Asphalt shingles from PABCO Roofing Products are the centerpiece of this roofing project in the Philippines.

Demonstrating that the market for superior quality roofing craftsmanship and materials is truly worldwide, a project recently completed by Roofloor Enterprises Corp. in the Philippines won an Honorable Mention award from the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA). Roofloor Enterprise Corp., based in the Philippines, won the award for its expert management on the Alphaland Baguio Mountain Lodge roofing project, which included asphalt shingles from PABCO Roofing Products

Located outside of Quezon City in the Philippines, Roofloor Enterprises Corporation is a roofing contractor as well as an importer and distributor of quality roofing and flooring materials. The award-winning project – Alphaland Baguio Mountain Lodges – is a master-planned development of lodge-style log homes, situated on an 82-hectare property. At an elevation of 5,300 feet, the development is typically battered by eight or more tropical storms every year.

Aesthetically, the roof styles incorporated into the development reflect the upscale designs of the residences. The roof of each home features a 21° to 35° degree slope. The meticulous work of Roofloor Enterprises accentuates the roof’s ridge and chimney, gradually connecting to dormers that crown each porch. The clean design of the roof work, as well as the graceful look of the asphalt shingles from PABCO Roofing Products, results in clean, elegant rooftops that complement each structure and the community as a whole.

“The quality, aesthetics, and durability of the asphalt shingles from PABCO Roofing Products were the absolute right solution for Alphaland Baguio Mountain Lodges,” stated Glenn Laquiores Jr., president, Roofloor Enterprises Corp. “Winning this honor from ARMA is testament to the quality of the product and the quality of the installation.”

The ARMA Excellence in Asphalt Roofing Awards Program recognizes contractors who choose asphalt to install beautiful, high-performing roofing systems. The Roofloor Enterprise Project was selected from more than 80 entries from six different countries submitted to ARMA this year. Entries were judged by a panel of industry experts and members of the trade media.

“Roofloor Enterprises is setting a standard, demonstrating that asphalt roofing materials are an ideal solution for projects around the globe,” stated Lori Jerome, brand manager, PABCO Roofing Products. “Because of the vision of Roofloor Enterprises, this project is a testament to the durability of our shingle products, even in the harshest tropical environments.”

The Premier line of asphalt shingles from PABCO Roofing Products were used in the Alphaland Baguio Mountain Lodges project. The shingles from PABCO Roofing Products were supplied to Roofloor Enterprises by R.M. Waite Company, based in Walnut Creek, California.

“Demand for PABCO Roofing shingles, especially the unique Cascade shingle, is growing worldwide,” stated Maureen Russell, president and CEO, R.M. Waite Co. “The ability to export outstanding product like PABCO asphalt shingles to international markets demonstrates the quality and value U.S.-based manufacturers are delivering in the building-products sector.”

About PABCO Roofing Products

Since 1984, PABCO Roofing Products has been creating best-in-class roofing materials for its customers. The company stands apart by offering its clients a full range of premium products with the personalized service of a trusted local business. PABCO Roofing Products is a family-focused company that truly values its relationships and delivers a quality product and exceptional service each and every time. PABCO Roofing Products is a division of PABCO Building Products which services the building industry in the western United States and Canada. For more information, please visit www.pabcoroofing.com, Facebook, Houzz, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube. 

Malarkey Roofing Products®, the leader in sustainable, performance roofing shingles, announces the retirement of President, Gregory B. Malarkey. Dale Rushing, formerly chief operating officer, has been named President. 

“Malarkey Roofing Products has long maintained a focus on sustainability in terms of our products, the planet, and our people. As President, my company stewardship involved succession planning for future generations,” said Greg Malarkey. “Now, after four decades in the roofing industry and several years providing leadership, I believe the company is positioned, staffed, and supported to excel beyond my own vision.” 

Greg Malarkey is a veteran of the roofing business, earning accolades both for company innovations as well as industry leadership. As an executive, Greg’s leadership launched several key industry innovations such as The Zone® nailing area, Highlander® NEX® and Vista® polymer modified asphalt shingles and the first smog-reducing shingle. In the industry, Greg also held leadership roles within the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association where he served as Chairman, as well as with the Asphalt Roofing Environmental Council and Asphalt Institute. He is the only two-time winner of the Outstanding Service Award from Western States Roofing Contractors Association. 

Dale Rushing will succeed Greg Malarkey as President. Rushing joined Malarkey as Chief Operating Officer in 2020. He came to the company with over 20 years’ experience in roofing products, with leadership roles overseeing operations, finance and administration. He is a graduate of Mississippi State University. 

“The Malarkey family has established a strong foundation in the roofing industry. Greg’s leadership is evidence of that strength, dedication, and innovation,” said Rushing. “It has been a remarkable opportunity to work with, and learn from, Greg directly over the last few years. Despite how challenging those years may have been, our team has propelled the company into new realms of success. With our recent acquisition by Holcim, we are positioned to grow even faster and further than ever before. I am honored to be at the helm as it happens.” 

About Malarkey Roofing Products® 

Malarkey Roofing Products® is a Portland, Oregon based roofing manufacturer that provides performance-driven residential, commercial, and sustainable roofing solutions with unparalleled service and integrity. Since 1956, Malarkey Roofing Products has consistently valued innovation and is motivated to provide products that are committed to sustainability through long-term solutions, creating value for customers and business partners. For more information on Malarkey Roofing Products, or to find a representative, call 800.545.1191 or visit www.malarkeyroofing.com.

By Evelyn Witterholt, RCS Reporter. 

Highlights from the 2021 Q4 survey on reroofing market trends indicate expansion and optimism in the industry. 

The Q4 results of the Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing are finally here! Roofing contractors and consultants gave their thoughts on the state of the reroofing market. For this survey, 73% of respondents were roofing contractors and 27% were consultants. In terms of market type, 88% of respondents stated that their business was low slope or a combination of low and steep slope and 12% reported they only work in steep slope. 

In this year's survey, the Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA) introduced two new features: the Project Contracts Index and the Customer Inquiries Index. The intent of these indexes is to provide members of the reroofing industry a number that can help them better understand the state of the market. 

The Customer Inquiries Index is based on a scale of 0-100. Any score above 50 indicates optimism or expansion and anything below 50 indicates pessimism or contraction. For Q4, the index number was 63.8 compared to 62.2 for Q3. 

The Project Contracts Index is based on this same scale and for Q4, the number was 61.1. Q3 had an index number of 59.4, so this is quite the increase! In terms of project backlog, 51% of respondents reported a backlog of three months or more as of January 2022. 

49% of respondents reported that the number of project contracts increased for Q4, with 33% reporting no change and 22% reporting a decrease. For customer inquiries, 49% reported that inquiries increased, with 31% reporting no change and 21% reporting a decrease. 

Interested contractors and consultants who want to participate in next quarter’s brief survey can sign up for a notification. 

Learn more about PIMA in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.polyiso.org. 

About PIMA  

For more than 30 years, the Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA) has served as the unified voice of the rigid polyiso industry, proactively advocating for safe, cost-effective, sustainable, and energy-efficient construction. PIMA’s members, who first came together in 1987, include a synergistic partnership 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.

The survey results indicate opportunities in the reroofing industry improved during the fourth quarter of 2021. 

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 fourth quarter of 2021. 

The survey is an industrywide effort 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, National Roofing Contractors Association, National Women in Roofing, Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association, Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association and Single Ply Roofing Industry. 

Survey participants included roofing contractors (73%) and roof consultants (27%). Most respondents indicated they primarily work on low-slope roof systems (47%) or provide low-slope and steep-slope roofing services (41%). All regions of the U.S. and most Canadian provinces were represented. 

The survey results indicate opportunities in the reroofing industry improved during the fourth quarter of 2021 when compared with the same quarter in 2020. 

Nearly half (49%) of respondents indicated their customer inquiries increased. Thirty-one percent of respondents reported no change in activity, and 21% indicated a decrease in customer inquiries. Project contracts increased for 44% of respondents, 33% of respondents indicated no change in activity and 22% reported a decrease in project contracts. 

Two new 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 steep-slope reroofing market is 58.9, the score for the low-slope reroofing market is 66.8, and the score for the blended low- and steep-slope reroofing market is 61.6. 

• The project contracts index score for the steep-slope reroofing market is 58.0, the score for the low-slope reroofing market is 61.6, and the score for the blended low- and steep-slope reroofing market is 61.5. 

As of January 2022, 16% of roofing contractors reported no project backlogs, 39% reported project backlogs of one to two months and 23% reported project backlogs of three to four months. Twenty-two percent of roofing contractors reported project backlogs of five months or more. 

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 next quarter’s brief 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. 

The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) announced the winning projects in the 2022 Excellence in Asphalt Roofing Awards. 

This program recognizes low and steep-slope asphalt roofing projects from across North America based on four categories: Reasons for Selecting Asphalt, Performance, Beauty, and Distinction.

“We received over 80 submissions this year. This year’s applicant pool was particularly unique, with entries from six different countries,” said Reed Hitchcock, ARMA’s Executive Vice President. “North American manufacturers are providing quality asphalt roofing materials to projects worldwide, highlighting asphalt’s versatility, beauty, performance, and durability. As roofing contractors across North America continue to evolve, the Excellence Awards program is an opportunity to showcase their creativity and resilience.”

This year’s Gold Award was presented to Black Hills Exteriors for the Scull Residence, a Queen Anne Victorian-style home located in the heart of Black Hills, a mountain range in Rapid City, South Dakota. Black Hills Exteriors integrated two shingle colors to preserve the home's distinct characteristics, giving the roof a unique curb appeal. The contractor fully repaired the extensive hail damage on the 5,500 square foot roof with CertainTeed Carriage House shingles. This roof system will protect the project against harsh winters for years to come.

Weatherguard Roofing was awarded the Silver Award for their work on The Island House of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Weatherguard Roofing selected GAF Slateline Shingles for this complete roof replacement due to their algae StainGuard protection, and Class A fire rating. The homeowner wanted a slate-like appearance to complement the copper additions but desired the durability and strength of asphalt shingle construction. This project illustrates the exquisite beauty of asphalt and demonstrates the reliability of asphalt shingles to protect structures from the elements.

The Bronze Award was presented to Green Horizons for The Island House Hotel of Mackinac Island, Michigan which utilized the Malarkey Legacy shingle line. The structure was originally built in 1852 on one of the most valuable historic sites in the State of Michigan. Due to its unique location and the island-wide ban on motorized vehicles, every single material that arrived at the jobsite had to be delivered to a mainland ferry, loaded onto a freighter boat, and then transported to the project site by horse. Green Horizons rose to the challenge and utilized asphalt shingles to maintain the historic aesthetic while providing the necessary strength and durability to protect this island property.

Additionally, three projects were recognized as Honorable Mentions.

Alphaland Baguio Mountain Lodge by Roofloor Enterprises Corp., in Baguio City, Philippines received an Honorable Mention Award. The Alphaland Baguio Mountain Lodges is a master-planned development of lodge-style log homes, situated on an 82-hectare property. The project resides at an elevation of 5,300 feet. In a given year, the region experiences approximately eight to nine tropical storms. Roofloor Enterprises Corp. selected PABCO Premier Laminated shingles to complete this job. The architects and engineers on the project utilized asphalt shingles because of their reliability, durability, and overall system strength. 

Rutter Roofing & Exteriors received an Honorable Mention Award for Haverford Residence in Haverford, Pennsylvania. The home had donned a cedar shake roof, but the homeowner wanted less maintenance and the peace of mind from durability. Rutter Roofing & Exteriors selected CertainTeed Presidential Shake asphalt shingles to bring depth and dimension to match the castle-style exterior while adding the durability, strength, and resilience of asphalt shingles.

GA-148: Jerrold Clark, a multi-million dollar property in Atlanta, Georgia with a complex structure, garnered an Honorable Mention Award for Greater American Roofing. Greater American Roofing’s design scope included a replacement of the current roofing system with a designer asphalt shingle to maintain the look of the home since it is a castle-style exterior with a substantial amount of stone. The new roof also needed to complement the copper trim and architecture. This stunning roof replacement utilized GAF Camelot II shingles to elevate this home, which is now being used as a model within the private neighborhood.

To learn more about this year’s winners, visit asphaltroofing.org. Information about applying for the 2023 Excellence in Asphalt Roofing Program will be available later this year.

The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) has released its Quarterly Product Shipment Report for the fourth quarter of 2021.

The report covers asphalt roofing product shipments in the United States and Canada in the final quarter, as well as year-to-date shipment information and a comparison with the prior year’s data.

“The shipment report provides valuable insight into the asphalt roofing industry to trade professionals and interested parties,” said ARMA’s Executive Vice President Reed Hitchcock. “Asphalt roofing data is relevant and meaningful to a number of industries.”

Roofing product shipment data is collected from participating manufacturers by an independent third party, Association Research Inc., and aggregated to create this report. Companies that are not members of ARMA may examine the free quarterly summaries, and those ineligible for ARMA membership can subscribe to the full, detailed report on the ARMA website.

About ARMA

The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) is a trade association representing North America’s asphalt roofing manufacturing companies and their raw material suppliers. The association includes the majority of North American manufacturers of asphalt shingles and asphalt low slope roof membrane systems. Committed to advances in the asphalt roofing industry, ARMA is proud of the role it plays in promoting asphalt roofing to those in the building industry and to the public. 

By Karen L. Edwards, RCS COO 

Materials, milestones, product innovations and safety were some of the hottest topics in 2021. 

A new year is a good time to look back at the previous year to not only note the hot topics but to also learn from what happened as we move into 2022. One of the ways we do that at RoofersCoffeeShop® is to take a look at what some of our most-read stories from the year were. 

Our most-read story of the year was not surprisingly related to material shortages and supply chain issues. It’s definitely been a challenge for the industry and remains that way. Understanding the reasons behind the challenge and learning how others are navigating the issues is powerful information.  

Safety, giving back, award-winning projects, innovative products, growing markets, partnerships and being prepared were all part of the top stories of the year. We’ve listed them out below and linked to them for easy reading!  

20 - Preventing Heat-Related Illness and Injury 

19 - The Time-Saving Watertight Solution You’ve Been Waiting For 

18 - TAMKO Knoxville Plant Celebrates 45-Year Milestone Anniversary & Recognizes Retirement of Longtime Leadership 

17 - Material Shortages & Price Increases 

16 - Polyglass Announces New Code Approvals for Fire-Resistant Polystick® XFR Underlayment 

15 - Metal Roofing on the Rise 

14 - Roofers Hailed as Heroes for Extinguishing California Brush Fire 

13 - Be Selective When Choosing a Distributor 

12 - How Drones Make Jobsites Safer 

11 - Are You Prepared for an Emergency? 

10 - JobNimbus and Sunlight Financial Partnership is a Match Made to Grow Your Business 

9 - The Case to Use Grace Ice & Water Shield® is Watertight 

8 - Updating your Marketing Plan? 

7 - Is That Capri Sun on Your Roof? 

6 - ABC Supply Co. Inc. Recognized as Top Workplace for 15th Consecutive Year 

5 - International Roofing Expo Opens Its Call for Presentations 2022 

4 - ARMA Announces Winners of 2021 Excellence in Asphalt Roofing Awards 

3 - Employee Satisfaction is Essential for Long-term Success 

2 - ARMA Releases 2020 Q4 Report on Asphalt Roofing  Product Shipments 

1 - Roofing Industry Experiencing Price Increases 

Get the top news each week in your inbox when you sign up for the Week in Review email newsletter.

By Evelyn Witterholt, RCS Reporter. 

Join members of the roofing industry, including our very own RCS president, for an exciting couple of days full of speaking sessions! 

This year's International Roofing Expo (IRE) is set to be an exciting couple of days for everyone in the roofing industry that is attending. The expo will take place on February 1-3 in in New Orleans at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Over the course of three jam-packed days, attendees will find that there is no shortage of speaking sessions to attend. Here are some of the most exciting sessions that will take place: 

Casting the Net for Your Future Workforce 

Join RoofersCoffeeShop® President Heidi J. Ellsworth as she moderates this panel on how to work with young people that are interested in roofing. During this session, she will join Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) contractor members as they discuss how they are working with schools and youth programs to help them joining the future roofing workforce. The speakers will be: Graham Roofing Incorporated Owner Christee Holbrook, PB Roofing Co-founder John Peck, Antis Roofing founder Charles Antis and Cognitive Contractor CEO Josey Parks. Information on this session can be found here. 

Tuesday, February 1 

• Coffee is for CLOSERS - Join SRS Distribution Inc.’s Director of Contractor Training John DeRosa for this presentation about provisions restoration contractors should consider.  

• Electrifying News – Steep-slope Contractors Plug Into Integrated Photovoltaic Roof Systems - Learn about the phenomenon of photovoltaic technologies and how roofing contractors are using them. Speakers include: Helene Hardy-Pierce from GAF, John Goodman from the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), Ken Kelly from Kelly Roofing, Mark Stancroff from CertainTeed and Tommy Rodrigues from Tesla. 

• The Sales Pitch for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: What Contractors Can Do Today to Improve Employee Recruitment and Retention - This session will cover elements of diversity, equity and inclusion as a leadership skill. Executive Director of National Women in Roofing (NWIR) Ellen Thorp and Preferred Accounts Manager of Roofing Systems at Johns Manville Jennifer Stone will be speaking. 

• Keynote Session: Lessons… An insider’s look at 40 years of Learning, Falling, Failing, and Succeeding - Join NRCA CEO The Honorable Reid Ribble for this special keynote session. Here he will share a whole life’s worth of lessons based on his work in the roofing industry and in Congress.  

Wednesday, February 2 

• NRCA Update on Roofing Industry Technical Issues - NRCA’s Vice President of Technical Services Mark Graham will present an overview of roofing-related technical issues. Time is allotted for questions from participants. 

• Evolving in an Everchanging Business Environment: Roundtable Discussion - This forum style discussion will allow participants to discuss how the pandemic has affected productivity and engagement in their company. Speakers include: Brad Sutter from Sutter Roofing, Charles Antis from Antis Roofing & Waterproofing, CJ Martin from Showalter Roofing Service, David Sanders from Beacon Building Products, Jason Stanley from IB Roof Systems, Kyle King from James King Roofing LLC and Paige Harvill from Nations Roof. 

• Job Hazard Analysis: How can they help with your company’s safety? - Join NRCA’s Richard Trewyn as he presents what Job Hazard Analysis is and how it can be used to enhance safety within your company. 

• Understanding Metal Roofing - Director at Metal Roof Advisory Group and CEO and founder of S-5!, Rob Haddock is set to present this course on metal roofing, which is a great introduction for both beginning and experienced building professionals. Part 1 will start at 7:45 a.m. and Part 2 will start at 9:30 a.m. 

• Stop Training Start Coaching - SRS Distribution Inc.’s John DeRosa will speak on the importance of how managers can coach employees as opposed to training them. 

• Resilient Asphalt Shingle Roofs - For this conference, join asphalt roofing experts as they discuss ways asphalt roofs can resist environmental challenges. Speakers include: Aaron Phillips from the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA), Brian Davis from GAF, Stephanie Kiriazes from Firestone Building Products and Steve Hern from CertainTeed Roofing. 

• The Economics of Roofing: The Market Ahead - Mischa Fisher, Chief Economist at Angi Inc., is set to discuss the economics driving the roofing market and what to expect in 2022. 

• Estimating the Right Way - Join John Kenney from Cotney Attorneys & Consultants as he discusses the ins and outs of making estimations. 

• Fundamentals of Insulation Vapor Retarders, Air Barriers and Attic Ventilation - NRCA’s Mark Graham will discuss fundamentals of vapor pressure drive and moisture vapor movement in an accessible way. 

• GEN Z: The Roofing Industry’s Future Has Arrived - This discussion panel will be all about educating roofing professional in how to recruit entry-level, younger employees into the roofing industry. Speakers include: Bob Morgan from Upstate Roofing & Painting, Nick Sabino from Deer Park Roofing Inc., Sherri Miles-Foley from JD Miles & Sons Inc., Tim Stephens and John Esbenshade, Jr. from NRCA. 

• Revolutionary Marketing - From NASCAR, to Football, to the Rackley Army - Anna Anderson from Art Unlimited and Chris Sutton from Rackley Roofing Company Inc. will discuss how to start a marketing revolution within your company. 

• How to Grow your Roofing Business by Cross-Selling Siding & Windows - Erik Zadrozny and Justin Powell from Beacon Building Products will present how to cross-sell siding and windows and grow your company by doing so. 

• Maximizing Efficiency with Polyglass Self-Adhered Roofing Membranes - Betiana Acha and Marco Sieber from Polyglass will present the innovations in self-adhered modified bitumen and how they can promote labor efficiency without sacrificing performance. 

Thursday, February 3 

• Adapting to Material Price Increases and Shortages - Learn about all of the latest issues involving material pricing and delays and strategies for negotiating. Speakers include: Jason Dark from Durolast Roofing, John Kenney from Cotney Attorneys & Consultants, Leo Ibarra from Blue’s Roofing, Patrick Cochran from Red Dog Roofing and Trent Cotney from Cotney Construction Law. 

• How to Leverage your Distributor as a Partner for Success in Today’s Environment - Erik Zadrozny and Greg Bloom from Beacon Building Products will outline the easiest and best ways to improve your business by aligning with suppliers. 

• Metal Deck 101 - Metal Deck Replacement - Learn the ins and outs of replacing metal decks with A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply’s Sales Manager Michael Polizzi. 

• Unlocking Service Growth - Live! - Join Ryan Groth of Sales Transformation Group and Greg Hayne of the Hayne Coaching Group for a live version of their “Unlocking Service Growth” podcast. Other speakers include: Jim Bush from Weather Shield Roofing Systems, Jimbo Spann from Spann Roofing and Sheet Metal Inc., Kyrah Coker from National Roofing Partners and Michelle Boykin from Rackley Roofing Company Inc. 

• 2021 I-codes: Roofing-Related Changes - NRCA’s Vice President Mark Graham will be speaking about the roofing related updates to the International Code Council’s model codes. Time will be allotted for audience questions. 

• Blueprint for the Future: Building a Successful and Resilient Company - This panel will discuss major issues the construction industry is facing and possible solutions. Speakers include: Erika Mosse from Pro Remodeler, Nick Sabino from Deer Park Roofing Inc., Rob Balfanz from Vinyl Siding Institute and Shashi Bellamkonda from Leap LLC.  

• Evolving Your Culture and Brand - Charles Antis from Antis Roofing & Waterproofing and The Honorable Reid Ribble from NRCA will discuss how the culture and brand of Antis shifted during the global pandemic 

• Making Your Business Better: Residential Contractors Committee Roundtable - This roundtable discussion will be moderated by John Arellano, senior manager of GAF. Speakers include: Derric Stull from Ridge Valley Exteriors Inc., Gary Howes from The Durable Slate Company and Ken Kelly from Kelly Roofing. 

View the whole schedule of sessions here! 

Learn more about IRE in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.theroofingexpo.com.

The purpose of the survey is to take the pulse of the reroofing industry on a quarterly basis and serve as a regular barometer of the industry’s business conditions.

Roofing professionals are invited 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 fourth quarter of 2021.

The purpose of the survey is to take the pulse of the reroofing industry on a quarterly basis and serve as a regular barometer of the industry’s business conditions. By asking a handful of business questions and measuring responses across a number of demographics, the survey helps give an indication of the reroofing market’s strength and trajectory. 

The results of the Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing are made available to 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 third quarter of 2021, 58% of responses came from roofing contractors and 42% came from roof consultants. The results indicate opportunities in the reroofing industry improved or held steady compared with the same quarter in 2020. 

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, 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 Friday, January 21. 

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. 

By Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, (ARMA). 

The mansion’s recent restoration won gold in ARMA’s 2021 Excellence in Asphalt Roofing Awards Program. 

The Henderson Castle of Kalamazoo, Michigan was built in 1888 by Frank Henderson who always had a grand vision for the structure ever since he bought the plot of land it sits on. Henderson owned Henderson-Ames Company, a uniform manufacturer for the military and fraternities. The mansion is now listed in the National Register of Historical Places. 

The impressive structure was designed by C.A. Gombert of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its $72,000 price tag (equivalent to over $2 million in today’s currency) garnered 25 rooms in total, including seven baths (one of which included a 13-head shower), an elevator, third-floor ballroom and a hot tub on the roof (which was a later addition). The original exterior was built with sandstone and brick from Lake Superior, and the interior reflected the most expensive tastes of the time – mahogany, bird’s eye maple, quartered oak and American sycamore.  

In 1895, the Henderson’s hosted a lavish housewarming party to celebrate the house’s construction. Mr. Henderson died in 1899 and his wife remained a resident of the castle until she relocated in 1908. From 1908 until 2011, the Henderson Castle went through nine transfers of ownership, until Master Chef Francois Moyet decided to restore the castle and utilize it as a fixture in the community.  

One of the major obstacles to restoration was the castle’s slate roof, which had fallen into disrepair. The owner was seeking a reliable roof system that would be aesthetically in line with the majestic building. The contractor, West Michigan Roofing, knew asphalt was the roofing solution for this project, selecting GAF Slateline™ asphalt shingles to blend with the look of the original slate, making the roof water-resistant. 

Asphalt’s reliability and strength 

Kalamazoo faces extreme thunderstorms, abundant rain and is additionally liable to heatwaves. These climate situations exert a catastrophic effect on the roofs of the buildings and structure, so this historic castle needed a roof that could withstand the elements. Asphalt shingles were a clear choice to adorn the spires and to expand and contract without issue within seasonal variation. Additionally, due to the age of the structure, Henderson Castle’s original slate remained on parts of the roof. By using asphalt shingles, the West Michigan Roofing could provide a uniform aesthetic while still providing water-resistant protection to maintain the integrity of the roof. 

Overcoming hurdles 

Henderson Castle’s gorgeous roof restoration was not without its challenges. In addition to the technical challenges of the complex structure such as numerous spires, angles and flashing – there were quite a few logistic challenges that stretched this into an eight-week project. Not only did West Michigan Roofing need to hand carry the original slate roof down to be mindful of the historic leaded glass windows, there were some major logistic challenges to this job.  

Henderson Castle operates as a full inn with a Chophouse restaurant, organic garden, vineyard and day spa and remained operational during the roofing project. At the end of each week, West Michigan Roofing cleared out any equipment or product and started over again on Monday – requiring expert care, dedication and organization.   

“We’ve built a solid reputation for excellence, no matter how complex the job,” said Bob Ackerman, Kalamazoo branch manager, West Michigan Roofing & Construction. “The Henderson Castle is a piece of living history for the Kalamazoo community. Its location overlooking downtown and next door to the Kalamazoo College puts it right in the heart of the city. Henderson Castle has even been featured in three movies, as well as on the Discovery Channel and House Hunters. This wasn’t simply a roofing project, it was preserving part of history.” 

West Michigan Roofing and Construction is a family owned and operated company that has been providing quality service to the West Michigan Lakeshore, Muskegon, Holland and the Grand Rapids region for over 100 years.  

The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) named West Michigan Roofing the 2021 Gold Winner in the Excellence in Asphalt Roofing Awards Program for its work on this project. Chosen by a panel of industry experts and media members, the Henderson Castle showcased asphalt roofing’s key qualities: durability, weather resistance and style. The Henderson Castle is now a permanent part of ARMA’s online winner’s gallery. 

Visit www.asphaltroofing.org/excellence to learn more about ARMA’s Excellence in Asphalt Roofing Awards Program, the annual, free-to-enter awards program recognizing the top commercial or residential asphalt roofing project in North America. 

Learn more about ARMA in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.asphaltroofing.org.