Roofing Contractor readers continued to show their desire for diverse and informative content over the past year. RC editors examined the top traffic draws published in 2023 to gauge what drew their interest the most. The following list of the year’s most popular entries focused on the current trends, technology and people making the roofing industry what it is – and what it could be. An unusual entry that seemed to resonate with roofers everywhere stands out at the top. 

As usual, there are typical RC mainstays, like Top 100 and new legislation in Florida, one of the industry’s most robust and volatile markets. Below are the top most-read articles published in 2023.

Roofer Expresses Frustration with Chainsaw

One roofer in Dublin, Ireland, takes out his frustration after failing to get paid for his work – with a chainsaw. Though there are other ways to go about it, watching him live the dream of any roofer who’s been wronged on a job before has a certain appeal. This international roofing tale generated the most traffic by far on roofingcontractor.com in 2023 and set records for social media reach exceeding 2.1 million views.

Top 100 2023 

Usually, the annual leader in site traffic and engagement, RC’s coverage of the Top 100 List trailed only the roofer-chainsaw story in 2023. That included our Top 10; Top 100 Roofing Contractors List, Top 100 Spotlights; and Ones to Watch. This year, coverage of the 2022 Top 100 List was also among the highest-viewed articles of the year. Check out who stood out from the competition across the country.

New Roofing Trends 2023

Check out the latest trends influencing the roofing industry and how roofing contractors can capitalize, according to Bone Dry Roofing's Gene Judd, RC’s 2023 Residential Roofing Contractor of the Year. See if he was accurate, and what tips and trends can carry over to the year ahead. 

State of the Industry 2023

Combined with a still-aging workforce and fewer qualified workers, the roofing industry faced a number of challenges in the past year. Even so, roofing contractors aren’t backing down. RC’s 2023 State of the Industry survey results show that through the use of technology, creative hiring methods and operational tactics, the majority of roofing contractors anticipated sales to outpace last year and improve.

Why Private Equity Now Loves Roofing

Have you been contacted lately by somebody who wants to buy your roofing business? If your company is successful, has a strong local or regional market share, is growing and has a great team, then you are a target!

Roofing Industry Mourns Loss of Kevin Gwaltney, 45

The roofing industry lost one its young, dynamic leaders in early 2023 with the passing of Diamond Roofing President Kevin Gwaltney.

Gwaltney was part of RC’s inaugural class of Young Guns and always recognized the importance of being an example to draw other young talent into the profession. A former president of the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association and member of the National Roofing Contractors Association’s Board of Directors, Gwaltney led by example and was one of the inspirations behind making RC’s Best of Success conference an annual experience. RC Publisher Jill Bloom dedicated this year’s event in Frisco, Texas, in his honor. 

Robotics in Roofing 

The labor shortage is not a new problem to those in roofing, but Renovate Robotics offers a novel solution that might revolutionize the industry. The tech startup seeks roofing contractors interested in testing a robot that can install asphalt shingles, potentially reducing labor concerns and improving productivity.

Mistakes Roofing Contractors Make Working with Insurance

Working with insurance companies can be a frustrating, slow bureaucratic process for many roofing contractors. Yet, many roofers could be doing more to help their clients by taking the time to fix some of the ways they deal with insurance companies. 

Florida Roofing Contractor Arrested for Fraud Scheme

Authorities in Florida arrested a roofing contractor on charges related to allegedly conducting an unlicensed roof replacement scheme that defrauded homeowners. Reports from the Florida Department of Financial Services indicated the veteran roofer in Thonotosassa, Fla., near Tampa, faces multiple counts of filing a false and fraudulent insurance claim, grand theft, unlicensed contracting, and failure to obtain worker's compensation coverage. He could face up to 25 years in prison upon conviction.

What to Know about Florida’s New Property Insurance Law

Obtaining property insurance recently in Florida has been a challenge. More and more insurance companies have dropped their coverage for property owners, or they have shuttered their businesses altogether. And for those home and business owners who have secured coverage, premiums have skyrocketed. RC Legal Insights Expert Trent Cotney, partner with Adams and Reese, breaks down what roofing contractors need to know about the new business environment.