What's in store for metal roofing in the years to come? Of course, no one can predict the future with 100 percent certainty, but anyone who's been paying attention will almost certainly agree that cool roof technology will be a major factor in the metal roofing industry for the foreseeable future.
Building Materials Corporation of America ("BMCA" or "GAF Materials Corporation") today announced that its President and CEO, William W. Collins, will take a six-month leave of absence to serve as Senior Vice President, Katrina Recovery and Industry Alliances, at Habitat for Humanity International starting in mid-October. Samuel J. Heyman will serve as acting CEO during Collins' leave of absence. Heyman served as CEO prior to Collins' election to the Company's top post.
Roofing Contractor recently did a survey to find out how "wired" our readers are. Do they have Internet access at home? How much do they use the Web for work? What types of work tasks are simplified by software programs?
Within the roofing industry, spray polyurethane foam (SPF) has long been considered a retrofit solution. But increased interest from architects and specifiers has led to a growth in opportunities for SPF in new construction. According to most roof industry studies, SPF's market share is still quite low compared to that of single-ply or built-up roofing, but its retrofit vs. new construction ratio is in the area of 60/40, consistent with the retro/new split across the entire commercial roofing industry. So is it really unusual to see SPF specified for new construction?
In recent years, interest in cold process roofing systems has grown steadily as installers seek to reduce liability while improving productivity. Cold-applied systems reportedly make up 10 percent of the built-up and modified bitumen roofing systems installed in the United States. Cold-applied systems' share of the asphaltic market is only expected to grow as conventional asphaltic systems are impacted by a number of factors including a desire by building owners to reduce exposure to fumes during installation, as well as a need to improve installation economics.
Roofing systems contain treated wood in several applications, such as wood blocking. For many years, wood treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) preservative was the industry standard. Exterior wood is subjected to all kinds of hazards: weather conditions, decay, fungi and insect infestation. Over 80 years ago Dr. Karl Wolman invented a process to treat and protect the wood from the environment. Using a pressurized holding tank filled with wood and preservative, Wolman discovered a way to force the preservative into the wood. This process, which has been coined "Wolmanized," increased the service life of wood used in outdoor construction, such as roofing. Unfortunately, the process hasn't been without its share of challenges and changes.
As another summer season of blazing temperatures draws to a close, white coatings continue to be a subject of great fascination as well as practical interest. As their popularity grows, they are increasingly under the hot light: literally because they are being installed on more roofs, and figuratively because they are under increased scrutiny. Building professionals are asking hard questions: What are the benefits? How do they work? What are the materials? Where should they be applied?
With widespread shortages in Florida and plants working at capacity, the $600 million tile roofing industry is struggling to address demand and keep customers informed.
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