By Emma Peterson. 

Behind the scenes of developing Versico’s innovative Temperature Sensing Gun. 

A couple months ago, Versico released a new product – their Temperature Sensing Gun (TSG). To learn more about this product and how it was developed, we interviewed Brian Calaman, Versico’s associate product manager. 

Identifying the need 

As is the first part of developing any new product, the Versico team began by identifying a need in the market. Brian gave some background on the issue that inspired them to create the TSG:  

Material temperature has always been an ongoing conversation with us and contractors, especially since the new regulations went into effect. A common issue we heard was that it takes a long time for material to heat (about 1 degree per hour), but it cools down very rapidly (up to 20 degrees in half an hour). 

Designing the Temperature Sensing Gun 

Once the issue was identified, it was time to start the design process, which brought a few unique challenges to the Versico team. One of them was the nature of urethane adhesives. Brian explained:  

Urethane adhesives have a moisture sensitive component that acts as a great hardener glue and sticks to everything. The issue was trying to design something that would keep those components moving in all the environments that our roofing contractors work in, from very cold environments to hot and humid ones. 

The design and engineering teams took this challenge and others in stride. Brian recalled, “We started at a spot of, ‘What’s possible?’ And from there our team came up with lots of options. Not all succeeded but the team kept narrowing things down and eventually found a way to push the envelope and build something that will really help contractors in the field.” 

Testing and prototyping 

The next step of the development process was to test and refine prototypes in order to create the best possible product. In this phase, Brian said the priorities were making sure the gun was as valuable to contractors as possible. He explained, “Most people look at a standard dispensing gun and it's a plastic, one use item. We were building this completely different version of that with electronics and lights and all these complicated components. And we wanted to make sure it added as much value to contractors as possible, so that it was durable and robust and performed without making it expensive.” 

So, how did Versico make sure their new product met all these goals? They put prototypes in the hands of the people who would know best – the contractors. Brian spoke about that part of development:  

We had contractors involved from the beginning. Our development period spanned multiple years with hundreds of different contractors getting out there and giving their feedback on different prototypes. We tested a couple thousand versions of the guns. And it was great to see what worked and what didn't. Some of our final tests were just handing the product to people and just watching how they use it, where they had trouble and so forth. 

The final product 

The result of all this work is an advanced, industrial grade two-component dispensing tool that “incorporates real time temperature sensing, actively measuring the adhesive temperature as it passes through the gun.” Not only does the TSG help contractors avoid waste by alerting them to adhesive temperature, it is 75% less trigger force compared to other two-component guns, reducing operator fatigue, and has a longer nozzle extension (three inches more than standard) that enables more accurate bead applications.  

Learn more about Versico’s Temperature Sensing Gun.

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Versico’s Advanced R vacuum-insulated panels help contractors achieve required R-values when rooftop conditions limit insulation thickness. 

As older commercial buildings approach the next reroofing cycle, contractors can face a difficult challenge: finding ways to meet current insulation requirements on rooftops that were not designed to accommodate additional thickness. In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, host Karen Edwards spoke with Tom Swope of Versico about how vacuum-insulated panels (VIPs) can provide high thermal performance in a thin profile. 

Tom explained that the panels feature a glass wool core wrapped in foil. Air is then removed from the foil enclosure to create a vacuum before it is sealed, helping the panels achieve significant thermal performance in a thin profile. Tom shared, “These panels are able to achieve pretty impressive numbers, anywhere from R40 all the way up to R66 per inch.” By comparison, Tom noted that standard polyisocyanurate insulation provides about R5.7 per inch. 

That difference can be especially important when reroofing buildings designed for lower insulation requirements. Tom explained that contractors may need to bring an older building up to current code even when the rooftop cannot easily accommodate additional insulation. Tom noted, “There's a lot of scenarios, especially in metropolitan areas, where there might be penthouse doors, windows, through-wall scuppers or through-wall penetrations.” Modifying those conditions can be costly, time-consuming or impractical. 

While VIPs can help address space limitations, they require careful handling during installation. Tom cautioned, “If it's pierced, either with a knife while cutting or nicked with a fastener, you lose about 80% of the R-value.” 

To protect the panel, Versico recommends sandwiching it between high-density polyisocyanurate coverboards. Tom explained, “What that does is protect the panel from shifts and movement as buildings expand and contract.” Because the panels cannot be cut, contractors must use standard insulation as infill around penetrations, curbs and roof edges. 

Careful planning is essential to maintaining the required overall R-value. Versico’s technical team creates project-specific drawings that show where panels and infill should be placed. Tom stated, “They lay it out like a puzzle.” The team may also recommend different panel sizes to minimize infill while helping the system meet the building’s insulation requirements. 

Contractors installing the system for the first time can coordinate with a Versico representative or local field service representative for job-site support. Tom advised, “It's a great idea to have them on the job site, especially if it's your crew's first time installing them.” He also confirmed that the Advanced R panel is included in the Versico system warranty. 

Listen to the podcast or Watch the conversation to learn more about Versico’s Advanced R vacuum-insulated panels, installation resources and contractor support! 

By Emma Peterson. 

Insights on the market trends, construction activity and opportunities driving today's commercial roofing landscape. 

In a new RoofersCoffeeShop® Coffee Conversations®, Megan Ellsworth sat down with a panel of experts from across the commercial roofing industry to discuss the current market state. 

Chad Burhrman, the VP of commercial roofing at SRS Distribution, opened the conversation with some of his current observations about the commercial roofing market, sharing, “To distill it down, I would say it’s healthy, but selective. And what I mean by that is some sectors are really strong, like re-roofing, but others are struggling more, like new construction.” 

This assessment, of an overall healthy market with some challenges facing it, was echoed by Vince Ellison, the president of the roof and paving consulting company Benchmark. In his own words, “I think there's reason for a lot of optimism, but there's also a little bit of tension as well... A lot of things seem to be on hold right now. We’ve followed up with a lot of clients, and they’ll tell us they’re waiting for something and are close but not quite there.”  

This concept of projects being on hold and the tension it is causing is something Dean Jagusch, owner and CEO of Washington, D.C.-based Wagner Roofing Company has experienced firsthand. He described it, saying:  

The first quarter for us was really hard. We had a real winter out here in the mid-Atlantic and everything slowed down and was put on hold. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t work... On the reroofing side we’ve seen continued activity and resilience, especially around critical infrastructure like senior living, higher education, etc. 

Chad Schreppel, the national director of sales at Versico Roofing Systems, closed out the conversation with some thoughts about the industry's struggles over the past few years, adding some additional context. “The way I would describe the commercial roofing space, in 2026 and beyond, is resilient... The last ‘normal’ year in roofing was probably in 2019 before COVID,” he explained. “It can feel really overwhelming looking at things like the inflation rising due to the conflict in the Middle East and the transportation challenges we’re facing, but I always remind people, we’re resilient. Our market is resilient.”  

Listen to the whole Coffee Conversation or Watch the recording of it on YouTube to hear more from this expert panel!  

By The Coffee Shops™.  

Contractors can improve long-term roof performance by focusing on the entire roofing assembly rather than any single component. 

In a recent episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Megan Ellsworth sat down with David French of Versico to discuss what makes a roofing system truly durable. While membranes often receive the most attention, David emphasized that long-term performance depends on a much broader perspective. 

According to David, contractors and designers should begin by understanding what matters most to the building owner or stakeholder. “It's just really important to understand, whoever the decision maker is, what's important to them. Is it wind resistance, energy efficiency, puncture resistance, long-term durability or sustainability?” David said. Because every project has different priorities, product selection should be guided by those objectives rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. 

That system includes insulation, cover boards, fasteners, adhesives, air and vapor barriers, edge metals and installation methods. Each element contributes to how the roof performs throughout its service life. 

One area that deserves particular attention is the metal edge. David noted, “I think the number is somewhere around 70% of all roofing failures or wind generated failures on a roofing system start at the metal edge.” He later clarified that catastrophic failures are especially likely to originate there, making edge performance a critical design consideration. 

Because of that reality, David highlighted the importance of ensuring edge systems are incorporated into the overall protection strategy. He explained that warranty coverage should extend to those components, not just the membrane and insulation, because edge failure can have significant consequences during severe weather events. 

Ultimately, selecting a high-performing roof system means looking at every component of the roof and understanding how they work together. From the membrane to the perimeter, thoughtful design decisions help create assemblies that can better withstand decades of service. 

As contractors evaluate product options and performance requirements, the conversation naturally extends beyond design considerations to the role installation quality and innovation play in achieving those long-term goals. 

Listen to the full podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about high-performing roofing system design. 

By Jenny Yu.  

Learn how new approaches to tapered insulation and membrane technology are helping contractors work more efficiently. 

Building owners and roofing contractors face a variety of challenges when it comes to long-term roof performance and effective water management. During a recent conversation with The Coffee Shops™, Austin Kulp, senior product manager of membranes, and Tim Rood, tapered department manager for Versico Roofing Systems discussed how product innovation, education and labor-saving technologies are helping address some of the industry's biggest challenges. 

According to Austin, building owners are placing greater emphasis on roofing system quality and long-term asset protection. "One of the things we hear the most is: quality matters,” Austin said. “They want to ensure that the roofing system that they're putting down is going to perform to the expectations and protect their assets at the end of the day.” 

To meet these performance expectations, Versico developed tapered polyiso extended panels, an innovation designed to reduce the number of insulation layers required in traditional tapered systems. In a conventional 1/4-inch-per-foot tapered layout, contractors often install multiple layers of fill insulation beneath tapered panels as roof elevations increase. Extended panels increase the amount of taper built directly into the panel, allowing installers to use fewer fill layers while maintaining proper drainage design. 

"We created what's called an extended panel system, which offers more tapered and less fill," Tim explained. "If it's going down in adhesive, that's huge. Adhesive can be expensive, so if we can reduce the number of layers of glue, the amount of squares applied, you're going to win bids, and it's going to be a lot quicker to put down as well." 

Beyond insulation design, Versico is also focused on reducing risk and improving installation quality through membrane innovations, including 16-foot TPO with SeamShield, a factory-laminated protective film designed to keep TPO seam areas clean until contractors are ready to weld them. By combining wider 16-foot TPO sheets with SeamShield’s seam protection, the system helps reduce the number of seams while protecting them from jobsite contaminants such as dirt, oil transfer and adhesive overspray, improving weld consistency and reducing the potential for installation errors.  

"By going to a 16-foot-wide sheet, you can reduce your seams by up to 60% versus a 10-foot sheet. Less seams and less risk from water penetration,” Austin stated. “SeamShield gives peace of mind that that seam is properly addressed, because it's factory-cleaned prior to welding.” 

Both experts believe the future of roofing system design will continue to focus on labor savings, risk reduction and installation efficiency. "A lot of our innovations are aimed at minimizing the time it takes to install the entire roofing system," Austin said. "It's also directly tied into risk mitigation." 

For Tim, education is central to achieving those goals: "The more the contractor, the more the rep, the more the architect knows, the easier everyone's job is.” 

Learn more about the latest roofing innovations from Verisco Roofing Products!

By Emma Peterson. 

How commercial roof recycling programs benefit both contractors and the environment. 

In a new Read Listen Watch® (RLW) webinar, Heidi J. Ellsworth hosted Ashley Horner, Chris Kann and Richard Garrison for a conversation about the process of recycling commercial roofing materials. Richardis the vice president of operations at Nationwide Foam Recycling, a company focused on “finding recycling pathways for materials that are commonly not recycled.” He opened the webinar by explaining how they developed a recycling program for the roofing industry, sharing, “The Boston Globe called us up one day because we recycled Styrofoam cups, and they said, ‘We have all this Styrofoam insulation coming off our roof, can you recycle it?’ And we, of course, said yes and one thing led to the next and suddenly roofers were contacting us from all over the country. Today, we do jobs in all 50 states.” 

Part of what helped them grow their roofer-user base was partnerships with manufacturers like Versico Roofing Systems. Chris, a product manager at Versico for specialty systems and sustainability talked about this, saying, “We provide roofing systems for all over the U.S., and we were always looking for a partner that could help us with recycling. Keeping things out of landfills the right thing to do, but it also helps us reach our company's sustainability goals. And so, when we found Nationwide Foam Recycling, it was a natural partnership.” 

Today, Chris’ team at Versico not only connects contractors to Nationwide Foam Recycling, but they also offer rebate programs that encourage the use of the recycling program. The result? Contractors like Ashley, Morrison Roofing Company’s vice president, have incorporated recycling into their day-to-day operations. Ashley shared a bit about the experience of working with this program: 

It's been great. During the pre-construction phase, we send an initiate service form to Nationwide Foam Recycling. Then, as we start tearing off the old roof, our crews identify the recyclable polyiso insulation and the single-ply membrane right as it's being removed from the deck. We separate it cleanly on-site, load it straight into some designated pallets or rolls and then Nationwide Foam’s team comes and takes it away for us.  

By using this recycling program, Ashley’s team is able to feel good about diverting thousands of square feet of commercial roofing material from landfills, and they also are left with far less dumpster management. As Ashley put it, “Instead of having material hanging out of a dumpster, you have things neatly stacked so your jobsite stays cleaner. When it comes time for hauling debris away, you’re also paying less in landfill fees because you’re sending less.”  

A sense of pride in your work and removing waste from the landfill are just the beginning of the benefits for contractors participating in commercial roof recycling programs.  

To learn about more of the benefits, Listen to the whole podcast or Watch the recording!  

By The Coffee Shops™.  

A closer look at the genius behind the ImpactR-7™, a sustainable and hardy polyiso solution for the modern roof.   

Proper insulation is vital to completing a proper roofing installation, and many contractors turn to polyiso insulation panels as their go-to solution. In particular, looking at polyiso, contractors must keep in mind the best value and function that a product option provides; the higher the thermal value (R), the better. To provide contractors with a strong, reliable product, Versico Roofing Systems has introduced the ImpactR-7™, marking a leap in innovation and ingenuity.  

To discuss the features of ImpactR-7, Aparna Jaggi, innovation manager for Versico, joined Karen Edwards in an episode of Roofing Road Trips®. Tasked with bringing the next generation of revolutionary products to the market, Aparna is passionate about the benefits of polyiso solutions, and what the brand’s ImpactR-7 means for the industry. 

ImpactR-7 is the next generation polyiso board from Versico, offering next-level protection in a more sustainable way. The closed-cell polyisocyanurate insulation panels are designed to deliver the highest thermal value – R-7 per inch – which is a major jump from the standard polyiso product many contractors are used to, which typically yield around R-5 or R-6. 

Aparna shared, “It has the highest R-value per inch polyiso board that exists on the market. No one else has it. We even took home awards at the International Roofing Expo (IRE) this year after we debuted the product, landing the award for Expert Choice, too.”  

A significant part of the innovation process that leads to breakthroughs like the ImpactR-7, as Aparna explains, is thinking outside the box and striving to look beyond the limitations of what came before. “With the increasing regulations on building codes, larger quantities and values of insulation being necessary and even height restrictions, we knew there was a significant need in the market for a product that offered a higher R-value per inch. A bigger bang for your buck.”  

With a laser focus on innovating and engineering, there’s now a product available to bridge the gap that has existed on the market for years. Now, contractors look to Versico and the ImpactR-7 as a path toward a more efficient and sustainable tomorrow. 

Listen to the conversation to learn more about the innovation behind the ImpactR-7!

By Emma Peterson. 

As labor shortages continue to impact roofing, Versico Roofing Systems is creating solutions that simplify installation and help crews maximize productivity. 

These days, because of factors such as an aging workforce, immigration policy changes and lack of trade education, the term “labor shortage” feels as commonplace as “PPE” or “flashing” — it’s just a part of working in the roofing industry. To learn about how using the right tools can help you maximize your crew's efficiency, Megan Ellsworth brought Austin Kulp from Versico Roofing Systems on for an episode of Roofing Road Trips®. 

Developing tools that save crews time and labor is something that Versico has dedicated themselves to recently. Austin explained, “When it comes to new product development, we’re really thinking about how we can not only speed up the application process for our contractor base, but also how we can make things simpler to install and lower the number of mistakes that occur during installation.” 

One example of their labor-saving products is Versico’s extended tapered panels. Austin explained how these save time:  

The benefit is reducing the number of panels needed to install a tapered system. So, if we can reduce the number of boards that the installer has to handle install, especially if it is a fully adhered system, we're speeding them up, and at the end of the day, we're saving them money and time on that job, and ultimately, they can move on to the next project quicker. 

This is just one of 15-20 products that have been released in the last five to six years as part of their goal of improving the installation speed of roofing jobs. Austin summed it up well, saying, “The core of our innovation effort is identifying needs and problems that our customers are seeing and developing something that can make their day easier. And the big one everyone is talking about is labor shortages. So this is how we are trying to help.” 

Listen to the episode or Watch it on YouTube to hear more from Austin about the time-saving products Carlisle is producing. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Strategic material staging and supplier partnerships can be the difference between a profitable project and costly delays. 

In roofing, the old adage that “time is money” couldn’t be truer. As Ashley Pietsch of Integrity Insurance and Bonding puts it, “After years of working alongside roofing contractors, I have seen that the owners who achieve long-lasting growth are the ones who master time management and embrace delegation.” 

In response to the emphasis the industry places on the importance of time, contractors are incorporating new digital programs and roofing tools to help improve their efficiency in both the field and the office. But one area that is often forgotten when it comes to streamlining the roofing process happens between the two – material staging, sequencing and timing.  

Getting materials to the jobsite might seem simple in comparison to trying to accurately quote a project or install products tens of feet in the air, but it is more complex than you might assume at first glance. As Nick Fryer writes for Roads and Bridges, “Jobsite staging doesn’t just shape where equipment and materials get stored. It also affects the overall workflow. Done poorly, it can lead to several issues that quietly drain construction budgets.” These issues can include material damage, safety hazards and frustrated crew members.  

What can you do to avoid these material staging issues? Partner with the right supplier. As the writers behind RoofCon put it, “The movement of materials from delivery to installation represents one of the biggest opportunities for efficiency gains in roofing projects. Creating a smooth flow requires careful coordination between suppliers, delivery crews and roofing teams.” 

This type of coordination is something that the team at SRS Distribution prioritizes. Their team is well-aware of the often-limited space contractors are working with on their projects and have a variety of strategies already in place to help with staging and sequencing materials:  

• Supportive team: SRS Distribution territory managers are always ready to help! Whether it’s consultations on products, sales insights or helping you figure out how to stage a jobsite, they are there for you. 
• Extensive product selection: Your local branch will already be well stocked with the best commercial products from manufacturers like Carlisle, Johns Manville, GAF, Elevate and Versico. And if they don’t have it on site, they can get it there from one of their 200+ other locations!  
• A powerful delivery network: At SRS Distribution, they have their own fleet of trucks and knuckle booms that keep project deliveries on track! Some SRS Distribution locations are even equipped with will-call programs that make sure that contractors get the right products when they need them. 

Overall, working with a supplier like SRS Distribution that understands the limited space on jobsites and the importance of properly staging materials is key to saving time and money on your projects.  

Find an SRS Distribution branch near you!

By Jenny Yu.  

As buildings undergo re-roof cycles, VIP technology offers a practical solution for achieving code compliance without major structural modifications. 

As building codes continue to demand higher thermal performance, roofing contractors are increasingly challenged to meet insulation requirements on existing structures that were never designed for today’s standards. Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIPs) are emerging as a solution, offering high R-values in an ultra-thin profile that can help overcome space limitations on low-slope commercial roofing projects. 

During a recent Roofing Road Trips® podcast, Tom Swope of Versico Roofing Systems discussed how VIP technology is helping contractors address complex reroofing scenarios, particularly on aging buildings undergoing full tear-offs. “These panels are able to achieve pretty impressive numbers - up to R-66 per inch,” Tom said. “There's significant R-value in a really, really thin package.” 

The technology is gaining attention as more buildings reach their re-roofing cycle. In many jurisdictions, a full tear-off requires the roof assembly to meet current energy code requirements. Buildings originally designed to comply with lower insulation standards often lack the space needed to accommodate thicker insulation systems. 

Tom explained that this challenge is especially common in dense urban environments where rooftop equipment, penthouse doors, windows, parapet walls and through-wall penetrations limit available clearance. “There are some significant hurdles that, depending upon how complex those scenarios are, it can be really expensive to change all of those things, or sometimes even impossible,” he said. Rather than modifying rooftop structures or relocating equipment, contractors can use VIPs to achieve code-required thermal performance while maintaining existing roof elevations. 

According to Tom, the panels consist of a glass wool core enclosed in a foil barrier and maintained under vacuum pressure. Versico’s ADVANC-R® Vacuum Insulated Panels are most commonly supplied in two-foot-by-four-foot sizes and are integrated into layered roofing assemblies. 

While the panels offer exceptional thermal efficiency, installation requires careful handling. “If it's pierced,in any way like if someone nicks it with a fastener, you lose about 80% of the R-value,” Tom explained. “It's really important that you pay special attention when you're installing these panels.” 

As energy codes continue to evolve and re-roofing projects becomes more complex, VIP technology is expanding the design options available to contractors, consultants and building owners seeking high performance without added thickness. 

Listen to the full podcast or Watch the recording to hear more insights from Tom on vacuum insulated panels and their role in modern commercial roofing.