Tapered insulation systems touted as key to labor-saving roofing practices

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Contractors look to training, innovation and prefabrication to overcome persistent labor shortages. 

As the roofing industry continues to grapple with an entrenched labor shortage, manufacturers and contractors alike are seeking smarter, more efficient ways to tackle jobs. One solution is gaining traction: tapered insulation systems designed for labor and cost savings. That was the focus of a recent Coffee Conversations, hosted by Heidi J. Ellsworth and featuring industry leaders from Hunter Panels and Delta Rep Group. 

“There’s a contractor shortage besides the aging labor force,” said Wayne Heironimus of Delta Rep Group. “You don’t see a lot of young people being drawn to roofing. We’re trying to do more with less people.” 

The panel consisted of industry experts, each looking for solutions to meet the labor demands. One panelist, Justin Andrews, commercial roofing sales manager at Hunter Panels, noted that the labor crisis is no longer about just skilled versus unskilled labor. It’s a broader issue of recruitment, retention and perception. “There’s competition from other trades and there’s competition from other industries outside the building industry,” Justin said. “Then there’s the perception of the work and the roofing industry in general.” 

What’s emerging as a practical answer isn’t just more training, but smarter design choices and prefabrication. Tapered insulation systems are engineered offsite and delivered ready to install, reducing the need for complex field cutting and speeding up application. Justin shared, “We design the tapered layout for folks, but we’re also willing to follow it from start to finish and deal with problems that come up.” 

Tim Rood, tapered department manager at Carlisle Construction Materials, broke it down further: “If you get handed a shop drawing and are told to put it on a roof, that labor force is a lot harder to find. So, we have some tips and tricks to make it a little easier.” Among them: extended panel systems that significantly reduce adhesive layers, waste and man-hours. 

Dawn Holsinger, co-founder of Delta Rep Group, added that even long-time roofers are beginning to see the benefits of transitioning from custom field cuts to prefabricated components. “You have a lot of old school guys who are used to cutting sumps in the field,” Dawn said. “Except it’s not going to be engineered and done the way it is in a controlled setting.” 

Even as the panelists acknowledged the steep road ahead, they painted a hopeful picture, where smart design, collaborative training and thoughtful recruiting could reshape roofing into a more sustainable and attractive career path. 

Read the transcript, Listen to the podcast or Watch the webinar to learn more about how tapered insulation systems and smarter installation strategies are helping contractors overcome labor shortages and boost jobsite efficiency!