Blog
Cool Roofs
Cool Roofs? No, it’s not a spinoff of MTV Cribs or a new series on HGTV! Rather, it is a term that refers to roofs that have both a high-solar reflectance (SR) and high-thermal emittance. If a roof has a high‑thermal emittance, it means that the roofing material does not retain a great deal of heat. A high SR means most of the sun’s rays are sufficiently reflected off the surface of the roof. Why is this important? The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) states on their website that while a conventional roof can reach 150°F or more on a summer day, a “cool roof” can be more than 50°F cooler! Furthermore, the DOE reports that having a “cool roof” can translate into a 10 to 15% energy savings. So equipping a building with...
read moreDrone Use in Commercial Roofing
There has been talk about using drones, also referred to as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS ), in commercial roofing for at least a couple of years now. Only a limited number of companies around the nation have adopted them. And, some of those have notably used them outside the law since commercial use of drones has been forbidden and required an exemption from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). However, the new Small UAS Rule becomes effective in August 2016, and with it this exception is no longer required. It also no longer requires a second person to act as a visual observer (VO) or spotter, which was formerly a requirement for commercial operation. Benefits of Using a Drone for your Roofing Business Here are some...
read moreJune Roofing Conventions Recap
June 2016 was a busy month for roofing conventions. Both the east and west coasts had noteworthy tradeshows and expos. FRSA Celebrated its 94th Convention The Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA) held its 94th annual convention and expo on June 16–18th this year at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL and the Hyatt Regency Orlando. According to FRSA, this was the largest regional roofing show in the country with more than 200 exhibitors in 350+ booths. Included as part of the event were auctions supporting the FRSA Educational and Research Foundation, multiple sporting tournaments, and educational seminars. GenFlex Sales Rep, Chris Newell, had a positive impression. He said it was a...
read moreProtecting Your Crew from the Heat This Summer
Summer is upon us! This is great news for those of us living in colder regions of the country. But wherever you live one thing is true—summer means hotter days. Professional roofing contractors are familiar with dealing with the heat, but it’s easy to lose track of rest, hydration and other keys to preventing heat-related injuries while meeting demanding construction schedules. But effectively dealing with the summer heat can prevent work-related injuries, days off work due to illness, loss in productivity, and even death. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) reported that in 2012, a temporary roofing contractor, on his first day of work, developed a heat stroke and later died in Miamisburg, Ohio. So it...
read more2nd Half of 2016 Roofing Industry Outlook
Economics: The U.S. Census Bureau reported in May that during the first three months of this year, construction spending equaled $240.4 billion, 9.1 percent (±1.5%) above the $220.3 billion for the same period in 2015. Housing is steady, non-residential cools off after big March gains: Using the numbers available from the Census Bureau, we computed that the seasonally-adjusted average number of building permits for privately-owned housing units for the first four months of 2016 were very close to last year’s numbers, with a slight increase in the Western United States. However, April’s 2016 building permit numbers were lower than last year. Dodge Data & Analytics is reporting in its May 18th press release that...
read moreNational Roofing Week
Every year the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) organizes National Roofing Week to highlight the importance of roofing professionals in quality construction and building performance, as well as the role of proper maintenance. It is also an opportunity to spotlight the industry’s positive impact in the form of charitable projects, along with contributions to energy savings and sustainable buildings. This year, the week begins on June 5 and ends June 11. This is a great occasion for our GenFlex authorized contractors to tell your stories. Let’s face it: Roofing is overhead, but rarely top of mind – unless something goes wrong. National Roofing Week is our chance to talk about how professional roofers and...
read moreTop GenFlex Distributors Rewarded With Above All Program
GenFlex distributors work hard every day to provide quality service and products. Their support is important to GenFlex and GenFlex contractors. To reward our hardworking distributors, GenFlex has developed a special incentive program for those who go above and beyond with their loyalty to the brand and commitment to helping their customers. To show our gratitude, GenFlex developed the Above All Distributor Loyalty Program. “This year's program was particularly helpful in developing sales strategies to mirror with Genflex's new direction for the coming year. And also provided excellent networking opportunities with senior management at Firestone and GenFlex.” (Paul Whelan, SRS Distribution) The program’s...
read moreMay 2-6: “National Safety Stand-Down Week” to prevent falls in construction
Every year, more than 20 percent of all workplace deaths are in the construction industry, and of those, nearly 40 percent are due to falls. The number one most frequently cited OSHA violation deals with construction fall protection. In efforts to break the cycle, OSHA created National Safety Stand-Down Week to help spread awareness about the dangers of accidents and falls in construction. Mark your calendars for May 2-6, and plan to educate your employees about safer practices and different ways to manage potentially dangerous situations. During last year’s campaign, OSHA was able to reach 2.5 million workers. This year, the goal is to reach 5 million – more than half of the U.S. construction workers. How can you get...
read moreSpring storms: The most common roof damage to watch for
2015 was a record-breaking year for storms around the country, and according to weather.com, 2016 may be no different. While warmer than average temperatures are expected for much of the country, excluding the Southeast, many areas will be facing extensive rain and flooding. Accuweather.com predicts an above-average number of severe storms for the South, and as spring progresses, the Midwest and Southwest are expected to experience more severe storms and flooding than normal. With more extreme weather coming to many parts of the country, it will be more important than ever to ensure your building’s roof is ready for the wet season. Some of the most common roof problems you will want to look for this spring include: Rain...
read moreGo Green to celebrate Earth Day
April 22 marks Earth Day and all through April, Earth month is celebrated as a time to be more conscious of the environmental footprint we leave in our daily lives. In the construction industry, the move towards “green” buildings is becoming increasingly popular, especially as we see agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) leading the way with new guidelines and training materials. For those of us in the roofing sector, we think of being “green” with the products we use and the practices we follow. Here are a few tips to help keep you “green” this month and through the rest of year: Use environmentally friendly products. This year, you...
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