding metal to their offerings. “We’ve narrowed it down to three things: lack of training, the cost perception or the uphill battle of upselling.” Through its MetalVue program, Sherwin-Williams addresses those concerns with training, sales support and data-backed performance metrics.  

Furthermore, their Roofing Passport program tackles one of the biggest hurdles: estimating custom metal jobs quickly and accurately.  

“As far as going into the home and bidding, the thing that we heard over and over again was the fact that it was hard, because it’s a custom product, to deliver on a bid for metal,” Heather said. “So, what we did as a company that just wants to get another piece of metal on a roof was to say: we need to simplify this estimating process. We need to make it easy. We need to be able to compete alongside with asphalt.”  

From there, Sherwin-Williams created Roofing Passport, a cloud-based software that ingests Eagleview reports, blueprints or XML files and generates a detailed takeoff report, including panel layouts, trim, accessories and fasteners. “It provides fewer errors and delays, it’s accurate and it’s an automated turnaround,” Heather shared, adding that estimates are typically within $200 of final costs. 

Notably, Sherwin-Williams does not charge contractors to use the platform beyond third-party report fees. “This is just something we wanted to do for the contractors to help get more metal up there,” Heather expressed. 

Read the first article in this series, Listen to the conversation or Watch the presentation to learn more about Roofing Passport and see the software in action. 

By Jenny Yu.  

Discover the facts behind some of the most common misconceptions about metal roofs.  

Metal roofing is growing to be one of the most popular roofing material choices, and for good reason. Metal is versatile, durable and cost-effective, requiring less maintenance than most traditional materials and offering greater energy efficiency benefits. However, some people in roofing are still hesitant to adopt metal into their business because of myths or misinformation about the trending material. MetalVue by Sherwin-Williams is here to set the record straight. Below are a few common myths that MetalVue debunks so that contractors can make informed decisions about incorporating metal into their services. 

1 – Metal comes in only one color and texture.  

Actually, metal has a lot more variety than one might think. Metal panels can be coated with a variety of colors, gloss levels, textures and prints that can mimic the look of traditional roofing materials like asphalt shingles, clay tiles and more. 

2 – Metal roofs rust easily. 

With the proper galvanized coatings and protective finishes, metal roofs resist the damaging effects of water, acid rain and UV rays. In addition, these coatings are fade- and dirt-resistant while deterring algae and mold growth. Finally, metal roof warranties often have much longer warranties compared to other roofing materials.  

3 – Metal roofs cost more than other roofs. 

While the upfront cost of a metal roof may be higher than that of traditional materials like asphalt shingles, the economic benefits typically outweigh the costs in the long run, making metal roofs a smart long-term investment.  

For instance, MetalVue notes that metal roofs can last 50 years or more compared to the average 20 years for traditional roofs, saving on maintenance and replacement costs. Metal roofs are also eligible for significant tax credits due to their sustainable impact, saving homeowners as much as $1,500. Furthermore, metal roofs can lower household energy costs by 40% due to their heat-reflecting properties.  

Learn more metal myths and how to incorporate metal into your business!

Por Alberto Torres. 

Entrenamiento en Miami reúne a contratistas para mejorar la instalación de techos de metal. 

Sherwin Williams MetalVue organizo un evento en Miami, Florida este Febrero 2026 donde Top Metal lideró la capacitación llevando a cabo un entrenamiento especializado y enfocado en la instalación correcta de sistemas para techos de metal, reuniendo a más de cuarenta contratistas y profesionales de distintas partes de Estados Unidos. De acuerdo con Heidi J. Ellsworth de RoofersCoffeeShop® este evento ofreció diferentes tipos de entrenamiento y toda la información la dieron en inglés y español 

De acuerdo con Aldin Mejia, dueño y fundador de Top Metal, este evento ha sido una experiencia muy positiva para los asistentes, quienes han tenido la oportunidad de aprender técnicas claves para asegurar una instalación correcta y profesional. “El objetivo principal de este sistema es promover la instalación adecuada del metal y que las personas lo aprendan correctamente, porque eso es lo más importante,” nos compartió Aldin durante el evento. Así como también presento uno de los productos que ellos utilizan en los techos de metal, “Titebond Metal Roof Sealant es un silicón que es específicamente para metales, no tiene ácidos que dañan el metal,” dijo Aldin. 

Uno de los aspectos más destacados del entrenamiento fue la diversidad de asistentes. Aldin reporto la presencia de personas provenientes de diferentes estados, incluyendo Texas, New Jersey, Florida, Oklahoma, Tennessee y California, entre otros. La participación refleja el interés creciente en la industria, especialmente en el segmento de techos de metal, donde la precisión en la instalación puede marcar una gran diferencia en la durabilidad y el desempeño del sistema. 

Amparo Sancen de Latinos en Roofing compartió la importancia de asistir a entrenamientos como este, señalando que el conocimiento que se comparte puede ayudar a los contratistas a ampliar sus servicios y fortalecer sus negocios. También destacó que este tipo de capacitación es útil incluso para quienes ya ofrecen techos de metal, ya que les permite reforzar técnicas y prevenir problemas en proyectos futuros. 

Con el crecimiento del mercado de techos de metal, entrenamientos como este son clave para elevar la calidad del trabajo y reducir fallas en el campo.

By Jenny Yu.  

Explore how incorporating metal can take your business to the next level. 

In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Karen Edwards spoke with Sherwin-Williams’ MetalVue OEM Program Manager, Brendan McGinnis and Sherwin Williams’ Contractor Sales Representative for the MetalVue program, Heather McGinnis, about consumer trends and why roofing contractors should incorporate metal into their offerings.  

First, property owners are choosing metal because of its long-term performance and durability. “We're seeing a shift from the consumer perspective, where they're tired of dealing with the replacement of an asphalt roof,” Brendan explained. “Realistically, an asphalt roof is going to last 12 to 15 years, while a metal roof is going to last 40 years. You're going to have to replace that asphalt roof three to four times within the life of a metal roof — that's just not something that homeowners have a lot of appetite for when they're buying a forever home.” 

Along with performance, customers enjoy the aesthetic properties and customization that metal provides. Sherwin-Williams's Sher-Color™ program expands asphalt shingle offerings beyond the typical colors of greys, browns and beiges. “There are so many color options available within the metal space; if somebody can dream it, we can create it,” Heather stated. “There are pigments of every color of the rainbow, and the combination of those makes all the customization in the world possible.” 

In fact, Brendan shared a unique story that speaks to Sherwin-Williams' customization and customer collaboration: “I think the weirdest thing that I ever matched was when someone sent me a purple spoon. I created a paint system in the color of that purple spoon in our Weather Excel product, and I think they ended up purchasing it.” 

Finally, beyond performance and endless customization possibilities, metal offers what all contractors want: margins. “Margin is great in metal, and it has to be because it is a product that is not designed to be replaced over and over again,” Brendan said. “This is an opportunity for you to make a margin on one job, service that customer and make a name for yourself.”  With Sherwin-Williams' Roofing Passport program, contractors can take advantage of this opportunity and become leaders in their areas. 

Read the first article in this series or Listen to the podcast to learn more about how Sherwin-Williams is helping roofing contractors add metal to their services. 

By Jenny Yu.  

Sherwin-Williams leaders explain how their MetalVue and Roofing Passport tools are helping contractors sell more metal with confidence. 

At the 2026 International Roofing Expo, The Coffee Shops™ stopped by the Sherwin-Williams booth to learn more about its MetalVue program acts to remove barriers to entry for contractors looking to sell and install metal roofs. 

“Sherwin-Williams went out and identified gaps within the roofing industry of why people weren't putting metal roofs on houses,” explained Heather McGinnis, contractor sales representative for MetalVue. The solution was to build a comprehensive support system for contractors that connects them to all the tools they might need: installation training, lead generation support, visualization technology and estimating software. “So, MetalVue is basically an à la carte business-in-a-box that Sherwin developed for contractors.” 

A key component of that toolbox is Roofing Passport, Sherwin-Williams' online platform that simplifies roof takeoff and project estimations. “Roofing Passport is an online tool that helps sell roofs faster and allows you to sell metal roofing alongside asphalt, not as an afterthought,” stated Brendan McGinnis, MetalVue OEM program manager. “You can enter an address, or you can upload blueprints, plans or drawings, and it comes back with a full material takeoff list of any of our 155 different manufacturers spread across the United States.” 

The convenience of the platform has earned raving reviews from contractors. “MetalVue is the only product that they've seen that actually pulls everything together in one spot for them. So that's the best feedback to have them say, ‘You've done what we've been wanting,’” Heather shared. “That was our goal: to make their lives easier. And at the end of the day, we just want to sell another gallon of paint. All we do is make the coating.” 

Finally, the power of a trusted brand is a huge benefit. “Contractors love a brand they can sell,” Brendan pointed out, encouraging contractors to use their logo on marketing materials. Ultimately, the goal is simple: “We want to put more metal roofs on houses nationwide. We’ve got to find a way to sell more metal, and I think we've done it.” 

Watch the interview to learn more about MetalVue and Roofing Passport!