Education
October is Energy Action Month
In 2011 and each year thereafter, the former President of the United States proclaimed October to be National Energy Action Month. This designation was created to encourage energy-saving actions and to reduce national energy consumption. The presidential proclamations called upon citizens of the United States to recognize October as Energy Action Month by “working together to achieve greater energy security, a more robust economy, and a healthier environment for our children.” These are goals we think everyone can agree with. GenFlex’s Commitment Every year, commercial buildings represent nearly one-fifth of all U.S. energy consumption, according to the Department of Energy. Roofing is a critical component to any building,...
read moreNational Fire Prevention Month 2017
Few issues in construction are more important than protecting the project—and the people involved in it—from fire damage and injury. Fire officials and construction experts, along with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), designate the month of October every year to boost public education efforts, including those targeting the construction industry. According to an NFPA report, Fires in Structures under Construction, there were 3,750 fires in structures under construction from 2010-2014. Approximately 2,500 of those fires were under major renovations, and 2,130 were in sites being demolished. These fires resulted in 9 deaths, 132 civilian injuries, and $310 million in direct property damage. Additionally, the US...
read moreHow to Properly Choose a Commercial Roofing Contractor
When searching for a roofing contractor, most people start searching the internet to review all of the local listings. But it’s important to ask other building owners or facility managers for their recommendations as well. GenFlex offers a Find-An-Expert tool on our website, where you can locate GenFlex-authorized contractors in your area, as well as authorized sales representatives that can help point you in the right direction. Fine-Tuning the Search List The following are some basic tips to finding commercial roofing contractors. Look for a range of photographs on the company’s website illustrating project details and established history, similar to a project portfolio. Look for videos that detail their projects and...
read moreConstruction Needs After Hurricane Harvey
Harvey reached landfall Friday, August 25 as a Category 4 hurricane, causing record levels of destruction, tragedy and economic loss in southeastern Texas. By the time it decreased to a tropical depression, the Beaumont and Port Arthur regions had received approximately 30”of rainfall. As of August 31, the damage was ongoing. According to NBC News, at least 29 people had died, and more than 32,000 Texans were in shelters. Thousands of people were still missing, and almost 210,000 people had applied for federal assistance. Southeastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana are expected to be submerged under several feet of water for a protracted amount of time. Economists consulted by NBC News estimated losses between $48 billion to...
read moreWomen’s Equality Day
Since August is a month that, among other things, honors women with National Women’s Equality Day, GenFlex would like to applaud women who have chosen a career in construction and roofing. Saying that women have come a long way in the construction industry is the absolute truth. Annie McEvoy writes in her article, The history of women in the construction industry, and how far they have come, “One of the first documented women in construction was in the late 1800s. Emily Roebling stepped in as the ‘first woman field engineer’ and saw out the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge but only because her husband had become ill. The Brooklyn Bridge opened on May 24, 1883, and Emily was the first to cross it. Louise Blanchard...
read moreBenefits of a Heat-Welded System
As we all know, “heat-welded roofs” refer to the seams of a roofing membrane that have been fused together with the application of heat. Single-ply thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) membranes, including GenFlex’s TPO, are typically used. GenFlex EZ TPO and EZ TPO Peel & Stick™ HW are heat-welded roofing membranes made of high‑quality thermoplastic polyolefin. They are excellent choices regardless of configuration, usage, slope, height location or wind exposure. Installation Benefits When comparing heat-welded seams with glued or taped seams, the seam strength is 3–4 times more durable and requires 40–50% less seaming time, reducing labor costs and ultimately making the installation less expensive. Welding can be done...
read moreA Brief History of TPO
Beginning in the 1960s, prior to the introduction of Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) in the US market, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) was the single-ply thermoplastic roofing system that was mainly used. PVC was known for its versatility since it could be molded to fit varying roof structures and could withstand chemical, light and temperature corrosion. However, PVC includes plasticizer additives to give it more flexibility, so after years of use, the plasticizers would break down, wash away and add chemicals to the soil. It also encourages mold growth and is affected by the weather over time, leading to roof shrinkage and cracking. These shortcomings lead to manufacturers conducting research in an effort to find a resilient solution that...
read moreContinuing Education Resources
For many of us, school or college days are just fond memories of the past. However, that doesn’t mean we can stop learning. As a commercial roofing business owner or someone working in the industry, the importance of continuing education in our changing industry should be recognized. While it is easy to become set in one’s ways, especially if you have been successful in the past, the industry is growing and changing and becoming more technology driven than ever before. You have to stay relevant and up-to-date on new products, trends, environmental issues, new methods to reach new and current customers, more efficient installation techniques, and new codes and regulations, to name a few. And, continuing education can include some...
read moreQ1 2017 Construction Industry Performance
Employment in the construction industry for the first two months in 2017 was up over the same months in 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) report. New hires in January was up 92,000, and in February they were up 22,000 over last year’s numbers. The construction industry added a total of 756,000 new hires in the first two months. March numbers are also looking great. The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) reports a 2.6% increase in construction employment in March from a year ago, and noted that construction employment is at the highest level since 2008! And, it looks to continue. Manpower’s Employment Outlook Survey for Q2 2017 reports an expected...
read moreGenFlex Classroom and Hands-on Training Programs
GenFlex believes that providing valuable training at no cost to its contractors is an investment worth making. GenFlex has a great team with the knowledge and expertise to explain and demonstrate the proper installation methods for its products. Training is usually conducted with the support of our many distributors throughout North America, all of whom understand that the contractor’s success is our success. While training will vary from location to location, we would like to highlight one of our training programs that is getting a lot of praise from the participants. Zoe Bayley, a GenFlex representative in Atlanta, GA, has developed a training program with the local distributor, Roofing Supply Group (RSG). Zoe has...
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