Steep Slope Roofing

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As part of its State of the Industry Report, Roofing Contractor reached out to some industry insiders to get their predictions on what 2011 might hold in store for contractors. They shared their insights on trends in the commercial and residential roofing markets and offered advice to help contractors make the most of their opportunities in the year ahead.

Something new may be learned from nearly every retrofit roofing project. Every roofing project is completed with different materials in different places on different structures and often with different clients. The renovation of the roof and parapet of the Green-Meldrim House in historic downtown Savannah, Ga., is one project that provided more than its share of lessons. 

Most people who lead and attend the nation’s many houses of worship will tell you that their ministries are defined by their people and their missions. But when you read the history of congregations, particularly the ones with long histories, the buildings that house the ministries tend to be featured prominently. 

During one episode of the sitcom “Seinfeld” George Costanza made a profound observation about a product that had not seen any developments in his lifetime. “Everything else has changed. But toilet paper is exactly the same,” he says. “It’s just paper on a roll. And that’s all it will ever be.” 

With changes to the IRC and IBC attic ventilation codes coming in 2012 that will improve the performance of attics installed with a ridge vent, the time is right to review the basics of the ridge vent. 

Use the right type of attic vent for the right project and roofing contractors can expect efficient performance and energy savings from the attic ventilation system. But sometimes roofing professionals become frustrated because they’re stuck in one of the following traps they’d be wiser to avoid.

When they say, “You can’t fight city hall,” they aren’t talking about Mother Nature. And she’s been fighting Milwaukee City Hall for a long time.

Frequently, contractors will ask how much volume should a salesperson or project manager be able to sell. This is a very difficult question to answer because there are so many variables. 

Every winter the threat of ice dams rears its ugly head. Ice dams hide potential problems that are unknown to most homeowners and often present an opportunity for roofing contractors to educate homeowners about the dangers that lie beneath the glistening icicles.

Many contractors who start their own companies realize that while they might be experts at installing roof systems, they aren’t experts at running a business.