Contractor feedback drives lighter, easier-to-handle panels

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Installers pushed for shorter panels, cleaner backers and tougher packaging and READYSLATE’s redesign shows what happens when a manufacturer truly listens to the roof. 

As READYSLATE® expands in the U.S. market, CUPA Pizarras has reshaped its lightweight slate panel system around one core principle: listen to installers who work with it every day. In this episode of the Roofing Road Trips® podcast, Product Manager Pablo González Rodriguez detailed how contractor feedback led directly to the latest round of design updates. 

Pablo shared, “So, contractors loved the product, loved the concept from the beginning because it gave them access to real slate without the concerns of weight limitations first, but also the complexity of finding a crew who has the knowledge on the slate installations. But there were things that couldn't be better.” 

Those things showed up on roofs and trade show floors, where crews were candid about what worked and what needed to change. He noted, “So there were some drawbacks that they share with us in the trade shows or in the installs when we go and visit them or all the exchange we have with them. Mainly it was the length of the panel. So it was way too long. It's not long when you are standing on the ground.” 

Contractors also flagged the original bitumen base and packaging. “There were also some complaints on the bitumen base because it causes stains and especially in hot days, left residues, it touches something. And also the packaging, the cardboard packaging we used to have didn't hold up,” he said. “Especially on wet conditions on the job site. So, those were the main things that needed to be addressed by us.” 

The redesign kept the same natural slate and thickness but rethought how it is delivered. Pablo said, “Yeah, it's a natural slate, it's heavy, we're still having the same slate, same thickness, we are not varying that, but we reduce the size of the panel. So that helps us to have a shorter panel, we move from six slates to four slates and that itself already is 30% shorter and it's perfect size to move around and to handle yourself, you don't need somebody to hold it, so you can name it, it's way easier.”  

Listen to the podcast to learn more about how contractor feedback shaped READYSLATE’s lighter, easier-to-handle design!