Industry Trends
Drone 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 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 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...
read moreQ1 Construction Update: 2016 starts off in the right direction
Based on strong commercial construction in 2014 and 2015, industry experts were optimistic coming into 2016. Experts predicted an average 6 percent growth in starts, with residential, multifamily housing and commercial buildings leading the way. Fortunately for much of the commercial construction industry, the quarter saw an upward tick. According to Construction Market Data, the top five construction project starts in the United States in January 2016 were in New York, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., Florida and Indiana. Washington D.C. continued to expand on construction, remaining on the top five projects list throughout the quarter. International construction growth is on the rise. Outside of the United States, the...
read moreConstruction trends you can expect to carry on through 2016
Every year brings a new set of challenges for the construction industry to overcome, and with that also comes new technologies and trends to keep the industry moving forward. Five issues that will be important to consider throughout 2016 include: Skilled labor shortage to continue The skilled labor shortage is not a new problem, but it is still a major issue facing the industry. “The overwhelming, number one issue is access to skilled labor,” Dominic Thasarathar, Autodesk's senior industry program manager for construction and natural resources, told Construction Dive in a recent article. “So many people left the industry or were laid off, and now there's a real struggle to find the right people to staff the...
read moreStay dry this spring, with preventative roofing maintenance
Spring is near, and with the warmer weather also comes higher amounts of rainfalls and storms. Before the rainy season sets in, you will want your roof in top condition and ready for whatever weather you might face. One of the best times to perform a roofing inspection is after the worst of winter is over. It is a safer time to get out on the roof, without the fear of slipping on ice, and inspect it for any damage brought on by heavy snowfall or high winds. Some areas of the country experienced record snowfalls this winter. These areas should pay extra attention to their spring roof inspection. Generally, a minimum of two roof inspections should be performed every year, one in the spring and one in the fall. Before you can...
read moreWhat changes you can expect in 2016
Everything from building codes and energy efficiency standards and trends to new roofing technologies and the economy are sure to impact your business in 2016. The 2016 Dodge Construction Outlook predicts an approximate 6 percent rise in construction starts for the year, but many outside factors can impact this number such as lending costs and material prices. Multifamily housing and commercial building spaces are anticipated to be some of the top sectors for growth. In October, you can expect to see LEED® v4 take effect. What does this mean for your business? Green building practices are becoming increasingly popular in the United States and internationally, making it important to stay updated on the future of sustainability in building...
read moreInternational Roofing Expo is just around the corner; will you be there?
In its 129th year, the International Roofing Expo (IRE) is returning to Florida, and the anticipation for the show is building. More than 475 companies will be exhibiting at the Orange County Convention Center Feb. 17-19, and GenFlex is excited to be among them. Featuring more than 44 sessions throughout the tradeshow this year, the wide range of topics includes: workplace safety, management, green building, legal, service and sales, and general business. Aside from the educational sessions, attendees have the opportunity to participate in a community service day and listen to keynote speaker, Dr. Beck Weathers. With all the sessions and events to attend, don’t forget to make a stop at the GenFlex booth, 1715. GenFlex...
read moreConstruction industry predicted outlook for 2016
Throughout most of 2015, the construction industry saw much needed growth since the economic recession, building on the momentum from 2014. In October 2015, Dodge Data & Analytics released its 2016 Dodge Construction Outlook. The report predicts that U.S. construction starts will rise by 6 percent in 2016. This is a bit lower than the previous two years that experienced gains of 9 percent in 2014 and an estimated 13 percent in 2015. The chief economist for the report, Robert Murray, also shared the factors that were used that will influence how the industry will fair over the next year: Strength of U.S. economy Political changes and affected funding Global headwinds impact Financial conditions (i.e. lending and material...
read more