Roof Hugger
Building better retrofits: Roof Hugger’s commitment to IIBEC and the building enclosure community
By Heidi J. Ellsworth. Advancing retrofit solutions through engineering, collaboration and industry partnership. In today’s evolving construction landscape, the role of building enclosure professionals has never been more critical. From ensuring long-term performance to meeting increasingly complex energy and structural requirements, consultants are at the forefront of delivering smarter, more ...
Metal retrofit strengthens performance at university facility
By Jesse Sanchez. Learn how a metal-over-metal retrofit improved durability, appearance and wind resistance for a complex campus building. When a roof reaches the end of its service life, building owners must weigh performance, cost and operational impact. For universities and other occupied facilities, that challenge becomes more complex, as ...
Why purlins and subpurlins matter in metal retrofit design
By Jesse Sanchez. Understanding framing, load paths and real-world testing helps ensure your project is a code-compliant and durable metal-over-metal retrofit. When an existing metal roof reaches the end of its service life, retrofitting is often the easiest, least invasive and most cost-effective replacement strategy. Companies such as Roof Hugger ...
In memory of Mark James
Honoring Mark's life and accomplishments. We are deeply saddened to share that my longtime pillar of the metal building community Mark James passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2026. Mark is survived by his wife of 55 years Paula, his son Jarrod, his grandchildren Brooklyn, Harley, Julian and his great-grandson Trevon. ...
Proving strength in metal roof retrofits
By Jesse Sanchez. How retrofit testing is redefining metal roof performance and why documented, real-world structural testing is essential. Metal building owners are asking a more direct question than they did a decade ago. The issue is no longer simply whether a roof can be replaced, but whether the existing ...
Last call for IIBEC’s 2026 International Convention!
By Emma Peterson. Join The Coffee Shops™ crew and our industry partners in Sacramento for four days of education, innovation and industry connection. The Coffee Shops™ crew is putting the finishing touches on our travel plans to get to Sacramento, California March 12–15, 2026 for the International Institute of Building ...
A better way to lay new metal on old steel
By Jesse Sanchez. A company built on a dedication to quality and craftsmanship finds new ways to make old metal buildings feel safe again. As shared on this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Dale Nelson, founder and president of Roof Hugger, joined vice president D.J. Highnote to discuss how a ...
Stronger retrofits start with what’s underneath
By Jesse Sanchez. What Roof Hugger’s leaders say about the importance of purlin strength for aging metal buildings. Metal roofs are everywhere and as they age, owners must decide whether to patch, replace or upgrade their roof with long-term performance in mind. In this episode of MetalCast™, Roof Hugger leaders ...
From problem solving to industry standard
By Jesse Sanchez. A contractor-led idea grew into a widely trusted retrofit approach by responding to real-world challenges and validating performance through decades of testing. In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Karen Edwards sat down with Dale Nelson, founder of Roof Hugger, to trace how a practical field challenge ...
-why-investing-in-older-metal-buildings-is-gaining-new-momentum-2.jpg "(Original) Why investing in older metal buildings is gaining new momentum")
Why investing in older metal buildings is gaining new momentum
By Jesse Sanchez. With millions of aging metal-roofed structures nationwide, strategic retrofits are reshaping value, resilience and long-term performance. For many owners who built metal facilities in the 1970s and 1980s, the priority at that time was affordability. These buildings were designed to provide what was often described as “shade ...
