By Karen L. Edwards, RCS Editor.  

Here’s what’s trending on RoofersCoffeeShop®(RCS) this past month.  

In looking at our most popular articles for the month of February, we saw that technology and more specifically, apps for your business, was the topic that had the most interest from our readers. The article has a nice overview of apps used for measuring, estimating, photo management and customer relationship management. We are always looking for solutions that make running businesses easier and more efficient.  

Supply chain issues and material shortages are again in the most popular articles as the industry wonders when things will ease up and looks for ways to work around the issue. Because we are all about people at RCS, we weren’t surprised to see our 2022 Influencers announcement and the NRCA officers and directors announcement make the top 10.  

Featured projects are also a popular topic at RCS and two of our project profiles caught the interest of our readers with cool roofs and green roofs making the list.   

If you didn’t get a chance to see some of the most popular articles from February, follow the links below to catch up!  

Honorable Mention (#6-#10)  

10 - Cool Roofs Can Fight Climate Change 

9 - NRCA Announces 2022-23 Officers and Directors  

8 - Material Shortages Will Pass: Build a Workable Plan and Stay Patient  

7 - Recordable Injuries: Why Employees Should Care  

6 - How to Break into Commercial Roofing: The Importance of Training  

Read the Top 5 articles:  

5 - Supply Issues Won't Be Over Any Time Soon  

4 - RoofersCoffeeShop Announces 2022 Roofing Influencers 

3 - Avoiding Skin Cancer Caused by Sun Exposure 

2 - Green Roof Installed on Nonprofit Arts and Education Organization 

1 - Roofing Contractor Apps That Help You Manage Your Business 

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

Jack and Carol share exciting new announcements about Class 3 performance level Dynasty shingles and their new TPO line. 

Editor's note: The following is the transcript of an interview with IKO’s Contractor Channel Programs Director Jack Gottesman and Director of Marketing Carol Perkins. You can read the interview below or watch the recorded livestream. 

Karen Edwards: Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the RoofersCoffeeShop Sound Stage, live from the 2022 International Roofing Expo in New Orleans. We are here with our friends from IKO. Welcome, Jack. Carol, welcome. 

Jack Gottesman: This is so exciting. This is a cool sound stage you got. Great location. Yeah. 

Karen Edwards: Isn't it? Yeah. And we are not going to talk about taxes, foreign policy, Bitcoin, any of that stuff. 

Jack Gottesman: Carol's disappointed. 

Karen Edwards: I know. I know. 

Carol Perkins: I'm very disappointed by that. 

Karen Edwards: We're going to talk about what's new with IKO. It's something really exciting. You said it was just announced. 

Jack Gottesman: Yes, just announced today. We're breaking news here at RoofersCoffeeShop, which is what we love to do. Right? 

Karen Edwards: That's it. Yep, we do. 

Jack Gottesman: Yes, absolutely. So we made a couple of announcements today over at the IKO booth, Booth 1909. We encourage everybody who hasn't yet been over to come visit. And if you have been over, come by one more time, because there's probably something exciting that you may have missed. 

One of the many announcements that we made today is that our Dynasty shingles, which is in our performance class of shingles along with Nordic. Our Nordic shingles have always been Class 4 impact resistance rating. Class 4 being the highest. And our Dynasty shingles, which have never before carried an impact resistance rating, are now Class 3 certified. 

So it's very exciting. Because while we have always had the Class 4, not every homeowner in every region is necessarily looking for that. So while performance continues to be at the center of everything that we do, introducing the Class 3 designation for Dynasty is really, really exciting. 

Karen Edwards: That's huge. Yeah. 

Carol Perkins: Yeah. 

Karen Edwards: I mean, especially because we've been having severe weather more every year it seems. 

Carol Perkins: Absolutely. Absolutely. I'm from Chicago, so I can tell you, I know severe weather. But it's events that keep happening and we're prepared for it. That's why we took one of our top performing products and had it rated. Why not? 

Jack Gottesman: Yeah. 

Karen Edwards: That's wonderful. What's the feedback been from the industry? I know you just announced it, but are people excited about this? 

Jack Gottesman: I mean, thrilled. I'll let Carol answer that one, but yeah. 

Carol Perkins: I've been in this industry a long time, as you are aware of. Yeah, they are really excited about this because it's not something that everyone has and it's going to help them in the marketplace. Because again, it's another benefit. So you top a performance shingle and on top of that, beautiful colors and on top of that, now you just gave them another benefit to enhance their homes. And it's a big investment, as we all know. So everyone's excited. 

Jack Gottesman: Exactly. Exactly. Dynasty and Nordic both have the ArmourZone reinforced band behind that wide nailing strip that's on the face of the shingle, the reinforced band you can find on the back. So really when talking about Dynasty, exactly like Carol said, size and high definition colors and wind resistance has really always been the key performance selling features of the shingles in our performance class. Now introduce a impact resistance rating, and it's a big deal. 

Carol Perkins: The beauty of that too, was that because of our capping material is also meeting the Class 3 impact resistant rating. So we don't have to really make this big change. You don't have to get another capping material. 

Karen Edwards: Right. 

Carol Perkins: So you're going to be able to use the same capping that you used before on your Dynasty shingles. 

Karen Edwards: That's fantastic. This is nearing the end of day one of the show. 

Jack Gottesman: Yes. 

Karen Edwards: I feel that it's a pretty big crowd. 

Jack Gottesman: Yes. 

Karen Edwards: It's a pretty engaged crowd. How have things been going at your booth? 

Carol Perkins: Well, apparently it's exciting for us because there's two things going on in our booth. One, we have the residential side, which it's launching this new Class 3. Also on two of our, we call designer products, we just launched Class 4 on those also. So two of our designer products have Class 4. 

On top of that, we have our new IKO commercial, which is our TPO product line. We're doing demos on that too. I know it's pretty- 

Jack Gottesman: Did I tell you we were going to be breaking news today? 

Karen Edwards: No! What? TPO! 

Carol Perkins: Yes, we are. TPO! I know. Yes. 

Jack Gottesman: Yeah! Huge news. Huge news over here at the IKO booth. Yeah. 

Karen Edwards: Oh, my goodness. 

Jack Gottesman: With multiple application demonstrations throughout the day so you can see, because this is brand new. I mean, we've been in commercial roofing for a long time in Canada, but never in the U.S. 

Karen Edwards: No! 

Jack Gottesman: So as we bring it south of the border, we want to educate the roofing community on what this product is, how to install it properly and how it can benefit them. So yeah, IKO commercial roofing in the U.S. 

Carol Perkins: Yes. 

Karen Edwards: What a great opportunity, too, for some of your contractors who have been doing residential and they might want to get into commercial a little bit. They can go with the manufacturer they know and trust and supports them in being successful in their business. 

Carol Perkins: Absolutely. And one of the best things going on too with that is, we also just introduce our CodePlus application, which Jack's the expert at that one. 

Jack Gottesman: Yeah. Back on the residential side, when... Can I be honest with her? 

Carol Perkins: Yeah. 

Jack Gottesman: Our friends in commercial were all like, "Well, we're going to have all these demos." And we said, "We can't let commercial steal the show." So we on the residential side wanted to make sure that we're at least keeping up with the Joneses on the other side of the booth. So we... Carol's laughing. I'm just kidding. 

So we have had three today, three tomorrow, and then one or two on the last day of the show. We're showing off on our residential side, what we call our CodePlus Performance application method. So not everybody can, really everybody has to install the basic code. So we have taken performance shingles and accessories and created a roof system that's going to benefit contractors and homeowners, make people feel more safe underneath their IKO roof. 

Karen Edwards: Nice. Wow, exciting information. 

Jack Gottesman: Yeah. 

Karen Edwards: I am so glad that you guys stopped by to share that information. 

Jack Gottesman: Yeah. It's been a busy pandemic. 

Carol Perkins: Exactly. 

Karen Edwards: Yes, it has. It has. 

Carol Perkins: We've been very, very busy. 

Jack Gottesman: Yeah. 

Karen Edwards: Yeah, so stop by 1909? 

Jack Gottesman:1909. 

Carol Perkins: 1909. 

Jack Gottesman: Sounds like a marching band's coming. 

Karen Edwards: See it. Feel it. Touch it. There is a marching band coming. We are in New Orleans, I guess. So anyway. Well- 

Jack Gottesman: Yes. Can I say one thing before we sign off? 

Karen Edwards: Yes! 

Jack Gottesman: Read, listen, watch, okay, on RoofersCoffeeShop. For people who have not had yet had the opportunity, if you're just learning about RoofersCoffeeShop, because you found a tag on YouTube or you're watching IRE content, you're going to want to logon to their website. The content there is amazing. 

Karen Edwards: Thank you! 

Jack Gottesman: No one even comes close to what RoofersCoffeeShop is doing on their site. So go online. 

Karen Edwards: Oh, thank you. 

Jack Gottesman: Read, listen, and watch, and you can be up to date to have your finger on the pulse of the roofing industry. 

Karen Edwards: And we've got several out there featuring you talking about just anything you need to know, definitely. Thank you for the plug. 

Jack Gottesman: Yeah. Well, yeah. That's the platform to be on, of course. 

Karen Edwards: Thank you. 

Jack Gottesman: Yeah. Thank you for hosting us today. 

Karen Edwards: Yeah. 

Carol Perkins: Thank you so much. 

Jack Gottesman: See you guys later. 

Karen Edwards: We'll be back tomorrow. This our last live video of the day. So be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel. Ring that bell so you don't miss a thing, and we'll see you tomorrow. 

Learn more about IKO Industries in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.iko.com.

By Cass Jacoby, RCS Reporter. 

Bigger shingles + larger exposure = lower job costs and increased profits. 

The 'True Square Advantage’ is one of the key features that riases IKO above its competition. IKO’s Dynasty, Cambridge and Nordic shingles are all designed with the ‘True Square Advantage’ which will help help cut waste, save money and enable shingles to be installed approximately 10% faster. You might be asking yourself, how? Meet IKOnomics. 

IKO understands that when you buy three bundles of shingles, you expect them to cover 100 square feet of roof — the number you built your quote around. That’s why they manufacture their laminate shingles in a special advantage size and also put exactly 20 shingles in every bundle. You can rely on these bundles for full coverage every time to help you estimate accurately. 

The math is simple, and if you’re a contractor who installs thousands of shingles every year, the numbers can be substantial. Other manufacturers work in approximates. For most shingle manufacturers three of their bundles will only cover about 98.4 square feet, which means that as you make your way through the job, you will require additional bundles to make up for the space that you haven’t covered. Additionally, the number of actual shingles in the bundle is approximate as well, so each square may be a shingle or two shy of the sixty per square that IKO promises. Because of that, you may end up buying more bundles than you need for the job which can be a waste of time, materials and money. 

IKO’s larger-than-average size and exposure means each shingle covers more area as opposed to most comparable competitive shingles. IKO advantage sized shingles recommend a 5 7/8” exposure as opposed to the 5 5/8” exposure that most competitive shingles in their class offer. The size of these shingles gives the installer an additional quarter inch of coverage on every course they install. 

At the end of the day, IKO’s Dynasty, Nordic and Cambridge shingles can make your installation 10% faster, saving you money and time. Choose IKO True Square Advantage shingles and reap the benefits of a true square laminate shingle. 

Learn more about IKO in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.iko.com.

Disclaimer: This content is published through a paid partnership with IKO Industries.

By Evelyn Witterholt, RCS Reporter. 

The North / East Roofing Contractors Association (NERCA) is set to host its 94th annual trade show.  

This year’s North / East Roofing Contractors Association (NERCA) Convention and Trade Show is expected to have a great turnout. The event is set to take place March 1 – 3 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Although the deadline for registration has passed, we are currently offering a free pass that contractors can use at the door to attend the event. 

With nearly 200 booths and quality educational seminars, this convention is great event for contractors in the northeastern United States to attend. RoofersCoffeeShop® will be there at booth 529, so swing by and say hi to Heidi Ellsworth, Karen Edwards and Tim Ellsworth. At the booth we’ll be giving out our special 20th anniversary celebratory swag! 

National Women in Roofing (NWIR) will also be there at booth 130 and they will be hosting a networking event on March 2 at 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Members from the NWIR board of directors and local councils will be attending and time will be devoted to discussing empowering women in the roofing industry. Register for the event today! 

Here are some other booths work checking out: 

• ABC Supply – Booth #411 

• A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply – Booth #425 

• APOC – Booth #118 

• ATAS International – Booth #226 

• Beacon Building Products – Booth #401 

• CertainTeed – Booth #301 

• DECRA Metal Roofing – Booth #125 

• Duro-Last – Booth #233 

• Estimating Edge – Booth #606 

• Flascho – Booth #127 

• GCP – Booth #326 

• Hunter Panels – Booth #612 

• ICP Group – Booth #620 

• IKO – Booth #229 

• Johns Manville – Booth #417 

• Leap – Booth #531 

• Owens Corning – Booth #114 

• Polyglass – Booth #228 

• Sashco – Booth #624 

• Sika – Booth #325 

Learn more about NERCA in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.nerca.org.   

About NERCA 

NERCA is the founder of the NEREF scholarship. They are the regional association for roofing contractors covering the northeast part of the country.  Their territory includes: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Delaware.

By Evelyn Witterholt, RCS Reporter. 

Join Heidi as she speaks with Jack Gottesman about how IKO’s ROOFPRO program is changing the game. 

In Season 4, Episode 8 of Roofing Road Trips, Heidi J. Ellsworth spoke with Jack Gottesman, contractor channel programs director at IKO Industries. The two talked all about IKO’s ROOFPRO, a contractor loyalty program that offers turnkey solutions, business tools, exclusive warranties and more! 

The great thing about ROOFPRO is that it has recently been reworked so that more contractors can access it. The program now has three tiers for contractors to choose from. There’s Advantage, the basic entry level tier which contractors can use to sample the program. The Select tier is for customers who purchase 1,200 squares or more of IKO shingles a year. The highest level is the Craftsman Premier VIP for customers who purchase 5,000 squares or more a year. 

These new changes allow contractors to try the program out before they upgrade to a higher tier. When you do make the decision to join the higher tier of the program, Jack states that you will get “additional rebate incentives, an extremely compelling marketing fund, co-branded marketing tools and opportunities, ways to team up with IKO on swag and giveaways, literature and promotions, radio ads and billboards, websites, access to incredible partner programs and some of the best training in the business.” 

Jack says that offering high quality shingles is a given with their customers. But by also offering this loyalty program, they are giving their customers more than just shingles. Through the ROOFPRO program, IKO wants to give their customers the tools they need to succeed as a company. 

“We want people to love IKO because IKO's going to love them back,” Jack says. “Both in terms of the salespeople that we have that are going to be working with them and in terms of product experience and advantage.” 

Listen to the entire podcast to learn more about all the advantages of joining IKO’s ROOFPRO program. 

Learn more about IKO Industries in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.iko.com.

By Evelyn Witterholt, RCS Reporter. 

Through vertical integration initiatives, IKO faces fewer supply chain setbacks. 

Since being founded in 1951, IKO has become one of the global leaders in manufacturing and exporting asphalt shingles. One of the many factors that contributes to their massive growth over the years is their vertical integration processes. By controlling the most of the raw materials used in manufacturing their shingles, the company worries less about supply chain issues and can focus more on achieving success. 

The company cites their competitive advantage comes directly from these vertical integration initiatives. By owning their raw material supply and aspects of the manufacturing process, they have more control over their manufacturing volumes. Here are a few of their vertical integration initiatives: 

• They manufacture select glass fibers which are integrated into fiberglass mats that’s used as foundation for their shingles. 

• They grind their own mineral stabilizers. 

• They mine their own granules. 

• Asphalt is oxidized and stored on location at all of their manufacturing plants. 

By being vertically integrated, IKO creates asphalt shingles that they know are of high quality, because they are involved in nearly every step of the process. Not only do they create some of the best asphalt shingles out there, but they are also able to streamline the supply chain in the process.  

Another benefit of vertical integration is the level of efficiencies gained. IKO’s ability to streamline the supply chain paves the way for IKO to cost effectively manufacture an asphalt-rich, heavyweight shingle product. 

Another way IKO stands out is the size of their architectural shingles. Specifically, the IKO Cambridge, Dynasty and Nordic shingles are called ‘advantage sized’ because they are among the largest asphalt shingles out there. Their large size allows for faster installation and more coverage. And because they make this product and others all in-house, you don’t have to worry as much about delays from supply chain setbacks 

Learn more about IKO Industries in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.iko.com. 

Disclaimer: This content is published through a paid partnership with IKO Industries.

By IKO. 

From measuring roofs to calculating estimates, these roofing contractor apps will help you run your company more efficiently. 

While IKO lists costs for the apps below, and we have made efforts to ensure they are accurate as of January 2021, they are subject to change. IKO does not take responsibility for changing fees or features of the apps. 

While many apps out there are for fun and mindless scrolling, there are some that can be used as helpful tools for managing a business. Roofing contractors lead busy lives, so having handy business software apps can really help organize and manage projects. These apps allow you to check on your staff, get measurements for your projects and even send invoices. 

We know that there’s nothing like real-world experience with apps. That’s why we reached out to Sean Collins from Shield Roofing & Construction LLC to ask which apps he uses and what he likes about them. Sean stresses that apps aren’t just good solutions for small companies. Even larger businesses, like his, can find free and paid app solutions that can help them keep their business running smoothly and efficiently. 

Sean’s favorite apps include JobNimbus, DJI apps, Payzer, TSheets, WhatsApp and CompanyCam. We’ll discuss these apps, and many others, to help you download the best apps for your roofing business. Don’t worry: We cover both roofing apps for both Android and roofing apps for iPhone so that we don’t leave out those with either OS. 

Roofing measuring apps 

The most basic apps a roofer might use daily are those designed to help them calculate a roof’s pitch. While there are many of these apps on the market, most don’t work very well. Sean explained that roofers should look for roofing pitch calculator apps that have been recently updated, as many of them stop working and are abandoned by the publisher. 

If you end up choosing an app that makes the measurement based on the position of your phone (instead of by photos), he suggests that you use a clipboard or another large, steady surface to lay against the shingles and then put the phone on. He has found that this helps him get a more accurate measurement from the apps. 

1 - EagleView 

Cost: Free to download; all measurements cost money. 

OS: Android and iOS 

EagleView creates reports on the roof of any property you like from aerial imagery. There is no need to step onto the roof at all when you use this app. Instead, simply put the address of the property you’re interested in measuring into the app. EagleView has aerial imagery for the majority of the United States and Canada, so you’re unlikely to find a property that it can’t create a report for. The report types that the app can generate include: 

• QuickSquares™: QuickSquares determines roof square footage, predominant pitch and outline. The report is completed quickly and relatively inexpensively, even if there are secondary structures on the property. In the United States, this report costs $18, but the price is subject to change. 

• Premium: Premium includes a 3D diagram of the roof and five aerial images. It also includes a waste calculation table to help you order supplies with minimal waste. The cost for this report depends on the property. The current range in Canada is $30-$75, but that is subject to change. 

The app offers several more reports with unique features, including gutter measurements, walls, roof geometry and more. 

IKO ROOFPRO™ members can get more out of the app for less. You can access the ROOFPRO™ Silver pricing level by merely verifying your IKO ROOFPRO™ membership with EagleView. 

2 - HOVER 

Cost: Free to download; all 3D renderings cost money. 

OS: Android 

IKO’s partner HOVER offers 3D renderings of roofs. You take photos of a roof with your phone, and this app translates them into measurements in a few hours. The process is a bit intensive, as you have to take a photo of every side and corner of the property. However, the results are detailed. The app gives you total roof area in squares, predominant pitch, steepest pitch and siding information. Once you have the report for the property stored in the app, you can virtually add a real shingle product to the roof. 

3 - Roof Pitch Factor 

Cost: Free 

OS: iOS 

Roof Pitch Factor is a great roof measurement app if you need a pitch estimation quickly. You simply stand on the ground and look at the roof through your camera, and the app will estimate the pitch for you in factor and degrees. 

4 - Pitch Gauge© 

Cost: Free, pay to remove ads. 

OS: Android and iOS 

Pitch Gauge is another app that offers a simple and quick pitch estimate. It gives you a factor measurement and not a degree measurement. It includes a calculator and allows you to swap between imperial and metric. You can take a picture of the roof, and it will be saved with the measurements that you can easily reference in the future. As Sean mentioned, be sure you have a flat surface to place your phone on above the shingles. Plus, calibrate the app before you start for the best results. 

Roofing estimate apps 

These apps help you create a roofing estimate or quote. Flexibility and personalization are important here, as every roofing company will provide a slightly different quote to their customer. 

1 - iRoofing 

Cost: Monthly and annual plans, currently starting at $129 per month 

OS: Android and iOS 

First, create an account on the iRoofing website. Then, use your credentials to log into the app. The app can create measurements for a property from satellite or drone images, or from building blueprints. It can then create an estimate for you automatically. You can tell the app how you’d like to price and even offer good, better, best pricing through the app. iRoofing also allows you to virtually add any product to your customer’s house so that they can see how it will look. 

There are some customer relationship management features built into the app as well. In the app, you have the option for customers to sign your contract digitally*, some ability to order materials and some ability to connect with customers after the fact. While it is not as robust as other customer relationship management options, the bidding and estimating aspects of this app are great. 

*Please ensure that digitally signed contracts are legally enforceable in your area before using this feature. 

2 - Contractor Estimate & Invoice 

Cost: Monthly subscription to the publisher (Joist) or QuickBooks Sync 

OS: Android 

While not designed for roofers specifically, the Contractor Estimate & Invoice app could be a useful tool for you. Once you set your estimating preferences in the app, you can easily create quotes for your customers. You can even attach photos directly to the estimate. Once you have completed the work, you can turn the estimate into an invoice and even receive payment through the app. 

The app allows you to export your quote information right to your accounting program for simplicity. 

3 - QuickBooks® 

Cost: Monthly plans, currently starting at $35 per month 

OS: Android and iOS 

QuickBooks is a highly popular accounting software. Its app version has a vast range of useful features for roofers. Primarily, it offers an invoicing system that is robust enough to account for the many different materials you use. You can also offer clients partial invoices to help make payment plans more manageable for you to offer. Customers can pay directly from the invoice. 

QuickBooks also allows you to track mileage and expenses, and even attach receipts. There are some functional complaints about the app, but you can always back yourself up using the desktop version on your laptop. 

Roofing drone apps 

Your roofing drone app should be compatible with the camera that your drone is equipped with or compatible with the drone itself. Sometimes, it makes sense to weigh your app options when choosing the drone or camera that is right for you. While drone footage is useful for roofers, it has to be simple to record and access in order to reduce the time you spend on it. An app can make or break your experience, so choose wisely. 

1 - GoPro app 

Cost: Free to download, in-app purchases, GoPro subscription required. 

OS: Android and iOS 

Sean’s choice for a roofing drone app is the GoPro app. If your drone is equipped with a GoPro camera, you can upload the video to the GoPro app and make the edits you want. If you capture videos of your completed projects to help promote your business, you’ll appreciate the convenience of this app. You can post the edited video right to your website or social media account, making it a convenient option for business owners who don’t want to transfer the footage multiple times. You can still upload it to your desktop and then take the footage where you need from there. You can also operate the camera (but not the drone) from the app. 

2 - DJI apps 

Cost: Free, compatible drone required. 

OS: Android and iOS 

To fly his drone, Sean uses one of the DJI apps. Depending on which drone you use, you may need to use the DJI GO, DJI Pilot, DJI Mimo or DJI Fly app. Each app has a simple user interface that takes the stress out of flying your drone. For example, the DJI GO app has an automated landing and takeoff maneuver, so all you need to do is press a button. And the DJI Mimo tracks the subject that you choose, in this case your roof, to be sure it is always in frame. Others support editing, live streaming, filters and more. 

3 - DroneDeploy 

Cost: Free, compatible drone required. 

OS: Android and iOS 

If you have a DJI app, you can also use the DroneDeploy app. This app automates flight and creates a map from the data that it collects. This automated flight feature is useful for commercial roofers taking images and videos of large roofs. We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that DroneDeploy has its own app market. Here, you can find apps that will help you share and leverage your footage. 

Roofing photo apps 

Roofers have plenty of use for photo apps, whether you want to show a customer how their roof will look with new shingles or take before and after photos to include in promotions. There is a handful of apps you can consider to help you get the best photos. 

1 - IKO RoofViewer™ 

Cost: Free 

OS: Android and iOS 

IKO’s RoofViewerTM is a simple-to-use tool that can give your customer a glimpse of how a roof will look with a specific IKO roofing product installed. You take a real photo of the home, and the app will let you try on any of the shingle products, so you can see how the other exterior materials will work with the shingle color. The tool is free and is a great tool to help homeowners choose their shingle color. 

2 - CompanyCam 

Cost: Free, in-app purchases. 

OS: Android and iOS 

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the photos of your work after just a few jobs. CompanyCam allows you to organize photos by job and add notes, keeping you organized. If you need to find photos years later, all you need to do is scroll. The app has unlimited storage. It also supports multiple users, so you can bring issues to other team members’ attention from within the app. Sean prefers CompanyCam because it is convenient and integrates with his favorite app, JobNimbus. It also integrates with other software you might want to use, including DroneDeploy, Contractors Cloud and Salesforce. 

3 - Pic Stitch 

Cost: Free, in-app purchases. 

OS: Android and iOS 

When Sean needs to make small, quick edits and doesn’t want to bother with CompanyCam’s before and after feature, he uses Pic Stitch. It is one of the most popular photo apps of all time because it is simple to use and offers a huge range of features. For roofers, the best feature is probably the app’s ability to very quickly combine before and after photos into one file, so it’s easy to post online. You can add text overlays and filters, and rotate and crop the images as well. 

Customer relationship management apps for roofers 

Customer relationship management is all about closing on leads and providing your customers with a better experience once they have agreed to work with you. Customer relationship management apps should give you and your customers a way to contact one another. Having a record of your communication will help you provide service and reassure your customer that their roofing work is going as planned. Customer relationship management apps usually offer much more than this, bridging into several other kinds of apps. 

1 - JobNimbus 

Cost: Monthly subscription, currently starting at $25 per month. 

OS: Android and iOS 

JobNimbus is Sean’s number one choice for roofing apps overall. He says it, “essentially runs my whole company.” The app is highly customizable, which means there is a lot of setup; but it is efficient once you have it running. It has standout customer relationship management features, including the ability for a customer to check on your job’s progress whenever they want. Sean believes that this is very useful for roofers who are often working on the roof when the homeowner is at work. 

Plus, JobNimbus offers many more functions. With the app, you can collect a lead’s contact information, reach out to them, create an estimate and schedule the job. You can also assign tasks to staff, keep track of the work while your staff is completing it, keep all of your photos and information for the job organized, send your invoice and receive payment. 

Sean loves that JobNimbus syncs up with other apps and software he uses, including CompanyCam, Google Calendar, QuickBooks, EagleView, SalesRabbit and more. 

2- Acculynx 

Cost: To get pricing information, you will have to email Acculynx. 

OS: Android and iOS 

As with JobNimbus, Acculynx offers a huge variety of features designed to support you from the moment you get a lead until the work is done. The lead application programming interface is especially impressive and can automatically import information from your web contact forms. In the app, you can connect with roof measurement apps and create an estimate based on them. Once the customer has signed on, you can directly order materials through the app from ABC Supply if you’re a roofer in the U.S. You can use the app’s calendar to coordinate your delivery and coordinate your staff members’ schedules. You can also track your sales. 

Sean used Acculynx in the past, but found that JobNimbus offered more features he needed for his business and improved integration with other apps he uses. Of course, that doesn’t mean Acculynx can’t be the right solution for you. 

3 - Zoho CRM 

Cost: Free for up to three users or $12/month per user for four or more users. 

OS: Android and iOS 

If you have a dedicated sales team for your roofing business, then you may want to consider using Zoho’s dedicated CRM app. It helps salespeople predict leads, determine which are the best leads and alerts them in real time when a potential customer interacts with the business online whether by opening an email or visiting your website. Unlike other CRM app options, Zoho “gamifies” the sales process to help motivate salespeople and get better results. 

Accounting and payroll apps for roofers 

Payroll and accounting are necessary for every business, and an app can make the process easier for you. 

1 - TSheets 

Cost: Monthly TSheets subscription starting at $10 per month. 

OS: Android and iOS 

TSheets is Sean’s preferred time-tracker app. He asks his staff members to download it, and they can use it to clock in and out of work. If you use the app, you can also change employee shifts, and the app will send them a notification to let them know. If they don’t clock in, the app will let you know with a notification. Plus, the app uses a GPS to confirm the employee’s location. Once the staff member has logged their hours, you can then see how much they’ve worked or how many hours a specific job took. TSheets is a great app to use if you’re trying to track and improve your roofing efficiency. 

Also, TSheets integrates with QuickBooks and other accounting apps. 

2 - QuickBooks 

Cost: Monthly plans, currently starting at $35 per month. 

OS: Android and iOS 

We covered it in the invoicing section above, but the QuickBooks app offers some of the software’s accounting and payroll features as well. 

Small business transaction apps for roofers 

Investing in a point of sale (POS) machine isn’t necessary anymore. Many apps work as phone-based POSs that can allow you to collect payment from your clients in various forms as soon as you’re done their roof. 

1 - Payzer 

Cost: Monthly subscription starting at $60 per month per user. 

OS: Android and iOS 

Sean uses Payzer as his POS because it conveniently allows him to both receive money from his customers and send payments to his employees. While he doesn’t use this feature, Payzer also allows you to schedule your employees and reach out to your customers. Also, the app has a built-in credit tool that you can use to offer your customers financing for their roof replacement or repair. 

2 - Contractor Estimate & Invoice (also called Joist App for Contractors) 

Cost: Monthly subscription to the publisher (Joist) or QuickBooks Sync. 

OS: Android and iOS 

We also mentioned this app in the invoicing list above, but it is worth mentioning that you can collect payments through this app and send the information about it to your other accounting software. 

3 - QuickBooks 

Cost: Monthly plans, currently starting at $35 per month. 

OS: Android and iOS 

We covered it twice above, but it is worth noting that the QuickBooks app can also accept payments. You’ll need the mobile card reader, but once you have it, your payment and accounting process will be more efficient. After the payment, QuickBooks will automatically record the payment in your books. 

4 - Square® Point of Sale 

Cost: App is free, $299 for Square terminal, 2.65% for credit cards, 10 cents per Interac and 3.4% + 15 cents for every time you manually enter a card number. 

OS: Android and iOS 

It is simple, and relatively inexpensive, to collect payments in person with your phone and your Square POS reader. Every credit card is the same rate through Square, and the company handles the fees for disputes for you. In the app, you can always see the rates you’re paying on your dashboard. The app also includes free reporting and analytics and a directory of your customers. 

Apps for roofing business communication 

1 - WhatsApp 

Cost: Free 

OS: Android and iOS 

While not originally intended as a business-specific tool, WhatsApp is a simple and effective option to use to keep in touch with your staff. Sean uses it and says that 90% of his team’s communication is done over the app. The app allows you to send encrypted texts to anyone else who has the app. You can share your other contacts with your employees, send group messages about specific projects and send an identical message to all employees like, “We have a new job for Saturday, let me know if you’re available.” 

2 - Slack 

Cost: Free, two paid versions at $6.67 per month and $12.50 per month with additional features. 

OS: Android and iOS 

This communication app is specifically made for businesses and is a great alternative if you need a solution to send files. Slack allows you to create channels, potentially one for each job. You can add relevant staff to the channel, send files and make calls. You can also direct-message an employee on the app just as you would in WhatsApp. There’s no built-in encryption, but it’s a great replacement for email. 

3 - Facebook Messenger 

Cost: Free 

OS: Android and iOS 

Facebook has some huge advantages in the communication world. It’s completely free and ubiquitous. Everyone you hire will know how to use Facebook, and staying active on your business account can help you respond to customer inquiries in a timelier manner too. However, it could be challenging to keep employees focused when they can be on Facebook while working. Also, Facebook is not encrypted. 

4 - Viber Messenger 

Cost: Credits are required for phone and video, a monthly U.S. subscription is $1.99, or credits can be purchased at various amounts. 

OS: Android and iOS 

There is some business communication that should really be done in voice, not over text messages. Viber is a great secure option for voice and video calls, even in groups, that your team members can have on their phones. It uses end-to-end encryption even for video calls, so you know that your conversation is secure. Plus, the app offers other business features that may be useful for you, including ads and promotional stickers. 

Free roofing apps 

Are you just starting your roofing business and not quite ready to invest in an app subscription yet? Here’s our list of free roofing apps that you may find useful. You can find more details about the specific apps above: 

• Roof Pitch Factor 

• Pitch Gauge 

• IKO RoofViewer™ 

• CompanyCam 

• Pic Stitch 

• WhatsApp 

Learn more about IKO Industries in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.iko.com. 

Original article source: IKO

IKO offers an exclusive look at new impact-rated residential shingle offerings, new Innovi™TPO Single-Ply Commercial Roofing Membrane Systems and its new CodePlus™ Performance Program

IKO, a worldwide leader in the roofing, waterproofing and insulation industries for residential and commercial markets, will offer attendees of the 2022 International Roofing Expo (IRE) an exclusive, firsthand look at the latest innovations in its commercial and residential roofing lines. The company will also provide live demonstrations of IKO’s enhanced residential roofing application method, the CodePlus Performance Program as well as its new commercial InnoviTPO Single-Ply Roofing Systems.

“IRE has been a staple of the roofing and exterior construction industry for decades, and we are looking forward to engaging one-on-one with professionals from around the world,” said Jeff Williams, IKO’s North American brand and marketing director. “As one of the largest providers of both residential and commercial solutions in this space, this is the ideal opportunity to share our new groundbreaking advancements for roofing technology and performance.”

PRODUCTS TO BE SHOWCASED AT BOOTH #1909: 

Innovi™TPO Single-Ply Commercial Roofing Membrane Systems

InnoviTPO Single-Ply Roofing Systems offers the latest commercial innovation from IKO, available in Canada and the eastern U.S. The new thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) membrane systems expand on the company’s low-slope roofing expertise. Designed for exceptional performance, InnoviTPO single-ply roofing membranes are the culmination of significant investment in breakthrough processing technologies and a proprietary weathering formulation, known as MATRIX™.

Offered in 100- or 200-foot rolls, the membranes are available in 45-, 60- and 80-mil thicknesses, with widths ranging from 5 to 12 feet, and they come in white, grey or tan. Suitable for use with mechanically attached, fully adhered or induction-welded roofing systems, IKO’s InnoviTPO is heat-welded at the seams to create a continuous, water-resistant roofing membrane for low-slope commercial roofs. For more information, visit www.iko.com/innovi

Dynasty® Class 3 — Residential

IKO’s acclaimed Dynasty® premium-quality laminated performance shingles will now carry a Class 3 impact resistance rating*, which further distinguishes it as a top-performing shingle, offering peace of mind and protection from inclement weather. Depending on geographic location, with the new Class 3 rating, some homeowners may qualify for discounts on their insurance policy. 

Dynasty performance shingles feature ArmourZone®, a reinforced woven band that fortifies the nail zone to help resist tears and blow-offs. In addition, IKO’s FastLock™ sealant quickly creates a strong bond to keep the shingles in place even in extremely high winds. Built with a 1 ¼-inch nailing zone to create an enlarged nailing area for a faster, easier and more accurate installation, this shingle’s large 5 ⅞-inch exposure area and True Square Advantage means three shingle bundles will always match a true roofing square and create a look that homeowners will love. With advanced high-definition, color-blending technology, the design is available in 13 nature-inspired fresh, bold colors. For more information, see our launch video here.

Designer Shingles Class 4 — Residential

IKO now offers two of its Designer Shingles lines, Armourshake™ and Crowne Slate™, with a Class 4 impact resistance rating*. By expanding these beautiful designs with industry-leading performance and unmatched durability, IKO marries aesthetic appeal with enhanced peace of mind.

Mimicking the look and feel of natural slate tiles or cedar shakes without the associated maintenance worries and cost, Armourshake and Crowne Slate deliver the ultimate in weather protection for estate homes and other high-caliber properties. For more information, visit www.iko.com/na/residential-roofing-shingles/designer.

CodePlus Performance Program

IKO’s innovative new CodePlus Performance Program offers an elite application method for roof systems that are designed to withstand high winds and other natural threats. CodePlus is available exclusively to IKO ROOFPRO™ Select and Craftsman Premier members. A highly integrated installation system, CodePlus uses purpose-designed IKO products to take roof performance above and beyond local building code requirements.

ROOFPRO contractors who earn CodePlus status and install to the program’s standards will not only build a better roof, but they will also gain exclusive access to business and marketing tools designed to help drive sales to this new system. These tools include a customizable sales app for online or in-home sales, sample kits, literature and an array of branded merchandise that showcases their CodePlus status. IKO ROOFPRO members can learn more about the CodePlus Performance Program by looking for the CodePlus icon in the ROOFPRO portal. Visit www.ikoroofpro.com.

* This impact rating is solely for the purpose of enabling residential property owners to obtain a reduction in their residential insurance premium, if available. It is not to be construed as any type of express or implied warranty or guarantee of the impact performance against hail, of this shingle by the manufacturer, supplier or installer. Damage from hail is not covered under the limited warranty. For further details concerning the FM 4473 standards, visit the FM Approvals website.

DEMONSTRATION SCHEDULE AT BOOTH #1909:

IKO Commercial InnoviTPO Product Clinics:

Tuesday, February 1

• 11:15 a.m.
• 12:45 p.m.
• 2 p.m.
• 3:15 p.m.

Wednesday, February 2

• 11:15 a.m.
• 12:45 p.m.
• 2 p.m.
• 3:15 p.m.

Thursday, February 3

• 11:15 a.m.
• 12:45 p.m.

IKO Residential CodePlus Product Clinics:

Tuesday, February 1

• Noon.
• 1:30 p.m.
• 2:45 p.m.

Wednesday, February 2

• Noon.
• 1:30 p.m.
• 2:45 p.m.

Thursday, February 3

• 11 a.m.

About IKO

IKO is a worldwide leader in the roofing, waterproofing and insulation industry for residential and commercial markets. Committed to a high level of vertical integration, IKO operates more than 35 manufacturing plants throughout North America and Europe. IKO is a family-owned business established in 1951.

SRS Distribution will be located at booth #2437 and the SRS Distribution Para Latinos Lounge at booth #1937.

SRS Distribution Inc., a leader in the building products distribution industry, is proud to announce its participation at the upcoming International Roofing Expo in New Orleans with two exhibitor booths, one exclusively dedicated to offering educational resources and networking opportunities for Spanish-speaking roofing contractors.

“We are excited to bring a customized Latino engagement experience to IRE that will empower and educate the Latino roofing community! We believe that offering these workshops and networking events will bring key tools and resources to Latino contractors that will support their future growth. At SRS we believe that the growth of the Latino contractor is a key factor to the future of the industry,” stated Julissa Chavez, Program Manager, Latino Sales and Marketing.

The SRS Distribution Para Latinos booth will offer visitors the exclusive opportunity to connect with industry experts and partners, product demonstrations and a first-class lineup of workshops and presentations geared towards supporting roofing contractors grow their businesses.

SRS Distribution will also host an Expert Contractor Panel discussion with owners of the largest and most successful roofing companies in the US to offer Latino contractors, customers, and attendees the latest insight on the industry, best practices on business and sales process to drive immediate improvement in their-day-to-day operations and bottom line.

Also, for the first time ever, SRS Distribution will hold the Premios Éxito (Contractor Success Awards), an initiative to reward and recognize Latino contractors in various categories: Contractor of the Year, Emerging Contractor, and Community Hero. The winners will be announced during the Cocktail Networking Hour at the Alluvial Plaza, during day one of IRE.

SRS is collaborating with IKO, GAF, CertainTeed, TAMKO to provide training content on relevant topics such as Sales 101, Preparing For Storm Season, 2022 Strategic Planning. Additionally, SRS will introduce TopShield Quality Products. This learning & development experience will include a VIP Cocktail Event sponsored by Owens Corning featuring Latin-inspired cuisine and entertainment from Mariachi Jalisco.

SRS Distribution will be located at booth #2437 and the SRS Distribution Para Latinos Lounge at booth #1937.

About International Roofing Expo

The International Roofing Expo is the premier roofing industry event, where leaders and experts from across the world gather to share the latest business trends, knowledge, and skill-building training opportunities.

About SRS Distribution

Founded in 2008 and headquartered in McKinney, TX, SRS has grown to become one of the largest and fastest growing building products distributors in the United States. Since our inception, we have established a differentiated growth strategy and entrepreneurial culture that is focused on serving our customers, partnering with our suppliers, and attracting the industry’s best talent. We currently operate under a family of distinct local brands encompassing more than 590 locations across 44 states. SRS Distribution is a portfolio company of Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. and Berkshire Partners LLC. For more information www.srsdistribution.com.

By Cass Jacoby, RCS Reporter.  

IKO Cambridge Cool Colors shingles offer beauty, quality and performance.  

Cambridge Cool Color shingles make a roof cool in more than one way, offering cool roof compliance while sharing the durability and beauty of IKO Cambridge shingle line. Read on to learn how Cambridge Cool Color shingles offer quality and peace of mind, on top of making your next project more efficient. 

1 - Cool roof requirement compliance 

New Cool and Cool Plus color blends have a Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) of 20 or greater, meaning they can boost a roof’s reflectivity by 25%, and keep the roof cooler than conventional shingles. A cool roof can reduce a home’s carbon footprint, reduce home energy bills and increase property value.  

These shingles are engineered to comply with California Title 24 Part 6 Cool Roofing Requirements. Even IKO’s medium and dark color blends meet or exceed the most stringent Los Angeles City and County cool roof reflectance requirements of having an SRI of 20 or greater. 

2 - Blow-off protection 

You want shingles to stay put. If the wind can lift them up it creates an opportunity for water to seep underneath and will create a leaky roof. IKO shingles have FastLock™ sealant strips along their bottom edges, which becomes extra-tacky in the sun to create a strong bond with the roof. This means the roof is protected against wind uplift, blow-off and water penetration. 

Furthermore, these shingles are designed to be easy to fasten correctly, and include printed nail guide lines that direct installers on how to position the shingles. Proper installation keeps shingles on the roof and prevents them from blowing off in the wind. Plus, IKO’s special “Advantage” size shingles are larger, ensuring they go down fast and easy during installation. 

3 - Resilient fiberglass mat 

Coated with weathering asphalt on the top and bottom then surfaced with colored granules, the fiberglass mat is exceptionally durable and has heavy-duty structural integrity. Engineered to protect a structure against the elements, this fiberglass mat is designed to stay flat. 

4 – Beautiful shingle dimension in a variety of colors 

IKO creates a varied pattern that gives the rich, textured appearance of genuine wood shakes by staggering the size and position of the shingle’s “dragon teeth.”  The laminated two-piece design gives these shingles depth and dimension. 

Paired with the unique color blends, these shingles can create a spectacular high-end look that can match any style. IKO Cambridge Cool Colors come in color blends that range from dark to light, sharing the advantages of the ever-popular IKO Cambridge shingle line while offering outstanding reflectivity to a roof. 

IKO’s Cool Plus shingles offer a sought-after dark color blend with an SRI of 20+, embedding surface granules with infrared-reflective pigments to transmit less of the sun’s solar energy or radiant heat into a home’s attic. 

Their Cool shingles are available in popular, medium-toned color blends also delivering an SRI of 20+. 

Last, IKO’s lightest color blend option is their Natural Cool Colors shingles, an affordable choice in California locations where local roof reflectance requirements demand an SRI of 16+. 

Learn more about IKO Industries in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.iko.com.