WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) has launched its ARMA Excellence in Asphalt Roofing Awards Program, which recognizes the best steep and low-slope asphalt roofing projects from across North America.

Formerly known as the Quality Asphalt Roofing Case Study (QARC), the program has been modernized to better reflect its mission of creating awareness around the most impressive, dynamic asphalt roofing systems.

“By repositioning the QARC Awards as the ARMA Excellence in Asphalt Roofing Awards Program, we are completing an overall ARMA rebrand begun over two years ago,” said ARMA’s Executive Vice President Reed Hitchcock. “This rebrand places an emphasis on excellence, and our logo design clearly shows a focus on both steep and low-slope asphalt roofing applications.”

There is no charge to participate in the program, and it will recognize three asphalt roofing projects each year, highlighting the contractor(s), their team, and their outstanding craftsmanship. Submissions, which require a project description and high-resolution images, must relate to a project completed within the past three years. Click here to enter your project(s) or visit asphaltroofing.org/excellence/submit-your-entry/ before Dec. 31.

ARMA Excellence in Asphalt Roofing Award winners will receive a monetary prize (Gold – $2,000; Silver – $1,000; Bronze – $500), an opportunity to network with key asphalt roofing industry leaders, portfolio-building materials and an official certificate, as well as recognition at the International Roofing Expo (IRE), in a national trade publication, in the contractor’s local media, on the ARMA website, on social media, and more.

The entries will be judged by a panel of ARMA leaders, roofing industry experts, and prominent members of the roofing media on four criteria:

• Beauty – Does the project embody the true beauty of asphalt roofing? Is it visually attractive or interesting, does it enhance the skyline, building use or design?
• Affordability – Does the project demonstrate value through life-cycle cost or creative use of components to add benefit to the construction process or overall roofing system?
• Reliability – Does the project demonstrate asphalt roofing’s reliability, durability and strength? Does the project show how proper installation of an asphalt roofing system can help provide protection and peace of mind?
• Why Asphalt? – Why did the submitter choose to use an asphalt roofing system? Were there specific circumstances (examples: weather-related challenges, customer requests, building history, overburden requirements, evolutions in the roofing industry which change the playing field, or other situations) that made asphalt roofing the clear choice? What additional aspects about the project make it a step above the rest?