Weather
Why roofing contractors must understand lightning protection
By Heidi J. Ellsworth. Protecting people, property and performance through proper coordination, education and certified expertise. Lightning protection is one of the most overlooked, yet critical components of the building envelope and roofing contractors are right in the middle of it. Every roof system, whether residential or commercial, plays a direct ...
Braving the storm with metal
By Central States Manufacturing. Metal roofing provides next-level resilience in the face of harsh weather conditions. Today, severe weather conditions are no longer a what if, but when. As storms and climates grow increasingly volatile across the United States, this new normal has changed the way home and building ...
Building envelope trends shape conversations at IIBEC
By Jesse Sanchez. How consultants are navigating evolving fire codes, wind requirements and commissioning practices to strengthen building performance. As building codes evolve and environmental risks intensify, roofing consultants are sharpening their focus on how entire building systems perform, not just individual components. That shift was evident at the International ...
Why FM approvals matter
By Dani Sheehan. FM approvals are helping shape the future of our industry by defining durability, accountability and risk management for commercial roofing systems. At its core, Factory Mutual (FM) is a unique organization with a dual mission. On one side, it operates as a global insurance provider. On the ...
Surge in U.S. home solar installations underscores need for snow retention solutions
By Rocky Mountain Snow Guards. The Drift Solar Snow Fence provides essential safety for residential solar projects. The United States is experiencing an unprecedented boom in residential solar projects, with homeowners across the nation turning to solar energy to power their lives. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, a new ...
Why waterproofing concrete matters
By Pli-Dek. Protecting concrete from moisture intrusion helps extend the life of structures and prevent costly repairs. Concrete may appear durable, but moisture can cause serious deterioration over time. When water seeps into small pores and hairline cracks, it gradually weakens the material and can lead to surface damage, structural ...
RICOWI Spring Seminar highlights wildfire resilience, research and industry collaboration
By Heidi J. Ellsworth. Industry leaders gather to explore wildfire risk, roofing performance and the future of resilient construction. The Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues (RICOWI) held its Spring 2026 Seminar in Sacramento, California. The conference brought together researchers, fire professionals, code officials and roofing industry leaders to explore the growing ...
RICOWI investigation highlights lessons from Texas A&M hailstorm
By Heidi J. Ellsworth. Findings presented during RICOWI’s spring meeting highlight how different roofing systems performed following a major hailstorm at Texas A&M University. At the recent spring meeting of the Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues (RICOWI) in Sacramento, California, roofing professionals gathered to review the findings of a major ...
Preparing roofs for winter hazards
By Jenny Yu. Industry experts explain how snow retention technology is evolving to improve safety and roof performance. Safety has always been the primary reason for snow retention systems, but evolving roof materials and weather patterns are increasing awareness of their importance across the country. In a recent ...
Building stronger roofs: RICOWI’s latest field investigation
By Emma Peterson. RICOWI’s 2025 Texas A&M University hail study reveals vital insights into modern roof performance after severe storms. Back in 1990, the Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues, Inc. (RICOWI) was formed as a non-profit with the partnership of the Department of Energy and Oak ...
